Pros

  • Central downtown location, an easy walk to 16th Street Mall and Convention Center
  • Historic and classic ambience with sprawling, open atrium
  • Six popular restaurants on site
  • Lavish massage and beauty treatments offered in spa plus fitness center
  • Afternoon tea frequented by non-hotel guests
  • Live pianist and harp music weekly in lobby, live guitarists and bands in Tavern
  • Wi-Fi is free in the lobby and restaurants
  • Room service is available 24 hours
  • Free historic hotel tours provided multiple times per week
  • Elegant meeting and event spaces
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Cons

  • More expensive than most luxury hotels in Denver
  • Everything is subject to an extra fee -- in-room Wi-Fi, steam room, parking, and breakfast
  • Some rooms are small
  • No swimming pool
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Bottom Line

Arguably the classiest and most iconic hotel in Denver, the luxurious Brown Palace has allegedly been visited by every United States president since 1892. Rooms feature a blend of antique and contemporary accents and have updated, spacious bathrooms. Occupying a prime corner in Denver’s business district, it's ideal for both downtown business travelers and tourists, and includes a spa, fitness center, and multiple popular restaurants and bars. There are virtually no freebies included in the room price -- expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast. For a funkier boutique experience in downtown Denver, The Hotel Monaco has similar features at slightly lower rates.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection

Scene

Classically grand hotel full of marble, chandeliers, and history

Reminiscent of the old brick corner-shaped hotels in San Francisco from the outside, once inside, it's clear that The Brown Palace is aptly named. The lobby is a huge open atrium with nine floors of guest rooms ringing the walls above and opulent crystal chandeliers dangling in between. The main floor is occupied by a grand piano where a musician performs several times a week during afternoon tea and in the evenings. Antique chairs, red velvet love seats, and lantern light fixtures are everywhere, and a wide carpeted staircase ascends between the first two floors; higher floors are reached by elevator. There are antique wooden shelves throughout the hotel that contain items that are up to 100 years old. There are several dining and drinking destinations on site, including The Ship Tavern, a cozy and cave-like space with flags and memorabilia adorning the walls, as well as Ellyngton’s and Palace Arms, which are more formal and have dome-like light fixtures and elegant chandeliers over many tables. There is an opulent, Old World feel in every corner of the hotel, including the spa, with its shiny marble walls and ornately detailed woodwork. There's even a cigar bar -- one of the few places in Denver where smoking is allowed indoors. The hotel is popular with business travelers, couples, and families with older children. Tourists who aren't staying at the hotel often take the free tour and locals dine in the restaurants. Supposedly, every single president of the United States has spent the night here and the hotel has not closed a single day in it's over 100-year history. 

See More Scene

Location

Downtown Denver, close to 16th Street Mall and the capitol building

Situated right downtown, on the corner of Broadway and Tremont Place, The Brown Palace is within easy walking distance of many bars and restaurants. The Colorado Convention Center is a half-mile away, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The popular 16th Street Mall, with its many shops, restaurants, chain stores, as well as the Denver Athletic Club, are both about a five-minute walk away. The Colorado State Capitol building can be reached in 12 minutes on foot. Denver International Airport is about a 35-minute drive from the hotel and guests with cars should expect to pay nightly for valet parking at the hotel.

See More Location

Rooms

Classic Rooms can be small, suites are elegant and rich with history

There are a total of 224 rooms and 17 suites at The Brown Palace and it’s safe to say that no two are exactly alike. The Classic and Signature Rooms can be rather small, but feature a blend of modern and classic accents, including heavy, high quality wooden headboards, antique paintings, and armoires over vibrantly patterned carpets. The decor may not be everyone's cup of tea, though, and floral patterned drapes and sometimes frilly bed linens can be a bit fussy depending on the guest's taste. All guest rooms include a Keurig coffeemaker, flat-screen TV, and iPod/iPhone docking station. Microwaves and mini-fridges are available upon request. Surprisingly spacious bathrooms have large glass showers and surfaces range from granite to marble to black-and-white tilework. Every bathroom is equipped with plush spa robes and slippers, plus high-end Pharmacopia toiletries. 

The suites are considerably larger, with separate, elegantly furnished seating areas with granite and marble accents, some are separated by French doors. Bathrooms in these units have large soaking tubs. The Eisenhower and Roosevelt Suites are especially elaborate, and have multiple rooms. There is a framed part of the mantel in the Eisenhower Suite where the former president dented the wood with a golf ball.

It's worth noting that some guests have mentioned interior and exterior noise being an issue in rooms, possibly due to the historic nature of the hotel's architecture and fixtures.

See More Rooms

Features

Plenty of perks like restaurants and a spa, but expect charges for everything

Not much is included in the standard room price of this classy hotel. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby and restaurants, but is subjected to a daily fee when accessed in rooms. Parking is valet-only and also subject to a nightly fee. Breakfast is not included, but an elaborate Champagne buffet is served in Ellyngton’s and there are five other restaurants on-site, including the fine-dining favorite, Palace Arms, a coffee bar, a cigar bar, and the Tavern serving pub fare. A popular afternoon tea is served in the atrium along with live piano or harp music. Room service is available. 

