Stein Eriksen Lodge: A Rocky Mountain Classic Where Sunday Brunch Astounds

An Arrival Circle Fit for an Olympian at Stein Eriksen Lodge

Since I moved to the Rockies nearly ten years ago, I’ve been cultivating a short list of renowned resorts that I’ve wanted to discover. (Anyone that reads this blog with any frequency knows that I love fine hotels and more importantly, the ambiance they create.) Let me see. There’s The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Sonnenalp in Vail and Sundance and Stein Eriksen Lodge in Utah. These are what I consider to be the crème de la crème of the old, established Rocky Mountain resorts and by the time I post this story, I will have experienced all of them. (Feel free to let me know if I’m missing any from this grouping! Yes, I know there are some great lodges in Montana and Wyoming, but I’ll save them for another day.)

There’s a reason these establishments have been world-renowned for decades. Actually at each, you can count many reasons, the biggest one perhaps being that it’s easy to create memories at these properties, unique moments that remain with you forever thanks to the overall feel of the resort. Details such as fresh flowers, hand-carved furnishings, a saloon with a creaky wooden floor and the uniforms sported by the people that work there also help to transport you to a different place.

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Spring Skiing at Snowbird

Snowbird's Iconic Tram

You know what’s great about sore legs? Afterward—once they’re no longer sore—they feel strong and toned.

That’s how mine are feeling today and I’m loving it. I had quite the workout over the weekend, maybe the biggest of the season. It’s no wonder. I met up with my oldest brother, Frank, and skied with him, some of his buddies and my hunny for two days in Snowbird, Utah. With them, I pushed the limits of my comfort zone on one of the best mountains in the West. And what an initiation it was into the big leagues. These guys don’t mess around.

Mineral Basin: One of Our Favorite Spots on the Mountain---Just Like Skiing on a Glacier in the Alps

Steve and Me on Our Last Day of the Ski Season at Snowbird

I had heard about Snowbird, Utah for years, mostly from Frank who goes there nearly every year. I was eager to discover it, especially since most of the ski resorts in Colorado have ended their seasons. I love spring skiing in April once Telluride has closed and normally meet up with another brother, David, and his wife, Geri, in Aspen. Or I head to Vail. Although this year I was smart to pick Snowbird since this extraordinary mountain still boasts a near ninety inch base.

And whoa, what snow! We didn’t see a single bare spot. They have enough to push around until well into May. “Continuing our tradition of offering the longest ski season in Utah, Snowbird is prepared to stay open for skiing and snowboarding as long as the snowpack permits,” says Dave Fields, V.P. of Resort Operations.

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Springing Forward on Fresh Snow Beneath a Colorado Blue Sky

Life Can Be a Cakewalk, Especially in Telluride on Such a Glorious Day

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I posted a story. Where does the time go? It flies by as fast as the ski season itself, every year. This week heralded the arrival of spring, however, I’d be just as happy to be plunged into the depths of winter where the snow varies from fluff to buttery soft. Oh well, can’t turn back time. So for now, I’m embracing the soaring temperatures and highly changeable ski conditions while my anticipation for the next fabulous spring snowfall lingers.

We’ve had a great winter here in Telluride, particularly since mid-January when the storms began to roll in one after another right up through early March. I guess this largely explains my eclipsing from my blog. I’ve been teaching skiing a lot, so much so, in fact, that I was clobbered twice with horrific colds that set me back on all fronts. Yes, that’s the bane of most ski instructors, getting sick during the season, yet it happens with great frequency. We’re out there putting on hopefully a super cheery face and attitude—carrying a class or even just one person—throughout freezing temperatures and sun scorching days. Day after day after day. It’s not unusual to work fourteen days in a row during busy times—that’s bell to bell, making sure that our charges are safe, happy and achieving their goals. Our throats take the biggest beating since we are required to use them often, sometimes to the point of excessive strain such as when we have to yell TURN, TURN, TURN or the dreaded STOP!!!

