Only four hotels in the Rocky Mountain City made the best lists of Forbes, Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler. Interestingly, they are a diverse group with two global brands, a modern design hotel, and one of the nation’s true classics.
1. The Art, a hotel
2. The Brown Palace Hotel
3. Four Seasons Hotel Denver
4. The Ritz-Carlton Denver
1. the Art, a hotel
Conde Nast Traveler ranks the Art as its top pick in Denver noting, “Art isn’t just used as decor here, it’s the main objective of the hotel itself. If that’s not enough, you’re also steps away from the Denver Art Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum. Serious culture connoisseurs and business travelers looking for something different stay in the 165 rooms, which sport a minimalist design yet more artwork.”
Forbes adds, “With 200 unique works of art all around the property, it’s easy to see how The Art, a Hotel got its name. As you walk through the front door, you’ll get your first dose of creativity by looking up at Leo Villareal’s show, a 22,000-light installation that promises to never repeat any patterns. Once inside, you’ll spy two giant paintings by Sol LeWitt and a scale model of Coosje van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg’s Big Sweep — the giant version is in front of the Denver Art Museum, which happens to be next door.”
Its Fire restaurant was the city’s only selection to “The Ultimate Restaurant Guide for Private Jet Travelers” we published several weeks ago.
The Capital Suite
The Capital Suite is the largest suite in the hotel. You enter into an expansive sitting area with plush seating and a view of Broadway that extends throughout the entire east side. A private balcony enables you to get some of that Rocky Mountain fresh air.
2. The Brown Palace Hotel
Conde Nast Traveler says, “Located in the heart of the Financial District, the Brown Palace is the city’s original luxury hotel, host to everyone from pop stars to presidents. Understated opulence greets you the moment you walk through the doors of the 241-room hotel, where you’ll find an eight-story atrium surrounded by ornate cast-iron railings.”
For dining, Forbes adds, “The award-winning Palace Arms restaurant features signature favorites like a rack of lamb and pan-roasted veal. Cigar aficionados take to the library-like ambiance of the Churchill Bar. Afternoon tea is accompanied by live harp music. And Ellington’s Sunday brunch is legendary.”
It also recommends, “The full-service spa is the perfect place to unwind with a deep massage, body treatment or facial.”
Roosevelt Suite
Theodore Roosevelt visited The Brown Palace in 1905 and his namesake suite was designed to his style and has hosted multiple heads of state. An expansive living room features a leather sofa and chairs resting on wood floors with an elegant rug.
The room also includes all the modern amenities including flat-screen HDTVs, an iPod docking station, WiFi, and a personal Keurig coffee maker. The suite includes an extra bathroom for guests and a corner study that offers city views of Denver.
3. Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Forbes writes, “With a comforting yet elegant modern-residential vibe, Four Seasons Hotel Denver is the place to get cozy when staying in the Mile-High City. Like a crisp hike in the nearby mountains, the color scheme of this downtown Denver hotel features subtle beige highlights, rich browns, soft yellows and other earth tones to help give it a Colorado feel.”
It adds, “It’s as if the hotel doesn’t want you to forget you are so close to pure nature — not that you could with the stunning view of the Rocky Mountains in the western horizon. Many of the rooms face this vista, and others look out toward the historic Daniels & Fisher Tower gracing the 16th Street Mall. But no matter what you see out the window, it’s what inside that really counts.”
From Conde Nast’s perspective, “The Four Seasons Hotel Denver impresses with a sleek, tranquil lobby full of natural light and giant floral arrangements. An all-white, towering fireplace is a welcome sight in the winter, and large reception desks host attentive staff ready to serve.”
Three-Bedroom Presidential Suite
This 3,090 sq. ft. top-floor residence provides stellar views of the Rocky Mountains from its 16th-floor perch. There are a large living and dining room outfitted with original works of local art, a Shabui stone fireplace, and west-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows to watch the sunset over the city. Bedding is King, King, and Two Double Beds and you can sleep up to six adults and four children.
4. The Ritz-Carlton Denver
Conde Nast Traveler writes, “This swanky outpost of the Ritz-Carlton brand blends contemporary, understated luxury with western touches. Dark woods, elaborate flower centerpieces, and a gorgeous glass chandelier greet you in the lobby, and the hotel’s prime spot in the heart of downtown makes it convenient for in-the-know travelers and business types alike.”
Forbes says, “The Ritz-Carlton, Denver opened its doors in the beginning of 2008 and proved to be a luxe, stylish addition to the city. Recently, under the guidance of designer Hirsch Bedner, the hotel revitalized its guest rooms, pulling in airy shades of blue, cream and light beige to lighten and give spaces a fresh look, not unlike the blue skies and the white-capped Rocky Mountains that can be seen in the distance.” It adds, “This place has all the trappings of big-city luxury hotels including a top-notch steakhouse, locally inspired spa treatments and lavish in-room.”
The Ritz-Carlton Suite
Located on the 14th floor, the 3,030 sq. ft. Ritz-Carlton Suite includes sweeping views of the Rockies, a formal dining room, en suite kitchen, media room and master bath with oversized soaking tub. There’s a separate powder room for guests.
