Boulder’s natural splendor feels otherworldly, and there are many wonderful locations throughout town where you can go to enjoy the view: hiking trails, rooftop bars and overpasses.
For some of the best views, however, you don’t have to leave your bed.
There’s something magical about waking up to a beautiful view when you’re traveling. It gets your mind in vacation mode right away.
Here are five of the best rooms with a view in Boulder.
1. The Alps Boulder Canyon Inn
The Alps Boulder Canyon Inn is located up the canyon (hence the name), so there’s no better views than these. You’re not just looking at the mountains; you are in them.
This luxurious, award-winning B&B hotel is surrounded by mountains and parks, and the views from your room depend on which room you select.
The front rooms offer the view of the canyon wall across the street. One room faces the granite rock, a bundle of pine trees and accents the view with the bubbling sound of Boulder Creek.
For the best views, head to the west wing to find the Sunshine and Magnolia rooms, the larger rooms on the front side of the building. These rooms both have a private porch and a two-person tub. Draw a bubble bath (using the L’Occitane spa amenities provided), fill the marble-embraced whirlpool tub with rose petals, push the curtains back and relax in the water with an intimate, peaceful view of the canyon. Then retreat through the French door to the private balcony, with a glass of wine, and take in the crisp mountain air. Enjoy the evening desserts or afternoon tea on the porch as well. Wrap up the day next to the fireplace.
The Sunshine room is a corner room with stained-glass windows looking out onto Boulder Canyon. If you can score this room, it’s the most memorable view.
For cozier rooms that also boast views from the tub, venture to the east wing, to the Caribou and Orodelafan rooms. These rooms don’t have the private porches, however.
All rooms at the Alps inn are located on the second floor, which means all views are good.
2. Bradley Boulder Inn
The intimate, upscale Bradley Boulder Inn offers two kinds of great views in one property. First, it claims to be the closest downtown Boulder hotel to Pearl Street; it’s only a half block to the mall, on 16th Street between Pearl and Spruce. The Pearl Street Mall is its own attraction, and if you crave the bustling, downtown vibe and its related views, this inn is for you.
Of the 12 rooms, each unique, several also have private balconies and full-length patio doors that face west to the mountains. For these in-room views, request to stay in rooms four, 10, 11 or 12. Many rooms also have over-sized windows and elegant French doors that you can open wide to let the fresh air flow.
Enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks, as well as a wine, beer and cheese hour, included breakfast and free parking, to make these views taste even sweeter.
Other room highlights include fireplaces, jacuzzi tubs, down pillows, high-end bath products and more.
3. St. Julien Hotel and Spa
See the Flatiron mountains from your hotel room, when you stay at the St. Julien Hotel and Spa downtown. Request a suite with a balcony for the best nature-viewing station.
Even the lobby here boasts impressive, unobstructed mountain views through it’s massive, floor-to-ceiling windows. The patio in the back of the hotel also offers several tables where you can sip a tea or coffee and look up at the peaks.
The St. Julien is Boulder’s only AAA Four-Diamond, Forbes Four-Star Hotel; it’s been named one of the top 25 hotels in the West.
It has 201 rooms, an award-winning spa and fitness facility and easy access to the Pearl Street Mall: just minutes away by foot.
4. Foot of the Mountain Motel
Of course, you can expect great views from lodging named after its ideal location at the very base of the mountain. In fact, Alex Gower, general manager, says this historic motel in the heart of the canyon offers near 360-degree views.
“All rooms have windows on both sides of the building, so there are views in multiple directions in every room as well. We also have a large back lawn that has amazing views. Fewer obstructions up there,” Gower says.
Perched at the base of Flagstaff Mountain, here you can enjoy stellar views of Settler’s Park and Mt Sanitas, too.
5. Boulderado
If you want to stay at the famous, historic, elegant Hotel Boulderado in downtown, not every room has an amazing view — after all, this hotel is right in the heart of all of the action — but you can get both views and proximity to downtown if you know which rooms to ask for.
At the Boulderado, the top floor has the best views.
The Classic King rooms, specifically rooms 444 and 509, are primarily corner rooms with great views, guaranteed to be on the top floor of their respective wings, says the hotel’s spokesperson Joy Meadows.
Other room numbers with great views: 448, 344 and 409.
