Strater Hotel

The Strater Hotel is a four-story hotel in downtown Durango with 88 guest rooms filled with Victorian walnut furniture, period wallpaper, and authentic 19th-century architectural details. The building holds three dining establishments, multiple event venues, and keeps its original character with rooms that look much as they did when first built.

The hotel opened in 1887 when pharmacist Henry Strater built it for 70,000 dollars during Colorado's mining boom and railroad expansion. Its opening came at a time when the region was growing rapidly and the town was becoming a major trade center.

The Diamond Belle Saloon here keeps old traditions alive through staff dressed in period costumes and nightly ragtime piano performances. Visitors can experience what a historic saloon felt like when walking through the bar and listening to live music.

The hotel sits just two blocks from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station, making it easy to find and a good starting point for exploring the area. The rooms and common spaces reflect period design, so visitors walking through will notice details and decor that differ from modern hotels.

Western author Louis L'Amour wrote several of his Sackett novels in room 222, positioned directly above the Diamond Belle Saloon. The music from the bar below reportedly influenced his writing and helped bring his Old West tales to life on the page.