Hotel Boulderado
2115 13th St, Boulder, CO
The first luxury hotel built in Boulder. The name comes from a combination of Boulder and Colorado designed so guests would always remember where they had stayed. Thanks to being a part of Boulder’s rich culture, we are a City of Boulder landmark, proud members of Historic Hotels in America and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The hotel opened the doors in true elegance and style with a Gala Ball on New Year’s Eve in 1908. The first guests were able to check into the hotel on New Year’s Day in 1909. Since then, the hotel has celebrated the date of the grand opening each year with a majestic New Year’s Eve celebration.
Designed by local architects William Redding & Son, the five-story brick building incorporates both Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival features. It follows a trend of open court hotels started by the Palace Hotel in San Francisco and carried over to Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel, built in 1892. In 2018, we won an award for Best Renovation Project from Colorado Meetings + Events due to the extensive updates completed in the lobby and mezzanine spaces.
Early guests included conservationist Enos Mills, actress Ethel Barrymore, actor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., and evangelist Billy Sunday. Some who followed were Clarence Darrow, Helen Keller, Robert Frost, Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong, as well as a generous representation of today’s political figures, speakers, entertainers, and musicians.
So, whether you want to stay in one of the beautiful rooms or grab something to eat and drink at the in-house restaurants or bars, guests are always welcome to drop by. You can even ride their original Otis Elevator, which is still in operation.
TL;DR
Fancy hotel in Boulder. Named after Boulder and Colorado. Historic landmark. Opened 1908 with a party. Designed by local architects. Hosted famous guests. You can stay, eat, or ride the old elevator.