Basecamp Boulder

Basecamp Boulder hotel is a contemporary boutique, renovated in 2015-16 to a modern outdoor theme. Bland, motel-style exteriors belie the fun interior design and friendly atmosphere. Decorative touches throughout the hotel incorporate gear that resonates with active outdoorsy types, like ropes serving as room dividers, lanterns instead of table lamps, and windows and doors that roll up garage-door style. Artwork reflects local flavor, depicting scenes like sunsets over the mountains, landscapes, and wildlife. An indoor game room is done with green carpeting, brick walls, skylights, and picnic tables, so even in winter it has a summertime air. The hotel has a warm, welcoming feel, due to both the friendly staff and free extras like coffee, cookies, and trail mix in the lobby. The hotel caters to a mix of travelers, from visitors to the nearby university campus to leisure travelers looking for easy access to the city. 

Set between the University of Colorado campus and the highly popular Pearl Street Mall, this hotel is in a great spot for many types of travelers in central Boulder. There is a small burger joint on the corner outside the hotel, and Naropa University is next door. There are two bus stops close by, within a two-minute walk in either direction. Boulder Creek Path has a hiking and biking trail a five-minute walk away. It is a 10-minute walk to a grocery store. Farther down the road, a busy shopping area has many restaurants, all types of stores, and a movie theater, all reachable within a 10- to 20-minute walk of the hotel. The Pearl Street Mall is a popular outdoor pedestrian mall, covering four blocks with shops and eateries; it is a 10-minute walk away. The slopes at Eldora Mountain are a 40-minute drive outside the city. Denver International Airport is a 45-minute drive from the hotel. 

The outdoor theme is continued in rooms with whimsical features like tarps hung from carabiners in place of headboards and carpeting designed to resemble wood grain. Beds are cushy and comfortable, and topped with gray striped throws. Chair and simple wood desks round out the spaces, while log-like wood bedside tables, lantern lighting, silver coolers acting like ottomans, and wall-mounted antler hooks add fun touches. Room options include a single king or two queen-size beds, suites with separate living areas, and family rooms with kitchenettes. Most rooms have a cooler in place of a mini-fridge; though functional and thematic, it is less convenient. Flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, irons, and safes come standard. A quirky specialty room is designed as a campsite, complete with a gorgeous landscape mural, beds sunk into the grass-green floor, and folding chairs, but it lacks the full range of amenities. Bathrooms can be quite tight, and some have the sink in the bedroom. They are equipped with shower/tub combos or walk-in showers, as well as bulk dispensers for toiletries and hairdryers.

This small hotel has a few nice amenities, though not the typical list guests might expect. Breakfast is available in the lobby bar, where guests can purchase simple fare and eat at the community table or outside on the patio. The bar also serves snacks in the late afternoon through evening. S’mores kits are available in the lobby, and there’s a fire pit on the front patio for roasting marshmallows. There's no full restaurant, though many are within walking distance. A large indoor hot tub and sauna add appeal, but there is no swimming pool. The common area offers activities like ping pong, rock climbing, and a few board games. A tiny fitness room only has a couple of stationary bikes and includes a separate space for yoga. Pets are welcome here for an extra fee. On-site parking is free, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though the signal is not always reliable in rooms.