The Hundred Million Dollar Hotel Club

The Hotel Bar’s colorful murals tell a rich story.

Guests May Notice Colorful Murals Hanging In

The Hotel Bar, perhaps while sitting in an oversized leather chair and sipping a Whiskey Smash. The murals commemorate a visit from what’s now known as the Hundred Million Dollar Hotel Club, a consortium of accomplished hotel owners who played a pivotal role in elevating The Broadmoor to its status as one of the finest properties in the United States.

Broadmoor founder Spencer Penrose invited 60 esteemed hoteliers from around the country to an all-expenses-paid, two-week getaway at the resort. The group, whose collective net worth was estimated at roughly $100 million dollars, arrived on September 4, 1920. The VIP guests were treated to a host of activities, including nightly dinner dances, scenic drives up Pikes Peak, polo and golf matches, performances by

BY TOM WILMES

Native American dancers, and exhilarating biplane races to and from Denver. The following year, the club members held a banquet at New York’s Commodore Hotel to honor Mr. Penrose, presenting him with a plaque that declared him a “Bon Vivant of Rare Accomplishment” and “The Prince of Entertainers.”

The oversized murals in The Hotel Bar depict the group both at The Broadmoor and in New York at the party honoring Mr. Penrose. There are also some interesting details in another painting depicting their activities. At the bottom left, a monkey stands near an eyeball—a reference to Mr. Penrose’s glass eye. In the car directly above, you’ll notice a hat and flask. Those symbolize Mr. Penrose’s constant presence and his legendary hospitality, the spirit of which still thrives today.