Welcome to the historic
El Portal Hotel
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The El Portal originally opened in 1903 as The Hotel Seaberg. It was named for its creator, Hugo Seaberg, a Swedish immigrant who purchased the downtown property that included a livery stable, and transformed it into a fancy 12-room hotel. Seaberg dreamed of owning the premier hotel in Raton - the premier hotel in all of New Mexico, and it wasn’t long before that dream came true. Seaberg renovated and expanded the facility eight times between 1905 and 1928. At its peak, the hotel had 400 rooms and was the largest lodgin facility in New Mexico, serving guests from throughout the state and across America. It soon became known as one of the top hotels in the Southwest. Disastrous economic times hit hard in 1937, and Seaberg was forced to declare bankruptcy. The hotel was bought at auction by new owners, who maintained its presence and visibility. In 1938, the hotel was renamed "El Portal," which is Spanish for "The Gateway." Since then, many major renovations and ownership changes have taken place. In 1997, Bill and Vivian Douglas and Andy and Vera Holman purchased the El Portal and have overseen regular remodeling and refurbishment efforts. Currently there are 18 hotel rooms and 40 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Murals from the WPA era painted by renowned New Mexico artist Bill Warder adorn the lobby and hallways. The grand parlor is furnished and decorated with styles from the early 1900s. Hotel rooms feature the distinctive look of an era gone by, preserved in time for your comfort and enjoyment. Stay with us and see the enchantment for yourself. Call us today for reservations or for more information.
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