Historic Hotel Colorado Completes Extensive
Lobby and Restaurant Restoration Project

Glenwood Springs, CO – November, 2006 — From March to November 2006, the historic Hotel Colorado completed an extensive $2 million restoration of its flagship Baron’s restaurant and the hotel lobby. The lobby renovation returned the hotel to its 1893 grandeur, returning the lounge and dining room to an era when fine dining and socializing were feature attractions.Providence brings its long-standing tradition and reputation for excellence in professional management to the ongoing oversight of hotel operations.  For more information about Hotel Colorado and its diverse selection of recreational and relaxing activities, call 1-800-544-3998 or 970-945-6511, visit the hotel’s web site or contact Larry MacDonald, General Manager at 800-544-3998, ext 112 or Pamela Hoffer, Director of Sales & Marketing at 303/952-0824.

            The main hotel lobby was completely renovated with new carpets, hardwood floors, wall treatments, drapes and furniture. This centralized rotunda was restored to its original grand scale, enhancing the two stately fireplaces, where guests can gather for intimate chats or pre-function cocktail receptions.

            "It was like a treasure hunt unearthing the wood floors in the lobby, sanding and returning them to their original luster. It's amazing to imagine the original owner, Walter Devereux and his guests walking on these same floors in the late 1800's. Moving the dining room and lounge inside and opening up the grand lobby again offers spectacular space that we know our guests will appreciate," said Larry MacDonald, Hotel Colorado General Manager.

            Baron’s restaurant, formerly in the lobby, was relocated to the interior area of the hotel between the two grand staircases, along with the new lounge. An updated rendition of the historic waterfall becomes the new focal point for the dining room, a ceiling-high water feature that treats diners to musical sound of water trickling down the rough stone surfaces. An additional private dining area, Cedar Banks, has been created to be used for parties, meetings, rehearsal dinners and other special gatherings. The Polo Wine and Martini Lounge features signature tapas, wine flights, martinis, cigars, desserts, and cordials reminiscent of the early 1900's, when the likes of Teddy Roosevelt and Al Capone spent their holidays with family and friends.

            The Hotel Colorado contracted with hospitality design firm Ricca Newmark Design in Centennial, Colorado, to create the overall design of the project. Ricca Newmark, named one of the top 20 “Interior Design Giants” by Hospitality Design magazine, is known for its creative and talented designers who adhere to the most consistently thorough and complete documentation process in the business. Furniture, fixtures, and accessories were procured by Bray Whaler, Inc., a national full-service contract purchasing service for hotels, restaurants and other commercial properties based in Englewood, Colorado.

            MacDonald said, “We have given the Hotel Colorado lobby area back to the hotel guests and local community as its Grand Hotel Lobby and meeting place. The lobby will be a destination point again for receptions, cocktails, photographs, hellos, goodbyes, marriage proposals — the simple things in life and the grand aspects. The phrase ‘I’ll meet you in the lobby’ will mean something to us all again.”

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About the Hotel Colorado
Hotel Colorado is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, just off I-70, and a short drive from some of Colorado’s favorite destinations: Aspen (45 miles), Vail (65 miles), and Grand Junction (90 miles). The hotel has been a western landmark and destination for over 100 years, and recently underwent a multi-million dollar makeover of guestrooms, public areas and hallways, ballrooms, and the West Tower Bell Suite (dedicated as the Molly Brown Suite in 2003). Providence Hospitality Partners, LLC (Denver, Colo.) has managed the Hotel Colorado for several years and was instrumental in planning and completing the recently completed showcase restoration projects.