Foot of the Mountain Motel

200 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302, Boulder, United States

2-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.4 / 5

Overview

Foot of the Mountain Motel is a 2-star property in Boulder, Colorado, made up of rustic log cabin-style buildings rather than a conventional hotel block. Set at 200 Arapahoe Ave, it sits at the mouth of Boulder Canyon, giving it a woodsy, mountain-lodge feel while remaining close to downtown. It holds a strong 4.4 rating from 468 reviews, reflecting its popularity with travelers who want a simple, characterful base near the mountains.

Rooms & Suites

Standard rooms are down-to-earth and wood-paneled, furnished with minifridges, cable TV, and Wi-Fi access for a no-frills but comfortable stay. Two suites offer more space with full kitchens, living rooms, and pull-out sofas, making them suited to longer stays or small groups. Guests in the suites share access to a deck equipped with a hot tub and a BBQ grill.

Dining

A free continental breakfast is served each morning, featuring cereals, bagels, muffins, fresh fruit, and hot coffee. Guests have repeatedly noted the breakfast setup as generous and clean, making it an easy way to fuel up before a day of hiking or sightseeing.

Grounds & Recreation

The property includes an outdoor picnic area and direct access to hiking and biking trails right from the grounds, capitalizing on its canyon-adjacent setting. This makes it a natural launch point for outdoor activity without needing to drive first.

Location

The motel is about 2 miles from the University of Colorado Boulder campus and 6 miles from the Sunrise Amphitheater, with Flagstaff Mountain just over a kilometer away. Downtown attractions including Pearl Street Mall, the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, The Museum of Boulder, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, and the Boulder Farmers Market are all within about a mile and a half, while the Flatirons and Chautauqua Auditorium are also a short distance away.

Best for

This motel best suits outdoor-oriented travelers and hikers who want trail and canyon access right from their door, as well as budget-conscious visitors who still want a distinctive, non-chain atmosphere. The two kitchen-equipped suites with a shared hot tub also make it a good fit for small groups or families wanting more space and self-catering flexibility.

Travel tips

Because the motel sits right at the entrance to Boulder Canyon, it's an easy starting point for hikes toward Flagstaff Mountain and the Sunrise Amphitheater without needing to drive. Downtown sights like Pearl Street Mall, the Farmers Market, and the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse are close enough to reach on foot or a short bike ride, so pack comfortable walking shoes. If visiting Eldorado Canyon State Park or Boulder Reservoir, plan for a drive since both are several miles away.

What guests say

Guests consistently praise the friendly and attentive staff, the cleanliness of the rooms and common areas, and the unbeatable canyon-mouth location for reaching downtown Boulder, hiking trails, and Rocky Mountain National Park. The wood-paneled cabin-style rooms are frequently mentioned as charming and distinctive. The complimentary continental breakfast, with its variety of cereals, bagels, muffins, fruit, and coffee, comes up repeatedly as a well-organized and sanitary highlight. No significant recurring complaints appear among the excerpts provided.

Check availability · Booking links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure