Top 10 Boulderado Blog Posts of 2009

Have you noticed that everybody and their brother seems to come up with their own "Top 10" list towards the end of the year?

I couldn't resist jumping on the bandwagon.

Top 10 Reader's Favorites Boulderado Blog Posts:

10. The Old and the New

9. Munchkin Masquerade

8. December at the Boulderado

7. Don't Forget!

6. Boulder Wilderness Shuttle Visitor Packages

5. The Michael Jackson Dance Party SOLD OUT!

4. Hugh Mark

3. Otis Elevator

2. Drinking Fountain in the Lobby

1. That Staircase!

(PS: I ranked the posts according to how much response each generated through user comments on the blog and on Facebook.)

Christmas at the Boulderado

It's Christmas Eve, which means that the holiday decorations that have bedazzled the Hotel Boulderado all month will soon be packed up and put away til next year. If you haven't stopped by to see the tree, be sure to do so before Tuesday the 29th. We'll be taking the tree down that day to make room for Dressed in Black, our band for New Year's Eve. Here's some fun facts about the decorations that have been in place for the last month:

• 1000 feet of garland and 2400 white lights are strung throughout the historic and north wings
• Rhonda tied all the bows by hand and used 1500 feet of ribbon to do so
• The tree in the lobby is adorned with 1700 white lights and hundreds of ornaments

502

Sad to say that this will be my last post on signature hotel rooms at the Boulderado. Over the last several months, we've explored 505, 509, 444, 306, 304, 302, and now, it's 502's turn. 502 is one of what's known as the "salesmen sample rooms," also known as 501, 502, 503, and 504. When the Hotel Boulderado first opened in 1909, traveling salesmen were one of the Boulderado's best client bases. Back then, a salesman wasn't able to fly to a new city every other day to show off his products. He would travel with a wagon and stop off in towns and cities for several days or weeks. The salesman would rent two rooms -- a cheap one on the interior he would use for himself, and a much larger one with beautiful natural light where he would display his wares -- shoes, pots & pans, whatever his specialty. The latter room was what was known as the salesmen sample rooms.

Nowadays, our salesmen sample rooms have been converted into Deluxe Two Queens rooms -- each room holds two queen-sized beds and is bathed in the same natural light, courtesy of the original skylights still in place. As with most of the rooms on the historic side of the hotel, they are furnished with unique antique pieces like sitting chairs and side tables.

I've enjoyed sharing some of our most unique hotel rooms with you this year. Next year, I will take you around and share the history of our event spaces with you. Some of these spaces used to be hotel rooms, some are new-ish, and one even used to house the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. Stay tuned in 2010 as we explore the Hotel Boulderado's unique facility spaces!

Ralph Hume

Ralph Hume is an interesting figure in the Hotel Boulderado's history. He started out as a bellman in the mid-1930s and then moved up to desk clerk, making friends with Bill Mark, Hugh Mark's son along the way. In the late 1940s, when owner Bill Hutson was losing interest in running the hotel, he turned to Ralph, who took over the managerial duties until 1961.

The times, they were a changing during Hume's era. More and more people were able to afford purchasing a family car, and many travelers bypassed downtown Boulder in favor of the new, modern motels that had spring up on the outskirts of town. The motels offered amenities that the Boulderado couldn't compete with, like swimming pools. Even after adding a new parking lot, the only travelers who seemed to want to stay at the Boulderado were lawyers who wished to be near the courthouse. To compensate for the drop-off in occupancy, Hume decided to open up the Boulderado's rooms to more permanent guests who paid by the week or the month.

It was during Hume's tenure that a few panels fell from the stained-glass ceiling. The hotel in general was in need of freshening up, so Hume decided to remove the remainder of the ceiling and start over. He hired local contractor Moss Miles to install red, white, and blue Plexiglas in its place. A young Bill Hutson III (the Hutson's son) helped Miles with the installation, and admitted years later, "Even then I knew it was tacky."

Stay tuned to learn about the next couple that owned and managed the Hotel Boulderado during the 1960s, Ed and June Howard. For a sneak peek, you can read our transcript of an oral history from Ed on our website.

Nutcracker Teas

Our first Nutcracker Tea of the season is tomorrow, and both teas (on the 12th and 19th) have been sold out for weeks. We team up with the Boulder Ballet, who brings in cast members from this year's production of the Nutcracker to mingle with tea guests and let children collect autographs and pose for photos. Ten dollars from each ticket goes right back to supporting the Boulder Ballet.

New Events Announced!

So, it's true that Christmas is still weeks away, but here at the Hotel Boulderado, we've already started planning for events after New Years. Are we crazy, or just crazy fun?

On Friday, January 8th, we will celebrate the King of Rock and Roll's 75th birthday with Elvis Lives! Come on down to the Boulderado Events Center where DJ Chris will be spinning the King's greatest hits from 7pm to 10pm. We'll be offering plates of some of Elvis' favorite foods, like the famous fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

We're doing something a wee bit different for Valentine's Day -- an Anti-Valentine's Day Party. Singles and couples (both married and not) are equally welcome to enjoy drinks, dancing, food, and non-romantic comedies in the Boulderado Events Center on Saturday, February 13th from 8pm to 11pm.

Stay tuned for more information about these events as it becomes available. If you RSVP for one or both of these events on our website, you will be entered in an exclusive drawing for a complimentary overnight stay at the Boulderado. Sign up today!

November Winner ~ Tell Us Your Boulderado Story

One of the components of the Boulderado's 100 year anniversary is the Tell Us Your Boulderado Story campaign, which is a collection of memories and narratives from the last century about the Hotel Boulderado. Our goal is to collect 100 stories which will be compiled into a coffee table book. The Boulderado selects a monthly favorite, and November's winner is Laurie Thornton. Enjoy her story, "My Wedding Gift."

"Like many other couples, my husband Ernie and I were married on the staircase of the Hotel Boulderado. We had a lovely wedding and reception, but one of the things I remember most about that day was receiving my wedding gift from Ernie. I had recently graduated from veterinary school at CSU and have a very creative husband, so my gift arrived in the most unique way.

The entire wedding party stayed at the Boulderado the night before the wedding. I had told Ernie 'no seeing the bride the day of the wedding,' so I was sure that the knock at my room door the morning of our wedding was not him. I was startled to hear knock, knock, knock, followed by oink, oink, oink! I opened the door to find this adorable little battery-powered pig whacking into the door with her nose and oinking. Looking closer, I discovered she was wearing my wedding gift -- pearl earrings to wear at the ceremony!

We just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. We still have the pig, the earrings, the memories of our wonderful day, and each other."

December at the Boulderado

It feels like just yesterday that I was filling y'all in on what was happening at the Hotel Boulderado in November, and now it's time to do the same for December! Rhonda is out in the lobby right now with our Maintenance Department, putting the final touches on our tree. This year's evergreen is a 28' white fir from New Mexico, and it's beautiful! If you are able to stop by the lobby over the next few weeks, you should definitely do so just to marvel at the tree's size. Kids especially get a kick out of it -- "It must be a hundred feet tall!" -- so bring them around once school breaks for the year. Here's what else we're cooking up this month:

• Holiday Tea series continues with Nutcracker Teas, Holiday Bazaar Teas, and carolers -- oh my!
• Our Christmas Day Buffet is filling up quickly! Many local families have made the Boulderado a part of their holiday tradition, and close to a third of the people who attend our buffets do so because they enjoyed on in the past. Thanksgiving sold out early this year, so if you are looking to book Christmas with us, call today!
• We were recently voted the #1 Place to Celebrate New Year's Eve in downtown Boulder! Find out why with our New Year's Eve Gala Ball. Later this month, I will be doing a blog post about the history and tradition related to this special night -- the official anniversary of the Boulderado's opening!
  

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Kwanzaa, Chanukah or nothing at all, we here at the Boulderado would like to take a moment to wish you the best the season has to offer -- warmth, joy, peace, and spending time with loved ones.

Thanksgiving at the Boulderado

In case you haven't heard, Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Our buffet has been sold out for over a week and a half, and we're expecting about 450 people to enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner with us. Our Thanksgiving buffet dinners have been taking place for over 20 years, but even when the hotel was much younger, people have made a tradition of taking dinner at the Boulderado. The menu to the left (found at the Carnegie Library for Local History) is from 1926 and shows what was offered on Thanksgiving -- Roast Young Turkey with Oyster Dressing, Snow Flake Potatoes, Candied Sweet Potatoes, and Hot Mince Pie, among other items. And it only cost $1!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rhonda and Living Interiors

If you've stopped by the Hotel Boulderado in the past 15 years, you've probably noticed the fresh floral arrangements in common areas like the lobby, the bathrooms, and even out front on Yuko's desk. Rhonda, who owns and operates Living Interiors, is a familiar face around the hotel. She stops by each week to bring in fresh displays of gorgeous flowers. Rhonda was also responsible for the creepy credenza we featured in our haunted lobby this year, and she loaded it up with plenty of spiders, bats, ravens, and snakes. If you've ever visited the Boulderado during the holidays, you are familiar with the enormous Christmas tree we put up every year. Rhonda and her team take on the daunting task of decorating the 28' live evergreen with courage, tasteful ornaments, and help from our Maintenance Department. Rhonda is also a perennial Preferred Vendor and attends our Bridal Show regularly. (For Sunday's show, Rhonda brought in some elm branches she collected from her own backyard and used them as the base for a striking arrangement featuring hanging votive candles.) We hear feedback from our clients all the time about her beautiful handiwork, reasonable prices, and long-lasting arrangements.

Boulderado Brides

Wow! Some of us in the office are still in post-Wedding Show world, even though it was days ago. More than two hundred people attended our annual Bridal Show on Sunday to visit with local vendors and experience the Hotel Boulderado's ambiance and catering capabilities. Yuko and I worked down at the Registration Desk in the lobby, which meant that we met everybody as they were registering. Amidst all the craziness of registration, it struck me how there are so many different kinds of brides with very different tastes. This also applies to the vendors -- some are bubbly, some are shy, some are traditional, while others are more modern. I suppose it goes to show you that finding vendors who will help you on your special day is similar to finding a mate; you have lots of options, but only one is really the best fit for you. That's why brides love wedding shows so much -- there's several vendors present, and at least one is bound to be exactly what she's looking for.

Several brides who already have their ceremonies and receptions booked at the Boulderado were in attendance. I spoke with a few of them, and each one had a different reason for choosing us. "It's just so beautiful and elegant." "The staff is always very friendly and helpful." It's also true that the Boulderado is a one-stop shop for many bridal parties. Families from out of town can use our guest rooms, we offer ceremonies and receptions on our Mezzanine (or our Ballroom, for those larger receptions), the couple can stay in a Presidential Suite for their honeymoon, and everyone can get together for breakfast in Q's Restaurant. Boulderado brides are actively reaching out to be a part of the history of our hotel when they book with us. The very first recorded wedding ceremony took place here in 1911, and over the years thousands of people have been married on our staircase's landing. This is the history our Boulderado brides share in every time the "Wedding March" starts up on the Mezzanine.

Bridal Show

Sunday is the annual Boulderado Bridal Show, and our office is crazy busy getting ready for it. Nearly 40 vendors will be with us on the Mezzanine and in the adjoining rooms offering information about the various services they offer. (For a complete list of vendors, click here and scroll down.) Our on-site wedding coordinators, Anna and Megan, will be on hand to meet, greet, and discuss planning ceremonies and receptions with brides, fiances, and families. Our catering staff is pulling out all the stops and serving up beef tenderloin, harvest squash ravioli, and wine tastings. If you are interested in attending this free event, you can save yourself time by pre-registering on our website.

