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A Winter to Remember

in Attractions/Front Range Attractions/Front Range Hotels & Resorts/Hotels & Resorts/Mountain Attractions/Mountain Hotels & Resorts/The Colorado Blog by

BY REBECCA TREON

When winter has worn you down and cabin fever begins taking hold, it’s time to take advantage of all the spectacular happenings at local hotels and resorts. From s’mores on the slopes to cog railroad rides through the snow, here’s a look at Colorado’s top spots offering exciting alternatives to spending the chilly season homebound.

Staycation

Downtown Denver has plenty of options for those wanting a mini-getaway. Whether you’re simply treating yourself to a night of wonder or you want to be close to all that the heart of the city has to offer, these locales will make the winter season unforgettable.

The Art Hotel

Visitors will enjoy the spectacular art collection that gives The ART Hotel its name, the luxe rooms with deep bathtubs, and the rooftop cocktail lounge with multiple fire pits (wrap up in a cozy blanket with your loved ones while you enjoy happy hour in front of the fire). One of the biggest perks here is the proximity to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, where you can catch any number of Broadway hits. This season, enjoy faves like An American In Paris, Kinky Boots, and Mamma Mia, and brace yourself for Frozen: The Musical and Hamilton, both slated to debut this fall.

www.thearthotel.com

Brown Palace Hotel

From the first morning when the Brown Palace Hotel’s annual champagne cascade kicks off the beginning of the holiday season, Denver’s most elegant historic hotel embraces the warm and merry traditions of winter. With the lobby bedecked in sparkling lights on its grand chandelier to live music at high tea, families who love tradition will adore The Brown. Colorado families leave their holiday decorations up through the end of the National Western Stock Show in late January, and The Brown is no exception: It hosts a very special guest for photo opportunities—the event’s prize-winning steer has its own corral in the lobby for one morning only.

www.brownpalace.com

The Crawford Hotel

The Crawford Hotel is located right inside Union Station, which is the ultimate place to while away an afternoon. Union Station has a train that whisks travelers directly to Denver International Airport, making the Crawford the place to stay before you jet out of town. Amid the elegance of the sprawling and newly remodeled main terminal, lounge in one of the armchairs or play some shuffleboard with the family, take your pick from any number of top-notch bars and restaurants (we love Mercantile, James Beard-nominated Chef Alex Seidel’s brain child), or simply people watch. Those who book winter stays at The Crawford with the Winter Nights and City Lights package will receive a winter-themed gift, complimentary room upgrades, and two winter warmer cocktails at the swanky Cooper Lounge.

www.thecrawfordhotel.com

Farther Away

Looking to get out of town and still enjoy everything our state has to offer during the winter season? These spots both near and far have you covered. From Frisco to Steamboat, a weekend away will create treasured family memories in your new home away from home.

Town of Frisco

Start planning your next winter’s holiday getaway now. Just a stone’s throw from Denver, the town of Frisco goes all out for the holidays, hosting its annual Wassail Days. For the first two weeks in December, local restaurants and shops offer their own version of the traditional spiced cider served during the holidays. Sampling 12 different sips will earn you a commemorative mug, but stick around to see the light display at Triangle Park and the 600 luminarias that line the town’s quaint Main Street. There are carolers, visits with Santa, and the legendary Ugly Sweater Challenge – where guests take on holiday-themed challenges (think snow angels and eggnog shooters) while donning their favorite knit apparel. Active families will love easy access to tubing, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing; there are horse-drawn sleigh rides, and even a soup-making face-off between restaurants and amateur chefs alike. It’s the quintessential Colorado Christmas.

Frisco, Colorado, Winter
Frisco, Colorado, Winter

www.townoffrisco.com

Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch

A visit to the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch represents the ultimate in luxury. After being welcomed by Bachelor, their resident pup, hit the slopes just outside your door with the lodge’s unparalleled ski-in, ski-out access to Beaver Creek Mountain. Enjoy s’mores in front of the roaring fire pit while you warm your toes, play an old-fashioned board game with the kids, or take advantage of activity offerings like the Ritz Kids Program, night hike with their naturalist programs, and even booze-paired crafting for adults. The Ritz-Carlton has everything you need to create an unforgettable family getaway.294351_extracted

www.ritzcarlton.com

Devil’s Thumb Ranch

What better way to celebrate a Colorado wintertime fairytale than a stay at Devil’s Thumb Ranch? The 6,000-acre resort is nestled just a few miles outside Winter Park, but feels like it’s a world away. Wintertime outdoor activities in this wonderland range from ice skating and tubing to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but don’t miss out on the geothermally-heated pool. All winter long there are also sleigh rides and s’mores at the stables—like something out of a John Denver tune.AA-1734-55y

www.devilsthumbranch.com

The Broadmoor

A collection of Colorado’s ultimate resorts wouldn’t be complete without including The Broadmoor, a jewel in the crown of Colorado’s grand hotels. Colorado Springs’ legendary complex does every season right, and during the winter months, your new home-away- from-home offers everything from outdoor adventures like a ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to dance classes. Of course, you’ll need to make time to simply explore the resort itself, including the Play room (bowling, foosball, and more), the indoor pool, and the spa—perfect for a mom/daughter mani-pedi date.

