A Historic Gem in Downtown Boulder
Welcome to Boulder, Colorado, home of the historic Hotel Boulderado. This stately structure, positioned at the intersection of 13th and Spruce St., has been a centerpiece of the city since its doors opened on New Year’s Day, 1909.
The hotel’s name, a clever fusion of “Boulder” and “Colorado,” was designed to ensure no guest would forget the unique place they had stayed.
Envisioned and built when Boulder was a burgeoning railroad hub and a cultural hotspot known as the “Athens of the West,” the Hotel Boulderado was meant to match the city’s prestige and ambition. Committees from Boulder’s Commercial Association raised funds, and the Boulder Hotel Company formed through this initiative, owned the hotel until 1939.
Architectural Grandeur and Timeless Elegance
The architectural brilliance of the Hotel Boulderado is impossible to ignore. Its design, a work of Redding, William, & Son and Geranson & Beckstrom, resonates with an intriguing blend of Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival styles.
Celebrated today as one of the most significant landmarks in downtown Boulder, the hotel’s five-story brick building stands as a testimony to the cultural renaissance of Boulder in the early 1900s.
When the hotel opened, it immediately became the most luxurious in town, offering daily rates ranging from $1 to $2.50 per night. It attracted guests from all over the nation, and local organizations often held grand dances and soirees within its elegant confines.
The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression
The hotel experienced a thriving period during the Roaring Twenties. Under the management of Wallace & Sons and its successors, F.F. Thatcher and Hugh Mark, the hotel was so successful that the Boulder Hotel Company managed to retire its debt by 1925.
However, the onset of the Great Depression in the 1930s brought severe challenges, with many guestrooms remaining vacant throughout the crisis.
Despite the difficulties, the hotel found new owners, William Huston and his son, who invested heavily in the building’s restoration, reaffirming the Hotel Boulderado’s status as a luxury destination.
A Modernized Legacy
Over the years, the Hotel Boulderado has undergone several renovations, transforming smaller guest rooms into larger spaces and adding two annexes, increasing the total guestroom count to 160.
Despite these changes, the hotel has retained its historic charm, housing three restaurants and a speakeasy-style bar, License No. 1, in the basement.
The Hotel Boulderado has also earned a place in pop culture, appearing in Stephen King’s novel Misery. Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning the intriguing stories of Room 347, said to be haunted by ghost sightings and mysterious water incidents reported by guests over the years.
Spectral Stories of Hotel Boulderado
According to popular local lore, the Hotel Boulderado is a hotspot for spectral activities. One of the most talked-about occurrences is centered around Room 347.
Visitors inhabiting this particular suite have relayed intriguing accounts of inexplicable happenings, including the water taps spontaneously springing to life during the nighttime hours. Some have even seen apparitions, adding a chilling layer to the hotel’s rich history.
But Room 347 is not the only part of the hotel known for its spectral activities. The entire hotel building, with its intriguing history and numerous guests over the years, has earned a reputation for being haunted. Various accounts from guests and staff over the years have reported strange sounds, moving objects, and unexplained cold spots throughout the building.
Despite its ghostly reputation, or perhaps because of it, the Hotel Boulderado remains a beloved landmark in Boulder. The stories of ghostly encounters add an extra layer of intrigue to the hotel’s history, making a stay at the Hotel Boulderado an experience like no other.
Whether you believe in the supernatural or are a skeptic, the tales of ghostly encounters at the Hotel Boulderado are integral to its enduring charm. After all, what’s a historical hotel without a few good ghost stories?
A Proud Member of Historic Hotels of America
The Hotel Boulderado takes immense pride in its affiliation with the Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Recognized as a member since 1996, the hotel is a testament to Boulder’s rich cultural heritage and architectural grandeur.
The Historic Hotels of America is an esteemed organization that acknowledges and promotes hotels with significant historical value.
It aims to preserve and highlight these establishments’ unique stories and architectural wonders, enhancing the experience for visitors who seek to delve into the past. Hotel Boulderado is one such establishment, with over a century of history etched into its walls.
The hotel’s inclusion in this prestigious group also testifies to its quality of service and guest experience. It adheres to the program’s high standards for hospitality, ensuring that every guest is treated to a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort.
In addition, Hotel Boulderado’s membership with the Historic Hotels of America signifies its commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history of Boulder. As a result, guests are not just booking a stay at a hotel; they’re stepping into a living museum that offers a unique glimpse into Colorado‘s past.
