Located in the heart of Ouray, Colorado’s historic district, the Western Hotel & Spa has opened its doors after a meticulous two-year restoration.
The 16-room Western, originally built in 1891, is one of the last surviving 19th-century wood-frame hotels in the U.S. It now serves as a luxurious home base for leisure and outdoor recreation in the region, complete with a wood-fired restaurant, saloon, general store, and Nordic spa.
Denver-based Zeppelin Development led the project, which balances sophistication with the rugged charm of the Old West.
“The main source of inspiration started with the rich history and original structure, preserving as much of it as we could,” says Adam Larkey, COO of Zeppelin Development. “The true challenge, but ultimate success, was in marrying those historic elements, like a handpainted mural on the bar floor, very old wallpaper and rustic floors, with modern amenities today’s travelers expect, like having bath tubs, fireplaces, and kitchenettes in every room.
Dark wood and leather-trimmed interiors provide a rich aesthetic, blending modern design elements with the three-story building’s historic character. Preservation was key as layers of history were peeled back to reveal details like original wallpaper, silver tin ceilings, and a potbelly wood stove trimmed in silver. Even the saloon bar remains largely intact, featuring one of two surviving early-20th-century murals of Jezebel, whose face was once painted in several bars around the state.
“We wanted guests to be able to experience a slice of old Colorado saloon and boarding house culture without having to compromise on luxury amenities and finishes,” Larkey says. “Another major achievement was converting the basement with six-foot ceilings and dirt floors into a full service, Nordic-style spa complete with saunas, treatment rooms, and soaking tubs.”
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