www.broadmoor.com

Steamboat Grand

After a stressful year, a retreat in Steamboat Springs may be just what the doctor ordered. At the Steamboat Grand, you’re right at the base of the mountain when you want to hit the slopes, but you also have easy access to a slew of family friendly activities. Adventurers may want a hot-air balloon ride or a snowmobile tour, but the more tame among us can enjoy tubing, night skiing, and gondola rides with a bird’s eye view. Things the whole family will love? Sleighride dinners, snowshoe or cross-country ski tours, and of course, a long soak in the beautiful natural hot springs at Strawberry Park.

www.steamboatgrand.com

Curtis Hotel – An Icon of Pop Culture

in Front Range Hotels & Resorts/Hotels & Resorts by

BY MONICA PARPAL STOCKBRIDGE

     Picture this: you’ve just arrived in Denver for a long weekend — or maybe you’re a local taking a staycation — and you know you’re in for a treat the moment you lay eyes on your lodging for the weekend: The Curtis Hotel, smack in the middle of Denver’s hip theater district. From the 42-foot All Together Now sculpture standing like a tower of children’s blocks on the street corner, to the sound of clinking martini glasses from The Corner Office restaurant and martini bar, the area is buzzing with the sights and sounds of urban Mile High.

CHECKING IN

From the second you step inside The Curtis, you can tell this is no “traditional” hotel. Is it the pop of the bright orange accent colors? The “world’s largest Lite-Brite” art hanging inside the lobby lounge? The reception clerk challenging guests to games of rock-paper-scissors upon check-in?

Whatever it is, The Curtis Hotel’s independent and funky spirit shines through in all these ways and more. Opened in 2007 on April 19 (which happens to be Bart Simpson’s birthday, if that tells you anything), The Curtis has always been a bit of a maverick in the hospitality world. Though it became a DoubleTree by Hilton in 2010, it’s never lost its hip sensibility thanks to Denver’s own Sage Hospitality and a commitment to keeping alive the original idiosyncrasies.

     Inside the recently renovated lobby you’ll find glimpses of local art alongside funky orange light fixtures, tufted leather armchairs, and a wall of pop fiction books and classic board games. The check-in desk is another major touchpoint for showing off that personality, and again the fun and games shine through. Want an upgrade to your room? Challenge the receptionist to a hula hoop contest. During the recent Summer Olympics, people could enter $5 to guess the latest gold medal counts for a chance at a free stay. The money collected went toward Sage Hospitality’s Dollars for Dreams, which supports different charitable recipients each quarter.

     Along with the fun and philanthropy, the hotel recently announced the implementation of Digital Key access for each of its 336 guest rooms. This allows guests to check in, choose their exact room from a digital floor plan, and request a Digital Key all through the HHonors app.

     “Most of our loyal guests are incredibly tech-savvy,” said General Manager and “Starship Captain” Scott Sloan. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer HHonors members this cutting-edge Digital Key technology and give them an easier, more convenient stay.”

THE GUEST ROOMS

Once you check in, ride the talking elevator (which announces each stop with cartoonish voices overhead) to your floor, where the fun really begins. In 2014, each of the guest floors at The Curtis was renovated to reflect its own music, film, or pop culture theme intended to deepen and differentiate the hotel experience.

     From the Sci-fi floor, to the Chick Flick floor, to the Dun Dun Dunnnnn! floor occupying the 13th story, each is decorated with movie posters, custom art, and thematic touches to bring out the different motifs. While every room offers modern amenities balanced by touches of retro pop art, the 13 “hyper-themed” rooms and three 1-bedroom suites take it to another level entirely. In these rooms, every detail is fine-tuned to fit the topic, from the wall vinyls to the curtains to the art on the walls.

     For instance, the 15th Mad About Music floor features a hyper-themed KISS suite, fittingly decorated with KISS concert photos, a face-painted panda, and black leather furniture fit for a rock star (no smoking guitars or pyrotechnics required). In the 13th floor’s Ghostbusters-themed room, green “Slimer” floor tiles and ghostly 3D art add spooky touches.

     But it’s the sixth floor that garners the most attention. “The Fun and Games Floor is by far our best-selling floor,” says Marketing and Graphic Design Manager Ty Shell. “It’s very popular with families, and always fills up when Comic Con comes to town.” Step onto the sixth floor landing and you’ll feel like you’ve tumbled into a game of Pac-Man, complete with ghost-shaped room number placards and joysticks on the console tables.

     The best part? The rooms and floors at The Curtis are constantly evolving. Later this year, the eighth-level Sci-fi floor will transform into a Star Wars versus Star Trek theme, while the 10th floor theme will soon be renewed to reflect the city’s local heroes: The Denver Broncos.

DINING AT THE CURTIS

Be sure to spend a meal dining at The Corner Office, accessible through the hotel’s lobby. Here, Chef Rich Byers leads the global comfort food concept, with a menu that changes quarterly with updates to items every few weeks to reflect the change in seasons. Servers like Nate Gray may point you in the direction of the sweet and smoky Duck Skewers and Brazilian Cheese Bread. He’ll also recommend one of the cocktail “experiences,” like the Four Kingdoms Sake Martini which you customize with a spritz of “hibiki harmony” (peated Japanese whisky) from a miniature spray bottle. Of course, the entire cocktail experience at The Corner Office is first-rate, with all the traditional favorites enhanced with rare liqueurs, housemade tinctures, and even an impressive mezcal list.

     For dinner, the sizzling rice bowl with marinated steak, zucchini, rice, and a poached egg is a savory delight, served piping hot in a Korean granite bowl. Tikka Masala and Moroccan Crusted Lamb Rack offer creative takes on traditional dishes.

     The Corner Office is also known for its showstopping Disco Brunch, featuring “I Will Survive” bottomless marys and mimosas, irresistible red velvet waffles and apple bread pudding French toast, and savory chorizo quiche—just to name a few.

     From the lighthearted lobby to the one-of-a-kind guest rooms to memorable meals, The Curtis Hotel does everything it can to help its guests “stay happy.” And whether you’re a loyal guest or first-time visitor, there’s always something new to discover at this pop culture paradise.

  

Luxury in the Rockies

in Front Range Hotels & Resorts/Hotels & Resorts/Mountain Hotels & Resorts by

Sophisticated travelers know that when it comes to a great hotel, experience goes hand-in-hand with top-of-the-line accommodations and superior customer service. Here we bring you the inside track on some of our favorite Colorado resorts.

By Ellen Gray

Beaver Run

If you’re looking for a getaway that is sheer fun, you need look no further than the fabulous Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado. More than a hotel, this is a resort that is always bustling with activity, yet the setting is serene and the scenery stunning.

Whether you’re staying at this mountain paradise for fun or for business, you’re going to find it all – proximity to scenic hiking, great skiing and winter sports; swimming, tennis and pampering at the spa – in short, anything you can dream, you will find at Beaver Run. And the best part is, 008-2014 BR Hot Tuball the fantastic amenities are located under one roof, so getting around is never an issue!

     Travelers who have stayed at the resort come back time and again because this is truly a one-of-a-kind getaway that has it all – the world-class Breckenridge ski area on one side of the property and the charming town of Breckenridge on the other. And that’s what we love … location, location, location!

     The historic town of Breckenridge is actually a genuine old mining town, and its personality shines through at every turn. From unique bars and restaurants to local shops, this is one fun town that is a local’s favorite.

     But back to Beaver Run. The resort is nestled at the bottom of Peak 9 at the base of the Beaver Run Super Chair, and access to top-notch skiing, hiking and biking is steps away. The Base 9 Bar off the lobby is sheer fun, with pool tables, darts, TVs and a popular craft beer program. The rooms are open and contemporary with a mountain flair, and the feel is vastly different from a hotel. Because this is operated as a condo/hotel, each room is a bit unique and accommodations run the gamut from a single standard room to a studio with efficiency kitchen to spacious four-bedroom condos.

     The spa is full-service with all the bells and whistles, and there are pools, tennis, hot tubs and even an arcade and indoor mini-golf on property. Truly anall-around experience for both business and pleasure travelers!

Beaverrun.com

Hotel Boulderado

For decades, the Hotel Boulderado has held a special place in the hearts of Coloradoans, whether they came to know it as a student at the University of Colorado, a transplant to the eclectic city, or a local who grew up in the presence of this well-known icon. Easily recognizable for its distinctive Victorian architecture, this historic hotel recently underwent a substantial renovation that artfully melds past and present.

 Boulderado-031 (1)    Opened in 1909, the Hotel Boulderado has played host to an impressive array of personalities, including conservationist Enos Mills, actors Ethel Barrymore and Douglas Fairbanks, lawyer Clarence Darrow, poet Robert Frost, and Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan. Today the hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a City of Boulder landmark.

     The distinctive building has lost none of its charm, and today represents a unique combination of Old-World dignity beautifully intermingled with contemporary sophistication and amenities. The result is a one-of-a-kind experience, where past and present conjure up memories of the good old days, and adventures that are yet to come.

     The hotel’s elegant Victorian-inspired rooms boast large windows, with stunning views of downtown Boulder, the foothills and the majestic Boulder Flatirons. The newly updated rooms feature a color palette of warm greys, crisp linen whites, rich blues and luxurious camel, complemented by nickel and brass and a touch of leather. Custom millwork handcrafted by local craftsmen adorns the bathroom vanities, and locally sourced artwork hangs in tandem with some of the hotel’s original historical pieces.

     Of particular note is the Presidential Suite, an elegantly appointed large corner suite that boasts living and dining area, premium linens, plush robes, elegant bath and (a personal favorite), gourmet chocolates. All this plus knockout views of the city and the mountains!

     Business travelers will appreciate the newly renovated meeting and event spaces, which were redesigned and updated to offer a more upscale and inviting environment.  Wood-paneled wainscot and traditional moldings were added to the 3,000-square-foot ballroom, and new touches were put into place in the executive boardroom.

     Foodies will love the hotel’s three great dining options, which include Spruce Farm & Fish Restaurant, Corner Bar Restaurant and License 1 Bar. All three are run by Concept Restaurants, Inc., one of Colorado’s most-respected and established restaurant groups.

