Hotel St. Cloud bridges past and present with new renovations

Maggy Wolanske
·3 min read

(CAÑON CITY, Colo.) — Nestled in the heart of main street in Cañon City, the Hotel St. Cloud serves as a cherished historical landmark, drawing visitors from all over. Thanks to the visionary efforts of the hospitality group Unbridled, people can now experience this iconic sight, which now offers modern amenities alongside its rich historical charm.

“This is actually an interesting case study because we worked with the state of Colorado, Colorado Impact Fund, historic tax credits, new market tax credits to take this old building that was built in 1883, moved here in 1887 and restore it from the ground up,” said Stan Bullis, CEO of Unbridled.

Main Street landmark under renovation

Over the years, different elements of the hotel have gone through renovations, including opening up the lobby, The War Room, and 1887 Historic Eatery. The War Room’s distinct entry point, reminiscent of a speakeasy, often leaves visitors pleasantly surprised.

The Fremont Public House is open to the public, with many stopping inside on Wednesday to experience its vibrant atmosphere.
The Fremont Public House is open to the public, with many stopping inside on Wednesday to experience its vibrant atmosphere.

“It’s always great when you can kind of see something get taken care of through the years and see how it’s maintained and keeping a lot of the aspects of it that have been around for so long,” said Shanah Tripp, a hotel visitor. “Yeah, it’s really beautiful.”

At the Royal Gorge Museum and History Center, several pictures could be seen of the original building.
At the Royal Gorge Museum and History Center, visitors can explore a collection of documents and images that provide glimpses into the building’s storied past.

Originally built in Silver Cliff, the hotel underwent a transformation when its owners decided to relocate it, brick by brick, to downtown Cañon City, crafting a truly distinctive origin story from its inception.

“This hotel is probably one of the more interesting hotels, and I want to say, in southern Colorado,” said Lisa Studts, Museum Director of Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center. “Just because of its uniqueness and being built in one place and then being moved three years later, very early on in its history.”

Lisa Studts explained the placement of the hotel in downtown Cañon City and spoke on the architectural layout of the building.
Lisa Studts explained the placement of the hotel in downtown Cañon City and spoke on the architectural layout of the building.

In preserving the building’s history and embracing the present, visitors can see an array of photographs and artifacts on display, showcasing the rich heritage of Hotel St. Cloud.

The newly renovated lobby was part of phase two renovations along with the opening of the War Room and 1887 Historic Eatery.
Courtesy: FOX21 News MMJ, Maggy Wolanske
The War Room is discreetly nestled behind the new restaurant, accessible via a speakeasy-style entrance.
Courtesy: FOX21 News MMJ, Maggy Wolanske

Among the treasures are several gems contributed by local talent, further enriching the historical narrative of the property.

“All the artwork is local, the design is local,” Bullis said. “All the woodwork that you see, like the bar is all local. So it’s just been a really, really big proponent for local help and actually I think it’s proving something to Cañon City and this area, that there’s a lot of really good talent here in this area.”

Throughout the hotel, pictures can be spotted showcasing the evolution and rich history of the city across the years.
Throughout the hotel, pictures can be spotted showcasing the evolution and rich history of the city across the years.

As these new renovations are revealed inside, it further shows the dedication and commitment of keeping the rich history alive.

“It’s an amazing project that is coming to fruition in downtown Cañon City, it’s sort of our hallmark structures downtown that is sort of a cornerstone for our historic district,” Studts said. “It’s great to see it back open again… I think we’d all like to see the rest of it being open beyond the restaurant, and we’re very excited to see what happens.”

Known for its rich historical significance, the Hotel St. Cloud has undergone several name changes over the years due to changes in ownership.
Courtesy: FOX21 News MMJ, Maggy Wolanske
Located right on main street, the Hotel St. Cloud is easy to access and already attracting many inside.
Courtesy: FOX21 News MMJ, Maggy Wolanske

Currently, the hotel is heading into phase three which is completing 36 boutique hotel rooms with the completion goal of February. As the renovations breathe new life into the city, the foundation of its history remains unchanged, ready to attract and captivate new visitors.

“For years nobody would stop because there wasn’t a reason to stop,” Bullis said. “They would go to the tourist attraction and head back to home and now we think there’s a reason to stop and hopefully that’s the St. Cloud.”

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