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Hotel Boulderado
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17 reviews for Hotel Boulderado
Stayed here for a week in March 2009 and loved it. A great blend of Boulder history with contemporary styling and necessity, the Boulderado is a landmark building in Boulder that is a must-stay for business and pleasure.
The A/C wasn't working in the first room I was in. No problem. The front desk got me a different room immediately and sent someone up to help me move my stuff. No problems with the new room the whole week.
Music and wine in the lobby on certain days, though I don't remember which day. Didn't try the restaurant, though I did eat in the little cafe with the bar on the SE corner of the building. The food was fine, but you really want to get out of the hotel to eat. You are just two minutes from Pearl Street where there are a lot of eateries for all tastes and pocketbooks.
There is valet parking at $5/day. I got the impression I was expected to tip the attendant, and I did, but not until the end of my stay.
There was a snow storm toward the end of my stay which blocked the commute back to Denver International. The hotel was accomodating and said, if the snow stuck, we could stay as long as needed.
All-in-all, a place you should at least see for it's historical significance in Boulder.
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I hate it when I read a review of a place I really like that pans the place, not because there's something wrong with it, but because it's not the personal taste of the person writing the review. I'm going to try to be aware of that when I write this.
Personally, I didn't like The Boulderado. That said, I can see that there are people who would. Like my parents. It's like something out of a great period film that I probably wouldn't really want to see either. I can appreciate the artistry of the ceiling, the glasswork and the woodwork. It's considered the best hotel in all of Boulder.
Ed U has a similar, but more eloquent assessment, "it's luxury defined in 1909 terms."
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disclosure: never stayed there, but...
ate, drank and partied there a lot
this place isnt for everyone; i have had friends stay there, and the reports were mixed; too pricey for me, but the lobby's free, the restaurants are good (having gone through several incarnations),
the catacombs is another story onto itself, and the mezz was a favorite hangout for years being a mix of stylish borderline elegance and unpretentious casualness at the same time
i also remember when it was a down on it's heels dump, before remodling and restoration in the 80's, when people rented rooms by the week and steven king had stayed there before he hit it big
historic indeed
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Doesn't Boulderado sound like a Vegas casino circa 1955 when Sinatra and his pals played in the main room past midnight?...Or maybe like a nightclub where Fred's trying to rekindle the romance back into an angry Wilma on an episode of "The Flintstones", probably the one with Ann-Margrock and Stony Curtis?...Or maybe, just maybe...I'm watching too much TV Land.
Regardless, the clunky name fits the place unlike say, Bellagio or Caesar's Palace, which wouldn't work since they don't evoke the necessary old-fashioned, "Petticoat Junction"-like feel of the place. Oops, there goes my TV Land references again. It's luxury defined in 1909 terms since the hotel is celebrating its centennial this year, but not to worry, it's not filled cobwebs either. The furniture is very traditional and the bed in my room was uber-comfortable. Truth be told, I was put in the more modern North Wing - although the decor matches the century-old lobby to the T.
The location is pretty ideal in Boulder terms - just a block away from the middle of the Pearl Street pedestrian mall. Rates are at a luxury level. My room was a traditional queen (code for no frills) that normally costs $224 per night, but my corporate discount brought down the price about $70. I shared a nice balcony that overlooked the western downtown area against the foothills, a nice photo op at sunset. An expansive stained glass ceiling dominates the lobby (see my photos) and lent an "Age of Innocence" ambiance to the place. Sure, there are trendier places to stay in town, so just make sure to pack your corset and bustle if you stay here.
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Overall, i LOVED this hotel! Read below for the good and the bad (only a couple bad, and they are minor).
EXCELLENT service.
They gave us free room upgrades.
Everything was very clean.
Softest sheets I have ever slept on...was tempted to take them, but i realized they wouldn't fit my small bed anyway ;).
Huge bathroom with tons of counter space.
GROSS smelling lotion - it smells like men's aftershave - so bring your own!
Beautiful lobby.
Wallpaper and curtains - gaudy - you might feel like you're in your grandma's house.
No full length mirror, so if you need to check what you're wearing, you will need to stand on the bathtub and use the bathroom mirror.
Really cool old fashioned elevator, with a guy that has to close the door for you, and stand in it as it zooms you up (there is that one, and there is also a modern day elevator).
It is tough to get from the lobby to your room (depending on where you stay) - you will have to take an elevator to a skywalk...was kind of maze-like.
