About
Solarium Colorado: Located in the heart of Fort Collins, Colorado
Chelsea Gressman was introduced to a life of travel by her mother, Sally Thoms, at an early age. She quickly learned that the best education is found by exploring the world, immersion in other cultures, and welcoming new adventures. At the age of 19, Chelsea took off for a solo trip to Hawaii, which sparked her desire to travel. Eventually, she headed to Australia and then found herself in Africa in 2009. It wasn’t long before Elly followed suit and, together, they embarked on one of the most important trips of their lives.
“Traveling has shaped and changed me in so many ways,” Elly says. “Things that mattered once no longer do and my idea of life and what it is about has completely changed. I feel a real sense of calmness and gratitude in my life and for the things I have.”
Driven by their passion for travel, the savvy Gressman sisters embraced the opportunity to buy The Atrium on Stuart Street in Fort Collins, Colorado. Along with their ever-supportive mother, Chelsea and Elly’s long-time dream to own a hotel came to fruition in 2014 with Solarium Colorado.
“When we bought the building, we weren’t sure exactly what it was going to end up being – all we knew was that it was beautiful and something we wanted to share with the world,” Elly says. “The more we thought about it and thought about what we love to do, it made sense to turn the space into a place for travelers to connect and enjoy. We chose a hostel over a hotel because we wanted to provide the same services that were given to us around the world.”
Throughout all of their many adventures – whether in Vietnam, England, India or Africa – the common thread was always the warm experiences they had staying at hostels. Elly and Chelsea would eat locally and truly immerse themselves in local culture, which is something they encourage travelers that stay with them to do. They also made new friends, learned about local traditions, and gained a fresh perspective on the world.
The community-centered atmosphere and affordable prices of the international hotels made traveling a breeze. The Solarium Colorado Hotel of Fort Collins strives to give international travelers the same opportunities. Chelsea predicts the hotel will become the premier tourist accommodation for travelers worldwide. Instead of looking for a normal hotel, experience our beautiful atmosphere. View our rooms. To help you get involved in the local way of life, we also provides bikes for rent — perfect for a staycation or your international travel!