Where History Meets Luxury

The New Sheridan Hotel offers an unforgettable experience that blends past and present

by JESSE JAMES McTIGUE

There are accommodations you’ll remember, and there are others you can’t forget. The New Sheridan Hotel is the latter. Its charm lingers because of its soul and its history. Yet, its carefully curated aesthetic continues to keep it “new,” reflecting Telluride’s evolution into a world-class destination.

The original Sheridan Hotel, a two-story, wooden-frame structure, was built in 1891 — a year when the Rio Grande Southern Railroad had finally reached town, Lucien Lucius Nunn had built the first commercial AC power plant to run the nearby Gold King Mine and Telluride was starting to boom. But just two years later, in 1893, the hotel burned to the ground.

The New Sheridan Hotel, which was constructed out of brick, was built to endure. Sitting on Main Street and Oak Street for over 130 years, it has absorbed the town’s busts, booms, tragedies, triumphs, scars and beauty. The “New” in the name reflects its dance between the past and the present.

Managing Partner Ray Farnsworth has played a central role in articulating and executing the hotel’s vision, both retaining its history and keeping it relevant over the last three decades. The hotel underwent its first major renovation in 1994, almost 100 years after opening. Then it underwent another in 2008, during which Farnsworth and his team enlisted renowned U.K. designer Nina Campbell to retain and highlight the building’s Victorian history while adding modern luxuries.

“The antique pieces throughout the hotel date back to the 19th century,” Farnsworth says. “Each piece has a story.” He points out the historic beauty of the chandeliers, sideboards, Roman blinds, rich fabrics and pillow accents.

But just as important are the hotel’s state-of-the-art UV and soundproof windows, and its five-star Sealy mattresses. “The 2008 remodel is starting to sound a little old,” he says, “we’re constantly updating.” He adds that Campbell visits the hotel yearly to consult.

Farnsworth’s other favorite attributes of the hotel are the historic photos that hang on the hotel’s broad hallway walls and the Roger Mason paintings that greet guests when they enter The Parlor. He points out the black-and-white photos of an early New Sheridan anchoring the top of a dirt Main Street and a boxing ring set up in front of the hotel where boxer Jack Dempsey took on an opponent.

“The black-and-white photos are special,” he says. “I take people upstairs to show them as much as I can. I’ve never lost excitement for this place.”

Perhaps more striking is the collection of abstract paintings of the New Sheridan, local storefronts and street life on Telluride’s Main Street created by the world-famous Roger Mason. Mason can sometimes be spotted in the middle of the street with his easel, canvas and trademark paintsplotched shirt, painting the scene in layered rich colors that are inspired by the box canyon’s dramatic lighting and shadows.

Farnsworth’s pride is rooted in these collaborations and his personal investment in the New Sheridan. He also oversees the hotel’s internationally acclaimed Chop House Restaurant, The Parlor, the New Sheridan Bar (if those walls could talk), and The Roof, rooftop bar — all of which make the New Sheridan Telluride’s central hub. It’s a place steeped in history and vibrant with local energy.

“The aesthetic design makes for a beautiful building that has been lovingly maintained,” Farnsworth says. “It feels historic and rich and beautiful. I’m proud of its reputation, proud of the history and proud of the beauty of this grand dame.”