November at the Boulderado

November is another extraordinarily busy month at the Boulderado. Here's what's happening:

• Sunday, November 8th is our annual Bridal Show. If you plan on attending, there's still time to pre-register. Stop by to visit some of Colorado's top wedding vendors -- florists, bakers, and invitation makers galore! There's no charge for admission, and one lucky person will win $3000 off his or her Boulderado reception.
• Don't feel like cooking a big meal for Thanksgiving? Or maybe you just dread the thought of all those dishes? Either way, if you attend our Thanksgiving Buffet, we will do the hard work for you, letting you focus on the most important things about the holiday -- spending time with loved ones (and eating).
• Every year, the Boulderado hosts a Teddy Bear Tea which benefits The Children's Hospital. This year, it is being held on Saturday, November 28th. The Teddy Bear Tea is our most popular holiday tea, and just a few reservations are still open, so call today if you'd like to attend! Each child under the age of 12 who comes will take home a teddy bear with them.
  
• The Teddy Bear Tea also kicks off our holiday tea series. Every weekend and for a few weekdays leading up to Christmas, you can enjoy classic tea service on our Mezzanine.
  

Adventures in Pumpkin Carving

Halloween is my #1 favorite holiday of the year. I love everything about it -- candy, carving jack o' lanterns, roasting pumpkin seeds, watching Linus and Sally waiting in the pumpkin patch, dressing up in costumes, and scary movies. So, it's no real surprise I'm trying to stretch it out into just one more day here at the hotel as I crunch some leftover candy from the Munchkin Masquerade. Today, I want to share with you a Hotel Boulderado tradition that I took part in for the first time -- the annual Employee Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Each department can carve 1-2 pumpkins and enter them for judging and display in the lobby. I picked out my pumpkin early on to get the best selection, resulting in a huge specimen that was nicknamed "The Great Pumpkin" by some office mates because of its size and 30-pound weight. Here's what it looked like after being hollowed out, cleaned up, and ready for carving:

I'd already had a plan for the design for weeks -- a jack o' lantern clock, where the face of the clock was also the face of the jack o' lantern. The actual carving took me about six hours on Thursday, the night before the competition.

After I finished with that, I covered all the carved parts with cling wrap and kept it in the fridge overnight, to make sure it stayed as fresh as possible. I went to bed knowing I had done the best job possible and looking forward to the festivities the next day.

Just "chilling" in the fridge

And then, the very next morning, disaster struck. I was carrying the pumpkin out to my truck and slipped on some ice. I went down and so did the pumpkin. It bounced, actually, on the ice. I didn't even get up off the ground before I was examining it and assessing the damage. One piece of the face popped out entirely, and there were cracks running all across the front, but the pumpkin's thick rind prevented it from smashing entirely. Here's what it looked like, post-fall:

I tried to put it back together the best I could using toothpicks, nails, and sheer determination. After I put the finishing touches on it, I brought it down to the lobby and set it out for viewing. Some people who had stopped by my desk before then said they thought the cracks enhanced the pumpkin -- "It looks spookier and older." "Are you making some sort of statement about time cracking?" Not really, but the show must go on.

Here's the full collection of submissions sitting under the credenza loaded with bats, snakes, spiders, ravens, and dead tree branches.

Entry #2 from the Sales Office ~ A mermaid accompanied by starfishes
"Winner of Most Funny"

Entry from the Front Desk ~ A ghost superimposed with the initials HB, for Hotel Boulderado
"Winner of Best Theme Carving"

Entry from Set Break/Banquets ~ Scary face with bone teeth
"Winner of Most Difficult"
(Also should be given props for popular favorite -- as people were walking by and looking at them, this was the one most people said they liked the most.)

Entry from Housekeeping ~ A housekeeper (with a custom-sewn uniform)
composting into a pumpkin receptacle
"First Runner Up"

Entry from Q's Restaurant ~ The Q's Logo
"Winner of Best Technique"

Entry from Maintenance ~ An M&M guy
"Best of Show"

And my pumpkin? We took home the "Most Creative" prize. I've already had a couple of ideas for next year's contest, so watch out!

PS Our Front Desk Manager sent me this photo of two of our valet attendants on Halloween dressed like old-school valets. I love it!

302

Did you like yesterday's blog post about 304, one of our haunted rooms? It included an audio clip from the Slacker and Steve Radio Show where they brought a psychic into the room to perform a reading. The fun continues next door in 302, another one-bedroom suite with the same access to the open-air porch that 304 has. If you liked that, then you'll probably like this audio clip taken from 302 with the same psychic.

PS Check it out! CBS Channel 4 from Denver sent their social media team up to Boulder this morning to document the crazy snowfall we got. While they were downtown, Mike and Michael stopped by to investigate the Halloween decorations and shot a live video right in our lobby. Click here to see the results!

304

Our lobby has undergone a transformation since yesterday's post. Skeletons, vampires, and spider webs are everywhere, and there's even a disembodied hand coming out of the front desk. It can only mean one thing -- Halloween is fast approaching. Last year, the Slacker and Steve Radio Show from Alice 105.9 made a stop at the Hotel Boulderado on their Tour of Terror. Slacker and Steve each stayed in one of our alleged "haunted" rooms on the third floor. Click here to listen to the audio clip from the radio show.

While there have been reports of ghosts and paranormal activity all over the hotel in a variety of guest rooms, two of our suites in the historic section have seemed to be more active than the average room. Room 304 is a beautiful one-bedroom suite featuring a king bed and views of downtown Boulder. It also has a door leading to an open-air porch that connects to 302, making it one of the most popular and desirable rooms in the hotel. Many people stay in 304 without any problems or disturbances, but there have also been reports of people feeling uneasy, hearing strange noises, and other unexplained phenomenon.

304 and 302 will be open to the public this Friday as part of Historic Boulder's Ghost Walk/Ghost Talk this Friday between 7pm and 10pm. "Ghosts" will be on hand to share their stories of days past, refreshments will be served, and psychics will be available for personal readings. Visit Historic Boulder's website to learn more about this event and how to purchase tickets.