The elaborate spa offers a large array of professional massages, beauty, and body treatments. There is also a steam room and fitness center, though steam room access is subject to a fee as well. The hotel has a flower shop on the premises. The front desk is open 24 hours, served by a professional concierge and staff. Pets are allowed for an extra fee. The hotel also runs free tours that cover its unique history. These are open to the general public, as is the afternoon tea service.

See More Features

Things You Should Know About The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection

Also Known As

  • The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa

Address

321 17th St, Denver, Colorado 80202-4003, United States

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection

Scene

Classically grand hotel full of marble, chandeliers, and history

Reminiscent of the old brick corner-shaped hotels in San Francisco from the outside, once inside, it's clear that The Brown Palace is aptly named. The lobby is a huge open atrium with nine floors of guest rooms ringing the walls above and opulent crystal chandeliers dangling in between. The main floor is occupied by a grand piano where a musician performs several times a week during afternoon tea and in the evenings. Antique chairs, red velvet love seats, and lantern light fixtures are everywhere, and a wide carpeted staircase ascends between the first two floors; higher floors are reached by elevator. There are antique wooden shelves throughout the hotel that contain items that are up to 100 years old. There are several dining and drinking destinations on site, including The Ship Tavern, a cozy and cave-like space with flags and memorabilia adorning the walls, as well as Ellyngton’s and Palace Arms, which are more formal and have dome-like light fixtures and elegant chandeliers over many tables. There is an opulent, Old World feel in every corner of the hotel, including the spa, with its shiny marble walls and ornately detailed woodwork. There's even a cigar bar -- one of the few places in Denver where smoking is allowed indoors. The hotel is popular with business travelers, couples, and families with older children. Tourists who aren't staying at the hotel often take the free tour and locals dine in the restaurants. Supposedly, every single president of the United States has spent the night here and the hotel has not closed a single day in it's over 100-year history. 

See More Scene

Location

Downtown Denver, close to 16th Street Mall and the capitol building

Situated right downtown, on the corner of Broadway and Tremont Place, The Brown Palace is within easy walking distance of many bars and restaurants. The Colorado Convention Center is a half-mile away, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The popular 16th Street Mall, with its many shops, restaurants, chain stores, as well as the Denver Athletic Club, are both about a five-minute walk away. The Colorado State Capitol building can be reached in 12 minutes on foot. Denver International Airport is about a 35-minute drive from the hotel and guests with cars should expect to pay nightly for valet parking at the hotel.

See More Location

Rooms

Classic Rooms can be small, suites are elegant and rich with history

There are a total of 224 rooms and 17 suites at The Brown Palace and it’s safe to say that no two are exactly alike. The Classic and Signature Rooms can be rather small, but feature a blend of modern and classic accents, including heavy, high quality wooden headboards, antique paintings, and armoires over vibrantly patterned carpets. The decor may not be everyone's cup of tea, though, and floral patterned drapes and sometimes frilly bed linens can be a bit fussy depending on the guest's taste. All guest rooms include a Keurig coffeemaker, flat-screen TV, and iPod/iPhone docking station. Microwaves and mini-fridges are available upon request. Surprisingly spacious bathrooms have large glass showers and surfaces range from granite to marble to black-and-white tilework. Every bathroom is equipped with plush spa robes and slippers, plus high-end Pharmacopia toiletries. 

The suites are considerably larger, with separate, elegantly furnished seating areas with granite and marble accents, some are separated by French doors. Bathrooms in these units have large soaking tubs. The Eisenhower and Roosevelt Suites are especially elaborate, and have multiple rooms. There is a framed part of the mantel in the Eisenhower Suite where the former president dented the wood with a golf ball.

It's worth noting that some guests have mentioned interior and exterior noise being an issue in rooms, possibly due to the historic nature of the hotel's architecture and fixtures.

See More Rooms

Features

Plenty of perks like restaurants and a spa, but expect charges for everything

Not much is included in the standard room price of this classy hotel. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby and restaurants, but is subjected to a daily fee when accessed in rooms. Parking is valet-only and also subject to a nightly fee. Breakfast is not included, but an elaborate Champagne buffet is served in Ellyngton’s and there are five other restaurants on-site, including the fine-dining favorite, Palace Arms, a coffee bar, a cigar bar, and the Tavern serving pub fare. A popular afternoon tea is served in the atrium along with live piano or harp music. Room service is available. 

The elaborate spa offers a large array of professional massages, beauty, and body treatments. There is also a steam room and fitness center, though steam room access is subject to a fee as well. The hotel has a flower shop on the premises. The front desk is open 24 hours, served by a professional concierge and staff. Pets are allowed for an extra fee. The hotel also runs free tours that cover its unique history. These are open to the general public, as is the afternoon tea service.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.