Hotel Colorado Wedding Guide
If you’re looking for a Colorado wedding venue with a little more personality than your standard ballroom, Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs is one worth putting on your list.
Built in 1893 and known as the “Grand Dame of the Rockies,” Hotel Colorado has the kind of old-school charm that is becoming increasingly hard to find. Think historic architecture, ornate details, a lush courtyard, mountain-town surroundings, and plenty of places to sneak away for photos throughout the day. It also happens to be in the middle of Glenwood Springs (one of my favorite mountain towns), which means your guests can walk to restaurants, shops, and some of the town’s biggest attractions once the wedding festivities are over.
As a Colorado wedding photographer, I’m always looking at venues from a slightly different perspective than just “Is it pretty?” I want to know what the light is like, where couples can get ready, how easy it is to move around throughout the day, whether guests will have somewhere to go between events, and, most importantly, whether the venue gives you opportunities for photos that actually feel like you.
Hotel Colorado checks a lot of those boxes.
Here’s what Colorado couples should know before booking a Hotel Colorado wedding.
Where is Hotel Colorado?
Hotel Colorado is located at 526 Pine Street in downtown Glenwood Springs. It’s right off I-70, making it relatively straightforward for guests coming from Denver, Grand Junction, or other parts of Colorado. The hotel is approximately 160 miles west of Denver and less than 90 miles east of Grand Junction.
Your guests aren’t stuck at a venue in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do after the rehearsal dinner. Hotel Colorado is within walking distance of downtown Glenwood Springs, restaurants, shops, and the town’s hot springs attractions. Glenwood Springs itself is also a great destination for a wedding weekend rather than simply a place people drive to for six hours and immediately leave. Want to view my favorite Glenwood Springs activities? Check out this guide for a perfect Glenwood Springs weekend!
Hotel Colorado wedding pricing
At the time of writing, Hotel Colorado lists a Boutique Wedding package starting at $1,300+ for up to 25 guests. The package includes ceremony space, the Garden Veranda room, a one-night stay in a Signature Suite, a bartender, chair covers and sashes, champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
For larger weddings, the Historic Hotel Colorado Wedding package is currently listed at $6,500+ for up to 250 guests. That package includes the courtyard ceremony space, a one-night Signature Suite stay, Garden Veranda happy hour, a bartender, dance floor, chair covers and sashes, champagne toast, and a day-of bridal suite.
How many guests can Hotel Colorado accommodate?
Hotel Colorado can accommodate weddings of up to approximately 250 guests, depending on the space and setup. The venue offers several indoor event spaces as well as outdoor options.
The property’s event spaces include the Devereux Ballroom, Colorado Ballroom, Roosevelt Room, Taft Room, Garden Room, Garden Veranda, 1893 Board Room, and courtyard.
The larger spaces can accommodate substantial guest counts, while the smaller rooms make more sense for intimate celebrations, rehearsal dinners, or smaller wedding events. The hotel’s overall event space totals around 10,000 square feet.
That flexibility is nice because you’re not locked into one particular wedding size. Hotel Colorado can work for a small wedding weekend with your closest people or a much larger celebration.
A tour of a Hotel Colorado Wedding
Getting ready at Hotel Colorado
One of the biggest advantages of having your wedding at a hotel is being able to get ready on-site.
Hotel Colorado has 130 guest rooms, including a variety of room and suite configurations. The venue’s wedding package also includes a Signature Suite stay and bridal suite access for the wedding day.
The Courtyard Ceremony
If the weather cooperates, the courtyard is one of the biggest draws for getting married at Hotel Colorado.
It’s surrounded by greenery and historic architecture, and the fountain and garden setting give ceremonies a romantic feel without requiring you to drive somewhere else for a mountain backdrop.
The courtyard is also great for couples who want an outdoor ceremony but don’t necessarily want to commit to a remote mountain venue. You get the outdoor Colorado feel while still having all of the convenience of a full-service hotel right there.
And as a photographer, I love having multiple visual environments within one property. It means we can move from ceremony to cocktails to portraits without spending half the afternoon sitting in a car.
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour at Hotel Colorado can be a really nice transition between the ceremony and reception, particularly if you’re planning to use the courtyard or another outdoor area.
Hotel Colorado’s wedding packages can include a cocktail hour in the Garden Veranda, depending on the package you select. Be sure to confirm exactly which spaces are included in your proposal and whether there are additional food and beverage minimums or upgrades.
Guests can also mingle in the lobby or outside by the ceremony space if weather allows.
Reception Spaces
Hotel Colorado has several indoor spaces for receptions, with options that can accommodate everything from intimate celebrations to larger weddings.
The larger ballrooms can accommodate significant guest counts, while smaller rooms are better suited for intimate weddings, rehearsal dinners, or smaller celebrations. The hotel advertises wedding capacity of up to approximately 250 guests, depending on the room and setup.
