History

The Western Hotel, referred to in the 1896 Ouray Plaindealer as the "Hotel Western", represented to travelers, as it does now, an authentic hotel of the old west.

One of the largest remaining wooden structures on the western slope, the hotel's architecture combines Victorian Italianate elegance with the old, wild west. The open second floor veranda extends over the sidewalk to streetside as the grand entrance for stagecoach guests of the past.

The hotel was built in 1891, the richest year of the mining boom, as a miner's palace with high tin ceilings, stained glass, an historic ornate western bar and lobby, elegant suites with private baths overlooking the veranda, and period- preserved rooms and furnishings.

A truly wonderful way to experience the charm of the old west in the most romantic town in Colorado!
San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours, referred to by many as the oldest Jeep Tour Company in the world, just celebrated its 60th year - the same year Jeep celebrated its 65th year! Ouray, Colorado is known as the "Jeep Capital of the World" due in large part to the company's guided Jeep Tours since 1946. Ironically, or possibly fittingly, the jeep tour company now operates out of the Western Hotel which is touted as the oldest three story wood structure left on the western slope. The routes taken by the guides in the open air jeeps after WWII ended and today are the same routes once taken by the stage companies from the Western Hotel lobby to the now ghost towns of the high country above Ouray. The book "JEEP Warhorse, Workhorse and Boulevard Cruiser" featured many of the company's vehicles and guides through the years. Today, the fleet ranges from the newest tour vehicle in town to the vintage Jeep workhorses - that have been taking guests in jeep style to the high country longer than the competition has been in business! The traditional fleet company color of red has been changed to yellow to distinguish the later red fleet companies next door to the hotel and up the street.