Located in Glenwood Springs, the historic and local family-owned Hotel Denver spans 100 years with many stories to tell, including Colorado immigrants, prohibition, gangsters, world wars, and even a Wild West shooting or two. Famous people including Clark Cable, Diamond Jack and George Clooney have checked in to the Hotel Denver. This Colorado hotel has bragging rights to prime real estate in historic downtown Glenwood Springs, close to the train, many restaurants, the Hot Springs Pool, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, and shopping.
100 Years and Counting, The Hotel Denver
Since 1915,the hospitality of this Colorado historic hotel has embraced its locals and international travelers alike with old world hospitality and good old fashioned charm. Over the years, Hotel Denver has passed through many hand In 1938 Mike Bosco, owner of the Star Hotel, purchased another hotel on the same block, The Star Hotel, and combined into one property, the Hotel Denver, before ultimately selling it in 1973 to new owners from San Diego. In 1991, a local Glenwood Springs couple, Steve and April Carver, purchased the hotel, once again bringing ownership back to a local family.
Arrival
After a beautiful ride through Glenwood Canyon on I-70, the 3-story Hotel Denver is minutes from the interstate in downtown Glenwood Springs. The hotel’s brick facade stretches along Seventh Street directly across the train station (pictured below), today a busy stop on the Amtrak schedule. Unloading is available at the front door, where the lobby and check-in is available steps from the curb.
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Our I-70 drive was not fun, with a winter snowstorm and ice blanketing Vail Pass enroute to Glenwood Springs. When we arrived at the hotel, we are a bit uptight from the drive, but the staff was over-the-top courteous and accommodating, quickly checking us in. Complimentary parking is located at the end of the block in a hotel parking lot, convenient and, as it turned out, we could see the parking lot from our hotel room window.
Once you step through the entrance of this Colorado historic hotel, the nondescript facade quickly changes to a walk through history. The lobby (and the entire hotel) is overflowing with glimpses of its historic past — antique furniture, photos, a lovely rosewood Weber piano (1885), and a phone booth. The lobby is truly a living museum containing historical tresures of the hotel and the town’s history, well worth the time spent browsing. 
Accommodations
We loaded our bags onto a valet cart (no staff assistance offered), but the elevator was directly behind the reception desk, easily accessible. The hotel continues to undergo ongoing renovations and restoration, which we noticed as we wound around the hallways, with nooks and crannies of antiques, and wings and hallways closed due to renovations. (Important to note is that at no time during our stay did any of the renovations interfere with our sleep.)
Each room and suite at the Hotel Denver are different, a combination of old and new. The owners continue to discover and uncover original brick walls, hardwood floors, and antiques, combining the old with the new to create a warm and comforting ambience in each of the rooms. In our room, I especially love the exposed brick wall, warm colors, cozy quilts and antique furniture.
Amenities
Staying in historic hotels can be a trade of history unable to keep up with technology. Not so at the Hotel Denver. Guests enjoy FREE wireless internet (fast and easy to log on). Although the hotel’s downtown location allows guests to literally walk to dozens of restaurants and shops, the Glenwood Canyon Brewpub is an on-site must dine, with great food and, yep, brew! You can even take home a jug of brew in a logoed beer growler. Use the coffee in your room, or wake up to the RiverBlend Coffee House in the hotel lobby.
Nearby, Glenwood Springs has so many other activities including walking to the world famous Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, or a short drive to the new Iron Mountain Hot Springs.
Rounding out the amazing hospitality, be sure to stop at the front desk, and you will receive a bag with thick towels and bottled water to take on your hot springs adventure.
Summary
My only regreat about the Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs is that it took me this long to stay and discover this truly unique and historic Colorado hotel! I was over-the-moon impressed with the genuine customer service. The front desk went above and beyond, always saying hello, when we were simply passing by, and accommodating to any of our requests including a visit to the hot springs.
Book directly through the hotel website or try making reservations through Expedia or Booking.com.
Hotel Denver provided the accommodations for my review, but opinions expressed are my own.
Photos courtesy of Hotel Denver and Diana Rowe