GREAT location.
I loved the bar - high ceilings, cool atmosphere, and the bartenders were great - one of them taught us all what a "merkin" is - google it if you don't know :). The other patrons were cool too.
Overall, a very charming, historic, BEAUTIFUL place (minus the wallpaper). I highly recommend it to anyone going to Boulder!
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I came across this historic hotel when trying to coordinate a centrally located rendezvous point with an intoxicating woman I met on a connecting flight from the east coast a few years back. She lived in Houston, I in San Diego. I tell you this merely to temperate my review as it may be a bit skewed towards the sublime.
I am a sucker for old exposed timber construction. The lobby is beautiful with high vaulted ceilings, the staircases creak with age. Short of having a two person elevator with a manual folding gate you would think you were in Bavaria.
The staff were very courteous, eager to be of service...and fun to play with. They took care of everything short of packing our luggage. Ask the desk manager for the local restaurant menus. If you enjoy Italian food they can direct you to a place that serves country fare that is not to be missed.
The rooms were very large with a very comfortable bed. Everything was clean to the point where you could easily delude yourself into thinking you were the first to sleep there. The bathrooms were of adequate size and quite cozy for two. There was an adjoining dressing room with a sink that comfortably held two and a half bottles of champagne and a 5lb bag of ice.
There is also a house across the street you can reserve if your proclivities tend toward the need for privacy. I'm sorry, but memory gaps leave me unable to recall the name of this adjunct to the hotel.
This along with the Del Coronado and a similar old Inn up in the Oregon mountains, are three of my favorite hotels.
Why do I always get really nice rooms when I am by myself?
They gave me a 1 bedroom suite with a nice king bed at my corporate rate. And alas, I had no-one to share it with.
Cool place, interesting history, friendly service. And it turns 100 in a few months.
Fortunately the furniture in the room isn't that old. Very comfortable bed, chairs and couch.
Bathroom was pretty darn small though, not really built for two.
And I could hear every work the parents with the kids outside my room were saying. I wonder if they could here me.
Hmmm, maybe it was good that I was by myself. I'm sure the parents might have complained if otherwise.
BTW, couldn't stay here this week - no room for me. Too many people in town for the DNC. The Boulderado was probably filled with a bunch of old people wearing red hats and Obama shirts.
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Stayed here in September for a long weekend so we could drink our faces off at a friend's wedding in Lyons. Word is that the place is haunted, I saw no signs of it though. Disappointing. Although it's touted as the finest accommodations in Boulder, I'm not sure I buy it. The room was clean and adequate, but there was nothing particularly spectacular about the service or decor. The place is a little old and stuffy. The kind of place my in-laws would like.
Not sure what the deal with the Catacombs bar was. It's a cool college bar--I'll give you that. A bunch of doped-up hippies and boozed-up frat boys jamming white-boy style to Onyx "Slam" and other late '90s hip-hop favorites. If I was still in college I'd probably think it was a great placed to get trashed. But its kind of wierd that its next to the lobby of this expensive, snooty hotel is a bunch of boozy chainsmokers and queasy-faced drinking rookies loitering around all night.
Then again, I guess that's Boulder. And Boulder is chill. That's why we like it. Maybe all the ghosts were too hungover from the Catacombs to come bother me...
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My son and I took my wife to the Boulderado's Mother's Day Brunch Buffet. Even though they had us packed into the conference rooms, and the brunch was served as a buffet, it was very enjoyable.
The spread was sizable, the food was very good, and the waitron were quick to remove soiled dishes and fill water glasses. Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience and, most importantly, Mom felt spoiled.
I'm thinking we should get a sitter and spend the night in one of those comfy beds I hear about. Without the kid, of course.
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I love the Boulderado. I just stayed there for the second time this year, and both experiences were great. Yes, it is expensive, but the service is stellar, the location unbeatable, and the charm unmatchable. Not to mention the great food at the corner bar & lobby restaurant. Best room service fries I've ever had, and unbelievable scones in the morning.
The only bad part of our stay was the wedding that was taking place in the lobby when we arrived back at the hotel one evening. We felt it would be rude to walk through, so we waited outside for 15 minutes until they were done. For a drawback though,. at least is was a beautiful looking ceremony.
Make sure to ride the old-timey elevator (complete with operator) and drink from the old-timey water fountain in the lobby. The place is equally loved by my california parents and my manhattan in-laws. Great for all kinds of tastes.