Munchkin Masquerade

Since so much is happening downtown this weekend (Halloween, CU's homecoming game/Pearl Street Stampede), Downtown Boulder Inc. pushed up their annual Munchkin Masquerade to Thursday, October 29th. Between 2pm and 5pm, trick or treaters will descend on the downtown area in search of sugar loot. Start out at the Daily Camera's building where you can pick up a starter treat bag, map of participating merchants, and a free photo of your costumed kid provided by Eight Days a Week. The Hotel Boulderado is an official stop on the map, but many people forget to stop by because it's not directly on Pearl Street. These people miss out on lots of candy given away in our "haunted" lobby, which is decked out with creepy, spooky Halloween decor.

Happy Birthday, Yuko!

Taking a moment today to wish our Sales Office Manager, Yuko Ishige, a very happy (and a bit early) birthday. Yuko is the glue that holds our office together, and whether she is preparing the sterling menus for a wedding reception, fielding dozens of phone calls from people looking to reserve space at a Holiday Tea or Seasonal Buffet, or cheering on the Rockies, she does everything with dedication and passion. Megan will be bringing in a chocolate cake for us to celebrate Yuko's birthday next week, since, as Yuko has said before, "I would bathe in chocolate if I could." (She's especially fond of the Triple Chocolate cupcakes at Tee and Cakes.) Happy Birthday, Yuko! Here's to a year full of fun, love, and chocolate!

Boulder Wilderness Shuttle Visitor Packages

Have you heard of the Boulder Wilderness Shuttle? It's a new company in town that offers shuttle service between area hotels and popular wilderness hotspots. The Hotel Boulderado has partnered with the Boulder Wilderness Shuttle to offer packages for visitors that combine the cost of their room with a guided tour. Right now, there's package available on our website that offer a guided hiking tour, guided biking tour, and one specifically geared towards sightseeing the amazing fall foliage that Colorado has to offer.

Women's History Afternoon Tea

We are once again excitedly preparing for tomorrow's Women's History Afternoon Tea. Tickets are still available for this event, which features the Legendary Ladies, who will be performing "Unconventional Women of the West," a series of five-minute monologues from interesting female historical figures. Here's a sneak peek of some of the characters who will be visiting the Boulderado tomorrow:Emily Griffith (1868-1947) was a Denver teacher who dreamed of opening a school that would be open to people of all ages. In May of 1916, the Denver Board of Education gave Griffith a condemned schoolbuilding in which to make her dream a reality. The Opportunity School opened on September 9th that year, and by 1954 was serving 10,000 students each year and had an alumni base of 400,000.


Mother Cabrini (1850-1917) was the first American citizen canonized (made a saint) by the Roman Catholic Church. She founded sixty-seven non-profit institutions dedicated to a variety of social projects throughout the Unites States and also abroad.


Mary Rippon (1850-1935) was the first female professor to teach at the University of Colorado, and she did so for over thirty years. Rippon's works have been long recognized by the university, which named an open-air theater after her. The female students at CU also worked for her nomination and acceptance into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.

The Women's History Afternoon Tea partially benefits the Circle of Care project, an elderly enrichment program. Twenty-five senior citizens have been given complimentary seats to this event.

CU Family Weekend

The hotel is full and decked out with black and gold balloons. Q's Restaurant's reservations are full for Friday night. There's gold foil-covered candy down at the front desk. Traffic on Broadway is much heavier than usual, both on the roads and sidewalks. Conclusion? It must be Family Weekend over at the University of Colorado.

The Boulderado's Director of Sales & Marketing, Beverly Silva, was interviewed in the Colorado Daily about the boom in business the hotel receives for this weekend. "'It's a great boost for our local economy,' Silva said of Family Weekend. And while Silva said one wildly successful weekend can't make up for the sagging economic times of the past year, "it gives some encouragement and brings enthusiasm. People are happy.'" (Read the article in its entirety.)

It's true. Family Weekend is one of those unofficial Boulderado holidays where the place is jumping, employees are busy running around (bolstered by all that gold foil-covered candy, I think!), and we tend to thrive on the rush of it all. Stop by to see for yourself, and as an added bonus in the lobby tonight there's a special performance by Jasco from 6pm-9pm.

The Boulderado Green Team

Earlier this year, the Hotel Boulderado employees formed a Green Team to make sure that we are doing everything possible to be as green as we can. You might remember an Earth Day blog post where I shared some of what we do to be a green hotel. The Green Team is kicking these efforts up a notch as we try to become a certified green business. They've been working with the Environmental Protection Agency on a waste reduction program -- hopefully, this will lead to certification from the EPA and PACE (Partners for A Clean Environment). The Green Team has focused on three main areas: resource management, energy efficiency, and water conservation, but is keeping in mind that no change is too big or too small.

Monthly energy evaluations measure how much gas, electric, and water/waste the hotel uses, which helps us to keep an eye on these levels. The hotel recently reconfigured our recycle and waste disposal program, and by doing so, we are able to recycle at least 25% more than before and reduce waste by 25%. This was accomplished by converting our old Glass & Can and Cardboard recycle bins into one Single Stream dumpster, where we can also recycle things like phone books, milk and juice cartons, brown paper bags, and aluminum foil. The kitchens at the Boulderado (both from the catering department and Q's Restaurant) are now partaking in composting. (And big thank you to Pete, our banquet chef, for researching special composting bags!)

Some upgrades and replacements are also taking on a greener tint here at the Boulderado. We purchased six new HVAC units on the roof of the historic building. The old units were very inefficient, being over 25 years old. (Commercial units are measured in SEER units to rate their efficiency -- the removed units rated an 8, while the new ones are rated as 13, with higher number indicating more efficiency.) As exit signs need replacement, they are repalced with LED exit signs, and the maintenance department has replaced about 30% of the signs to date. All T-12 fluorescent bulbs have been repalced with T-8 bulbs with electrical ballasts.

What else are we doing? Over half our employees have and use (and love!) an Eco-Pass. The Sales Office, which uses more paper than any other department in the hotel, tries to use recycled paper whenever possible to use up both sides of each piece of paper, and also switched over to paper that contains 30% post-consumer waste. Computers are turned off in offices overnight and during the weekends.

Way to go, Green Team! I will be sure to keep everyone posted on their work as we move the Hotel Boulderado into a clean, green world.