     Just steps from the fun and fabulous Pearl Street Mall, the “place to be in Boulder,” the Hotel Boulderado is minutes away from great shopping, dining, hiking and sightseeing. This is a jewel that has stood the test of time.

Boulderado.comCOL - Fall Exterior 2

Hotel Columbia

The Hotel Columbia may be one of Telluride’s best-kept secrets. Located just 17 steps from the Gondola, which is the free transportation system between the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, this utterly charming boutique hotel is as unique as it is irresistible. For guests who don’t want to take the Gondola, the hotel is located just two blocks from Main Street and complimentary cruisers are always available.

     Each room is original in décor, design and configuration, and it’s rare for a guest to depart without planning a return stay! Standard rooms and suites may include King beds with pillow-top mattresses and goose down comforters, travertine bathrooms with walk-in showers, fireplaces, balconies, kitchenettes and always a great view. If you’re really in the mood to splurge, consider taking a penthouse suite, replete with a beautiful fireplace in an oversized living room, full kitchen and dining area, spacious baths with travertine-tiled floors, heated towel racks, and oversized glass and travertine shower with rain showerheads. Each of the penthouse’s three rooms has a private bath; two of the rooms have gas fireplaces.

     Staff are all local to the area and highly passionate about the property. In fact, their first priority is to ensure guests have a memorable experience at both the hotel and in the town of Telluride. Prior to their arrival, guests receive a vacation planner which enables the concierge to customize a unique experience, including activities, welcome amenities and dinner reservations. The intimate size of the hotel enables staff to go well beyond the services of a larger hotel or resort, and to treat each guest as family.

     Each morning, guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary European hot breakfast in the COSMOpolitan dining room, which as hailed as “the best breakfast buffet in town.” In-room dining is always an option, and wine aficionados will love the private wine vault, which exudes old-world ambience and is perfect for special occasions.

Columbiatelluride.com

Garden of the Gods Club and Resort

Kissing Camels Club West Course #3

In the thriving city of Colorado Springs, a luxury golf resort beckons visitors who come as much for the setting as for the incredible amenities. Garden of the Gods Club and Resort sits high atop a mesa, and guests never tire of the incredible views of snow-capped Pikes Peak and the natural red rock formation of the Garden of the Gods National Landmark. It’s nature at its finest, and its truly something to behold.

     After it opened in 1951, the Garden of the Gods Club became an exclusive retreat for Hollywood’s elite and a host of public figures, including Robert Mitchum, Claudette Colbert, Gene Autry, John Wayne and Walt Disney. Golf was added in 1961, and the resort soon became a home to a variety of tournaments.

     The resort’s 69 guest rooms and suites all offer up spectacular views, and golfers will love playing on the 27-hole Kissing Camels Golf Course. There’s also workout facilities, tennis courts, a rec center with swimming pool, toddler pool, children’s splash park and playground, and a beautiful infinity adult pool.

     Every guest room includes a private balcony or patio, large powder rooms and closets, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, plasma TVs and high-speed Internet. The majority of the rooms were recently renovated, and were redesigned with beautifully appointed furnishings and updated technology. The historic South Patio King and Double rooms were kept intact, and offer stunning views of the South Patio lawn. The North Club and South Club King and Queen rooms feature a fireplace, flat-screen TV, and oversized dressing area and walk-in closets, while the Master Suites feature wet bar, spacious sitting area,

large powder rooms with double vanities, oversized tubs and separate shower.

     Feel like hitting the links? The championship Kissing Camels golf course, designed by J. Press Maxwell and Mark Rathert, features bunkered greens, towering pines and lush mountain landscaping. The 50-year-old course spans more than 7,000 yards per 18 holes and is open only to private members and guests staying at the resort.

Gardenofthegodsclub.com

Home Away From Home

in Front Range Hotels & Resorts/Hotels & Resorts by

One-Bedroom Suite

At the JW Marriott Cherry Creek  

By Monica Parpal Stockbridge

You may already know a thing or two about the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek. It’s an urban conference center, a modern social hub, and a comfortable haven in the heart of one of Denver’s most walkable neighborhoods.

     Indeed, its excellence is no secret. The hotel was voted one of the “Best Hotels in the West” in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 Reader’s Choice poll, and at a glance it’s easy to see why. The hotel offers 8,400 square feet of meeting space, including the 3,150-square-foot Grand Ballroom and the recently renovated Fireside event space — complete with a 2,400-square-foot terrace, outdoor fire pits, and lounge seating — perfect for weddings, mitzvahs, and other private events year-round.

     The JW Marriott has all the luxury amenities you’d expect. We needn’t tell you about the 24-hour room service, the modern fitness center, or the adjacent full-service spa and salon at Antoine du Chez. Or that the $5 million renovation in 2011 elevated all 196 guest rooms to a luxurious new standard. Or even that the recent Griffin View Executive Lounge serves gourmet breakfast, snacks, and happy hour appetizers to guests staying in rooms on the top two Concierge Floors.

