The heartbeat of travel is adventure. And one unique Boulder hotel thinks that should extend to the room you sleep in, too.
Only here, can you go climbing at your hotel, before retiring to a room designed to look like a campsite with mats spread out under the night sky.
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Your stay here comes complete with bicycles, a dry sauna, an oversized pile of Jenga blocks instead of a nightstand and kombucha in the lobby bar. Furniture is made out of recycled “beetle kill” pine wood. You bet you can get a local beer on tap.
One of Boulder’s newest places to stay, Basecamp Boulder Hotel, was designed for the modern adventurer.
It’s easy to see how Basecamp is not only uniquely Boulder, but also unique in Boulder. Every detail taps into a special dimension of the city, including the location: right on the Boulder Creek Path and a short walk to the Pearl Street Mall, the University of Colorado-Boulder campus and Naropa University.
Owner Christian Strobel decided to renovate what used to be the Quality Inn, after he says he saw a need for a stylish yet affordable, hip yet relaxing boutique hotel centered around the spirit of exploration. He wanted it to truly serve as a “base camp” for travelers’ adventures in Colorado: a place to hang out and share stories in the lobby, unwind and rejuvenate in the spa and fitness center; and plot out the next big thrill on the itinerary in a cozy, inspiring room.
Boulder’s Basecamp Hotel is actually part of a larger concept; the first Basecamp opened in 2011 in Lake Tahoe.
Boulder’s hotel (the third in the chain) opened June 2016.
The Rooms
You can find standard beds here (although the decor is anything but run-of-the-mill; imagine an oversized canvas map of Boulder in place of the headboard), or for the extra adventurous, there’s the Great Indoors Room, with four twin beds sunken into the floor to mimic camping on synthetic grass. You won’t find normal work stations and dressers here. Instead, camp chairs and S’mores set-ups next to the faux fire pit.
All rooms feature 300-thread-count sheets, hypoallergenic comforters and, but of course, gear racks for all your outdoor gear.
Special Features
It wouldn’t be authentically Boulder if it weren’t environmentally conscious. Basecamp offers green products, solar power, composting and recycling, a xeriscaped garden, motion-sensor lighting and even makes a focused effort to buy local and organic products.
Basecamp is also gearing up to open its lobby cafe with healthy (and some a little naughty) snacks and meals, from maple bacon popcorn to brisket chili to empanadas. Coming this fall: The cafe will serve local craft beer.
In addition to the bouldering wall, guests can play ping-pong, take a dip in the hot tub and rest their weary muscles in the sauna. The lobby here has a fireplace, artificial turf for a funky indoor-outdoor vibe and an outdoor deck. Or get an extra training sesh in on the Peloton bikes with customizable guided workouts, or in your room with a Yoga Glo class.
Local tip: Ask about the Bouldering and Brews offer. Play on the bouldering wall and afterward, cash in two beer tokens for local brew.