Boulderado Menu Tastings

Did you know that here at the Hotel Boulderado, our catering departments offer complimentary menu tastings for people who have booked an event with us? Planning a menu for a wedding, holiday party, or corporate reception is so much easier and less stressful when you know exactly how the food will taste. In fact, there's one taking place on our Mezzanine right this very minute. There's champagne and organic wine tastings, hors d'oeuvres, and even a beef tenderloin carving station. Some local vendors are partnering with us to showcase their talents: there's cake service provided by Kim and Jake's Cakes, music by Tom and Melissa from Affinity for Music, event photos by Marsha Steckling over at Life Exposed Photography, and gorgeous centerpieces from European Flower Shop. Interested in booking an event at the Boulderado? You can email us at sales@boulderado.com, call us toll-free at 1 (866) 826-2887, or fill out a request for proposal form on our website.

September Winner ~ Tell Us Your Boulderado Story

One of the components of the Boulderado's 100 year anniversary is the Tell Us Your Boulderado Story campaign, which is a collection of memories and narratives from the last century about the Hotel Boulderado. Our goal is to collect 100 stories which will be compiled into a coffee table book. The Boulderado selects a monthly favorite, and September's winner is Ruth Schutlz. Enjoy her story, "The Boulderado Double Daylily."

"On August 1st, 1954, my husband, Al Kahre, and I bought our first house. It was brand new and there was no landscaping. It was barren!

At that time our family owned Kahre Interiors which was located in one of the little shops just west of the Boulderado Hotel. In the spring of 1955 we were scrounging for plants for our yard from any place that we could find them. We had no money for landscaping. Then we learned that the little old pioneer house wedged between the Boulderado Hotel and our little row of shops was scheduled for demolition so that the hotel could remodel and expand. My husband asked for permission to salvage some of the plants from the well-tended little garden in the yard of the little old pioneer house. He was told to take anything and everything that he wanted. Every night after work, he dug up as much as he could before it got dark, brought it home, and planted it by street light and flashlight.

Among the various plants were some daylilies. They were very hardy and produced lovely flowers. Using these beautiful daylilies, that were gifts of the Boulderado Hotel, as the parent, I have now developed a beautiful double daylily which I recently registered with the American Hemerocallis Society as the Boulderado Double. Would you believe that without realizing it, I registered Boulderado Double during the 100th anniversary year of the hotel!"

Boulderado Double Daylily

Hotel Boulderado, circa 1955

Bill and Winnie Hutson

A bit more Boulderado history for you on this chilly but sunny October day, this time concerning the Hutsons, Bill and Winnie (seen left ~ photo from the Hutson family collection).

William (Bill) Hutson, Jr. came from a family that was very familiar with the hotel business. His father, William Sr., owned and operated three hotels throughout the Midwest in Kansas and Missouri, and when it was time to select a gift for Bill and his new beauty queen bride, Winnie, William decided to continue the tradition. He bought the Hotel Boulderado for the young couple in 1940, the year after they were married, for $40,000. William Sr. added the Boulderado to his chain of Hutson Hotels, but turned the day-to-day operations and management over to his son, Bill. This marked the first time in Boulderado history that the hotel was privately owned. A Daily Camera article rejoiced at the news: "The sale is heralded by citizens of Boulder for it will put in possession of the hotel a company with sufficient capital to make the hotel what all Boulder wants it to be."

War, however, interrupted plans for modernization. Bill Hutson became a civilian flight instructor and then joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. He was stationed in a variety of locations, including Arizona, Texas, and California. Wherever he went, Winnie Hutson followed him. Hotel management during this time fell on a few Hutson Hotel employees, and occupancy became so high that they had to limit guest stays to three days in order to accommodate the demand.

When World War II came to a close in August of 1945, Bill and Winnie returned to Boulder to start improvements on the Boulderado. The coal furnace was converted over to natural gas. Electric lights were installed in each rooms, replacing the original gas and electric light fixtures. Carpet was laid in the halls, lobby, and in fifteen rooms. Fluorescent light took over the illumination of the lobby, and on the rooftop a large neon sign replaced the wooden one.

Winnie gave birth to a son, William (Bill) Hutson III, in 1946. While the family wasn't living in the hotel, like Hugh Mark did years earlier, Bill still grew up knowing every inch of the Hotel Boulderado, and would spend every Halloween trick-or-treating among the rooms of the permanent residents.

Bill Jr. turned the managerial duties of the Boulderado over to his friend, Ralph Hume, who had already been working at the hotel since the 1930s, first as a bellman and then as a front desk clerk. The Hutsons continued to manage the dining room, which was the Boulderado Coffee Shop in the late 1950s. Entrees could be had for under $2, and all dinners included potato, salad, fruit, and a beverage. Winnie's mother, Rosa May, worked for a time as the head of the housekeeping department, and lived in room 505 until she died.

It was during the Hutsons tenure at the Hotel Boulderado that the stained-glass ceiling in the lobby caved in after a heavy Halloween snowstorm. Less than two months later, William Hutson Sr. died, and Bill Jr. followed just four months later. Bill Hutson III was 14 years old. Ralph Hume continued to operate the hotel, but in 1961 Winnie decided to finally cut the ties and leased the Boulderado to another couple, the Howards. Stay tuned to learn about their adventures running the Hotel Boulderado in the 1960s!

October at the Boulderado

October is here, which means falling leaves, crisp air, and my favorite holiday all year, Halloween. This month is shaping up to be a busy one here at the Hotel Boulderado. Read on to learn what's happening at the hotel and in the blog in October.

• Murder Mystery Dinners are back! Book your spot for the 9th, 23rd, or 30th and enjoy the lively troupe 'Til Death Do Us Party's performance, "It's My Party, and I'll Die If I Want To." Accompanied by a buffet dinner and cocktail of your choice, it's dinner and a show all rolled into one.
• Women's History Afternoon Tea on Sunday the 18th. Take a step back in time with the Legendary Ladies as they present brief monologues of significant women while you enjoy a classic afternoon tea. Later this month, I will introduce you to the historical figures who will be featured right here in the blog.
• Two very special room profiles will also be featured on the blog this month, each one taking you inside the stories and rumors behind some of our "haunted rooms."
  
