There is nothing like getting away for a weekend. I often talk about wandering out into the hills (mountains) of Colorado for some respite. Alas, that is not the only place worth venturing. One of my favorite places to get some me-time is in the lovely little city of Boulder, CO. There is SO much to do here. From hiking to biking, to tubing down the Boulder Creek. There is something for every season and everyone.
Most recently we ventured up for a staycation at the Hotel Boulderado. We being me and my best friend. Perfect girls’ night out. We weren’t as adventurous this trip when it came to being active. Though I highly recommend tubing down the boulder creek and hiking up the trails in Chautauqua Park. There is nothing that compares to breathing deeply to take in the fresh air and beautiful view of the Flatirons. I could write so many posts about all there is to experience in Boulder, but you would be reading a novel, so I will reel it back into this particular getaway.
We left Denver around noon and arrived after a swift 30-minute drive. Such a quick trip from the city, yet you are in a completely different town with such a different feel. You can even take the bus from Union Station in Downtown Denver, and be dropped off a block away from Pearl St. There is definitely a relaxed vibe in Boulder that makes you feel like you are on vacation.
This hotel has caught my eye for many years. Not only does it have historic charm, but it has been well taken care of and looks like a romantic little home away from home. Almost like a bed and breakfast, but much larger! It is just as homey inside. The hotel opened on New Year’s Eve in 1908. It started out so special and still holds the same magical feel. The main elevator was installed right before the hotel was finished being built and is one of the oldest running elevators in Colorado. It has to have an operator at all times, so we had the pleasure of having someone escort us right on up to our room.
There are antiques and photos showcasing the stories of all of the visitors over the past 100 years. How beautiful that we get to walk the same halls some very prominent historical figures walked. They do an extraordinary job of preserving artifacts and antiques to give you the full experience of what it was like to be here in years past. They offer historic tours and you can read more about the history (and evening hauntings) by purchasing one of the books in the gift shop. We had the pleasure of being able to tour the Presidential Suite, which was lathered in floral from floor to ceiling. It is a beautiful and elegant room and is often rented out for weddings.
Our room was a double queen suite. The suites have a separate living room right when you walk in. This connects to a long hallway that stretched past the bathroom and wet bar, to the bedroom where each pillow is adorned with a pretty gold box containing locally-made truffles. These might have been the best darn truffles I have ever tried! We would find out later that the beds were ever so soft beneath our tired bodies. It is so important to have comfortable beds when traveling in order to truly get the relaxation that every vacationer deserves. This was pure comfort, my friends! I could have slept all day. The room was complete with an oversized bathroom, robes, snacks and a coffee maker. All of the essentials one needs when not at home.
Another great feature of the hotel was its location. It is located right off the pearl street mall and at the bottom of the flatirons. Great views and easily accessible to watch street acts, shop and eat and drink at the local restaurants. Not that you even NEED to leave. The hotel has three food/beverage jaunts. The Corner Bar is located right off the front entrance of the hotel and is one of Boulder’s favorite watering holes. The Corner Bar is the perfect place to grabs drinks and a bite with their lively happy hour and late-night food menu. Spruce Farm & Fish is located on the other side of the entrance. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We enjoyed a beautiful brunch complete with a breakfast burrito, huevos rancheros, bloody Mary’s and a decadent cinnamon roll pancake! Spruce is known for its fresh ingredients and inspiring dishes. It is just as cozy as the rest of the hotel and perfect for large or small parties.
Last but certainly not least, it the third beverage establishment housed in the basement Hotel Boulderado. License No 1. is a craft cocktail bar that gives off a speakeasy vibe. It gained its liquor license in 1969 and has been slinging out some of the best cocktails ever since. We happened to mosey in on a night they had live music. This made it such a fun evening. We had drinks and danced to Banshee Tree. It was the perfect conclusion to a relaxing trip. The energy in this car is contagious, from the patrons to the staff, everyone was welcoming! There are several different rooms throughout where you can cozy on up with friends and have an intimate evening. I highly suggest checking this fun place out while visiting Boulder.
Though we only stayed one night, we truly felt rejuvenated after our stay. Waking up to the flatirons, enjoying a leisurely checkout, followed by a delicious brunch. We didn’t feel like we were staying at a hotel but truly felt at home. I highly recommend staying at The Hotel Boulderado when visiting Boulder, CO. It offers luxurious and homey accommodations for an affordable rate and will give you prime access to all of the fun activities to take part in.