The Brown Palace - historic hotel, Denver, Colorado

Travel America, Sept, 2001 by Randy Mink

Complementing the Palace Arms is the Churchill Bar, a sophisticated cigar bar. Bookshelves lining the walls and red leather couches and wingback chairs create a library-like atmosphere.

The nautically-themed Ship Tavern, the oldest restaurant in the hotel, opened in 1934 after the repeal of Prohibition and after then-owner C.K. Boettcher had acquired a collection of sailing ship models on a visit to Cape Cod. The models, along with a complete mast and crow's nest, an old ship's clock, and Jamaican rum barrels, decorate this dark, woody room with blue-and-white checked tablecloths. The casual menu features prime rib, Rocky Mountain trout, buffalo burgers, a crab cake sandwich, and New England seafood chowder. There's piano entertainment Tuesday through Saturday.

Ellyngton's, the main restaurant, offers breakfast, lunch, and a Sunday champagne brunch. With windows overlooking Denver's financial district, it's known as the home to the "power meal" attracting businessmen, bankers, and politicians. Breakfast treats include praline pecan French toast with maple cream, corned beef hash, and chipped beef on toast with Bechamel sauce.

A huge carousel oven, at least 50 years old and only one of three known to be in existence, turns out all the Brown Palace's baked goods. The hotel derives water from its own, original 720-footdeep artesian wells and also has its own upholstery and carpentry shops.

The sights and stores of downtown Denver lie right outside the door, as do the banks and brokerages of 17th Street, the "Wall Street of the Rockies." Two blocks away is the Denver Pavilions, a hip shopping-dining-entertainment complex that dominates the uptown end of the 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian paradise. Also within walking distance are the State Capitol, Denver Art Museum, Colorado History Museum, U.S. Mint, Denver Performing Arts Complex, and Coors Field, home of baseball's Colorado Rockies.

Perhaps the best thing about staying at the Brown Palace is the outstanding service extended by the gracious staff, from the doormen to the concierge. Some employees have been treating guests like royalty for more than 40 years.

Standing the test of time, the Brown Palace is a Denver institution, a 109-year-old luxury landmark with a solid foothold in one of America's most youthful and rapidly changing cities.

FAST FACTS

Name: Brown Palace Hotel

Management: Quorum Hotels & Resorts of Dallas

Member: Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and National Trust Historic Hotels of America

Location: In the financial district of downtown Denver, Colorado

Accommodations: 241 high-ceilinged rooms and suites that surround a nine-story atrium. Amenities include twice-daily maid service, nightly turndown, 24-hour room service, daily newspaper, hair dryers, plush terry robes, and Taylor of London toiletries.

Facilities: Three restaurants (all on lobby level), lobby with cocktail and afternoon tea service, cigar bar, 11 banquet rooms, two gift shops, hair salon, art gallery, flower shop, business center, fitness room, and airline ticket office.