• The Munchkin Masquerade on October 29th invites trick-or-treaters downtown. The Hotel Boulderado pulls out all the stops to create a "haunted lobby" where kids can collect their candy, and parents can stop by the Corner Bar for a martini.
  
• On October 30th, Historic Boulder will feature the Hotel Boulderado on their Ghost Walk Ghost Talk fundraising tour. Spiritualists will be situated in two haunted rooms to see if anything arises.
• Employee pumpkin carving contest! The Maintenance Department came up with a brilliant snowman made of pumpkins last year, and I can't wait to see what creative carvings are entered this year.
  

Don't Forget!

September's almost over? October is just days away? Where on earth did 2009 GO?!

2009 is a special year for the Hotel Boulderado. Not only is it our centennial birthday, but the city of Boulder also celebrates its 150th this year, too. With all the celebrating in town, we came up with two unique visitor's packages for 2009: the Birthday Package, and the Centennial Package.

The Birthday Package commemorates our birthday, but you could certainly book it to celebrate your own! Rates start at $215 per night, and with your guest room or suite, you also receive complimentary valet parking every night, a birthday cake, a copy of Silvia Pettem's Legend of a Landmark: The History of the Hotel Boulderado, and a commemorative centennial gift.

The Centennial Package requires a minimum three-night stay, but what a stay it is! For $2009 (all taxes included), you have your choice of suites, with either one king bed or two queen beds, $90 to use for breakfast in Q's Restaurant or in-room dining, a $150 dinner at Q's or in-room dining, a $500 downtown Boulder gift certificate, 2 bathrobes, birthday cake, valet parking, a copy of Silvia Pettem's Legend of a Landmark: The History of the Hotel Boulderado, and a commemorative centennial gift.

The Old and the New

Something about the Hotel Boulderado that continues to fascinate me is how well the old-style charm is maintained while keeping current with the changing times. Stepping into the building, you can almost feel yourself slipping back to 1909, especially with things like our Otis elevator and display cases showcasing antique items. And then you see someone using our complimentary high-speed wireless internet on their laptop in the lobby, or see photos uploaded to Flickr, and you're reminded that this is indeed the 21st century.

One feature in a couple of our North Wing guestrooms keeps true to this marriage of the old and the new. Four of our Traditional Queen rooms (445, 446, 447, and 450) on the top floor feature built-in window seats that overlook Broadway. It's easy to curl up on these big seats, peek out the window, and imagine how Boulder looked one hundred years ago. Here's a picture of Pearl Street from about 1905, four years before the Boulderado opened its doors, to get your imaginations going.

The MJ Dance Party SOLD OUT!

We are all excited and grateful that the 1st Annual Michael Jackson Dance Party at the Hotel Boulderado was an enormous success! Tickets sold out before the event, and everyone that attended had a great time. Between the donations from ticket sales, the raffle, and personal donations, we managed to raise $3998 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Colorado -- not too shabby for a four-hour event! The Daily Camera sent a photographer (who took this fantastic photo!) and a reporter -- click here to read the article for yourself. We want to thank all the local businesses and volunteers who donated their time and prizes for this event, and all the people who came out and made it the "Thriller" of the season. See you next year at the 2nd Annual Michael Jackson Dance Party!

Michael Jackson Dance Party on Saturday

Our office is buzzing with preparations for our Michael Jackson Dance Party, which is taking place this Saturday night in the Ballroom from 7pm-11pm. Saturday would have been MJ's 50th birthday, so to commemorate him and the wonderful charitable spirit he embodied, the Hotel Boulderado is joining forces with the Make-a-Wish Foundation for this special event. Each ticket is $19, and $15 of that goes directly to the foundation. In addition, local businesses like Marianna's Spa, Old Chicago, and Q's Restaurant have been generous enough to donate some merchandise and gift certificates for a raffle that will also benefit Make-a-Wish. Specialty cocktails, like the staff's favorite, Beat It (orange-flavored vodka, condensed milk, passion fruit juice, and triple sec) or the Rhinestone Glove (red wine, amaretto, and ginger ale) will be available at the cash bar. Fun hors d'oeuvres like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" Hummus and Olives, or "The Way You Make Me Feel" About Fruit and Cheese will keep the energy high for dancing all night. DJ Chris will be spinning Jackson hits all night long, and special break-dancing performances from Streetside Studios, Break EFX, and Casablanca Dance Studio will inspire you to bring out those old-school, b-bop moves. Speaking of dancing, there's a dance contest as well as a costume contest, and prizes will be awarded for the winners. Reservations are still available, but not many! Book yours today either by calling us at (303) 440-2880 or book online.

Burger and Beer Package

With the economy in the shape it is, travelers are increasingly looking to get as much value out of their dollar as possible. One popular way to stretch your budget even further is to purchase a hotel room package, where in addition to your room or suite, additional amenities and perks are bundled in for a marginally higher price. Take the Burger & Beer Package at the Hotel Boulderado. When you book this package, you receive the room, valet parking, and a complimentary burger and glass of beer in the Corner Bar, just off the Boulderado's lobby. It's almost like booking the room and getting the burger, beer, and parking for free! Who wouldn't love that? Since the Corner Bar has one of the best patios in downtown Boulder, try and enjoy your meal out there so you can take in the sun, mountains, and passersby-watching!

Otis Elevator

Some people love it, some people hate it. I hear "It's so charming and authentic!" or "It's scary. Why can't I control it myself?" and I know people are talking about the Hotel Boulderado's historic Otis elevator. It's the only still-operating model of its kind this side of the Mississippi, and it is true that you need one of our staff members to operate it. It was installed in 1908 and the elevator you take today on the historic side of the hotel is the very same one from 101 years ago. It has become quite popular with wedding photographers, like Mark Cafiero (picture below), who are looking to infuse the Boulderado's antique charm into their couple's wedding shots.

