All Together Now

Why The Curtis Hotel in Denver is the coolest hotel you may not have heard about

Interview by Michael J. Pallerino

Inspired by The Beatles song “All Together Now,” a 42-foot-high, three-dimensional sculpture reaches skyward in a variety of vibrant colors to greet guests. Next, as the visitors enter the lobby, an interactive video by local artist Gary Emrich changes each time someone comes through the door. The piece includes nostalgic glimpses at items such as a spinning top and a whimsical Slinky.

And then there is the psychedelic Lite-Brite art installation by George Scheer, which consists of 2,304 translucent pieces arranged in an oversized frame. Or the one-of-a-kind mural at The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar’s “Oval Office,” which was created by New York City-based graffiti artist Dave “Cino” Villorente. Located in the heart of downtown Denver just two blocks from 16th Street Mall, The Curtis—a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel— is like no other hotel you have ever seen. Art meets playful surprises and themed rooms splashing with personality at every turn. More than just a downtown hotel, The Curtis team promises an experience visitors won’t soon forget. We sat down with Lizzie Raudenbush, GM, to give her thoughts on why The Curtis just might be the best hotel you’ve never heard of. What’s the biggest issue today related to the construction side of the business?

Our lobby renovation was completed in February 2020, just weeks before the pandemic changed the world, probably forever. Luckily at the time of our renovation, we were not subjected to many of the challenges current developers are facing in construction in 2022.

Talk about sustainability. What are you doing?

As a soft branded DoubleTree by Hilton, we are laser focused on our environmental impact and participate in Hilton’s robust Travel with Purpose program. Some examples are controlled flow shower heads, energy efficient lightbulbs and in-room recycling bins. More information can be found HERE: (https://esg.hilton.com/) Give us a snapshot of your brand?

The Curtis, a Doubletree by Hilton property, is a retro-chic lifestyle hotel located in the heart of Denver’s vibrant downtown, serving as a passport to Denver’s thriving art scene, live sports and downtown attractions. The Curtis offers 336 modern and pop-culture infused guest rooms—including 13 hyper-themed rooms—that make it a fun, must-visit destination for any vacation or staycation.

What trends are you seeing?

There is a general increase in travelers choosing to vacation within a drivable distance of their homes due to the rising cost of plane tickets and gas. With that being said, there is an expectation that their vacations will be just as luxurious and fun as years previously. We have a large responsibility to make sure that guests staying at The Curtis experience a one-of-a-kind stay. Additionally at The Curtis, we are seeing an increase in travelers sharing their adventure with a furry friend. Our K-9 pet package not only offers a pet-friendly experience, but ensures that even the fourlegged guests are experiencing the fun and luxurious environment of The Curtis.

What’s the secret to creating a “must visit” hotel in today’s competitive landscape?

At the heart of everything The Curtis does is an air of unexpected creativity and happiness. You can see that throughout our lobby and rooms, but also through our guest experience. Though many of our guests are here on business or just passing through, we are dedicated to creating memorable experiences whenever possible for those who travel across the country to stay in one of our hyper-themed rooms. We want guests to feel like a part of our quirky family.

What’s today’s consumer looking for?

Travelers are searching for a unique experience and comfortable stay—whether traveling for business or leisure. There is a desire for an “instagrammable” component of lodging while also focusing on the personal and comfortable touches that make a hotel a home away from home.

Now more than ever, the options of places to stay on vacation are increasing exponentially and at The Curtis, we want to ensure a comfortable and convenient experience while also adding that extra bit of fun. I think we offer an experience rather than just a bed to sleep in.

Tell us what makes your brand unique?

The Curtis has been deemed ”Denver’s Home of the Happy” for a reason. Color, positivity and creativity exude from our property and our staff to make every guest’s stay one that they will remember forever. The Curtis is brimmed with unique art installations, an interactive lobby and hyper-themed floors which feature one hyper-themed room per floor. Some of the themes include the Video Game Room, Barbie room, disco room and a Ghost Busters room on the hotel’s 13th floor. These touches are one-of-a-kind and provide people with the opportunity to feel like a kid again or dive into their favorite movie genre.

What type of consumer are you targeting?

We have guests that travel from far and wide and every walk of life—business, family, girls’ weekend, etc. At each guest’s core, however, is a playful spirit and a desire to feel like they are in a home away from home. We want to make sure that their experience is as comfortable—and fun—as possible.

How does the design of your hotels/resorts cater to how today’s consumers’ want?

Everywhere you look in The Curtis, there is a feeling of happiness, creativity, and whimsy. There are sculptures, murals, hyper-themed rooms, unique signs, and a camper set up in the lobby. We feed off the energy that being in the heart of downtown Denver provides and transform that into a one-of-a-kind guest experience.