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Pick a Spa, Pick a Ski Destination

Outdoor Pool at The Peaks Resort & Spa

You’re missing out on a good chunk of fun and relaxation if you think your whole mountain experience has to be all about hitting the slopes. Sure, there’s nothing like spending day after day in the fresh air, carving perfect turns on buttery snow or picking through exquisite, diamond-shaped moguls. Yet even the most die-hard skiers and boarders need a day off. Or maybe just a half day. Or how about a couple days off? It’s supposed to be a vacation after all. You don’t want to feel like you need a vacation after your vacation, do you? How about après-ski—don’t those moments represent some of the best of your whole ski vacation? Those delicious hours of the day don’t have to be all about drinks at the bar.

Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch

O.K., admit it, time spent at the spa would be much appreciated. And in case you haven’t noticed, spas aren’t just for ladies. Men (and even in some cases, children) enjoy delightful times there, as well, especially in the Rockies where top ski destinations boast some of the finest spas in the country. It seems as though resort and spa experts really “get it” in the mountains. They realize that in a rugged land where you play hard there’s even more of a need for spas that focus on ultimate relaxation and hydration, privileged enclaves where the weary outdoor enthusiast can go to unwind and rejuvenate. Best of all, most of these spas rate high on ambiance. From cozy mountain elegance to alpenglow serene, there’s a spa and a vast menu of treatments from which to choose for everyone’s taste.

There’s still plenty of time to plan a great mid-winter or spring ski trip. Act fast though since with every additional snowfall, the airlines seem to bump up their prices. (Note that as I post this we’re delighting in a major snowstorm that has already dumped about 1 1/2 feet on most of Colorado’s mountain resorts.) As with all travels, there’s much to consider when planning your vacation. I suggest you factor in the spa component more than ever before. You never know when the skiing might go south (even for just a few days) and as we all know, there’s nothing like a spa experience to alleviate a mountain of stress.

I’ve highlighted some of my favorite Colorado mountain spas below. All are contained within places of lodging, however, you don’t necessarily have to stay at that resort to experience the spa. All open their facilities to outside guests for the price of a treatment or in some cases, a day pass.

My Lap Lane of Luxury at The Peaks Resort & Spa

The Spa at The Peaks, Telluride

I’m lucky enough to claim this expansive spa and fitness center as part of my home turf. I come here as often as I can and always leave relaxed and restored. Perhaps the largest and most impressive among my Colorado mountain spas featured in this story, The Spa at The Peaks encompasses thirty-two treatment rooms, a sleek fitness center, private men’s and women’s lounges, a full-service hair and nail salon, numerous saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, Roman tubs and two pools including a lap pool and an indoor/outdoor pool as well as a lovely gift shop. They also offer a variety of classes from yoga to Zumba. From most vantage points at The Peaks, you gaze out at awe-inspiring peaks, a panoramic vista that enhances your spa sensations tenfold every season of the year. This is also a terrific kid-friendly spa (although there are plenty of private areas for adults). I’m always amazed by the amount of energy the kids display romping in the indoor/outdoor pool and zipping down the water slide after big days on the slopes or out hiking. Come early to claim your poolside chaise lounge in the summer since the outdoor pool at The Peaks is a Telluride favorite. Note that I enjoyed a fabulous facial here by Tricia, an excellent esthetician, and that the spa uses Isun, a locally-made line of beauty products, in most of their treatments. For a fun story about my spray tanning experience at the salon, read Spray Tanning:  Bronzage in a Bottle.

Himmel Spa, Fairmont Franz Klammer Lodge, Telluride

Outdoor Pool at The Fairmont Franz Klammer

Easily considered one of the best-kept secrets of Telluride, most people don’t realize that this boutique spa may be enjoyed even if you’re not staying at The Klammer. I love the intimate, low-key feel of the spa which includes indoor and outdoor hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas and a cozy welcome area and treatment rooms which exude a heartwarming chalet-like feel. Come early to experience the rooftop adult-only hot tub before your treatment and dare to go naked (I did!) if you slip quickly into the bubbling water. A massage with Darren is a must, especially if you’re in need of good muscle work and great healing therapy.

Read Telluride’s Ultra Luxe Mountain Spas for other luxury mountain spas in Telluride. Note Capella changed ownership this year and is now called Hotel Madeline. For more boutique-y spa experiences in T-ride, read Telluride’s Beauty Boutiques.

The St. Regis Aspen

Remède Spa, St. Regis Resort, Aspen

The Cold Pool at Remède

For me, Remède is the spa to go to in Aspen. It exudes all the luxury and discretion of this high-end property. If you’re lucky enough to be staying at the St. Re gis, you can pad down to the spa in your robe, otherwise plan to spend a good chunk of time here, the way so many of the Aspenites do for a variety of treatments from a Purifying Wrap to a Rejuvenating Pedicure. A great address for couples or even a spa day with the girls, each spa experience begins with a delightful spread of sweet and savory snacks and ends with a glass of champagne. Arrive well in advance of your treatment to enjoy Remède’s many amenities including a comforting oxygen lounge and a Confluence hot tub with waterfall, both leisurely features shared best à deux. It’s all so transformative and relaxing that you just might need to book a stay here after all.

Allegria Spa, Park Hyatt, Beaver Creek

Mountain View Suite Treatment Room at Allegria

Whether you’re a visitor or a resident of Colorado, it seems that you can never get enough hydration in this arid climate. We all try to drink gallons of water and slather ourselves with triple-moisturizing oils and creams. Yet it’s never enough. For the supreme gift of moisture, experience aqua sanitas, or healing waters, at Allegria Spa at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. Inspired from the ancient tradition of Roman baths, here you may take to the waters in a variety of forms before your treatment (such as a facial or massage) even begins. Start at the Thermae Pool, a hot, co-ed pool, evocative of a natural spring. The rest of your hydrotherapy is enjoyed in separate male and female areas where you’’ll want to sample their Cascata Rainshower, their Caldarium Steam Room and Mineral Pools and their Tepidarium, a room bathed in light where you laze upon heated, tile loungers. My visit at Allegria culminated with an ultra-hydrating facial, expertly provided by Jennifer. I left so relaxed that I couldn’t muster the energy to shop in Allegria’s boutique, a fabulous-looking emporium of potions and lotions that begged to be discovered. Men take note:  this might be one more reason to send your ladies to the spa more often.

Vichy Shower at Allegria

Bachelor Gulch Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

The Stone Grotto at Bachelor Gulch Spa

I love the Rocky Mountain feel of this whole resort, a look that’s largely conveyed through the use of lots of natural materials such as wood and stone. The Bachelor Gulch Spa also embodies this back-to-nature approach, especially within its Stone Grotto, a relaxation area distinguished by stone walls and a wood ceiling where men and women lounge about within a tranquil and private setting. To me, it felt like a luxurious womb, especially after a dip in the Grotto’s warm, saline pool. It’s easy to curl up poolside for a nap. Fortunately this restful moment might only be interrupted by your therapist gently awakening you for your treatment. I had a massage with Adam, a session marked by his skillful hands and heating pads applied to my back and shoulders, an added feature never before experienced with a massage. Afterward, my hunny and I sat outside of the Great Room around the fire pits to take in the sunset before finally moving inside for drinks. We sunk deeply into their huge, leather couches, expressing gratitude that we had cut our ski day short to spend such a long, languorous moment at The Bachelor Gulch Spa, most definitely one of the most intimate and romantic spas we had ever encountered together.

As I look back upon my time at many of the above resorts, I realize that these spa experiences flood my mind as much as my memories on the hill. It’s my bet that they’ll have the same effect on you as well.

It’s Snowing in Colorado

A Much-Welcomed Snowstorm Today in Colorado

Hooray! It finally feels like winter today. It’s hard to say how much we’ll get out of this storm but whatever it is, we’ll take it. Yes, I’m addressing that big white elephant (mastodon, perhaps?) in the room. Yes, I’m writing about the ski situation in the U.S. so far this season. Yes, I’m finally posting a blog after more than a month away!

Posing with Rich, My Supervisor, My First Day Back to Work in December (Yes, we all have lots of fun together and make sure that our clients do, too)

And guess where I’ve been? I’ve been skiing my butt off here in Telluride, Colorado. Actually, my butt’s still there albeit a bit tighter. Although boy, is it sore—it is the biggest muscle in the body, isn’t it? Enough about my derrière. Obviously the skiing has been more than acceptable for me to be out so many days this past month. Granted I’m a ski instructor yet outside of the super busy period around the holidays, January typically slows down a lot. Ski and snowboard instructors only have work if there are people to teach. Despite the usual January lull and a less than stellar ski year, the mountain still buzzes with skiers and boarders of every level. And they all seem to be having a great time.

Skiing with My Little Rippers at Christmas

Saying Goodbye

Why wouldn’t they? It’s been sunny and warm most days since nearly the beginning of the season. Yes, this spring-like weather has been freakish and worrisome, especially since it seems to be happening all over the States. (Let’s hope it gives even the most fossil fuel-consuming folks among us reason to pause, particularly since many think this strange weather pattern signals the future of winters to come.) Fortunately even with a less-than robust base, our snow in Telluride has held up well. The coverage has been slight, although the quality of the snow has been excellent. (Even though many days have felt spring-y, our cold nights have preserved the snow’s wonderful wintertime texture beautifully.) Most of the mountain has been open since Christmas and the many people I’ve chatted with have enjoyed a fantastic time. With bluebird days, spectacular scenery, play in the fresh mountain air, a fabulous mountain and town, how can you not love Telluride? Sure, extra snow would be appreciated but it doesn’t seem to be making or breaking most people’s vacations.

Indeed, ski patrol has been spending more time sweeping the slopes with hockey sticks to flick off bothersome rocks than doing avalanche control these past weeks. But those rocky, thin and bullet-proof, hard-packed sections are more the exception than the rule. Someone from New York summed it up to me pretty well the other day, “Your conditions are far superior to anything we experience back East, even during one of our good years.” That comment flooded me with memories of childhood ski days with my family punctuated by frozen toes and fingers, icy slopes and steely-grey skies at various ski areas in Vermont, western Massachusetts and northern New York. It was fun and wonderful but oh-so hard going. Thank goodness my Dad eventually discovered Colorado, a fortuitous happening that changed the course of history for the ski aficionados of my family.

“I guess I temporarily forgot what most ski experiences look like outside of the West,” I replied to my chairlift companion. “My love of winter—combined with my need for sun—is why I moved to Colorado ten years ago,” I added.

Sharing the Passion: A Recent Group of First-Timers

A Great Way to Start Your Life Together: Honeymooner Clients

This winter we’ve all been well served in the sun department. Have no fear though—February, March and April usually rank among our snowiest months. Best of all as I post this story, the fluffy white stuff is now blowing sideways outside my window. Tomorrow just might be a really big powder day, and that’s something I never experienced all those years skiing back east.

Oh, how we become spoiled here in the West. Keep in mind that even during so-so times, most Colorado ski resorts offer a ski and snowboard experience above and beyond most people’s expectations.

Thank you to Jeremy Swanson and Aspen-Snowmass for the top photo. As of noon today, it already snowed over six inches in Aspen. The remaining photos were taken in Telluride, mostly on my iPhone.

Note that I teach  children and adults in privates and adult groups. My next Travel Fun radio show airs Tuesday, January 24th at 6:30 p.m. mountain time on KOTO and it will be all about teaching skiing and riding. Noah Sheedy, Director of Telluride Ski & Snowboard School, Doug Morrison, Director of T-ride’s Adult Program, and Frank Martinez, Director of T-ride’s Children’s Program, will be my guests. I’ll also be posting this interview as a podcast on my blog.

Sometimes the Complimentary Ski School Hot Chocolate Can Be the Best Part of Your Day

More Lovely Wines for Making Merry

Colorado Warmth: Talon's Aquila Dessert Wine

I had so much interest in my Favorite Reasonably-Priced Wines for the Holidays story that I decided to post another piece about newly-discovered sips. I’m savoring a delicious Merlot Port from St. Kathryn Cellars and an Aquila Dessert wine from Talon Winery with a creamy Stilton as I write this. I’m fearful this combo will turn into my latest après-ski or after dinner nibble during these cold Colorado days and evenings. (Oh dear, that Dukan Diet is already looming. Thankfully I’ll be out on the slopes on a regular basis from now on.)

