The Magic of Old Colorado Hotels

New and shiny is popular right now, especially in Colorado—new neighborhoods, new bars, restaurants, new cars, new hotels. However, I think Colorado’s old hotels have a sort of magic about them that simply doesn’t exist in new builds.

Don’t get me wrong, I like new boutique hotels purpose-built in charming Front Range towns. However, do not discount the stories an old hotel can tell or the stories you’ll create there.

Our first old Colorado hotel experience was a stay at the Brown Palace, and we fell in love with it. So, in 2002, after our wedding at Boettcher Mansion in Golden, we held an after-party at Ship Tavern located inside the hotel. Then, we spent our wedding night there. We haven’t been back for years, and I know it’s been having issues recently, but it will always have a special place in our hearts.

Soak in History & Healing Waters in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Even before I moved to Colorado, we stayed at Hotel Colorado, in Glenwood Springs, and we’ve been many times since. Ryan’s favorite hotel in Colorado, it’s a truly special place. A relatively recent remodel worried us, but we visited in April of 2023 and the renovations haven’t taken anything away from this historical Colorado gem. In fact, they improved it.

Visit Glenwood Springs: Part of Colorado History & Part of Our History

If you haven’t stayed, this hotel is a must, especially if you’re a Coloradan. I used to say that about the Brown Palace too, but at this point I would hesitate to recommend it. I’ll need to re-experience the property.

Hotel Colorado, built in 1893, has attracted presidents, celebrities, and us in its 131 years. When it was built, the famous hot springs had already been established and were attracting people from around the world.

Interestingly, my husband, Ryan, from Littleton, Colorado, has been going to the hot springs his entire life. Perhaps this is why I am surprised when I meet a Coloradan who hasn’t been to Glenwood Springs. By the way, we’ve never taken our dog to Hotel Colorado, but it is dog-friendly.

History & Ghosts in Fairplay, Colorado

We first stayed at the Hand Hotel (1931) in Fairplay, Colorado, in the early 2000s. Ryan’s parents were building a cabin in the area. By cabin, I mean a home with heated bathroom floors. Alas, the house was sold several years ago and is no longer in the family, but Ryan built the kitchen cabinetry.

While he was installing the kitchen, we stayed at the Hand Hotel with our dog, Xena. She was just a puppy and grew up spending time in Fairplay, but my biggest memory of the hotel stay involved ghosts. I remember being told that every room at the Hand Hotel was haunted and I had to pass Grandma’s Room on my way from our room to the stairs.

Grandma, the ghost of that room, was said to “rock the rocker” periodically. The doors of empty rooms were kept open and this one was empty during our stay. I would run past that room each time I had to pass. I knew if I saw a rocking chair I’d lose it! And by “it” I mean the small bit of sanity I have left.

A year ago we stayed at the Hand Hotel in Fairplay for a combined birthday weekend, and we brought along our dog Fritzi. Xena lived until age 15 but she’s been gone for six years now. I think it’s wonderful that both of my “fur kids” have stayed at the Hand Hotel.

Fairplay is located in the South Park area of Colorado, a part of the state you should experience. Burro Days used to be my favorite festival in the state. The race involves running beside a donkey for 29 miles with an elevation gain of 3,232 feet. Replicating the route a person would make to the assay’s office when they discovered gold or silver on a plot of land, the race is for athletes who can tolerate burros. They aren’t the easiest animals to have as a race partner.

The beginning of the race is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Believe me. If you haven’t been, it’s probably worth risking the crowds (a lot of people show up to this event these days). There is live music, vendors, and all the normal things you’d expect at a festival, but do not miss the beginning of the race, or a visit to South Park City.

Note: I wrote about South Park City Museum in 2011, but unfortunately, it was deleted from my blog when we did a blog clean-up that accidentally caught some stuff it shouldn’t have. Heartbreaking, but it happened.

You probably won’t be able to get a room at the Hand Hotel during Burro Days, but when you stay—and you should—visit the Snitching Lady Distillery. Thankfully, it’s within stumbling distance of the hotel. There is just something about the Snitching Lady Distillery and the Hand Hotel that fits Fairplay perfectly.

Stay in a Wedding Cake Building in Durango, Colorado

I realize this is a weird title for this section, but for some reason, I’ve always thought The Strater in Durango is one of the prettiest buildings I’ve ever seen. Plus, the architectural flourishes on it reminded me of a wedding cake.

Circa 1887, The Strater has always given me fancy cowboy vibes. Maybe it is that the place is steeped in Louis L’Amour history. He’d always asked for Room 222, directly above the Diamond Belle Saloon. He said the honkey tonk music set the mood for his Old West novels.

Durango is a bit of a conundrum. It’s a place where a guy with a skateboard and lip ring is as apt to stop and help you with directions as a guy in Wranglers and a cowboy hat. Also, a college town, I am a huge fan of Durango, and The Strater is part of my affinity for the town. While not as large as Hotel Colorado, it’s just as elegant, albeit on a smaller scale.

Downtown Durango, Colorado: The New, The Old, The Historic

Don’t miss the Diamond Belle Saloon. Even if we aren’t staying at The Strater, we always have a drink at the Diamond Belle. It’s a Colorado staple, and if a whiskey shot is what you’re after, it’s a must.

Get Really Historic & Maybe See a Witch in Manitou Springs, Colorado

This hotel is in this article simply because I have a sweet spot for it. Perhaps good things always happen when I stay there, which has happened exactly twice. Built in 1876, the Cliff House in Manitou Springs is old, really old.

Unique Lodging Options Near Colorado Springs, Colorado

Maybe it’s the town. Manitou Springs is where someone once saw my mom’s aura. True story. It was purple.

It’s been said that there are more witches per capita in Manitou Springs than anywhere else in Colorado. That could be true, I don’t know for sure, but it’s a great little town with a lot of charm.

Celebrate 1923 at the Armstrong Hotel in Fort Collins, Colorado

I first stayed at The Armstrong Hotel many years ago, before HeidiTown existed. It was for a writers’ conference and the old hotel felt like an appropriate spot for aspiring Edgar Allen Poes and John Grisham wannabes.

I stayed there once again in December 2019. Remodeled since my first stay, it’s beautiful and retains its historical charm. Even though Fort Collins is just 25 minutes north of us in Loveland, it’s a fabulous place for a staycation, plus the city gets all sparkly during the holidays.

Take Your Furry Friend to Dog-Friendly Fort Collins, Colorado

Best of all, we took along our dog. She wasn’t even a year old, and although not her first hotel experience it was her first elevator ride, and she was a pro.

Fort Collins is a very dog-friendly place and so is the Armstrong Hotel. She even fit on the big bed they left in the spacious, comfy room for her.

There are many other historic hotels in Colorado. Over the years we’ve stayed at the Delaware Hotel in Leadville, circa 1886. We haven’t stayed since a recent, and major remodel, but I doubt they got rid of the ghosts. This place is super haunted, and having just been on a cemetery tour in Leadville (highly recommended), I didn’t sleep well on my night at the Delaware Hotel. I don’t really believe in ghosts, but I am scared of them!

The other hotel I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention is the world-famous The Stanley Hotel (1909) in Estes Park, Colorado. Most people know it as the hotel that inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining.” I’ve never stayed in the main building, but we spent a night in The Lodge, a hotel on the property. There’s a chance I’ll stay there in November ( if so, I’ll write about it).

Situated on a hill above the town, The Stanley Hotel is an Estes Park and Colorado icon. Elk often grace the huge front lawn which is more of a field than a lawn. A ghost tour here is a must. We did one and I remember that the tour guide was great.

Neither the Delaware nor The Stanley are dog-friendly.

So there you have it. While new is nice, there is something magical about Colorado’s old hotels. Go and experience it!