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1887

The Strater Hotel

Durango, Colorado
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699 Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado 81301 Original Property Opened in 1887 Historic Hotels of America member since 1989
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art
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memorabilia
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movies
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presidential
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tours

One of the West’s iconic establishments, The Strater Hotel is the crown jewel of hotels in Durango, CO in every way. Continuously in operation since 1887, the hotel stands today as a nod to vintage fashion, period décor, and artisanal handiwork. Proudly displaying its status as a relic of a bygone era, The Strater Hotel maximally adorns each room with handcrafted woodwork, period wallpaper, rich upholstery, and a prized collection of beautiful Victorian walnut antiques. The world-famous Diamond Belle Saloon at The Strater Hotel features nightly entertainment, including top-rated ragtime piano players. Everywhere guests look, they will find how the hotel grew alongside the developing American West, from an authentic invitation to the inaugural party of Teddy Roosevelt in Denver, to an award-winning Wild West writer, to a genuine Wild West wanted poster.

Stepping out the door into contemporary times, the area of Durango offers a recreational mecca. Guests of The Strater Hotel will discover a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, including the famous Mesa Verde National Park. The Strater Hotel’s friendly staff invites guests to experience the best of the Old West and the best of Durango in this one-of-a-kind hotel.

Discover

  • Discover why The Strater Hotel calls itself a living museum. Take a self-guided audio tour and inquire about a map of the exhibits showcased around the historic hotel. The Strater Hotel offers live tours to guests and the public on a seasonal basis.
  • Marvel at the Victorian charm of The Strater Hotel, built by pharmacist Henry Strater in 1887. This red brick and sandstone Durango landmark is filled with handcrafted woodwork, handprinted period wallpaper, and one of the most celebrated collections of Victorian walnut antique furniture in the world.
  • Discover how tales of the Wild West come to be. In the 1950s, author Louis L’Amour frequented rooms 222 and 223 at The Strater Hotel to work on his popular Western novels. His two favorite rooms sat above The Diamond Belle Saloon. From the rooms the author could hear nostalgic ragtime piano playing below. Room 222 is now named in L’Amour’s honor and contains the same desk the National Gold Medal-winning writer used to pen many of his bestselling novels.

Explore

  • Explore downtown on the Durango Main Avenue trolley. Stop along the way to visit local Southwestern art galleries, museums, and shops. Admire the collection of museum-quality, authentic Native American art—baskets, weavings, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, and paintings—at the Ton-Atin Gallery, one of the finest gallery operations in the country.
  • Ride the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Train, a coal-fired, steam-powered, 50-mile journey from Durango to Silverton. The route takes riders right alongside the picturesque Animas River.
  • Explore Colorado in the winter months. Take a trip to nearby mountain resorts to find snow-filled fun for all ages, including skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and horse drawn sleighrides. Just a short drive north of the hotel in the San Juan Mountains, Purgatory Ski Resort is a recommended partner of The Strater Hotel.

Experience

  • Live the tales of the Old West at The Diamond Belle Saloon. The Diamond Belle Saloon was original saloon of The Strater Hotel, built in the late 1800s. The space then housed various businesses, including The Strater-Thorpe Drug Store, until Earl Strater Jr. converted the tin-ceilinged room back to its original form in 1957. The costumed servers and brilliant ragtime musicians lend a playful air to the venue, while the authentic woodwork, stained glass, and decorations complete the Western feel.
  • Embark on explorations of Colorado’s grand natural wonders, with options fit for any adventure level. Visit Mesa Verde National Park and take a ranger-guided tour of cliff dwellings built in the late 1190s. The vigorous hiking route takes hikers in the alcoves carved beneath overhanging cliffs to get close to some of the best-preserved archaeological sites in North America.
  • Experience the restorative powers of the baths at Durango Hot Springs. A proud partner of The Strater Hotel, Durango Hot Springs is a great place to warm up during the chilly winter months or relax and unwind during warm and sunny weather.

Taste

  • Taste a menu favorite known as “Herbert” at The Strater Hotel’s award-winning Mahogany Grille. Mahogany Grille gave their renowned peppercorn-glazed tenderloin filet the playful moniker, which quickly became so beloved that the dish has stayed ever since.
  • Sip on spirits made in the heart of the Wild West. The Office Spiritorium and the Diamond Belle Saloon at The Strater Hotel serve both classic and imaginative cocktails, many crafted with locally distilled spirits.
  • Explore how ingredients and cultures merge into American Southwestern cuisine. Durango menus feature Mexican-American favorites like chimichangas and chicharrons, Colorado classics like rainbow trout, and delicious American West dishes like bison burgers and elk tenderloin. Try these and more at The Strater Hotel’s welcoming eateries.
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a room with a couch and a table
a building with a flag on top

FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS

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Classic Guestroom
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Premium Guestroom
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Featured Offers

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Best Available Rate

Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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AAA Member Rate

While this hotel typically offers the AAA Member Rate, availability is dependent on your exact dates of stay. Please also plan to present member ID at check-in to prove eligibility

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Special Occasions

Meetings & Groups

Whether organizing a large conference, a small meeting, or a one-on-one get together, as Durango, Colorado’s premier historic hotel, The Strater Hotel can help host an unforgettable event. Enjoy a memorable event for up to 120 people while being surrounded by Victorian décor, pleasant light, comfortable furnishings, unique art collections, and easy access to restrooms, restaurants, and downtown Durango.

Special Occasions

Weddings

Durango, Colorado is considered to be located in the heart of one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Four Corners Region, while the historic Strater Hotel is known for its history, elegance, and charm. For these reasons, The Strater Hotel is the ideal destination for a unique and memorable wedding, especially for couples who share a love for the outdoors and the Old West.

Special Occasions

Meetings & Groups

Whether organizing a large conference, a small meeting, or a one-on-one get together, as Durango, Colorado’s premier historic hotel, The Strater Hotel can help host an unforgettable event. Enjoy a memorable event for up to 120 people while being surrounded by Victorian décor, pleasant light, comfortable furnishings, unique art collections, and easy access to restrooms, restaurants, and downtown Durango.

Special Occasions

Weddings

Durango, Colorado is considered to be located in the heart of one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Four Corners Region, while the historic Strater Hotel is known for its history, elegance, and charm. For these reasons, The Strater Hotel is the ideal destination for a unique and memorable wedding, especially for couples who share a love for the outdoors and the Old West.

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a room with a large table and chairs
a room with tables and chairs