     What we will tell you is that there’s so much more to the JW Marriott than meets the eye. And that it’s these unexpected attributes that we love most — the parts that truly speak to its Denver roots and continuous evolution.

SH ladies   

COMFORT FOOD ABOUNDS AT SECOND HOME KITCHEN + BAR

This time of year, we start craving summery cocktails on the patio. And heck, we’re always jonesing for some southern fried comfort food. Or maybe you’re looking for a spot to bring the whole family for brunch. Regardless of your motivation, Second Home Kitchen +  Bar from Sage Restaurant Group has you covered.

     Enter the dining room through the bar to a world of wood, stone, and gleaming golden chandeliers. The open kitchen adds a vibrancy to the dining room and red market umbrellas shade the chic outdoor patio adjacent to the Fireside event space.

     Breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner are served every day, with upscale but approachable menu items categorized into shareables, salads, seasonal dishes, and stick-to-your-ribs home favorites. Second Home is probably best known for its stellar Chicken + Waffles served with Stranahan’s whiskey maple syrup. It’s also well-loved for its Second Home Burger with 7x Colorado Wagyu beef, Haystack Mountain green chile, jack cheese, and chipotle mayo.

     Certain menu items will change seasonally, and the menu currently features the locally inspired Colorado Lamb Barbacoa with crisp-fried plantains and Mexican rice, and the Alamosa Striped Bass with spring vegetables, tomatoes, and mushrooms in a delicate saffron and fennel broth.

     Second Home Kitchen also serves different “Daily Dish” specials, including smoked barbecue beef brisket on Wednesdays and a Friday fish fry with freshly shucked oysters, juicy shrimp and meaty mahi mahi. Second Home is particularly proud of the fresh catch program, focused on sustainable seafood delivered to their kitchen within 36 hours of the catch.

     Of course, the bar menu leaves little to be desired with a mix of classic and modern cocktails, local craft brews, and a wide selection of wines (as evidenced by the modish wine wall in the far end of the dining room). General Manger Brandon Wilson recommends the Sidekick Margarita (Herradura Silver, Cointreau, agave nectar, lime, passionfruit purée, and a dash of chipotle pepper) and the Maserati (Woodford Reserve Rye, Sombra Mescal, yuzu, maple, and ginger beer).

Second Home’s motto is “like a big hug at the end of a long day,” so go ahead and let yourself fall into their embrace. And order another cocktail while you’re at it.

A FAMILY FRIENDLY RETREAT IN THE CITY

Although set in an upscale, urban environment, the JW Marriott is surprisingly family friendly. That goes for fur babies, too; well-behaved dogs are welcome inside the hotel and guest rooms. The hotel rolled out new many new kid-centric amenities last summer, like kid-sized terry robes, child-friendly in-room dining options, and even JW Marriott Denver Coloring & Activity books with scavenger hunts, coloring pages, and crayons.

     Keep reading, parents. Second Home Kitchen + Bar also offers Pajama Brunch every Sunday when kids under eight eat free — if they wear their PJs. The best part? You can leave them to enjoy supervised movies and activities while you dine in an adjacent room, lingering over leisurely breakfast luxuries like Eggs Benedict, Berry Pancakes, Challah French Toast, or Mediterranean Frittata — and even a mimosa or two.

     What’s more, families can now enjoy Sunday Game Night from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. every Sunday at Second Home Kitchen + Bar, complete with family-style appetizers and entrées alongside board games and good old-fashioned family fun.

JW Lobby 2016

AN ENVIABLE LOCATION IN CHERRY CREEK

All these elements make the hotel a welcome retreat to enjoy any day, but the location in the heart of Cherry Creek makes it an attractive home base for exploring the area. After all, Cherry Creek is a shopper’s paradise with more than 320 shops and boutiques all within a few blocks.

     Not a shopaholic? Don’t worry — other

area attractions are just a few minutes’ drive, like the Denver Art Museum, Denver Center for Performing Arts, Denver Zoo, and downtown, each within a three-mile radius. Plus, the 46th Annual Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale (on July 14th) and 8th Annual Cherry Creek North Food & Wine event (on August 13th) are prime opportunities for all-day enjoyment.

     Even if you’ve stayed at a Marriott before, the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek is in a league of its own. This summer, take some time to explore all the possibilities — whether you’re staying the night or not.


Monica Parpal Stockbridge
Monica Stockbridge is a Denver-based writer and editor who has covered the food and dining scene for publications like DiningOut magazine and Moon travel guidebooks. As a contributing writer for Colorado Hotel Magazine, Monica writes chef profiles and hotel stories that reveal inspiring mile-high experiences for visitors and locals alike.

CHECKING IN

in Front Range Hotels & Resorts/Hotels & Resorts by

Wow Factor Aplenty at the New Westin DIA

untitled-105-X3There’s a buzz going around about the brand new Westin at Denver International Airport (DIA). People everywhere are talking about it, much like when the airport opened 20 years ago on the plains northeast of the city. Back then, people mused about the unique design of the white fabric tents atop the terminal roof, which invoke the majestic mountains and the teepees of the Native Americans who lived on that very land.

