There is something exhilarating about being in Denver, Colorado…maybe it’s that crisp Rocky Mountain air, maybe it’s the 300+ days of sunshine a year, or maybe it’s the laid-back urban vibe that the city evokes. Whatever it is, the Mile-High City {nicknamed so because its elevation is exactly one mile above sea level} offers a nice juxtaposition between the urban Financial District with its high-rise buildings and the remanence of its old-west history with its historic neighborhoods and iconic landmarks.
As most of my regular readers know, it is always my intention to stay at the most luxurious accommodations in any given area I visit as well as my preference to stay in a unique, boutique-style hotel; however, when I’m in an urban area, I admit that I enjoy staying in a high-rise that allows me to have a birds-eye view of the city and the bustling activity below. In looking for a luxury hotel in the Denver area, I knew that the Ritz-Carlton Denver would be a great choice. I appreciate the reliability of a luxury brand such as the Ritz-Carlton Hotels that I know I can count on to offer consistent and dependable quality in luxury accommodations.
The Property
The Ritz-Carlton Denver opened its doors in 2008 after a complete renovation of the property formerly occupied by the Embassy Suites hotel brand. The hotel’s location in downtown Denver is extremely convenient as it is within walking distance to most of the iconic landmarks, restaurants, shopping, museums and so much more.
The modern design elements with rich natural materials create a comfortable city-chic atmosphere offering a sense of tranquility along with all of the luxury amenities one would expect from a Ritz-Carlton hotel. The hotel has a 60/40 ratio between business/leisure travelers and, because of the rich amenities offered at this hotel, it is a great choice for either purpose.
What really captured my attention here was the superior level of service and the friendly, professional and accommodating staff. From the moment I inquired about visiting the property to the moment my stay ended, I was made to feel as though I was their most important guest ~ and from what I witnessed, they treat each guest in the same manner. It was apparent to me that the employees take their Credo and Service Values seriously which offers each guest an extremely personalized and memorable experience.
Guest Rooms
The Ritz-Carlton Denver has 202 guest rooms which include 47 suites. The hotel offers the largest standard guest rooms in the city that are the size of other hotel suites which is due to the configuration from the previous building occupant who was an all-suite hotel. The rooms have a simple yet elegant design and offer feather beds topped with crisp white 400-thread-count Frette linens, a cappuccino/coffee maker, plush terry robes, and luxurious Asprey bath amenities. The bathrooms are quite spacious as well with double sinks, oversized bathtubs and separate showers with rainforest shower heads.
Most rooms offer a sleeper sofa and even the option to log in to your smartphone to access your NetFlix account for entertainment. The rooms each offer a general minibar selection {at cost}. Insider tip: The Deluxe Room and the Deluxe City View Rooms are the same footprint, the difference between the two rooms is that the Deluxe City View Rooms are located on a higher floor for the views. Another tip: in general, rooms with odd numbers offer a better view. The hotel offers suites ranging from their 1,000+ sq. ft. Deluxe Suites, 2,400+ sq. ft. Luxury Suites to the 3,000+ sq. ft. Ritz-Carlton Suite that offers panoramic views of the city.
One of my favorite features of staying at a Ritz-Carlton property is the option to upgrade to a Club Level room. In my opinion, Ritz-Carlton hotels offer some of the best Club Level amenities and by opting to upgrade, guests will usually be placed in a higher level room along with having access to breakfast, snacks, happy hour appetizers, sweet treats in the evening and a variety of libations throughout the day, along with free Wi-Fi. The dedicated concierge staff at the lounge are available to assist the guests with anything from a wake-up call, printing boarding passes to complimentary pressing of clothing items or booking events. This truly takes the luxury experience to another level.
I stayed on the 12th floor which is where the Club Level lounge is located. My room, 1214, was around the corner from the lounge and I literally felt so pampered and comfortable, I almost felt as though I could have walked over there in my robe and slippers to just hang out {I was told that this has been done before}.
Dining
ELWAY’S, named after John Elway ~ former player for the Denver Broncos {I’m told does make an appearance on occasion}, is the signature restaurant of the Ritz-Carlton Denver. ELWAY’s is a seven-time recipient of the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine for its extensive wine list, as well as for its exceptional cuisine.
The dining room is designed in an upscale exclusive Men’s Club atmosphere with its rich colors and leather furnishings and yet refined enough for the women as well. There are two tables tucked in semi-private nooks that are available for larger parties at no additional cost. A Chef’s Table with a viewing wall into the kitchen is available for a special evening treat. The restaurant also hosts special events such as “An Evening with Peyton Manning”.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and also accommodates 24-hour room service. Although I did not have the opportunity to eat at this restaurant, I did eat at the ELWAY’S located at the airport and found the food delicious so I can only imagine that the food here would be exquisite. If you are seeking other dining options, you are only steps away from some of Denver’s finest dining in town.
Beach/Pool
This property has a gorgeous 6,000 sq. ft. full-service spa offering everything from personalized treatments including massages, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and salon services. Day passes available for $25/day for use of the facilities, or free with a service.
The hotel has a 2,000 sq. ft. fitness facility on-site, and in addition, all guests of the Ritz-Carlton Denver have access to TruFit ~ a 55,000 sq. ft. facility with yoga classes and full free weight room with cardio equipment that is located adjacent to the hotel. If you are a fitness buff, this is a huge perk.
Amenities
There are many fun amenities offered at this hotel, a few include:
- A driver is available on a first-come, first-serve basis to take you anywhere downtown
- Fun events offered to guests such as 5:00 pm Root Beer Floats in the lobby
- 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space featuring a Robert Kuster light fixture in the open area
- Club Level rooms offer free Wi-Fi. There is a charge for Non-Club Level rooms. Tip: to avoid paying for Wi-Fi fees, join the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Program to receive free Wi-Fi along with other perks
- Freebies, including shoe shines, coffee and newspapers
- Pet Friendly
Activities
I couldn’t even begin to list all the activities this active area has to offer, but most of it is just steps outside of this ideally located hotel. The Ritz-Carlton Denver is walking distance to:
- Denver Beer Trail: For beers lovers, visit some of the 100 brewpubs, breweries and tap rooms located in the metro area.
- Larimer Square: Mile High City’s oldest and most historic block, now home to an inspired mix of independent shops, chef-driven restaurants and lively bars & clubs.
- Union Station: Union Station boasts an eclectic array of the city’s top restaurants and bars.
- Coors Field: Coors Field in Denver’s LoDo district is home to Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies.
- Molly Brown House: Mansion of famed Titanic survivor Molly Brown
- 16th Street Mall: A pedestrian promenade, great for shopping and people watching.
- Five Points and River North (RiNo) for bars and cutting-edge galleries, Highlands and South Pearl for great eateries, Cherry Creek for upscale glam, Lower Downtown (LoDo) for raucous partying and the Golden Triangle for arts and theater.
- Great parks and cycling trails, and close proximity to spectacular hiking, rafting, skiing and the Rocky Mountains.
Summary
In summary, this Forbes 4 Star hotel and the city’s longest running AAA Five-Diamond property will exceed your expectations. I found this hotel to be the ultimate example in luxury accommodations with a staff that provides exceptional and friendly service. And with its ideal location near everything in downtown Denver, you will be longing to return.
Disclosure: My visit was very short here, less than 24 hours, and I did not capture as many photographs as I would have liked to so I have used a few Ritz-Carlton stock photos.
Ritz Carlton Denver
1881 Curtis Street
Denver,CO 80202
(303) 312-3800