Happy Birthday, Pete!

Last June birthday -- there've been LOTS this month!

I'm taking a moment today to wish Pete Morrison, our Banquet Chef, a very happy birthday! Pete creates the menus offered through the Hotel Boulderado's catering department and makes sure that everything runs smoothly in the kitchen. Pete works closely with Belem, Tom, and others in making sure that every guest served by the staff finds their meal delicious, flavorful, and of the highest quality -- the Boulderado standard! Happy Birthday, Pete!

That Staircase!

One of the most unique features about the Hotel Boulderado, in addition to its historic charm and stained-glass lobby ceiling, is the staircase that leads down to the lobby. This cantilevered (cantilever [can⋅ti⋅le⋅ver] noun: any rigid structural member projecting from a vertical support, esp. one in which the projection is great in relation to the depth, so that the upper part is in tension and the lower part in compression) staircase requires no external bracing or supports because of its design. The staircase was made with cherrywood lumber, but the hotel staff and historian are unsure as to where the wood originated. There are no cherrywood trees large enough in Colorado to produce the lumber yield required to build the staircase. The staircase extends from the Boulderado's basement all the way up to the fifth floor of the historic section.

Staircase, circa 1960

These days, the staircase is utilized in Boulderado wedding ceremonies, which are happening more and more frequently now that wedding season is upon us. The bride and the person who gives her away descend from the third floor and walk down to the landing between the lobby and Mezzanine. As they walk down the stairs to the landing, they are flanked by bridal attendants and groomsmen standing on the stairs. The wedding guests are seated along the railing on either side of the Mezzanine and watch over the ceremony. Once at the landing, the bride joins the groom and their officiant, and when they next take the stairs up to the Mezzanine to begin their reception, it is as husband and wife.

Bride and Father ~ Photo courtesy of Cafiero Photographers

Wedding Ceremony

One of my favorite things about this staircase is that it is original to the hotel, which means that since the Boulderado opened in 1909, guests have walked up the same way regardless of which decade they stayed with us. Helen Keller, who stayed at the Boulderado twice in her lifetime, must have held onto the railing for support and guidance as she made her way upstairs.

444

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 509, a richly decorated Classic King in the historic section. Today I'm showing you Room 444, another Classic King room, but this one is in our North Wing.

The North Wing was constructed in two phases during the 1980s. It was during the second addition in 1989 that room 444 was built. Here is a photo of the room during the construction phase:

As you can see, the room had a promisingly spectacular view of the Flatirons. A corner room on the fourth floor, 444 overlooks Spruce Street and Broadway. Here is another photo, taken from roughly the same angle, as it looks today:

Room 444 has become a popular guest room at the Hotel Boulderado precisely because of its views. In the summer of 2008, during a one-night stay, Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds discovered how beautiful the views in 444 were when they stayed with us.

Stay tuned for upcoming profiles of other guest rooms at the Hotel Boulderado!

Happy Birthday, Tiffany!

So many birthdays this month! Today I'm wishing Tiffany Yoder, our Director of Revenue and Marketing, a happy birthday. Tiffany monitors the revenue coming into the Boulderado, oversees the Reservations Department, and also handles the marketing for transient business. She celebrated her birthday by attending a Rockies game last night, and they responded with a win! Happy Birthday, Tiffany!

Treat Dad to Brunch at Q's Restaurant

Skip the tie from the department store. Avoid the cologne that he won't wear anyway. Show Dad how much you care by giving him something he'd really love -- brunch at Q's Restaurant! Q's will be serving Father's Day Brunch on Sunday from 7am to 2pm, accommodating both the early birds and the late risers. Whether it's the Eggs Benedict, Salmon Bagel Plate, or a Turkey BLT, Dad will love Chef John Platt's menu -- and so will the rest of the family.

Happy Birthday, Belem!

Wishing a very happy birthday today to Belem Macedo, the Sous Chef in our Banquets department! Belem spends hours in the kitchens painstakingly preparing the food that is served at our events, and whether it's beef tenderloin for a bridal party, sandwiches for a conference, or scones and pastries for our Holiday Teas, every dish receives the same attentive concentration. Belem's friendly smile and infamous brightly-colored pants are a welcome part of the kitchen scene. Happy Birthday, Belem!

Drinking Fountain in the Lobby

Tucked away in the southwest corner of the Hotel Boulderado lobby is an ornate drinking fountain. "Pure cold water from the Boulder owned Arapahoe Glacier" it proudly reads. Drinking fountains like this one used to be found all over Boulder. In the early 20th century, the city of Boulder purchased a watershed of dammed-up lakes fed by the Arapahoe Glacier. A $200,000 pipeline was installed to bring the "99.996% pure" water into town. The Boulderado's drinking fountain is the only one left today.