Historic Hotel Boulderado in Boulder sold to AJ Capital Partners

The historic Hotel Boulderado in Boulder is changing hands.

Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners, a Nashville-based real estate and hospitality company, has acquired the property from longtime owners Frank and Gina Day.

“The Boulderado is more than a hotel — it’s the pride of the city, an iconic part of Boulder’s distinct character and charm,” said Ben Weprin, founder of Graduate Hotels and CEO of AJ Capital Partners.

“We are thrilled and honored to partner with the Days, who have been passionate stewards of this beloved property for over four decades. Together, we look forward to honoring The Boulderado’s unmistakable spirit, celebrating its history, and introducing thoughtful touches that will elevate the guest experience for generations to come.”

The hotel’s name will be preserved, along with the property’s signature architectural elements, according to AJ Capital Partners.

The company said its goal is to preserve the hotel’s architectural charm while leading a revitalization effort in partnership with the Days. Those efforts will include redesigned guest rooms and refreshed public spaces.

The hotel is a part of Concept Restaurants Inc., built by Frank Day, a restaurant and hospitality veteran. Day has served as president of Concept Restaurants since 1976.

Day has acted as managing general partner of Hotel Boulderado since 1980. Table Mountain Inn in Golden was added to the Concept Restaurants family in 1991. Day would later expand to Colorado Springs with the Best Western Plus Fillmore Inn.

“We have chosen to partner with AJ because of the magnificent work they’ve done with other historic hotels like the Chicago Athletic Association, Randolph Hotel in Oxford, and Rusacks in St. Andrews,” said the Days in a Monday news release.

“They have the wherewithal to take the Boulderado to the next level.”

AJ Capital Partners will also work with the Days on the future operations of the hotel.

The five-story brick building at 2115 13th St., designed by local architects William Redding & Son, features a blend of Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival styles. Its name, a combination of “Boulder” and “Colorado,” was intended to ensure that visitors would always remember where they stayed.

It also continued the tradition of open court hotels, a concept pioneered by San Francisco’s Palace Hotel and later adopted by Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel, which was completed in 1892.

The hotel welcomed its first guests in 1909 and was one of Boulder’s first luxury hotels, according to its website. It features 160 guest rooms, each decorated with either a modern mountain or historic Victorian style, offering views of downtown Boulder, the Rocky Mountain foothills and the Boulder Flatirons.

Over the years, it has hosted a variety of notable figures, including conservationist Enos Mills, actress Ethel Barrymore, actor Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and evangelist Billy Sunday, as well as Clarence Darrow, Helen Keller, Robert Frost, Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong.

The hotel is a designated city landmark, a member of the Historic Hotels of America and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A phased renovation is slated to start later this year. Upon completion, the Hotel Boulderado will join the Graduate by Hilton collection.

The hotel will remain open for business while repairs and improvements are underway. The anticipated completion date is spring 2026.

The sale price of the hotel was undisclosed. However, Boulder County public records revealed in December 2024 the hotel was sold for a 41% undivided interest.