No Cleaning Fees, No Chores List
Nothing's worse than having to a whole bunch of chores while you're trying to pack up. Our only ask is that you not trash the place, and lock up when you leave (don't ruin this for future guests!).
The Peter MacFarlane Home: A Luxury Historical Vacation Home for Rent in the Colorado Mountains
Jump to: Renter-Friendly Policies • Indoor Spaces • Outdoor Spaces • House History • Amenities
The Most Renter-Friendly Vacation Home in Colorado
As avid skiiers/snowboarders and extensive travelers (one of us owns a travel agency), we've stayed in a lot of places. Some of them were really nice, some of them were kinda frustrating. When we decided to open our home to fellow travelers, we wanted to make sure it was something special. We've taken the best ideas and fixed the worst problems to create the most renter-friendly vacation home in Colorado.
Dog-Friendly (Accidents Happen)
We're dog lovers. While our two furbabies are no longer with us, we love our furry four-legged friends. We supply bowls, a crate, and comfy blankets, too. And if Fido has an accident, no worries. Use the spot cleaner and let us know so we can deep-clean it. (We accept dogs but can't accept cats because we're allergic.)
Friendly & Relaxed Local Hosts
Don't you hate it when you're stuck with a nagging, uptight host? Our approach is simple: you respect our space, we respect your life & privacy. We're not going to gripe about every messed up towel or broken wine glass. We have a few house rules & requests, but they're mostly focused on your safety and not burning down the mountains. And we're proud to live in Central City, so our Welcome Guide is chock-full of recommendations and advice for a great stay.
We've Anticipated Almost Everything
You're not renting a hotel room, you're guests in our home. We've tried to anticipate every need, from the perfect spices for a great meal to personal care items you might have forgotten. No more opening wine bottles with a screw driver (true story...). Check out our full amenities list below!
Comfortable Spaces for Families & Friends
The interior of our 150+ year old home has been fully renovated. Decorated in a modern style with touches of history throughout, we've worked hard to create a space that is welcoming, comfortable, and ready for your friends or family to have a wonderful time in Colorado's "Richest Square Mile on Earth."
Friendly Social Spaces
Living Room • Sitting Room • Dining Table for 8 • Flex Room
Enjoy your time together in our comfortable living room, featuring a leather couch and two powered recliners, plus a couple more comfy chairs in the sitting room in the kitchen/dining room. When it's time to share a meal, our dining table seats 8+ and we've got enough dinnerware for everyone.
There are two Roku televisions downstairs both with Bring-Your-Own-Streaming (we'll make sure you're signed out when you leave), plus a great collection of books and board games. If you need a little quiet time, the Flex Room in the back of the house offers a convertible futon and chair.
The Chef's Kitchen
Fully Equipped • Outdoor Grill • Mixology-Ready
Our kitchen is huge, featuring a double oven, 5-burner stove, dishwasher, and just about every pot, pan, or cooking utensil you could need. Two outdoor grills, one woodburning and one gas, are just steps away for the perfect steak or burger. The mobile bar cart paired with a dedicated wine fridge is perfect for a well-crafted cocktail or the delightful pop of a celebratory champagne.
And rest assured that we've stocked the kitchen to fix all the things we've hated about other vacation rentals. We've supplied spices(!), cooking oils, sugar, salt, and condiments so you can easily craft the perfect tasty meal, without needlessly buying supplies you have plenty of at home.
Three Delightful Bedrooms
King • Queen • Twin Bunk • Extra Futon Space
There's plenty of space to sleep, whether you're a family or a bunch of friends, or a couple who wants to sleep in a different bed every night. The MacFarlane Suite is our main bedroom, with a king-sized bed, loveseat, and lots of closet space. There's a TV in here plus a gigantic bathroom and glorious soaking tub. The Junior Suite features a queen-sized bed, comfortable side chair, and a full-sized ensuite bathroom. The Bunk Room has a twin-over-twin bunk bed plus a closet and dresser. If you need even more space, the futon in the Flex room downstairs coverts to an extra sleeping space.
All three bedrooms feature extra linens, pillows, and blankets, plus a humidifier, fan, room-darkening curtains, and device chargers. The MacFarlane and Junior Suites each have a television with Bring-Your-Own-Streaming available.
Four Full Bathrooms
Infinite Hot Water • Personal Care Items
No one's fighting over the shower or the hot water at the MacFarlane Home. Our four bathrooms give everyone what they need. Two of them have showers, and two of them feature tubs and showers. The MacFarlane Suite bathroom features a glorious soaking tub, extra makeup vanity, and walk-in closet space. And with an on-demand tankless water heater, there's enough hot water for everyone.
Inviting & Fun Outdoor Spaces
The MacFarlane Home sits on one of the biggest lots in Central City, boasting both the largest private parking area available and a large private yard. Listen to the creek running along the front of the property as you play croquet, or park your ATV trailer while charging your EV truck in the parking lot.