Now people are asking, “Is it a boat?” “Is it a cruise ship?” Is it a mustache?” They are calling the new hotel many things. In truth, the sleek structure shimmering in the sun was inspired by the imagery of flight and aviation and meant to resemble a giant bird with extended wings hovering above the iconic peaks of the Jeppesen Terminal at DIA.

The innovative structure by the global design firm Gensler features a striking exterior entirely made of glass. Inside, floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows in each of the 519 guest rooms and 35 suites offer unobstructed views of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Range to the west, the expansive high plateau to the east, the terminal tents to the north and the transit center to the south. Even with that much glass, there is nary a noise from outside. “The windows are triple-paned, allowing for no noise disturbance,” says Laurie Meza, a spokeswoman for the hotel. The thick windows make the guest rooms quiet enough for a baby to sleep.

Interior of the new Westin DIA

The Leed-certified 14-story hotel and conference center opened November 19 and is like an oasis on the plains at the fifth busiest airport in the country and the 15th busiest in the world, with 53 million passengers passing through each year. Business travelers will love the conference center that features a three-story floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall that provides calming views of the sweeping landscape in the spacious pre-function area. Two ballrooms, 15 meeting rooms with various dimensions and 19 break-out rooms complete the 37,000 square-foot facility that can hold as many as 2,500 people. Thirty-five suites, including 15 executive suites and two hospitality suites, complement the convenient resources for business clientele. With its ideal location in the middle of the U.S.—three hours by air from the East Coast and two hours from the West Coast—the hotel allows business to be conducted without anyone ever having to leave the grounds.

Heavenly Westin

Whether business or leisure travelers, guests in the streamlined contemporary rooms that occupy only the top eight floors of the building will find all the pampering amenities and latest technology that are signatures of the Westin, a member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.  Beginning with the Heavenly® shower system that releases water like cascading rain, to the Heavenly® White Tea Aloe bath botanicals and extra-large luxurious cotton bath towels and robes in the bathroom, to the Heavenly® bed draped with 250-thread count crisp white sheets for a perfect night’s rest—all the comforts you expect from a Westin are there.  A top-floor fitness studio and indoor swimming pool with a hot tub help make a stay at the airport hotel both invigorating and relaxing. The domed-roof 6th-floor lobby is an airy gathering place with an urban feel for meet-and-greet activities.

Keyless entry

Members of Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) loyalty program can bypass the front desk by opting in for the SPG keyless entry system, the new technology that was introduced by Starwood to the industry a year ago. SPG members can use their smartphones to check in, get their room number and unlock their door. The keyless technology works through the SPG app that can be downloaded for iPhone and Android by members with an SPG number. To become a Starwood Preferred Guest, go to www.starwoodhotels.com.

“Constantly seeking to fulfill our brand promise “For A Better You,” we are equally as excited to be offering Starwood’s latest SPG Keyless technology, redefining the traditional hotel experience and allowing guests to get to their hotel rooms quickly after a long day of travel,” said Tom Curley, general manager of the Westin DIA.

Dining

Three dining options are offered at the Westin: Grill and Vine, Ingredients and Sky Lounge. Grill & Vine is a tavern-style contemporary restaurant with American cuisine offering breakfast and all-day menus. “Complementing Westin’s core brand values, our menu supports wellness with simple, light, fresh foods while also focusing on locally sourced items,” said Jeremy Sullivan, director of food and beverage outlets. “Choose from our SuperFoods favorites or ‘simply grilled’ items. While the food plays a starring role, there is also a wide selection of fresh, handcrafted cocktails and a considerable wine program featuring 16 wines by the glass, including organic selections, that can be enjoyed at the large and inviting bar,” he said.  At the casual grab-and-go eatery called Ingredients, customers choose from a variety of healthy breakfast and lunch items to be made to order for eating on the go. And at the Sky Lounge in the hotel lobby, customers can enjoy small plates and quick bites with a cocktail, glass of wine or a beer.

Transit Center

Getting to downtown Denver from DIA (or DEN as the new logo now says) will be a breeze when the east rail line of Denver’s light rail system begins operating from the Denver Airport Station just outside the hotel’s entrance next spring. It will take only 35 minutes to travel to historic Union Station, the beautiful newly remodeled transit hub in the heart of downtown about 25 miles west. From there, guests can reach the city’s culinary scene, sports arenas, art galleries and shops on foot, bike, pedicab or via the light rail or 16th Street Mall shuttle. The stainless-steel electric rail cars on the east line are bigger and heavier than those on the rest of the system, running on 25,000-volt AC power instead of 750-volt DC power. The commuter train will travel at 79 miles per hour, versus the lighter cars’ speed of 55 mph. Its higher platforms flush with the train make it easy for passengers wheeling luggage and for those in wheelchairs and walkers to get through the doors. The east line will make six stops during its 23-mile trip to Union Station. It will leave every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes the rest of the time.

Perhaps the most convenient aspect of the new transit center is the ability for passengers to tag their luggage at a kiosk right there and drop it off for security screening and transport to their plane. Passengers can go directly to their gates without having to stop at the ticket lobby to check their bags.