The historic architecture gives receptions a completely different feel from the modern ballroom look you see at many newer venues. If you love vintage details, chandeliers, old-world architecture, and a little bit of Colorado history, the setting does a lot of the decorating for you.
Where to take your wedding photos
There are so many incredible backdrops at the Hotel Colorado for wedding portraits.
From huge balconies with epic mountain views to lush gardens to inside the hotel with the historic architecture, you are really spoiled for choice on locations.
The pros of getting married at Hotel Colorado
- The location is a huge pro. Guests can stay at the hotel and walk to restaurants, shops, hot springs, and other Glenwood Springs attractions. That makes it much easier to turn your wedding into an actual weekend experience. And Glenwood Springs really is one of my favorite mountain towns. There is so much to do!
- The historic character is another major advantage. If you want your wedding to feel distinctive, Hotel Colorado has plenty of personality built right into the walls.
- Having accommodations on-site is also incredibly convenient. With 130 guest rooms and multiple suite options, you can keep a large portion of your wedding weekend in one place.
- The venue also offers in-house catering and event planning support, including an onsite certified wedding planner. That can be a major benefit for couples who don’t want to coordinate every tiny logistical detail themselves.
The cons to consider
- The biggest potential downside is that Hotel Colorado is a historic hotel, not a modern luxury resort. That is part of its charm, but it’s also something you should understand before booking. Historic properties can have smaller rooms, unique layouts, older architectural features, and less consistency from room to room. If your dream wedding involves ultra-modern architecture, enormous getting-ready suites, or a completely blank canvas, this probably isn’t the venue for you.
- The venue also handles its own food and beverage, so couples looking for complete freedom to bring in outside catering may want to look elsewhere. Third-party venue information indicates that catering and alcohol are handled by the venue and that food and beverage minimums may apply.
- And while Glenwood Springs is an amazing location, it can be a bit of a trek from Denver. You’ll need to consider guest transportation.
What is there to do for a wedding weekend?
As mentioned before, this is where Glenwood Springs really shines.
Your guests can soak in the hot springs, explore downtown, grab dinner and drinks, visit the surrounding trails, or simply enjoy a slower mountain weekend before or after the wedding.
If you have guests traveling from out of state, I actually think this is one of the strongest reasons to consider Hotel Colorado.
You’re not just inviting everyone to a wedding. You’re giving them a reason to make a trip out of it.
When is the best time of year for a Hotel Colorado wedding?
Hotel Colorado can work year-round, which is another advantage.
Spring and summer bring greenery and flowers to the courtyard, while fall adds changing foliage and cooler mountain temperatures. Winter brings a completely different atmosphere with snow, holiday decorations, and cozy interiors. Hotel Colorado specifically highlights the property’s ability to transform with the seasons.
That said, remember that Glenwood Springs is a mountain destination. Weather can change quickly, particularly if you’re planning outdoor portraits or activities away from the hotel.
If you’re dreaming of an outdoor ceremony, I’d make sure you have a solid rain or weather backup plan and build enough flexibility into your timeline that you’re not panicking if the forecast decides to do something very Colorado.
Some questions to ask Hotel Colorado before booking:
Every venue has its quirks, and asking the right questions before signing a contract can save you a lot of headaches later. I would bring this list with you when you tour Hotel Colorado:
- What is included in the wedding package, and what will cost extra?
- Is there a food and beverage minimum?
- Is there a minimum guest count?
- Which ceremony space is included with our package?
- If we have to move the ceremony indoors because of weather, where will it take place?
- Can we see a floor plan for a wedding with a similar guest count?
- What time can we access the venue on the wedding day?
- When can vendors begin setting up?
- Is there a dedicated getting-ready space?
- Can we choose which hotel room or suite we use for getting ready?
- Are there room blocks available, and is there a minimum number of rooms we need to reserve?
- Is there a discounted room rate for wedding guests?
- Are there restrictions on outside vendors?
- Are there décor restrictions?
- Are there any photography restrictions we should know about?
- Are there noise restrictions for the DJ or band?
- Is there a required cleanup time?
- Who is responsible for cleanup at the end of the night?
- Is there an onsite coordinator or wedding planner, and what exactly is included in that service?
- What happens if the weather affects our wedding day?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- What happens if we need to reduce our guest count?
- What happens if we need to postpone the wedding?
- Are there any additional fees that aren’t included in the initial proposal?
Final thoughts from a Colorado wedding photographer
If you’re wanting a hotel wedding that is full of character and in a location that feels distinctly “Colorado” I think the Hotel Colorado would be a great choice for you!
Meet Leah
A Colorado wedding photographer and big fan of Hotel Colorado
Hey there! My name’s Leah and I’m a Colorado wedding photographer based out of Denver (Broomfield to be specific).
I love candid moments, timeless edits and creating a luxurious and fun experience for all my clients.
In my opinion, your wedding photos should look how your day felt. So whether you’re having a huge wedding dancing until 1am or an intimate gathering with just your closest people, I want your photos to feel organic and authentic to your day.
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