Boulder Hotel Finder: Four Insider Picks

St. Julien Hotel and Spa Beyond its role as a hub for the city's happy hour, this sleek hotel has 201 rooms boasting posh bed linens, a 10,000-square-foot spa and gym, and an artful main lobby. From $239.

Hotel Boulderado The first luxury hotel in the city, this 160-room Victorian-era lodging is still one of the nicest in Boulder. Designated a Historic Hotel of America, the property has a cherrywood staircase, an original Otis elevator, and a stained glass lobby ceiling (it once collapsed during a heavy snowfall, but has since been restored). Many rooms provide a view of the Rockies and downtown Boulder. From $234.

Chautauqua This is perhaps the quintessential Boulder stay. Cottages (from one to three bedrooms) cater to nature lovers who like to roll out of bed and hike the Flatirons. The pet-friendly accommodations offer simple, clean furnishings and full kitchens, plus a porch to watch the sunsets. From $137.

Boulder Outlook Hotel Staff pick for favorite hotel in the 2008 Best of Boulder listings, the Outlook is the city's first zero-waste hotel. It's conveniently located close to the University of Colorado campus. From $69.

Published in the July/August 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler.