or as much fun as you can have wandering around downtown Denver or making the most of a mountain town, sometimes you just want to settle in and leave the outside world behind. And in many of Colorado’s plush hotels, you don’t have to brave the elements to find yourself a stellar meal or a mess of delicious cocktails, because everything you need is right there in the building with you.
For a true staycation experience, you can’t go wrong at Hotel Indigo, a three-minute walk from Union Station. Order up a whiskey flight at Hearth & Dram, known for its massive wall of spirits from all over the world, then “take the elevator home” to your room for the night. Be sure to wake up in time for Hearth & Dram’s Rock ‘n Roll brunch, a curated concert of delights designed by Chef Adam Vero.
Literally in Union Station is real estate pioneer and beloved developer Dana Crawford’s namesake hotel. An oasis of calm in the bustling train and transportation station, with fun rooms spanning the entire building, you can upscale your stay at The Crawford with the full Pullman-era experience in the elegant Cooper Lounge, yuck it up with the locals at Terminal Bar, or eat one of the best meals of your life at Mercantile (and of course eat oysters and the best burger in Denver at Stoic & Genuine). For a true local experience, get in on the Family Jones Spirit House Tour & Tasting package, where you ride in the Crawford’s own Tesla to the nearby LoHi neighborhood and tour the Family Jones Spirit House, a local distillery. You’ll get to taste all seven of their signature spirits and head back to the hotel with your personal bottle of their special edition Crawford Rock & Rye Cocktail.
And as much fun as a romantic urban staycation can be, The Maven Hotel at Dairy Block knows that bringing the kids along can have its own charms. That’s why they’ve launched their Urban Glamping package, which includes, get this, an in-room tent for the kids in their guestroom, hot cocoa, and a customized Maven flannel picnic blanket to keep. The best thing about the hotel (besides truly stunning art on every floor and in every room) is easy access to Poka Lola Social Club, a lively bar with inventive cocktails. Gather the kids in the lobby to play board games while you sip your drinks, and of course grab a snack from Chef Frank Bonanno’s Denver Milk Market. You won’t feel much reason to leave the cozy mini-district, with so many restaurants and shops lining the alleyway behind the hotel.
Just across from Hotel Teatro is the Four Seasons Denver, which is a very different experience from the vintage boutique inn. Time your visit to coincide with one of Opera Colorado’s performances and opt into their “A Night at the Opera” package, which doesn’t include tickets to a show but does feature champagne during intermission in the Chambers Grant Donor Lounge at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. You also get a credit at EDGE Restaurant downstairs, which means tasty bites before the performance or something sweet at the end of the evening. Live in-state? Check out the Colorado residents’ package.
Also in RiNo is The Ramble, which feels like a modern take on an old west hotel. New York’s legendary Death & Co has posted up in the lobby, with massive chandeliers and Old World charm, while Chef Dana Rodriguez’s Super Mega Bien restaurant delivers on the promise of Latin-inspired dim sum.
The super-cool thing about The Guild, which hosts collections of condo rooms around the city, is that you can pay to have them fill your fridge in advance. The rooms are spacious and homey, with stylish furniture and full kitchens. Once you settle in, take a bath in a giant tub, wrap yourself in a plush robe so you can eat a bowl of local ice cream on the couch, and you’ll realize you never want to leave.
Want to spoil yourself with an upscale experience in Denver’s most-exclusive shopping district? Stay at the Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop, the newest hotel in the neighborhood, and reserve their In Vogue Vacation package. With 200-plus retailers nearby (and more than two-thirds independently owned and operated), you’ll be happy for the included $100 gift card. Start your shopping staycation right with a bottle of Veuve at check-in, and tool around the area in a Tesla Model X.
The Origin Hotel has its own unique experience, just a short shuttle ride away from the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the foothills. The mashup of a western and rock ‘n roll vibe carries through the hotel, with memorabilia and décor that feel both modern and vintage. During concert season, packages include tickets to a show and a shuttle up to the historic venue, but wintertime brings its own charms, like a walk up to Dinosaur Ridge or just a warm afternoon of drinking and dining at the in-house restaurant, Nomad Taqueria + Beer Garden.
You can read more about Gravity Haus elsewhere in this issue, but if you want the full snow and social experience, with a side of elegance and fun in Breckenridge, this brand-new “campus” is the place to stay.
Drive past Vail and up to Beaver Creek to stay at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch for ski-in, ski-out lodging and chef-driven sushi from their new restaurant, Sakaba. As you’d expect, a stay at the Ritz-Carlton is a truly indulgent, luxe experience. The ski valets have your equipment ready to go on the mountainside every morning and give it the necessary TLC at the end of every day. And talk about après — from the 21,000-square-foot spa to the multiple bars with both indoor and outdoor seating, to the kid-friendly s’mores, your body will thank you after a full day on the mountain. Don’t forget to make a reso for dinner at WYLD, for some of Executive Chef Jasper Schneider’s seasonal dishes.
And no rundown of epic staycations would be complete without including The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, which just celebrated 100 years in business last year, with its very own ski hill, golf course and spa, lakes, plenty of onsite restaurants, and plush rooms all in one place. You can experience the resort’s classic alpine charm without having to drive up to the mountains, and the beauty of the place is only surpassed by the level of service you can expect from the moment you arrive. A range of packages, from romantic to family-friendly to adventurous, will suit just about any mood you’re in.
Whether you just need a fun place to stay or are looking to cocoon for a weekend, Colorado’s hotel packages are sure to make you feel right at home.