These truly delicious nectars also make great gifts. Order them by calling 877-858-6330. They’re Colorado wines, from Palisade, so they’ll ship anywhere within the state and also to seventeen other states around the U.S. Note that the Talon Aquila Dessert wine resembles Port, sweet with a nice spice. The St. Kathryn Merlot Port, also delightfully cloying and mellow, tastes more fruit forward. Yum, I’m licking my lips as I write this—I just might bypass eggnog entirely this year.

Unexpected Goodness with Un4seen

I’ve also come across two reasonably-priced wines interesting enough to hold up to holiday entertaining and gift giving. Have you heard of un4seen Wines? I hadn’t, so was thrilled to try the un4seen white and the un4seen red, both California wines and blends of four grapes not traditionally combined. In the white, Chardonnay, Moscato, Semillon and Viognier come together to produce an aromatic wine capped off with lovely perfume-y notes. For the red, Zinfandel, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot meld together to produce a unique wine that possesses unforeseen layers of complexity and flavor. All this for only about $10./bottle!

Take a Trip

Glenn Foster, owner and winemaker of Talon Winery, Talon Wine Brands, Meadery of the Rockies and St. Kathryn Cellars seems to have quite the tasting room in Palisade, Colorado. I haven’t been there myself although I did enjoy checking out Palisade this summer and look forward to going back for a more wine-oriented visit through Colorado’s wine country soon. I’m sure it makes for a fun side trip in the winter where you can enjoy temperatures about twenty to thirty degrees warmer than in the mountains in this Grand Valley region of Colorado. Glenn offers fifty wines to taste in his St. Kathryn’s Cellars tasting room, so you’re likely to find something there to suit your fancy. Visit Palisade Tourism and the Palisade Chamber of Commerce for more information on this delightful part of Colorado.

Telluride, Colorado: A Real Winter Wonderland

Main Street, Telluride

It’s that time of year again, the frosty season when you stand on main street in Telluride, Colorado and feel like you can reach out and touch the massive, snowy peaks in front of you. Sure, this view is nothing short of spectacular all year long yet in winter, the light and the snow render these looming monoliths even more awe-inspiring. Add to that old Western and Victorian buildings blanketed in snow, folks trudging through the streets with ski gear in tow, puppies and people practically skipping down the street—and suddently you realize it’s a Norman Rockwell scene like none you’ve ever taken in before.

Elk on the Valley Floor at the Entrance of Town

Yep, that’s Telluride and it’s no wonder once people come here, they return time after time again. I sat down recently with Michael Martelon, head of the Telluride Tourism Board, during a Travel Fun radio show program, to talk about the magical season of wintertime in this world-renowned mountain destination in southwestern Colorado. In our interview, Michael talks about the typical Telluride visitor, who they are and the Tourism Board’s approach to marketing T-ride.

“We’re the antithesis of Disney,” Michael says. And I agree, citing that the authenticity of Telluride is what I think people most appreciate here. I even go so far as to compare Telluride to Paris, two places I know and love well. Beauty, sophistication, genuineness and a funky, hip side characterize these two singular destinations in my opinion. (There’s also the City of Light connection, but that’s a whole other blog post that I hope to write soon.)

Tune in to our interview to hear about all there is to do in Telluride during the winter season in addition to skiing and riding on the mountain. “It’s just amazing the kaleidoscope of things you can do when you’re not skiing,” Michael says. This is exactly why I encourage people to come to Telluride even if they’re not big skiers or boarders. Between the charming shopping scene, our excellent spas and world-class dining, there’s more than enough to keep you busy when you’re off the slopes.

Plus, who can beat this drop-dead gorgeous scenery? You can just sit in a lodge and gaze at it from a cozy corner for hours. So much for reading a good book.

Numerous events mark the winter season in Telluride, including Noél Night and the Snowboard World Cup, a huge international gathering that also takes place in December.

Michael and I conclude our chat with a brief discussion about the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a terrific bike race, that will be coming to Telluride in August 2012 for the finish of the first stage. Wow, that’s just one more reason for me to tout Telluride.

Hope to see you around this winter!

Click on the play button below to listen to my interview with Michael Martelon, head of the Telluride Tourism Board.

 

Go to VisitTelluride.com for lots of travel information, a complete calendar of events and more.

Check out these other stories about Telluride and its many attributes:

New Sheridan Hotel:  Telluride’s Historic Gem; in this story I also include a brief summary of what makes Telluride so unique.

Camel’s Garden:  A Telluride Favorite.

Why Telluride; a story and podcast about choosing Telluride as a ski and snowboard destination.

Snowboardcross World Cup:  Telluride Goes International

Bobbi Brown’s Beauty:  As Natural as the Mountains of Telluride.

Goodnight Sweet Telluride

Cherry Creek: One of America’s Top Spots for Chic Shopping, Lodging and Dining

City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks, Dressed in Holiday Style. It's Christmastime in the Mile-High City.

Where are you shopping this weekend? With only two weeks left until Christmas, I’d say there’s a good chance you might find yourself in a store. Many Americans will be hitting the mall, a dreaded chore for some unless you’re lucky enough to experience the Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver, one of the world’s premier showcases for quality goods from sunglasses to kitchen accessories to classic and up-to-the-minute fashions. Think Tysons Corner and Bal Harbour Shops—if you’ve been to either of these renowned shopping areas you have a good idea of what to expect at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. From Burberry to Juicy Couture to Montblanc to Keihl’s and many more, the finest American and European brands reign here in great force. Macy’s, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus anchor this alluring complex where even during this busy retail season, shopping is a delight. You’ll also find an Apple store among the mall’s 160 retailers, reason alone to hit this celebrated shopping place in Denver. Their jewel-like Ice Palace where Santa Claus holds court distinguishes itself by having a Santa that signs to deaf and hearing impaired children. Indeed, this is not your ordinary mall.

I suggest you plan to spend at least a couple of days in this most gentrified part of Denver. You’ll also want to take in Cherry Creek North, a lively shopping district next to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, comprised of over three hundred upscale boutiques, galleries, restaurants, salons and spas within a sixteen-block area. I love the leisurely feel of this area where you can shop at big and small emporiums such as Crate and Barrel, Eileen Fischer, Loro Piana, Lands’ End and many more. Why, there’s even an Hermès.

Me at The Lark

Looking for an even more boutique-y shopping experience? If so, you’re my kind of shopper. Just about a mile away from the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Cherry Creek North, you’ll find a handful of shops worth the detour. Within the Country Club part of Denver’s Cherry Creek, I visited a few quaint stores that remind me of the sort of off-the-beaten-path boutiques I’d bring people to in Paris during one of my Chic Promenade shopping tours. (My official entry into the travel world came via a shopping service I founded in Paris during the late eighties.)

Don’t we all want to go where the locals shop? That’s becoming more of a rarity these days and all too often everything looks alike no matter where we go. Clearly the fashionable ladies of this well-heeled neighborhood have done a good job of patronizing this conglomeration of shops north of Speer near Downing Street since the ones I visited appear to be thriving.

You’ll want to stop first at The Lark (1219 E. 4th Avenue, 303-744-7464), a warm and inviting table arts and home decor shop that’s been here for forty years. Owners Jane Smithers and Jill Livian present gifts galore, all tastefully displayed on large wooden tables, endearing tableaus that showcase a festival of colors and textures, no matter the season. “We like to offer tradition with a twist,” Jane tells me. “I try to find things that look expensive but aren’t,” she continues. With backgrounds and extensive knowledge in interior design and decor, clearly these two ladies know how to pull together a look with great style. “Most Denver home decor shops have gone contemporary,” Jane explains to me. At The Lark you’ll find stylish lamps, frames, dinnerware, glassware, linens, decorations and more that exude such elegance and verve they’ll always be in fashion.

Lewis Bobrick Finds

Next door at Lewis Bobrick Antiques (1213 E. 4th Avenue, 303-744-9203), Native American arts and crafts vie for attention alongside western paintings, Persian rugs and sometimes even Italian ceramics from the sixties. “Anything with a patina works for me,” Lewis Bobrick explains, a well-respected dealer that’s been at this location for fifteen years. “Most things find me,” he responds when asked where he procures such an eclectic array of art and antiques. After digging a little more, I also learn that Mr. Bobrick spends a lot of time with pickers in Santa Fe. Ah-ha!