Taking a ride on the historic Otis elevator can make your tummy do flips on its way up or down, and sometimes you have to take a big step to reach the floor if the attendant misses it. But it also embodies the historic nature of the Hotel Boulderado, and that's why I love it.

Hugh Mark

A little bit of Boulderado history for you today concerning another early owner and manager, Hugh Mark (seen left ~ photo from the Mark family collection). When the Hotel Boulderado opened in 1909, local residents were allowed to come in the night before to inspect the hotel's elegance and luxury. Hugh Mark was one of the people who stopped by on December 31, 1908. He would return just a few years later, in 1912, as the Assistant Manager to William Beattie, whom we met in a previous blog post.

Hugh Mark married a schoolteacher, Etta, in 1916, and the next year Beattie transferred managerial duties to Mark. Over the next few months, Hugh Mark enlisted the help of other local businessmen to put together a proposal by which they would jointly buy the hotel. Hugh Mark owned the largest share, taking half the stock in recognition for his manager position. They wrote, "It is our aim to conduct the Hotel in a first-class manner in every way." Beginning on June 1st, 1917, Hugh Mark received a salary of $100 each month in addition to room and board for his family.

Hugh Mark transformed the day-to-day operations of the Hotel Boulderado into a family business. His brother, Leonard, went to work as a desk clerk, and another brother, William, was employed as the engineer in charge of the coal furnace in the basement. Frank Mark worked as the dining room chef, and his wife, Alza, became known throughout the community as the dining room's hostess. Here's a newspaper clipping from 1932 advertising for their New Years Day dinner.

Hugh and Etta soon started their own family, bringing two children into the world and into the Boulderado. Bill and Betty lived in the hotel with their parents. Hugh and Bill shared the upstairs apartments in room 505 while Etta and Betty occupied 203 and 204. (These two second-floor rooms were later converted into the Evergreen Room, now used for meetings and as part of Mezzanine weddings.) Betty Mark later recalled in adulthood, "The whole hotel was my home, and there were no restrictions as to where I could go."

Betty and Bill Mark (Mark Family Collection)

Under Hugh Mark's leadership, the Hotel Boulderado thrived, in part to his marketing and advertising efforts. Mark understood the need to reach out to future hotel guests and created brochures reminding people of Colorado's unique attributes. Below are some samples of his early innovative work.

Hugh Mark was well-known throughout the town as "the biggest little man in Boulder." Sadly, his life was cut short suddenly and unexpectedly due to a heart attack in 1934. For the next few years, various members of the Mark family and the Boulderado's investors tried to make a go managing the hotel, but it wasn't until 1940 that the next real chapter began for the Boulderado. Stay tuned to meet the Hutsons!

Photos from January Wedding

Check out some of the stunning photos that were taken in January of a wedding reception held on the Boulderado's Mezzanine. The wedding took place just after New Years Eve, so many of our holiday decorations were still up and lent the space an extra festive air. All the photos you see here were shot by Hayes Photography.

If you or someone you know is planning a wedding, consider attending the upcoming Hotel Boulderado Bridal Show on Sunday, November 8th. More than 40 Colorado vendors will gather to showcase their talents, and the Boulderado's catering department will be offering free food, wine, and champagne tastings. Enter the raffle, and you could win $3000 off your Boulderado wedding reception! Pre-register online today and become eligible for exclusive prizes.

July Winner ~ Tell Us Your Boulderado Story

One of the components of the Boulderado's 100 year anniversary is the Tell Us Your Boulderado Story campaign, which is a collection of memories and narratives from the last century about the Hotel Boulderado. Our goal is to collect 100 stories which will be compiled into a coffee table book. The Boulderado selects a monthly favorite, and July's winner is David Grimm. Enjoy his story, "Affection for the Boulderado."

"For those who remember, there was a bar at the Boulderado called Le Bar. It was a tiny room tucked in behind the main desk. You had to know it was there to find it. At best there was room for five people at the bar and maybe five small tables in the room. For its matchbox size it was nonetheless the favorite watering hole for a number of us downtown types. We might have shown up occasionally at the Walrus or Catacombs or Potter's, but Le Bar was home on most days. Back then there were no tourists to contend with and decor was not a concern.

In 1972 when I started frequenting Le Bar the Boulderado was past its prime -- way past. The hotel was hovering between renovation and demolition and it seemed the wrecking ball had the odds over renewal. At the time my group, two errant radio writers and a late-night disc-jockey (myself), were drinking gin and tonic and Le Bar had a healthy supply of Bombay of which we made ample use each afternoon beginning at five o'clock.

One of the regulars during the summer months was a quiet man who always sat at the bar. He was thin and sad and routinely dressed in a 1950s vintage black suit and black tie. He seldom spoke except to the bartender and then only to order another. He was William S. Burroughs. He was occasionally joined by a younger, boisterous, shaggy, ill-kept man. Then Burroughs would leave his lethargy behind and become animated in conversation. The shaggy man was Allen Ginsberg.

I had no acquaintance with the works of the 'Beat' poets and so had no reason for either alarm or adulation. The two were simply patrons of Le Bar.

One night a television set was brought in by request so that we could watch a Muhammad Ali boxing match. I can't recall whom Ali was fighting but it was of great interest at the time. As the match progressed round by round it became clear that Burroughs and Ginsberg were as big of Ali supporters as the rest of our little group, lending their voices to the alternating cheers and boos.

One night, encouraged by the affectionate attention of a stunning blonde, I went to the front desk to seek a room. In those days there were plenty of rooms available and no reservation was required. It was my good luck to receive a large, airy corner room with private bath on the fourth floor facing front. The cost was two dollars. Three days later when the blonde left for Santa Monica, I kept the room. I had an apartment just two or three blocks away on Arapahoe, but I kept the room at the Boulderado. In the end I kept it for over nine months. It was nice to have a restaurant and bar just downstairs. I always had lodging for visitors and the company of Mr. Lowry in the lobby.

For me the Boulderado has always been my home away from home. Over the years I have often taken a room for the weekend simply to spend time with my old friend and breathe in the Boulderado air.

