Where the Wild West Meets Sophisticated Luxury

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, located in the heart of downtown Denver, opened its doors in 1892 and since then has been a favorite destination for presidents, socialites, Hollywood royalty and musical icons. As you enter the dramatic 8-story atrium lobby, surrounded by cast-iron railings and dramatic Florentine arches crowned with an exquisite stained-glass skylight, you feel as though you are stepping back in time to an era of glamour and elegance.  

The Beatles stayed at the Brown Palace during their 1964 tour and now have a suite named after them and almost every President since 1905 has graced its doors and occupied one of three enormous suites, fitting a “commander-in-chief.”  The additional 200 plus boutique guest rooms include many luxury amenities including plush robes, Carrera marble counters in the bathrooms, and showerheads that tap water from the hotels underground artesian well.

Secret underground passages and roof-top beehives are only two of its unique features with many reminders of its historic past and some rumors of ghostly inhabitants. During our stay, we did not bump into any, but we were impressed by the exceptional service, modern conveniences and warm hospitality.  Several staff members went out of their way to make our stay special including John Kite, the talented resident pianist who took the time to play “our song” in celebration of our wedding anniversary.

The hotel has been included in the Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond Hotel lists and is the only Denver hotel to be awarded those distinctions. The in-house restaurants offer a variety of cuisines with the Ship Tavern’s reputation for some of the best prime rib in the region. The Churchill Bar is best known for its extensive list of cigars, liquors, craft beers and wines and is definitely a cozy and sophisticated “go-to” meeting place for guests. When it is time to relax and rejuvenate, the Spa at the Brown Palace offers a variety of luxurious treatments in a comfortable retreat just steps from the lobby. 

Weddings are small now (around 50 is the sweet spot), but exceptional service and all the details are included including pastry and floral design, talented chefs and wedding professionals all committed to making your day perfect. The stunning atrium with its dramatic staircase is the amazing spot for a grand entrance or backdrop for wedding images and there are many unique wedding spaces that are well suited to allow for safe social distancing.  The Brown Palace (and all of us!) are anxiously awaiting the time when they can begin hosting larger weddings in their grand ballrooms so check in with them for planning future events.

Located near the 16th Street Mall with its unique shops and eateries, The Brown Palace allows for your guests to easily venture out by foot for an afternoon or evening in the city and Denver’s location at the foot of the Rocky Mountains opens up all manner of adventures within a short drive.

For more than a century this beloved Denver hotel has set the standard for excellence and has become a favorite for afternoon high tea, a day at the spa, romantic getaway or, more importantly to our readers, an elegant wedding.