Walk us through how and why the hotels are designed the way they are.

The Curtis was intentionally designed to amplify the overall guest experience with unique, vibrant and sensory design elements. From the interactive and playful lobby experience to the immersive hyper-themed suites and floors portraying iconic movies and television shows, the moment a guest walks into the lobby, they are transported to a pop-culture world with fun surprises at every turn.

Tell us a little about the artwork collection and how it plays into the ambiance of the hotel.

One of the best galleries in Denver is right inside our hotel. The Curtis is a vibrant destination for pop art in a city known for its outstanding art collections. Our downtown Denver hotel is home to an eclectic mix of artworks created by local Colorado and nationally renowned artists. We’ve partnered with primarily Denver-based artists to create unexpected, imaginative, humorous guest room/suite art that reflects each room’s unique theme. We’ve collaborated with experts from Denver Pop Culture Con to the Colorado State University Library’s Archives and Special Collections department to round out our collection. The results include bunny-eared sumo wrestlers, Star Trek action figures blown up to larger-than-life proportions, parachuting chocolates, Cher Barbie dolls and classic arcade games. In the Rolling Stones and Kiss suites, you’ll even find historic rock and roll photography with Colorado ties. From the vibrant graffiti art at The Corner Office to the eye-catching art installations found on each of our 13 themed floors, there is so much to discover here at The Curtis.

Take us through your construction design and strategy.

The Curtis went through its most recent renovation in 2019 with the architectural and design expertise of DLR Group. The strategy behind this renovation was to elevate the overall guest experience and achieve optimal functionality while providing guests with a distinct Curtis experience. Upgrades featured both aesthetic and functional elements in guest rooms and community spaces including 6,000 square feet of new indoor and outdoor event and meeting spaces, banquet seating for 250 guests and a large, west-facing outdoor terrace on the third floor.

What do you see as some of your biggest opportunities moving ahead?

I see an opportunity to excel in personalization for our guests. With many hotels leaning on virtual check-ins, QR codes and other contactless touch points, we have the chance to be one step ahead in creating a lasting impression on our guests. As we continue to deliver on our #StayHappy promise to all who stay with us, we have the ability to surprise and delight our guests in a way that they can’t find elsewhere. Our personalized touch is what will keep our guests coming back for years to come.

Are you optimistic about what you see in the hotel sector?

Absolutely. As we’ve seen just over the past six months, travel has returned in full force and people are longing for their next adventure. While there are definitely minor roadblocks that hotels are facing, such as staffing levels and supply chain shortages, I am confident that the hospitality sector as a whole will come back stronger in the next two to three years, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. It is up to us and our hotel teams to continue creating the ultimate guest experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

Describe a typical day.

My day at The Curtis starts with a walk of the property, I find it’s a great daily practice that connects me to our team and our guests. We then hold a morning meeting with our department heads to kick off the day. We discuss our VIPs for the day, any guest issues from the day prior, staffing levels and maintenance projects. We’ll often also play quick games or challenges that bring our #StayHappy promise to life. It’s a great way to set the tone for the day and have a little fun together as a leadership team. I end my day the same way I start it—with a walk of the property to check in with the team before heading home. One of the things I love most about my job is that every day is different. I’m typically on property most of the day, but no two days are alike. Some days I’m in a marketing meeting thinking through ideas that will improve our guest experience. I get to spend time in the lobby chatting with guests as they check in or out, listening to their travel stories (and sometimes their suggestions for improvement). Next, I may need to inspect guestrooms prior to a large group checking in.

Other days, I’m presenting to the newest members of our Stay Happy squad in employee orientation and getting to know them a little better. I also have the opportunity to mentor others and to be mentored by some of the best in our industry—as someone committed to lifelong success and learning, this is something near and dear to my heart. The best part of running The Curtis is that I can instill playfulness in everything that we do—we’re buttoned down, approachable, funny, inclusive and unpredictable at times—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. What’s the biggest thing on your to-do list right now?

Right now, we’re focused on asking ourselves how we can deliver on our #StayHappy promise and create one-of-a-kind experiences for our guests. We want to ensure our guests have a memorable and surprisingly incredible experience when they trust us with their vacation or business meeting. The hotel industry hasn’t quite returned to pre-pandemic occupancy levels in city center areas, but our rates have recovered to 2019 levels and, with that, guest expectations for services provided have also recovered. What was the best advice you ever received?

Our Executive Chef recently said, “You can only coast downhill” and that really resonated with me. With an exciting and irreverent brand such as The Curtis, we cannot “coast” or we will go downhill. It takes focus and intention to help guests to “escape the mundane” every day—something my team and I are deeply committed to.

What’s the best thing a client ever said to you?

“This seems like such a fun place to work, are you hiring?” CCR