At some time during the early 1980s while working for KGNU radio, I had the opportunity to host a daily morning talk show at the hotel. It was called "Breakfast at the Boulderado." We filled the airwaves every weekday morning from a booth in what was then the Fleur de Lis restaurant. My co-host, Tom Swope, and I ate breakfast on the air and interviewed governors, senators, mayors, actors, musicians, parolees, and panhandlers. In fact we interviewed anyone who would sit down at the table. One of my favorites was Joni Mitchell, who stopped because she simply wanted a cup of coffee and was willing to sing a cappella to get it. The hotel's venerable general manager, Sid Anderson, was a regular guest keeping the public informed of Boulderado events and making weekly sports predictions. After more than 20 years in the media, I am still asked why we ever quit doing "Breakfast at the Boulderado." The simple answer is that I got married and my wife preferred me at the breakfast table at home. Not so much for my charm as for my cooking skills.

My affection for the Boulderado remains undimmed and untarnished. Many of my fondest memories of Boulder have occurred under its roof. It has always provided for me the perfect setting for public meetings and private occasions. Decisions which have shaped our community have been made there, and both of my daughters had their first 'restaurant' dinners at the hotel.

Today I had a glass of champagne outside at the Corner Bar and listened to the downtown church bells celebrate Boulder's 150th anniversary. The only place to be."

Upcoming Events Reservations

It's official! Our Sales Office is now taking reservations for the Women's History Afternoon Tea, Thanksgiving Buffet, Christmas Buffet, and New Year's Eve Gala Ball! Whether it's our umpteenth annual buffet or the tea, history is packed into each event. But just because the Hotel Boulderado is a historic hotel doesn't mean we're stuck in some by-gone century. The Boulderado just rolled out a new online option for people looking to book reservations for some of our events. By visiting the Online Event Reservations, you can save yourself a seat at our events from the comfort and security of your own computer. Here's a complete of all the events you can now book online:

• Michael Jackson Dance Party
• Murder Mystery (with or without overnight accommodations)
  
• Women's History Afternoon Tea
• New Year's Eve Gala Ball (with or without overnight accommodations)

Mr. Anderson's Office

Last week, when our office went to sing "Happy Birthday" to Mr. Anderson and bring him his German chocolate cake, I was reminded again how interesting his office it. The walls are covered in archival photos and newspaper clippings from the hotel's earliest history, including the Daily Camera article from January 1, 1909 regailing readers with details about the previous night's Open House.

Mr. Anderson's Office

But without a doubt, my favorite piece in Mr. Anderson's office is the window. When the Hotel Boulderado originally opened in 1909, the dining room was fitted with hand-crafted stained-glass windows. The only surviving window today is located in Mr. Anderson's office.

Close-Up of Stained-Glass Window

My other favorite item in his office is actually outside his office. Mr. Anderson used to work in an office on the second floor that used to be room 212. (Guestrooms on the mezzanine level were removed in the 1970s to create offices and the Mezzanine Lounge. Stay tuned to the blog for a future post detailing this process!) Original brass room number plaques were replaced with ceramic versions, including 212. When Mr. Anderson moved down to his office on the first floor, he brought the ceramic room number with him.

"Room 212"

Antique Workboots

The next time you are at the Hotel Boulderado, whether it's for a drink at the Corner Bar, live jazz music in the lobby, or for a wedding on the Mezzanine, be sure to stop by the entrance on the south side of the hotel. There, you will find a display case showing off some artifacts from the Boulderado's past, like an antique train schedule and railroad spikes from the old line. One of my favorite things in the case is a pair of workboots that were found when the Boulderado rennovated the ladies restroom on the Mezzanine. We presume they date back to when the Boulderado was originally built (1906-1908). One can only imagine that some laborer decided to kick off his well-used workboots with the hope that it would be rediscovered one day and become a part of our history.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Anderson!

Respectfully wishing a very happy birthday to the Hotel Boulderado's General Manager, Sid Anderson, today. Mr. Anderson has been involved with the Boulderado for over 30 years, most of that time as the General Manager and has become famous among employees for his dress code, complete with suspenders and a bow tie. His sharp memory and attention to detail have kept much of the Boulderado history accurate among the younger members of the staff. Happy Birthday, Mr. Anderson! I'm sure our office will be serenading you to this effect later today!

Holidays in July

Right now, there's over one hundred Boulderado clients milling about the Mezzanine at our Holiday Party Tasting. There's Champagne Cosmopolitan Cocktails at the bar, some yummy platters and a beef tenderloin carving. Plus, we're trying out for the very first time two of our Holiday Action Stations -- tapas and Caesar salad -- where guests are building their own, customized plate. George the DJ was kind enough to offer up his talented services, and Murray is here with his photo booth. (Some of us snuck into there before the party started -- if you're lucky, I will post the funny photos later that resulted!) It's all come together to show people what can be done at a Holiday Party at the Hotel Boulderado, and people are really enjoying themselves. Click here to take a peek at the Holiday menus we have available this season, and happy holidays!

306

In recognition of the Hotel Boulderado's 100 Year Anniversary in 2009, I've decided to profile several of our signature guest rooms and suites over the coming months. Last time we took a peek inside 444, a North Wing Classic King with amazing views. Today I'm taking you back to the historic section to peek inside our other Presidential Suite, 306. (You may remember our visit inside 505 back in April.)

Room 306 is easily one of the most posh and luxurious at the Hotel Boulderado. It was originally two rooms -- 306 and 307 -- but was modified to create an extra-large suite for brides, VIPS, and celebrities alike. The living area is well-suited for entertaining, with plenty of seating, a large table for meals or small meetings, and a beautiful antique bar.

Photos by Allison M. Fleetwood, Jr.

The bedroom is tucked away through a small hallway, making it quieter and more removed from the traffic sounds outside the hotel. Like most of our suites, there is an extra television in the bedroom to make viewing more convenient. More antique style can be found here, like the mirror, the headboard, and the artwork. Like all our rooms, the bed is the ultimate in comfort and the bedding is premium and fresh. Waking up in 306 at the Hotel Boulderado is best way to start the day in Boulder.