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The Hotel Boulderado is a pretty expensive place for a pretty Motel 6 feeling experience.
Well, if the Motel 6 your staying in had been built at the turn of the century.
Yes the rooms are old, and the mattresses are nice, but all the accoutrements you expect from a boutique hotel are not here.
The soap they give you is junk.
The shampoo the give you is junk.
The conditioner they give you is junk.
When other boutique hotels are giving out L'Occitane soaps and shampoos, it's tough to stomach paying this much for what feels very much like a run of the mill place.
The location cannot be beat, as it is RIGHT in the heart of Boulder and right off the Pearl Street mall.
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The lobby of this hotel is beautiful in an old-school kind of way, but the service leaves a lot to be desired. When I arrived I was hot, uncomfortable and tired after my plane trip and bumpy SuperShuttle ride, so I was a little perturbed that not one person asked me if they could help me with my bag. In fact, after I checked in they pointed me toward the annex (up the stairs, across the bridge, down the stairs again) and left the front desk! I couldn't find the elevator so I dragged my bag all the way to my room. When I finally found it, I was immediately happier once I discovered that this hotel has the most comfortable beds ever.
My room was small but comfortable and had a large bathroom with crappy toiletries. I didn't have any problems with noise from other rooms and I generally enjoyed my stay. But the kids working here are clearly not professional hospitality staff. They all look like they're thinking about what time they get off work and how many beers they're going to have when their shift is over. But the hotel is beautiful, the rooms are fairly nice and the location is perfect (right near Pearl Street).
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Too many memories... drunken naughtiness on the mezz at night, broken sprinkler heads, rug burns in most of the rooms, vacuuming for years, rambling with chalk on the bathroom board, Alexander with the elevator, grumpy bellman, grumpier housekeeping, 5 quad martini Sid....
so many wonderful memories from one of my first hotels I have ever worked in. I love this place. Beats the pants off the St. Julien. Best value for a room, and great vibe of local and old school Boulder community trying to make a beautiful, perfect experience for all the families of CU people, business people, and locals alike.
Hell... you will end up here by accident sometime. Corner Bar, Q's, Catacombs.... .enjoy!!!
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Dear Boulderado,
Your hummus was good,
Sorry for throwing up on your carpet.
signed
the throw-upee
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Definitely not as "good as it gets" but it's up there. Stayed twice in the past 2 months - first time a suite, 2nd time a regular room. Granted it is like your granny's house, that's just part of the charm. Room 444 (suite) is great because it's in the corner, and the Flatirons view is amazing. The suite was not huge, but didn't really matter to me. I don't remember the beds being super special, but they were not bad. i was just drunk both times to really enjoy. room service here was prompt, late night and morning. eggs benedict was so-so, but the flourless chocolate cake was heaven (ate on separate occasions!)
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It's like going to your grandma's house. My grandma's house even smelled like the room. What's with those bed spreads made of time consuming needlework? I'll keep this short and sweet: It is annoying walking from the lobby to the North Wing. Why does the lobby always smell like melted cheese? The mattresses are honestly THE NICEST, SOFTEST, DRIFT OFF TO LUMBAR SUPPORTED SLEEP IN THE WORLD. Also interesting is that this is like one of the oldest hotels in the country, but contrasting to its age, has THE FASTEST FREAKIN' WIRELESS INTERNET IN THE ROOMS IMAGINABLE TO HOTELS. Thank you Lodgenet router!
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The Hotel Boulderado was built in 1909 as the first luxury hotel of Boulder. $100 stock shares were sold to build the hotel, how progressive! The original hotel rooms and lobby have been recently restored to it's original turn-of-the century vibe. I stayed in the new part of the hotel (built in the '80s) which obviously lacked the old-school vibe of the original hotel section but was a great place to stay for 3 nights (comfy beds, big room, big bathroom, easy to adjust heat. They have free internet access and if you don't bring your computer they have 2 computers with high-speed internet in their business center (all free). A friend stayed in Room 504 (in the original section of the hotel) which is across the hall from room 520 which is supposed to be the room of one of the residential 'ghosts' at the hotel. His room definitely had a vibe to it, I'm not sure what that vibe was...I didn't see any ghosts but it felt interesting nonetheless. The original elevator operated by a hotel employee is a treat to ride in. Great hotel to stay at when in Boulder.
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