two downtown hotels shine brightly EXPERIENCING DENVER

by: Carla Pallares

s a Colorado native and spending the majority of my 20s as a Denverite, I remember filling my weekends with hikes in the summer and skiing in the winter. Every day seemed beautiful and surreal with the Rockies as a backdrop. Now, as a Floridian, my trips to Colorado are few and far between. When I do visit, I try to take in as much of the city as possible. During my most recent trip to Denver, I dove in, snow boots first. While Denver has so many beautiful and unique spots to explore, Downtown takes the cake on some of my favorite hotels.

The Crawford Hotel

This boutique hotel still has my jaw in a lock. The architecture is unreal (which was recently renovated about nine years ago). The lobby is something out of a 1940’s classic movie and it sits in LoDo’s historic Union Station.

High ceilings, modern touches with old history, and comfortable leather seating make it a comfortable lobby for guests and locals. It’s also surrounded by toprated restaurants, a flower shop, a coffee bar, and ice creamery.

The bones of the Crawford might be old, but the body is new. The historic renovation kept the train station’s original look- no two rooms are the same. Rooms accommodate all kinds of travelers from individuals, couples, and families. Our room was perfect for us.

I was the most comfortable bed I ever laid on and had a well-sized closet to put all of our oversized winter jackets. In addition, I have major bathroom envy as the rainfall shower was perfect after spending our days in Colorado’s winter. All details emphasized a sophisticated style. Speaking of details, let’s talk about the little things that go a long way when you are traveling. High-speed WI-FI is everything, especially for those business travelers who are always on the clock. The Crawford certainly delivered for me and helped me connect perfectly The essentials continued as the rooms come with a Nespresso maker and Ipad that has hotel information, online room service, local restaurants, music streaming, and a ton of newspapers and magazines to check out.

Local restaurants. Because we all want to know what the best options for food are, walk a few steps out of your room and an array of dining options surround the Union Station. Not only do you get to choose from restaurants inside the station, but also surrounding the outside of the station lies some of the top restaurants in downtown Denver. As a guest at the Crawford, you can expect some pretty excellent perks. First,you get priority seating at Snooze (Snooze is a must-have for breakfast. This is a

Denver staple and is a 50-person waiting outside the door kind of good). Second, you get a free beer at the Terminal Bar which offers 30 Colorado craft beers on tap. Third, you can head to the Cooper Lounge for old-school cocktails in their romantic glamorous surroundings. Fourth, you’re only steps away from Stoic and Genuine- it has amazing oysters and I’ll have to say, one of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten. Lastly, I’m always on the hunt for good happy hour cocktails and Mercantile Dining & Provisions delivers unique and refreshing libations to keep your travel experience well worth your trip.

One of the best things about the Crawford is that it connects you straight to the Denver International Airport via the A-line train. A train departs every 15 minutes, so it’s perfect for an early flight or to cut rideshare travel costs. s Another great perk the hotel offers is courtesy Tesla transportation within two miles of the hotel.

The bottom line on the Crawford is that you can’t go wrong with cloud-like beds, great cuisine just steps away from your travel abode, and transportation perks that no other hotel offers.

The Maven Hotel

Also known as The Crawford Hotel’s sister hotel, the Maven hotel has one of the coolest lobbies I’ve ever seen. The lobby sets the overall vibe of the hotel- as soon as you walk through the door you are transported to a chic and instagrammable space. The common spaces of the hotel are full of life. Unique art pieces hang along the hallways and main areas, an elevator decor of fashion belts and swings on every floor of the hotel.

Just like the Crawford, its prime location is within easy walking distance of major sights and restaurants in the city. The rooms are very comfortable and modern with an artistic touch and lots of personality. The bathrooms are spacious with concrete ceilings and stocked with luxury toiletries. The Maven anchors the Dairy Block District which many say makes it one of the best locations in Denver. This hotel is so centrally located to all the cool spots-it’s only a few blocks away from River Arts North District (Rino), shops of LoDo, Union Station, and Coors Field, home to Denver’s Major League Team, the Rockies. So baseball fans, take note, the Maven could be a grand slam of a stay for you.

Another perk of the Maven is their top-notch Southwestern-style cuisine at Kachina. The tacos, empanadas, and cocktails are to die for, please make sure you order the cucumber jalapeno and blood orange margarita (so good!) Some of the best drinks I’ve had in recent memory.

Let’s not forget a complimentary cocktail from the Airstream is offered for every guest staying at the Maven. This spot absolutely provided the beverages and vibes I was needing. If you are looking for a comfortable, modern, and a chic hotel with a prime location, the Maven is an excellent option that truly checks off every box.

Between the Crawford and the Maven hotels, my stay in Colorado was exactly what I was looking for modern with a classic chic twist and unique little details that showcase two very different accommodations. Both the Maven and the Crawford had everything you’d want when looking for the perfect place to call home while on vacation. Comfort, beauty, kind staff, and location, location, location. Hotels are places we go to feel most alive when we are away from home. And I can confidently say, the Crawford and Maven hotels exceeded every expectation. I can’t wait to visit again.