Yard Games Aplenty
Corn Hole Championships • Water Gun Fights
Spend a leisurely afternoon in our yard with an array of yard games at the ready. Our championship-grade corn hole set includes two lovely boards, bags, and a flippable score board because we all always forget who's winning. Plus, hitch up your knickers for an old school game of croquet, enjoy free-range lawn bowling with the Bocce balls, or toss around the oversized dice and soft-tipped lawn darts. We even have a couple of SuperSoakers!
Lovely Private Veranda
Coffee or Wine in the Sunshine
The MacFarlane Suite features a walk-out private veranda off the back-side of the house. This ultra-private space is shielded from view, and is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine. Or simply enjoy some midday sun.
Enclosed Dog-Friendly Patio Grill Area
Doggie Dookie Bags • Outdoor Grills
Our outdoor patio just off the kitchen is a nice place to let your dogs roam while you grill up the perfect steak or burger. With a wood-fired grill and a gas grill both available, it's a great space to socialize over open flame (fire-ban permitting). We provide doggie dookie bags to clean up your furbaby's ... gifts ... and wood for the fire. Note that dogs should not be left on their own in the dog run.
Incredible Parking & EV Charger
Biggest Lot in Central • Free EV Charging
Parking in the mountains can be a headache, but not at the MacFarlane Home. Our parking area is the largest private parking lot available in Central City, with space for 5-6 cars. If you're visiting for the incredible ATV and Off-Road trails nearby, this is the only place in town you can park a small-to-medium toy trailer (just be good at backing up). For longer trailers, there is a public lot just up the street.
The Level 2 EV Charger will get your Tesla, Rivian, IONIQ, Mach-E, ID.4, or any other electric vehicle charged up and ready to go by the next morning. It's a Tesla Universal charger so it has built-in NACS & J1772 adapters. Come on up to the mountains and don't worry about having enough charge for the next day's fun!
The History of Peter MacFarlane, Central City, And Our Home
In XXXX, Peter MacFarlane set out from Prince Edward Island to craft a life in America's great west. Like so many before him, he heard of the rich opportunities that lay in the mountains, and gold had recently been discovered in Colorado. Though he tried his hand at a bit of mining (unsuccessfully) where Peter really shined was as a entrepreneurial craftsman who literally built Central City.
In his early years in Central City, Peter and his company made a name for themselves with key construction projects, including finishing the interior, doors, and then-roof of the CHURCH NAME which had stood half-completed for many years. Later he helped build BUILDING, BUILDING, BUILDING, and ultimately was responsible for completing the interior of the world-famous Central City Opera House and of course, his own palatial home at 222 Eureka St.
Later, he purchased the NAME Foundry next door (now the Opera's Rehearsal Hall), and MacFarlane & Co was responsible for building and installing most of the Gilpin County Slow Drop Mills used throughout the region to crush the ore brought up from the mines. These mills, though controversial in the mining world at the time, were what unlocked tens of millions of dollars of wealth for Central City, Gilpin County, and the surrounding towns. Without Peter's contributions, Central City may have never been the Richest Square Mile on Earth.
As the gold rush began to wane, property throughout town began to change hands more frequently. Peter was an avid lover of music and the arts, and was passionate about the Central City Opera House which his own two hands had helped bring to life. Now a wealthy man, Peter purchased the Opera House outright to save it from demolition. It stayed in his family for decades after that, until ultimately his son and daughter-in-law, Frederick and Ida MacFarlane, donated the Opera House to the University of Denver and created the Central City Opera Association. Since then, our little community has been home to a renowned opera festival every summer.
Though Frederick and Ida are credited with the CCOA's creation and long-term preservation of the Opera House, it was Peter MacFarlane that ensured this town and its great landmarks would be forever preserved. Today you can stroll past many of the great old homes, including Fred & Ida's, which are owned by History Colorado and the Opera Association, primarily used for artist housing in the summer.
But the Peter MacFarlane Home has remained privately preserved for 150+ years. As its current stewards we are proud to open our home and its history to you. Whether you're a history buff or an opera aficionado, when you sleep under our roof you are sleeping in the same space built by the man who built Central City, Colorado.
Don't worry, there're no ghosts; not only was Peter an even-tempered teetotaler ... we smudged the place. Besides, the ghosts stick to the cemeteries up the hill. Well, and the Blue House across the street - we think we have a ghost cat there, but she's harmless.
Amenities
For the Chef in the Family:
- The Basic Built-Ins:
- Double oven
- 5-burner gas stove, with 3-speed outdoor-venting hood
- Microwave
- Hot-water pot-filler over stove
- Refrigerator & Freezer
- Dishwasher
- Appliances:
- Blender
- Hand-mixer
- Toaster
- Coffee Maker
- Hot water kettle
- Cooking Tools:
- Complete set of cookware and bakeware
- Wooden spoons, spatulas, slotted spoons, whisks
- Can opener
- Mixing bowls & colanders
- Pyrex measuring cups, dry measuring cups & spoons
- Vegetable Peeler
- Grater
- Ice cream scoop
- Meat thermometer
- Oven mitts
- The Stuff You Need But Rental Homes Never Have:
- Spices! Glorious spices!
