Some hotels might say they are fit for a king, but in the case of The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa it’s true, with King George V once staying here, as well as nearly every US president since Roosevelt in 1905, and not to mention rock royalty in the form of The Beatles and Rolling Stones.
Situated in the heart of downtown Denver, and now part of Marriott’s autograph collection, it remains one of the most iconic and luxurious hotels in the Colorado capital since opening its doors in 1892.
This writer arrived at the outset of summer to see first-hand exactly how it maintains that reputation to this day.
Hotel
Upon entering the triangular red sandstone building you are greeted with an impressive nine-storey open atrium – apparently the first of its kind in the States – and a giant US flag hanging over the centre. Elaborate wrought iron panels decorate most of the balconies, with dramatic Florentine arches overarching the main floor area, and an intricate stained-glass skylight at the very top. It really is a picture of early 20th century grandeur on an epic scale.
A perennially popular afternoon tea, with a harpist or pianist providing gentle background melodies, is served daily on the atrium floor and, reportedly, Denver debutantes are also presented here every holiday season.
Meanwhile there are six unique restaurants and bars, a spa and salon, a flower and gift shop, and a grand ballroom of almost 6,000 square feet for weddings and large-scale events. One can only imagine what it would be like to tie the knot here.
Room
I was lucky enough to stay in one of the 33 rooms that make up the top two floors of the hotel. These rooms expand upon the classic accommodation elsewhere with added space, while a central desk and other amenities are designed with business travellers in mind.
All of the 241 rooms come complete with 42-inch flatscreen HD televisions, personal device charging stations, plush terry robes, a Keurig coffee maker, and pure artesian water from the hotel’s own well. Bathrooms are dressed in white tile and marble, with a contemporary rain shower contrasting an antique-inspired sink and vanity setup.
There are several types of suite on offer, including grand, royal, and three presidential suites, each named after a president who’s stayed here before (Roosevelt, Reagan and Eisenhower).
There’s even a retro Beatles Suite, where the band actually stayed in 1964 while playing the Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside Denver. With its custom jukebox playing only Fab Four records and framed pictures of the band on the walls, it really is the ultimate accommodation choice for lovers of Liverpool’s finest.
Food and drink
There are six distinct restaurants and bars to choose from at Brown Palace, all with their own individual touch and vibe.
The award-winning Palace Arms is the signature restaurant, consistently rated one of the best downtown Denver fine-dining experiences, with a menu predicated on steak and seafood, from Chilean Seabass to prime cuts of beef by the ounce. Its main dining room is decorated with Napoleonic antiques, including a set of flintlock duelling pistols that belonged to Napoleon himself.
The more casual Ship Tavern offers a vintage pub atmosphere where you can catch a televised sports game over a micro-brewed beer. Meanwhile Ellyngton’s is famous for breakfast and brunch – in particular an elaborate champagne Sunday brunch – while the Churchill Cigar Bar is one of the rare places in the country where you can still enjoy a smoke inside thanks to a grandfathered legal exemption. With more than 60 cigars in its custom humidor and premium spirits behind the bar, it’s a classy venue in which to conclude, or indeed commence, your evening.
Spa
Encompassing 5,200 square feet over two floors, the luxury spa retreat at Brown Palace offers six massage and skin treatment rooms; a private couples suite with dual reclining hydrotherapy tub; steam rooms with aromatherapy; and a nail and hair salon.
The Spa touts custom treatments specifically designed for Colorado’s climate, which use water drawn from the hotel’s natural artesian well located 750 feet beneath the building, as well as honey-based beauty products made from honey produced by a colony of bees on the hotel’s rooftop. There’s a real buzz about the place.
To do
Art lovers are particularly well catered for in this part of the city. Literally across the road from the hotel, the American Museum of Western Art is a non-profit museum permanently housing the Anschutz Collection, which embraces art of the American West from the early 1900s to the modern day.
A short walk away, past the impressive Colorado State Capitol building, the sprawling Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the Western states. It focuses on indigenous works alongside international collections and world-class exhibitions.
For local shopping, dining and drinking options, the renovated Beaux-Arts Denver Union Station in the historic Lower Downtown (LoDo), not far from The Brown Palace, houses a plethora of restaurants, bars, cafés, shops and galleries, all within easy walking distance or a short cab ride.
And if beer’s your thing, there’s good reason why the city is known as the ‘Napa Valley of Beer’, with more than 100 breweries and taprooms in the metro area alone. Why not take a cruise around the best of them amid some of Denver’s coolest neighbourhoods on a private eTuk Ride. A fantastic way to see the urban sights.
In a nutshell
It may sound clichéd but The Brown Palace is one of those places that truly takes your breath away the moment you step inside, and instils a feeling of sadness the moment you check out and depart. From its remarkable atrium to your stylish bedroom to enjoying a cheeky cigar in the Churchill Bar, it’s a classy and memorable experience from start to finish.
And if you happen to be a fan of The Beatles, well, you know which suite to book if you decide to visit.
Getting there
Fly in to Denver International Airport (DEN) – one of the largest connecting airports in the world. From there, it’s a short and simple journey on the airport train to Denver Union Station in the heart of downtown.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from $259.
Address: 321 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 297 3111
Website: brownpalace.com
Hotel photography courtesy of The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa.
