The St. Elmo Hotel in Ouray, Colorado was established in 1898 by Catherine “Kittie” Heit during the height of the region’s silver mining boom. Designed by architect Francis Carney in Italianate and Victorian styles, the hotel was built to accommodate the steady stream of miners and travelers.

Nearly a decade earlier in 1890, Kittie had opened the Bon Ton Restaurant. Its success inspired her to expand her hospitality ventures with the construction of the hotel next door. What was once the Bon Ton is now the St. Elmo Tavern. The St. Elmo quickly became a cornerstone of the bustling mining town, offering lodging, meals, and warm hospitality while showcasing charming architecture and period furnishings that remain tied to Ouray’s rich history.

Over the years, both the hotel and the restaurant space have been carefully preserved, maintaining much of their original charm while integrating modern comforts.

WE WELCOME YOU BACK IN HISTORY.

ENJOY A DRINK, MAKE SOME FRIENDS,

and stay a while