Public Plaza

A gorgeous open-air public plaza the size of a football field and two basketball courts connecting the hotel with the terminal adds a dimension to the airport hotel not seen anywhere in the United States. The 82,000 square-foot space partially covered with a stunning glass-and-steel canopy that invokes Star Wars is Denver’s latest venue for art and exhibitions, entertainment, markets and shows of all kinds. It can accommodate as many as 2,000 people meandering about and as many as 4,500 for special events. The ease of getting there via the train is expected to draw visitors from around the metro area for events managed by Denver Arts & Venues.

Public Art

Thanks to Denver’s Public Art Program established in 1988, one percent of any capital improvement project more than $1 million must be set aside for art. Since its opening, DIA has maintained an active public art program; accordingly, the Westin and Transit Center displays artwork symbolic of Colorado’s landscape from mostly local artists selected through a competitive process.

Exterior installations include “Shadow Array,” an artful display of 250 beetle-kill spruce logs (the pine beetle has devastated forests throughout Colorado) above native grasses on the sides of the train platform by Denver artist Patrick Marold; “Air Field,” a wind-activated installation by California sculptor Ned Kahn in the open-air plaza; and “Water In All Of Its States,” a luminous design for the train hall and video imagery on the escalator walls between the train platform and the plaza on level 5 by Paris-based lighting artist Yann Kersalé.

Interior artwork, all by Colorado artists, can be viewed in the hallway of the hotel entrance and on the west and east walls of the pre-function area of the conference center. Mindy Bray created an abstract mural of the Platte River on the 150-foot-long entry walls; Wopo Holup’s three-dimensional aerial map view of the Colorado River on the west wall is made from water-jet cut aluminum; and on the east wall is Heather Patterson’s mixed-media landscape abstract on nine separate panels that create one large image.

Artwork of eight local artists is featured in all of the guest rooms and suites, commissioned and funded by the decorating budget of the hotel.

“Two of the main factors we considered in choosing the art were that we wanted to feature really unique artwork that speaks to the place and to showcase local artists who haven’t been seen much in public spaces,” said Kendall Peterson, hotel and transit center public art manager.

Acclimate

Lastly, the hotel is a boon to flatlanders who come to Colorado to ski. Staying one or two nights at 5,335 feet at the Westin DIA is the best way to acclimate slowly to the 8,000- 13,000-foot altitudes they’ll find at the resorts in the mountains. Racing up to the slopes right after landing at the airport is the surest way to bring on altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness, that can ruin a ski vacation.

“Denver’s International Airport’s new Westin Hotel, transit center, commuter rail connection and open-air plaza bring new amenities to our passengers that enhance their experience and help us remain competitive,” said DIA’s CEO Kim Day. “We look forward to sharing this new experience with passengers and showing them why sleeping at the airport just became ‘heavenly’.”

Author bio: Claudia Carbone is an award-winning journalist and native of Denver. She’s proud to be living in the city during these exciting times.

Through The Welcome Arch

in Front Range Hotels & Resorts/Hotels & Resorts by

Long Live The Oxford

The Oxford Hotel continues to shine as a beacon of luxury and hospitality greeting all of Denver’s visitors.

by Catherine Adcock

OX exterior med

Recessions, Depressions, World Wars — through it all, the Oxford Hotel has unfailingly greeted Denver’s guests arriving through the Welcome Arch, providing a beacon of luxury, opulence and first-rate hospitality throughout the years, just as it did when it opened in 1891.

In the years prior to the Oxford’s opening, Denver underwent a major transformation, making a first-rate hotel a necessity. Railroads arrived in 1870, bringing new residents who would transform the small mining town into a bustling regional metropolis. The city’s maturation commanded attention from the larger country, drawing visitors from all over. Now the third-largest city in the West, Denver needed a hotel accessible to Union Station, the arrival point for all coming to the city.

Adolph Zang — a beer magnate whose Zang Brewing Company was the biggest pre-Prohibition producer in the Rockies — invested in the idea, and the hotel opened on Oct. 3, 1891.unionarchc1910

At that time, the Oxford boasted the latest in technology. A “vertical railway,” a novelty now better known as an elevator, ferried passengers between floors. The hotel’s very own power plant provided steam heating and electric lighting, another new invention. But the opulence did not stop with gadgets. The hotel’s classic façade humbly concealed overwhelming luxury inside. The finest in custom-made engraved glassware and Haviland China topped dinner tables. Guests enjoyed light and air throughout all the rooms, which had been wrapped around a light well. Antique oak furniture, stained glass, marble and silver adorned the interior, greeting every guest with simplicity and beauty.

What truly set the hotel apart, however, was its ability to meet every guest’s needs conveniently. The hotel housed dining rooms, a barber shop, a library, a pharmacy, a Western Union office, stables and a saloon — serving Zang brews, of course. A guest could check in and never have to leave the building.

Built just two years shy of the Silver Panic of 1893, the hotel faced an uncertain future as Denver suffered through the ensuing economic recession. But the Oxford didn’t just survive the troubled time, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 1901, the opulent building actually thrived. By 1902, manager Calvin Morese reported that the hotel hosted 35,000 guests per year and often had to turn away guests — no wonder a new annex on Wazee Street opened in 1903.

