Estes Park Restaurant Named Finalist for National Craft Lodging Award

Twin Owls Steakhouse at Taharaa Mountain Lodge in Estes Park has been named a nominee finalist for the 2025 Select Registry Best Restaurant Award, making it the first Northern Colorado property to receive recognition in the national craft lodging organization's annual awards program.

The restaurant is competing against four other properties nationwide for the honor, which recognizes exceptional cuisine, atmosphere and customer service at independent lodging establishments. Select Registry announced the nominee finalists on October 14.

Twin Owls Steakhouse relocated to Taharaa Mountain Lodge in summer 2020 after operating independently in Estes Park since the 1980s. The steakhouse became integrated within the lodge property during operational changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taharaa Mountain Lodge opened in 2001 under founders Doug and Evelyn Tresner, who remain the property's owners. The lodge is currently the only Select Registry member property in Larimer County and represents one of four Colorado properties in the organization's portfolio of more than 250 boutique lodging establishments across the United States.

Select Registry maintains rigorous membership standards for independent inns, bed and breakfasts, and boutique hotels. According to the organization's official requirements, properties must complete an unannounced overnight inspection by a quality assurance evaluator who measures guest experience, service, cleanliness, food quality and facility maintenance on a 525-point system.

All member properties must offer guest rooms with private bathrooms, high-quality breakfast service, and either on-site dinner or access to quality dining within 10 miles, according to Select Registry membership documentation. Properties are also subject to regular surprise re-inspections to verify continued compliance with standards.

The 2025 Craft Lodging Awards include 13 categories recognizing various aspects of hospitality excellence, from sustainability initiatives to social media engagement. Other competing properties in the Best Restaurant Award category include Edge at Goldmoor Inn and Resort in Galena, Illinois; Forty at Inn at Thorn Hill in Jackson, New Hampshire; Glenlaurel, A Scottish Inn and Cottages in Rockbridge, Ohio; and La Table Provençale at L'Auberge Provencale Inn & Restaurant in Boyce, Virginia.

"The 2025 Craft Lodging Awards allow us to honor our properties' distinct charm, personalized service, and exceptional guest experiences," said Mark Reichle, CEO of Select Registry, in the announcement. "This year's nominees showcase the very best in the industry, and we are excited to celebrate those who continue to set the standard for excellence year after year."

Select Registry has operated for more than 50 years as a quality assurance organization for independent lodging properties. The organization's member properties range from backcountry locations to urban neighborhoods across the United States and include one property in Ontario, Canada.

Winners of the 2025 Craft Lodging Awards will be announced at a later date. The awards program also includes a Travelers' Choice Award category determined entirely by guest nominations rather than organizational evaluation.