I’m partnering with The Hotel Boulderado to bring you this guide to getting the most out of your hotel stay. As always, all opinions are my own.
Our family loves to visit the beautiful state of Colorado. There are so many beautiful places to see there – that it can be overwhelming to narrow down which to prioritize. But our family always makes a point to include Boulder Colorado in our trip itinerary. Our family considers Boulder one of the best places to visit in Colorado. And there is no doubt in my mind that the absolute best place to stay while you’re visiting Boulder – is the beautiful and historic Hotel Boulderado!
Things to Know about Hotel Boulderado…
The Hotel Boulderado has incredible history.
Hotel Boulderado should be on your list of places to visit in Boulder, whether or not you are staying in the hotel. The history of this building is rich and storied. Not only is Hotel Boulderado a City of Boulder landmark, but it’s also a member of Historic Hotels in America, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The first luxury hotel ever to open in Boulder, Hotel Boulderado first opened it’s doors to the public all the way back on New Years Eve 1908.
So often on a vacation we visit historic places, but have to leave too quickly. But actually staying at The Hotel Boulderado gives you and your family a chance to immerse yourself of the history your exploring. An incredible opportunity, not just an amazing family learning experience about America’s past, but also an opportunity to spoil yourselves and bask in the luxury of a bygone era.
Past historic Hotel Boulderado guests have included Helen Keller, poet Robert Frost, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, B.B King and so many others! In fact, I’ve been told that it’s not uncommon for notable modern day musicians, actors, and politicians to stay at the Hotel Boulderado when they are in town too. And it’s no wonder why. Every inch of this five-story brick building has a story attached to it.
You can even take an original Otis Elevator to the upper floors of the hotel, for an incredible view of the glass atrium. And as you sit in the Hotel Boulderado’s dimly lit lobby surrounded by dark wood, leather chairs, and a roaring fire – it’s impossible not to feel like you’ve been transported back in time.
In the normal hustle and bustle of vacation mode, it’s easy to rush from thing to thing. But the grandeur of Hotel Boulderado makes you pause, and take the moment in. It just feels like a special place.
Family Travel Tip – Hotel Boulderado has a FREE self-guided history tour on the 3rd floor of the historic section of the property. It has some really fun and educational items from the hotel’s past. Or if you’re more interested in a guided tour, inquire with the front desk for availability and scheduling. Hotel Boulderado has it’s own on-staff historian!
Food and Entertainment, are right on your doorstep.
Our family loved how convenient it was come downstairs and listen to live music at The Corner Bar. There is inside, and outside seating. We grabbed a seat outside under a huge sun umbrella – and our tween daughter tried raw oysters on the half shell for the first time! (Check out my insta stories for footage of that hilarious experience!) The Hotel Boulderado also offers a Lobster Pot Patio pop up experience, in-room dining, and a Signature restaurant!
Hotel Boulderado’s signature restaurant is: Spruce Farm and Fish. It features a range of chef driven dishes featuring fresh local ingredients. You can access the restaurant from the street, or through the hotel lobby. And it’s a great place to grab a beautiful dinner at the end of the day, all while being just steps away from your hotel room. And your hotel bed!
Our family ordered Lobster Mac & Cheese, House- Smoked Cab Prime Rib, and Rocky Mountain Trout. We also had the best Calamari we’ve ever had! The Green Goddess dipping sauce was the perfect tart contrast to the crispy fried treat! It was a wonderful evening and we loved the upscale, but casual mountain atmosphere vibe.
Family Travel Tip – I recommend making a reservation at Spruce Farm and Fish if possible. While they are happy to accommodate walk ups, a reservation is likely to shorten your wait time. We had a dinner reservation around 6pm, and by the time we were leaving the place was hopping! And had a line out the door!
The Rooms are one of a kind.
Whether you prefer a luxurious modern room with updated features, or a room with Victorian furnishings that help immerse you in the history of the hotel – you can have your wish at Hotel Boulderado!
Our family stayed in a Queen Suite in the more modern decor of the North Wing. Plush white Bath robes and a separate sitting area, made relaxing in this room easy! And those beds! I wanted to take one home with me. Perfectly soft sheets, and a heavenly soft bed made for a great night’s rest. A real necessity when you want to spend the day walking around the beautiful city of Boulder!
For a closer look at our room, and Hotel Boulderado – check out the short video of our stay at the end of this post!
Family Travel Tip- Not all suites have the extra sitting room layout we had. If you are traveling with kids or a baby, this area would be perfect for giving you a little extra privacy in the main room. Or for putting a younger child to sleep early, while other family members are still awake in the bedroom area! You may want to ask the hotel if one of the sitting room layouts is available when you book your room, if that extra space would be helpful to you!
The Location of Hotel Boulderado cannot be beat.
If you are visiting Boulder, it’s probably because you plan to explore! And besides Hotel Boulderado itself, one of the number one places you must visit in Boulder – is the famous Pearl Street Mall. This multi-block pedestrian mall is home to a broad range of quaint shops and restaurants, with lots of opportunities for outdoor dining. And also some of the best people watching on the planet! Hotel Boulderado is just across the street from all that. No car required!
Hotel Boulderado is also a great base camp for visiting other attractions like Chautauqua Park, Eldorado Canyon State Park, Flagstaff Mountain, University of Colorado Boulder, The Boulder Dunshanbe Teahouse and so many more!
And with a view of the Flatiron mountains from the hotel, you couldn’t ask for a more picture postcard moment to end your day with.
Hotel Boulderado is elegant, yet outdoorsy. It manages to mix high brow style, with a warm welcoming atmosphere. I’m not sure I have ever visited a hotel that would be so well suited to so many different kinds of travelers. Families looking for a comfortable place to stay in the heart of the action? Check. History buffs that want to be transported back in time? Check. Foodies who want to taste top-end mountain fare? Check.
I recommend Hotel Boulderado to anyone visiting Boulder, Colorado. I am absolutely sure you will leave as charmed by it’s unique atmosphere, and one of a kind beauty as my family was.
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
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