Our Story

Historically dressed people standing on a porch in front of a restaurant building with a sign above.

The St. Elmo Hotel has been a cherished Ouray landmark since it was built in 1898 by Catherine “Kittie” Heit, a local entrepreneur and restaurateur.

Known affectionately as “Aunt Kitty,” she ran the Bon Ton Restaurant in the hotel’s basement and opened her doors to miners and travelers alike. More than just a business owner, she was known for her generosity—often offering food and lodging to those in need.

The hotel served as a gathering place for the community, including labor unions like the Western Federation of Miners. After Kittie’s death in 1915, the hotel passed through various owners and underwent updates. A major restoration in the 1980s brought back its Victorian charm.

Today, the St. Elmo Hotel is a cozy boutique hotel offering vintage charm, modern comfort, and a deep connection to Ouray’s mining-era past.

A black and white photograph of a two-story brick building labeled "Stelmo Hotel." The building features arched and rectangular windows, some with lace curtains. Four people stand in front of the building, dressed in early 20th-century clothing, with two women and two men. There is a wooden sidewalk and some snow on the ground, with a mountain or rocky hillside in the background.
Black and white illustration of The St. Elmo Hotel, owned by Mrs. Kate Heitz, featuring horses and carriages in front, with text advertising elegant furnishings, modern conveniences, reasonable rates, located in Ouray, Colorado.

A Miners Retreat

The first newspaper advertisement for the St. Elmo Hotel appeared in the Ouray Herald on April 21, 1898, proudly announcing the hotel’s opening to the public. At the time, rooms were offered for just $1 a day to regular boarders—mostly hardworking miners who called the San Juan mountains home—and $1.50 a day for transient guests passing through the bustling mining town. With its elegant Victorian architecture, warm hospitality, and prime location in the heart of town, the St. Elmo quickly became a favorite among locals and travelers alike.