The Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs: Where Casual Elegance Meets Western Charm

The Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs

There’s nothing like a good, hot soak and then tucking yourself beneath a cozy quilt. Here in Colorado we can do that all year round. Yes, we’ve been experiencing record-breaking heat like most of the rest of the country. Yet no matter how hot it gets, you can always count on it cooling down to delightful temps during our summer evenings. (Even beneath a blazing sun during the day, it’s rarely unbearably hot since our humidity is so low.)

Beguiling Views Inside and Out

So here’s one of the best places in the Rockies for lolling yourself into a super relaxed state:  The Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs. Check into this historic hotel for a taste of elegant travel from day’s gone by. I fell in love with this charming property years ago, and now that it’s been restored to its quiet splendor and uplifted with today’s modern amenities, it’s a real gem. Wood furnishings, antique lamps, tawny colors and exposed brick distinguish the rooms of this boutique hotel, each as unique and heartwarming as the many quilts you find here. (Some of these beauties are even for sale at reasonable prices downstairs in the lobby!)

Most of the views from the hotel’s windows transport you back to another era as well. The famed Glenwood Hot Springs and its cluster of red brick buildings form the backdrop, while the old train depot dominates the foreground of The Hotel Denver’s most panoramic vista. Amtrak blows through the station on a regular basis, however, if you let your mind wander, you can imagine an old steam engine pulling up. Indeed the time when fashionable travelers from afar disembarked amidst a sea of trunks for their Rocky Mountain vacation doesn’t seem so long ago.

Founded in 1915, The Hotel Denver is situated on 7th Street along the Colorado River, a lively riverfront once reputed for its saloons and brothels. Today the area’s fame lies mostly in its excellent array of restaurants, making it easy to soak, eat and be merry within a few blocks. Then all you have to do is tuck yourself into your room at The Hotel Denver. For optimal relaxation, I recommend a two- to three-night stay before you head off to your next adventure, no matter what season of the year. Or, you could do like those that traveled here nearly a century ago, settle in for weeks on end and let the clean, Rocky Mountain air and Glenwood’s therapeutic springs refresh and rejuvenate you like never before.

No matter how long you stay, be sure to embrace the homeyness of The Hotel Denver’s quilts. Each one stands apart and they all serve as perfect metaphors for the warmth and friendliness this property exudes.

One of Many Comfy Rooms

The Hotel Denver, 402 7th Street, Glenwood Springs, 800-826-8820.

Note that this is also an extremely pet-friendly establishment. I will be highlighting The Hotel Denver again in an upcoming post entitled My Travels with Valentino, A Handsome Bernese Mountain Dog.

For more on the Glenwood Hot Springs, read Glenwood Hot Springs:  Swimming and Soaking Year-Round.