- Sugar, Salt, Pepper
- Cooking oil
- Condiments
- Coffee & Tea
- Serving the Perfect Meal:
- Dinnerware including large & small plates, pasta bowls, cereal bowls, pinch-bowls,
- Drinkware including tall glasses, juice glasses, and coffee mugs
- Silverware & chopsticks
- Steak knives
- Charcuterie board
- For Cleaning Up & Taking Home Leftovers:
- Dishtowels and cleaning rags
- Dish soap, scrub brushes, and sponges
- Food storage containers and bags (feel free to take your leftovers with you!)
- Other stuff without a witty headline:
- Step stool (because our cabinets are high up)
- Woodfire grill with firewood (fire-ban permitting)
- Gas grill (always allowed)
Mixologists & Wine Aficionados, Rejoice:
- Full mixology set with shaker and tools
- Wine opener
- Margarita/sangria pitcher
- Martini glasses
- Shot glasses
- Wine glasses
- Champagne flutes
- Wine & champagne bottle stoppers
- Movable bar cart
- Champagne ice bucket
- Standalone wine & champagne fridge
In the Throne Rooms:
- Toilet paper (obviously?)
- Bath towels, hand towels, make-up towels
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Bath soap
- Blow dryers
- Sanitary disposal bags
- Plungers & bowl brushes
- Personal Care Items (In case you forgot something):
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Razors & shaving cream
- Tampons, pantyliners, menstrual pads
- Condoms & personal lubricant sachets
For Your Safety (And Your Kids' Safety):
- Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Electrical outlet covers installed on all floor-level outlets
- Cabinet safety locks on cabinets containing soap or chemicals
- Window guards on floor-level upstairs windows
For Cleaning Up (Though We Don't Require It):
- Paper towels and tissues
- Broom & dustpan
- Full-sized Dyson vacuum (upstairs)
- Stick-sized Dyson vacuum (downstairs)
- Swiffer WetJet
- Swiffer Duster
- Bissell Green Machine mini steam cleaner
- Plungers & toilet bowl brushes in each bathroom
Parking & EV Charging:
- Tesla Universal Level 2 EV Charger with NACS & J1772 compatible adapters.
- Large parking lot with room for 5-6 cars or a small-to-medium ATV / Snowmobile trailer.
Entertain Yourself Freely:
- Inside:
- High-speed WiFi powered by Starlink
- Four televisions:
- Two TVs downstairs
- TV in the MacFarlane Suite and in the Junior Suite
- All TVs have Bring-Your-Own-Streaming and your accounts are erased after your stay.
- The Living Room TV includes an HDMI cable to plug in your own computer or gaming console.
- Books & reading material, including a great historical library about Central City
- Board games for all ages (and not awful ones like Monopoly ... ugh!)
- 2 Yoga Mats
- Outside:
- Yard games including championship-grade Corn Hole set, Bocce Ball, Yard Dice & Dominoes, and Croquet.
- Woodfire grill for s'mores, with firewood (fire-ban permitting)
Stay Cozy & Comfy:
- Throw blankets and pillows in the living room
- Extra blankets, pillows, & sheets in the bedrooms
- Humidifiers and fans in each bedroom
- Room-darkening curtains in each bedroom.
Staying Organized & Wrinkle Free:
- Iron & Ironing Board
- Washer & Dryer
- Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and stain treatment
- A Luggage Rack in each bedroom (and two in the MacFarlane Suite)
- Hangers and/or dressers
For a Romantic Evening:
- LED Candles
- Two candelabras with LED tapered candles for a romantic (or medieval) dinner
- Personal care items provided
- Dimmable lights
For Families with Youngins:
- Travel Crib
- Portable high chair with tray
For Guests with Furbabies (Dogs Only)
- Pet-friendly fleece blanket
- Crate for pups with separation anxiety
- 1 Gallon water bowl
- 2 large food bowls
- Waste bags
- Enclosed dog run area
For Cannabis Consumers:
- Rolling tray
- Ash trays
- Ozium air freshener
- Smoker poles outdoors
Add-Ons Available (Inquire, Additional Costs Apply):
- Setting up for a special celebration like a birthday or romantic getaway. Think balloons, flower petals on the bed, a bottle of bubbly chilling, etc.
- Pre-stocking the bar (service fee plus cost of alcohol applies)
- Pre-stocking the fridge (service fee plus cost of food)
- Something custom? Ask us and we'd be happy to see what we can do!
What We Don't Have:
- Air Conditioning because we don't need it. If it gets warm, open windows for a cross breeze and use some fans - the house stays pretty cool even on hot days and nights always cool down quickly up here.
- Cable or Satellite TV because the streaming services are generally enough for everyone. The TVs have apps for YouTube, Roku Live TV, Sports channels, Movies, and more. And in the Living Room you can connect your computer to the provided HDMI cable.
- Outdoor Event Furniture: While we're open to special events or gatherings like small weddings or retreats (additional cost applies) we don't currently have seating, tables, or tents. These items need to be rented.
- Content creation equipment like lights , tripods, or green screens. We may add these in the future.