The year 1906 brought with it plenty of changes as directed by new managers Charles B Hamilton and James L. Brookes. The hotel’s mezzanine, still recognizable today, with its monogrammed OH iron banister and marble wainscoting, dates to this time. Responding to increasing demand, the hotel opened a five-story annex on 17th Street in 1912

In the 1930s, the Oxford enjoyed a remodel giving it the latest in art deco designs. In the Cruise Room, Denver’s first post-Prohibition bar, one could find hand-carved art deco panels by artist Alley Henson toasting the repeal of Prohibition. One can still see these panels, beautifully restored, today.

Crowds flooded the streets in front of the hotel to greet President Herbert Hoover as his train pulled in to Union Station in 1932. War arrived again, and the Oxford opened its doors to trainloads of soldiers. In the ensuing years, Denver enjoyed a renaissance; it became a Sun Plain boom town, home to tourism, federal offices and energy firms.

The only thing the Oxford could not withstand, given its proximity to Union Station, was a decline in train travel, which occurred in the 1960s. The hotel stayed open, however, catering to the needs of working-class truckers and pensioners rather than business travelers and families on vacation. The larger downtown area fell into a state of disuse and disrepair. Denver began tearing down old 19th-century buildings downtown, leaving only a few, to make way for new edifices.

Oxford New Lobby

Fortunately, Dana Crawford, an award-winning preservationist, had the foresight to stand up for the preservation of the area’s history. In 1963, she fought to prevent the demolition of Larimer Square, pioneering the languishing area’s redevelopment as a historical landmark and lively shopping center. Her success led to similar reinventions all over downtown, bringing new life into a forgotten area of Denver. The Oxford began to beam again, this time as a cultural locus for jazz, folk music and theater.

The Oxford Hotel underwent a major remodel in 1979, when the hotel closed its doors for three years while a hand-selected group of people undertook the process of restoring the hotel to its former glory. New Owner Charles Callaway was joined Crawford — by then Larimer Square’s president — and William Muchow and Associates, an architecture firm known for its preservation work. For firm partner Bill Muchow, the work took a familial note — his father worked as a tile mason on the Annex built in 1912.

While teams worked to modernize the stately hotel, others got to work uncovering features hearkening back to the hotel’s earliest days. The glory of the hotel’s first years hid behind false ceilings, closets and alcoves.

Original blueprints were unearthed, enabling the teams to duplicate exact details. Art deco panels, dating to the 1930s, were lovingly restored. The group ordered carpets woven to match the last layers uncovered; they stripped chandeliers of layer upon layer of paint only to find gleaming sterling silver. The Cruise Room returned to its halcyon days of art deco greatness.

After three years and $12 million, the Oxford reopened in 1983 and received landmark status on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Oxford Hotel of today, though, owes much to the Sage Group, which bought the building in 2009. It undertook a $1.3 million seven-year room-by-room renovation of the hotel masterminded by Chief Engineer Mike Michna. An iron artist was commissioned to create a replica of the original doorway arch, a throwback to the hotel’s first years before vertical signage replaced the arch on the exterior of the building. The hotel’s impressive Western art collection continues to attract visitors. Its award-winning spa has earned its own landmark status as the first terra-cotta building in Denver.Oxford blue room

Guests can bask in the warm glow of the only indoor wood-burning fireplace in Denver, and then take the vertical railway up to their private rooms, riding in original elevator cars that date to the building’s opening. Each room pays tribute to history in its own way, sporting Victorian, French or Art Deco designs. “That’s largely due to our chief architect, Mike Michna,” notes Oxford Director of Sales and Marketing Amy Stansbery. “He has done all the renovations himself and has been here for 30 years. He really, truly designs all of the rooms, the layouts, himself.”

The Sage Group continues the Oxford’s commitment to technological advances, particularly when it comes to caring for the environment. During the 2009 renovations, Sage installed a heating and cooling system so efficient, it won a Leader in Energy Efficiency in Lodging award from Trane manufacturers. The hotel uses a system to treat water with UV rays and other technology, so no harsh chemicals are used that could eventually leach into the larger water supply or environment. As Stansbery notes, “We are a very old building, but we have a very efficient hotel.”

Business travelers tied to tablets and smartphones will be pleased to know that no other hotel in Denver uses the same next-generation internet cabling — the WiFi doesn’t just seem lightning-fast, it is. The Oxford Hotel is planning for the future, currently building a sister property within Union Station itself during the station’s renovation — the new hotel will open sometime in 2014. “Since it’s a brand-new hotel within the station, it will be very modern and unique,” notes Stansbery.

The Sage Group continues to stay true to the hotel’s history, preserving its historical details while continuing to offer guests every modern convenience. Guests are greeted in the lobby by the sight of antique furniture, sourced from the hotel’s own collection, and the sounds of a live canary singing a tribute to the miners who first built Denver and this hotel. The Oxford offers travelers a chance to step back in time while still enjoying the comforts of 21st-century living, making it Denver’s most luxurious landmark.

Says Stansbery, “It’s not just laying your head somewhere and spending the night. It truly is a beautiful experience; there’s no other hotel like it.”

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