One such re-use of what would otherwise be an abandoned building was the conversion of a historic hotel in downtown Walsenburg into La Plaza Inn bed and breakfast. Having stayed in historic hotels in other Colorado cities such as Durango, I found La Plaza Inn very similar in that the building is old but the rooms have been updated as much as possible. La Plaza Inn rents individual rooms like a regular hotel, but there is a common area for watching TV, talking, or reading. I would call it sort of a modified bed and breakfast.

The "breakfast" part of the deal consists of a meal served on the first floor with guests eating at individual tables, but they can mingle if desired. The reason I am publicizing the meal is that this is actually a restaurant open to the public, and is not limited to hotel guests. It is a little bit untraditional in the sense that you have to go when the food is ready rather than at any hour during the morning. Breakfast is the only meal served, but there is a meal every day of the week and all are welcome. I believe you are safe if you arrive at 8:00 a.m. but you may want to check the time.

Breakfast was an all-you-can-eat buffet, and was very well prepared. With fruit, bread, and main dishes, this was not the typical free or "continental" breakfast you usually get with a hotel stay. The highlight of the meal was the Quiche. Both vegetarian and meat versions were served, and this was probably some of the best I have tasted (although I tend to like most of the quiche I try). This quiche was flavorful and well prepared, and if you did not like one that was served others kept coming out until no one could eat any more. I do not know if this is the standard breakfast at La Plaza, but I suspect the menu varies somewhat from day to day.

There are not a lot of choices for breakfast, or for any meal, in Walsenburg. It is good to know, however, that the food available is high quality, and would be considered so even in a much larger city.