Bargain hunters must take in La Cache (400 Downing, 303-871-9605), a consignment shop benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Denver, which occupies the corner spot of Downing and 4th Avenue. How about snatching up a Prince Charles and Lady Diana souvenir plate for $22.? Or a cut-glass bowl, perfect for your next dinner party? You’ll find all kinds of collectibles, table arts, paintings and furnishings here, all finely-made treasures likely dropped off by the ladies of this tony part of Denver. It’s an old-fashioned store filled with old-fashioned goods that sell at old-fashioned prices. Still though they’re turning a nice profit because La Cache has raised close to three million dollars for the Children’s Hospital since their opening in the mid eighties.

HMK Enchantment

For a whiff of Old World charm, wend your way around the corner and peek into HMK (408 Downing Street, 303-321-5878), a darling floral and home accessories shop filled with more sentimental gift ideas. Truly this reminds me of the sort of neighborhood florist I’d find tucked away on a side street in Paris.

Voilà, that concludes this chic promenade through Denver. Bet you didn’t realize that Denver and especially the Cherry Creek district of the mile-high city offered such extraordinary shopping. Mais oui, from big names to lesser-known boutiques, there’s something for every taste and budget, every season of the year.

Where to Stay

JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek

JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek, 150 Clayton Lane, 303-326-2700

This JW Marriott in Cherry Creek is a must. No other establishment epitomizes the sophistication and naturally refined style of this renowned Denver neighborhood than this stunning hotel. Good news, too:  a recently-completed five million dollar renovation of this seven-year-old establishment has rendered it more sleek and spectacular than before. The color palate in most of the rooms features dark blues, with hints of magenta and orange, perfect hues for accenting the sunsets that captivate you from most of their guest rooms. Overall, I love the warm, contemporary vibe of this JW Marriott and I’m sure you will, too.

Sunset View at JW Marriott Denver

Where to Eat

Second Home Kitchen + Bar, 150 Clayton Lane, 303-253-3000

Down-Home Urbanity at Second Home

Located within the JW Marriott Cherry Creek, Second Home Kitchen + Bar evokes a sense of style and ease that we all crave, especially after a big day of shopping. I love how the notion of urban sophistication translates into the menu of this Sage Restaurant Group concept dining establishment. You can savor a plate of artisanal cheeses or charcuterie with fine wine or come with the kids (in their pajamas, if you want) for Sunday brunch. Other upscale comfort food selections include Chicken & Waffles, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Grilled Romaine Salad, Brick Oven Pizzas, Sugar Mama’s Rum Cake and many more delectable offerings. Never has home cooking tasted so fresh and flavorful. Their lively bar scene rates as one of the best in Cherry Creek as well.

Yummy Dessert at Second Home

Elway’s, 2500 East First Avenue, 303-399-5353

Elway's

If you’re looking to take up the swank a notch, book a table at Elway’s Cherry Creek, conveniently situated at the edge of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Their booths and tables fill with a big business crowd at lunch, creating a club-y feel akin to major cosmopolitan centers. In the evening, the scene slips into a decidedly more intimate mode. At all times, the sleek, Art Deco-inspired decor of this elegant space provides a soothing backdrop for a break from the busy-ness of the Cherry Creek retail scene. Whether you come for lunch or dinner, you’re sure to wow yourself over their beautifully prepared seafood and steaks. And for desert, you can order Elway’s crème brulée by the spoonful. But I suggest you don’t, since it’s so exquisite you’ll want to gobble up a full portion unless, of course, you hardly have room after your Maine Lobster Tail or Grilled King Canyon Buffalo Ribeye.

Elway's Crab Cakes

This Just In

Elway’s Vail recently opened and is now serving après ski and dinner daily. Check them out at 174 East Gore Creek Drive, 970-754-7818.

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    This blog is a personal blog written and edited by Maribeth Clemente. This blog sometimes accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content. The owner of this blog is sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, Web sites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for certain posts or advertisements, she always gives her honest opinions, findings, beliefs or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blogger's own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
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