Among the quiet bustle and art-decorated streets of downtown Boulder is an R&R staple. Comfortably tucked next to the stately Flatirons — the city’s signature slanted, reddish-brown sandstone formations — St Julien Hotel & Spa provides a tantalizing taste of the vibrant college town and its refreshing abundance of nature.
With its manicured lawns, cobblestone pathways, caramel-colored wood flooring, well-equipped conference rooms and toasty steam rooms, the St Julien is your one-stop-shop for business and pleasure. From beams of sunlight cascading through tall windows to leafy green plants nestled in ornate vases, this hotel’s picturesque setting will melt the stress off any visitor. For some locally grown food options, check out the two on-site dining possibilities: Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro and the T-Zero Lounge, where you can indulge in a tart açaí bowl for brunch, a buttery Angus filet and roasted potatoes for dinner, or a swirling Pearl Martini during happy hour.
Thanks to spacious, marble-accented hotel and spa rooms, invigorating live entertainment and house eateries starring fresh Colorado-grown ingredients, St Julien Hotel & Spa has been awarded the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award a multitude of times. So, when you soak in the bubbling hot tub or order mouthwatering room service, you’re getting the best of the best.
Colorado is all about those rugged peak views. So noteworthy it's worth mentioning twice — this quintessential downtown lodging boasts eye-popping views of the Flatirons, part of Boulder's foothills that majestically rise up over the town.
Order a blood-orange paloma or a spritzy alcohol-free Mapleton from the T-Zero Lounge and prepare to get your dance on. Wednesday through Saturday nights, you can sip on a fruity cocktail and enjoy live music from local artists on St Julien’s warmly lit outdoor terrace overlooking the jagged Flatirons.
It’s gotta be the Mountain Lavender Massage. Lavender blossoms and sweet lavender oil combine with a kneading massage for a soothing and aromatic experience that stimulates circulation and ease adventure-sore muscles.
Our vote is for the King Mountain View with Balcony room. Get a tranquil night’s sleep in a bed dressed in cozy Italian linens, then pad across the soft carpet, open the double doors to a private patio and enjoy your morning coffee with the Flatirons as the backdrop to your temporary backyard.
“Wow, I don’t know how I can write enough accolades for St Julien. The spa was incredible. The treatments, the steam room, the service from staff — I cannot say that I have ever had a better experience at any hotel I have stayed in. Thank you for the relaxation, pampering and fun." — Mrs. Borgmann, Tripadvisor
Just minutes away is the murmuring Boulder Creek and a curving 5.5-mile walking path; take a stroll along the rolling waters or dip your toes in on a hot summer day.
Next, head north a few streets and experience Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. Let the sweet smell of sugar float you to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a block of melt-in-your-mouth peanut-butter fudge; or reserve a spot at Sforno Trattoria Romana, an intimate Italian restaurant so rustic you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the streets of Rome. On your way back, stop by the Boulder Book Store to discover your new favorite read, or head into one of the many boutique shops to try on sparkling antique jewelry.
Looking for more outdoor opportunities? A few miles west, you’ll find the Mount Sanitas and Dakota Ridge trailheads, where you can put your hiking boots to the test along 2- to 3-mile winding trails that climb their way to sun-drenched summits overlooking Boulder. Or immerse yourself in greenery and have a picnic at the historic Eben G. Fine Park by the creek’s rushing water.
Photos courtesy of St Julien Hotel & Spa
