In 1909 Hotel Boulderado opened its doors as the first luxury hotel in Boulder Colorado. (I hope you read that with swanky ambient music in the background) A century later, the elegance and charm of the original hotel is alive, well, and available for the discerning modern traveler or history travel geeks like us!
Hotel Boulderado is as unique as the town that it sits in. A blend of old world elegance and modern convenience, a stay here is like no other.
What’s in a Name
Hotel Boulderado was not the original name for the hotel. It was quite the controversy in town as to what to call the new luxury hotel. And everyone weighed in! It had to have the perfect name because it was meant as a magnet to grow Boulder from a small mining and farming town to a classy and hopping city of commerce. Vacationers and business men would stay here bringing investment to the local economy. It had to be perfect.
Hotel Beautiful
The Flagstaff
Palace Hotel
Each of these names and more were considered. Finally, a blending of Boulder and Colorado (Boulderado) was decided upon and the whole town was thrilled. You see, Boulder has always prided itself on being unique and what better way to showcase that then to name their crown jewel in that very uniqueness. Everyone would always remember where they stayed. Hotel Boulderado was born.
Visit Unique and Historic Boulder Colorado
The Unique Features of Hotel Boulderado
Open air ironwork
One of the hall marks of the time period was the ornate iron work on open air porches. This is still intact on the face of Hotel Boulderado and can be seen as one approaches the building.
The lobby ceiling
The lobby is, in a word, stunning. Whether walking in through the side door (the original entrance) or the current entrance it’s an instant time travel to 1909. The eye is immediately drawn to the grand staircase which has served as the perfect place for many couples to say ‘I do’. But almost just as fast your eyes go up to the incredible stained glass ceiling. It’s GORGEOUS. If you are wondering if I was the girl sitting on the sofa, head back, staring at the ceiling pretty much every chance I got, the answer is yes, yes I was. Well worth looking like a gawking bird. 100%
The fourth floor museum
Hands down one of the coolest things about Hotel Boulderado was a stroll around the fourth floor. Furniture, photos, and curiosities of the time are on display. Some of them are encased in glass and others, like the steamer trunks, are not. I love that they trust visitors to be respectful and you get to see things as they were and not separated. It makes the history of the unique hotel feel more personal and more alive.
Glacier Water Fountain
At the time, all the major town businesses had one. The bank, the general store, and the Hotel Boulderado. It was one of those unique hallmarks of all things Boulder and a draw for people to come visit. The water that came to these fountains was 100% pure gralcier water from the Arapahoe Glacier. It was cold, clear, and mountain fresh! Today, only 2% of Boulder’s water supply comes from the glacier so in truth the fountain is also just 2% but it’s still really cool! And this water fountain is the only one remaining from that time period. (Yup, still works!)
The Stunning Lobby 
Original Washrooms on Fourth Floor (one for men, one for women) 
Original Otis elevator 
Original Fashionplates
The Otis Elevator
The original Otis elevator is still in pristine condition. Guests can buzz the original call button and an attendant appears to take you where you need to go. But the Otis Elevator is more than a mere attraction. This is the only elevator in the historic part of the hotel (newer ones in the contemporary wing) and it is what the bell hops use to deliver baggage to rooms. It’s really a fun experience.
The Treasures throughout the Hotel
Throughout Hotel Boulderado are glimpses of the past in beautifully preserved ways. A piece of the original stained glass, a cigar and cigar box from the men’s smoking lounge, an ornate cash register, perfectly preserved artwork or ‘fashion plates’ of the day. There are so many gorgeous details not to be missed, we created a little scavenger hunt for you so you can be sure to uncover and experience the unique delights of Hotel Boudlerado. Hint: it’s also a fabulous way to introduce some early twentieth century history to your family in a meaningful ‘come alive’ kind of way.
A Hotel Full of History and Personal Stories
Every room has a story
I’ve already mentioned how staying at Hotel Boulderado is like stepping back in time. A big reason as to how that is accomplished is the attention to detail and a desire to keep as many original pieces as possible. A great many of the furnishings are indeed original to the hotel. The ones that are not, are well done reproductions and they blend seamlessly into the ambiance. One of my favorite stories we learned about Hotel Boulderado was this. In 1909, the rooms were small and the beds were single. Modern travelers expect more space and larger beds. What Hotel Boulderado did was to take an original single size headboard, split the original footboard in two, and add it to the headboard. Voila! Modern size headboard using original Hotel Boulderado furnishings. Genius.
Famous Folks who have stayed in Hotel Boulderado
Hotel Boulderado has hosted many a musician traveling through the Boulder area. Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, BB King, and Ethyl Barrymore are a few. In addition notable personalities such as Robert Frost, Helen Keller, and Clarence Darrow have all been guests. Helen Keller actually stayed a couple of times, both while giving lectures at the University of Colorado. Robert Frost frequented Hotel Boulderado as his daughter was a patient at the nearby sanitarium. I think it’s also interesting to note that in 1961, not too many luxury hotels were allowing black guests so it is historically significant to note this is indeed where both Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington stayed. See what I mean? Stories….
