A Downtown Steamboat Story

Early 1900s

Long before it became The Nordic Lodge, this Lincoln Avenue site welcomed travelers with a blacksmith shop, stable and a small number of guest rooms. It served visitors at a time when horses carried people and supplies through the Yampa Valley.

As Steamboat changed, so did the property. An auto repair shop and filling station later reflected the move from horse-drawn travel to the automobile age—while the site continued to give travelers a place to pause and rest.

1960s-1990s

By the 1960s, the property was known as the Royal Rest Motel. Its Spanish Colonial-style façade welcomed road-tripping guests to a convenient downtown stay as Steamboat grew into a destination for skiing, recreation and mountain getaways.

Al and Hazel Nelson owned the Royal Rest before selling it to Garret Lenderink in 1968. Glen and Patricia Keelin later continued the property's role as a familiar part of Steamboat's visitor experience.

1996

In 1996, Emil and Krystyna Banas and their family purchased the property, beginning its next chapter as The Nordic Lodge. Their goal was to renew a familiar downtown stay while protecting its welcoming, independent character.

The family improved the lodge over time, updating guest rooms and investing in the comfort of staying downtown. The property already had loyal returning guests, including visitors who had stayed there decades before the family took ownership.

2004-Today

Beginning in 2004, the Banas and Golaszewski families launched a multi-year renewal. Improvements included a hot-tub room, expanded office and breakfast area, and mountain-inspired materials such as rock, log siding and warm wood finishes.

The lodge also converted traditional motel rooms into larger one- and two-bedroom suites. These flexible spaces created a more comfortable downtown base for ski families, extended stays, sports teams and groups traveling together.