Hotel Boulderado Legend, Honey Bee
One Hotel Boulderado story that must be told is that of the local music teacher, Honey Bee. She spent a great deal of time at Hotel Boulderado in her youth and there is a life size painting between the fourth and fifth floors in the historic section of her coming out to society. She dined at the hotel daily and gave piano lessons to many local Boulder children. When she made preparations to move into a retirement facility, she gifted the hotel she loved the beautiful portrait. Before she passed away she was able to see it hung where it is today.
As a final gesture of love, she bequeathed the actual outfit from the portrait and this stunning piece of history can be seen in the modern wing of the hotel. I think this story is significant because it addition to being a magnet for business and leisure, Hotel Boulderado was from the very beginning, the peoples’ hotel. They loved it. They celebrated it. And they made it part of their lives. Miss Honey Bee is a beautiful example of that.
Ghost stories
Most historic sites boast a ghost story or two. We asked but all the staff at Hotel Boulderado we talked with didn’t have any to share. On the contrary, there was some honest surprise from a couple of them that there weren’t any. We did hear a couple in town about a woman who knocks on one of the room doors and then passes through but couldn’t find anything to corroborate it. And yes, I totally waited for a knock on my door that night. It didn’t come. We also heard that the elevator gets buzzed up to the top floor a lot and when it arrives there is no one there but hard to say if that’s supernatural or guests who simply decide to take the very elegant and beautiful staircase down.
Discover Historic Colorado
Food and Drink at Hotel Boulderado
Coffee Bar
Where the coffee bar sits today was originally the mens smoking lounge. And if you follow this blog, you know I’m a bit of a coffee snob. This was good espresso drinks. Totally recommend.
Spruce Farm and Fish
The formal dining room boasts some of the original stained glass. Not a lot has changed architecture wise but the faire has. The restaurant has changed with the times and today it’s a contemporary menu complimented by local spirits and craft beers. It was really tasty and this is a must during your stay.
www.sprucebouderado.com or 303.442.2880
The Corner Bar
This is a more casual dining experience with patio seating. A great relaxing place and perfect for happy hour.
www.cornerbarboulderado.com or 303.442.4560
License No. 1
After Prohibition ended in Boulder, in 1967 (yes you read that right, 1967) Liquor License Number One was granted for this address. Today it’s a 1920’s speakeasy which is just SO COOL! I could have spent every evening in this brilliantly put together space.
www.license1bouderado.com or 303.443.0486
The Glacier Water Fountain
I mentioned it earlier but it’s worth mentioning again. It’s Boulder city water which these days is only 2% glacier water but somehow it’s just better and possibly magical coming from the fountain.
The same company that owns these food and beverage outlets also own the Grill and Cantina at Table Mountain Inn. A short drive to experience very different but just as delectable faire.
Table Mountain Inn and TMI Grill and Cantina
Stay at Hotel Boulderado
When you stay at Hotel Boulderado, you can choose how you will experience the elegance. Right in step with unique Boulder, guests have a choice of how to experience Boulder’s premier luxury hotel.
Historic wing
Victorian inspired rooms, original cherry wood doors and as many original features as possible. Original rooms have been combined to provide ample space for the modern traveler. (All expected modern amenities are included-check out the slideshow to see the great job of blending old and new)
North Wing
Modern furnishings with contemporary artwork to reflect the mountains of the area. Large windows look out to downtown Boulder the famed Flatirons.
We stayed in the Historic wing (the original hotel) and it was just a flawless experience. It is this traveler’s opinion you can’t go wrong with either choice. It’s simply a matter or preference.
Here is a sampling of the thoughtfully put together and truly unique rooms.
Hotel Boulderado, member of Historic Hotels of America
Historic Hotels of America is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program identified hotels that have maintained (or gone back to) their original authenticity. Member hotels can be found in 44 of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
In addition to maintaining their architectural integrity, hotels must have historical significance. Colorado boasts four hotels in this program including Strater Hotel (1887), The Broadmoor (1918), The Cliff House at Pikes Peak (1874), and Hotel Boulderado (1909)
With the amazing attention to detail and the clever use of original furniture and artwork, Hotel Boulderado is a prime example of this coveted designation.
Check out other Historic Hotels on This Family Blog
Historic Hotels of America
Final Notes
Hotel Boulderado is a unique historic hotel experience. In many ways it is like stepping back into the elegance of Victorian Era travel. If it weren’t for some of the modern conveniences (which were cleverly and seamlessly folded into the Victorian ambiance), I could have been fooled into thinking we were actually in 1909.
Hotel Boulderado can host weddings, conferences, pet friendly travel, and family friendly travel. It’s an elegant pop back into a time period when travel was luxury and luxury travel was what it was all about. With its multiple places to dine on site, one could live out a n early twentieth century fantasy weekend without ever leaving the premises. Ooooooh that gives me an idea for a trip! Guess we will have to go back now! (Grabs my bustle dress and heads for the door)
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