The Crawford Hotel

One of the attractive aspects of this luxury hotel is the ability to escape the bustling crowds in Union Station’s main hall whenever you want. Just take the private elevator upstairs to the mezzanine level, where the stately Cooper Lounge awaits with plush sofas and a u-shaped marble bar. It’s a bright and sunny spot that overlooks the spectacular train station that first opened in 1881. Many original features still remain, including the terrazzo floors and huge arched windows. The hotel’s registration desk is on the main floor, surrounded by all the lively shops and restaurants that make Union Station hugely popular. The hotel attracts a truly diverse mix of guests, given the location’s colorful history and its downtown setting next to the city’s transportation hub. The constant influx of people gives the hotel an undeniable energy. 

Guests who want to visit Denver without a car won’t find a more convenient hotel in the city. The Crawford is part of Denver’s historic Union Station downtown, where the city’s Amtrak and light rail train platforms are outside the back door. A world of choice in dining and entertainment is just outside the front door, including several of Denver’s famed microbreweries. Coors Field is a nine-minute walk and the 16th Street Mall is 11 minutes on foot. The Colorado Convention Center is nine minutes via the hotel’s courtesy car. It takes about five minutes via public transit (eight minutes by car) to reach Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The train to Denver International Airport is inexpensive and takes about one hour. Driving to the airport takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

These stylish rooms remain fresh following their 2014 debut. Each of the three floors is designed to represent a different era in Union Station’s long history, so many variations exist. Pullman rooms sport an Art Deco theme and a narrow, train car-like layout that’s highlighted by beautiful carved woodwork. Classic rooms are larger and more traditionally configured, with high ceilings and striking padded headboards framed by stainless steel. Loft rooms take advantage of their third floor location (originally the Station’s attic), with vaulted ceilings and original exposed wood beams and brickwork. Like the Pullman and Classic rooms, the wood furniture is of high quality and includes desks. Nespresso coffeemakers, mini-fridges, robes, slippers, safes, magnifying mirrors, 46-inch flat screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi are standard amenities.

Whatever the room category, the bathrooms are spacious and upscale, with white marble tiling and roomy walk-in glass showers with rainfall showerheads. Some rooms also have separate soaking tubs and double-sink vanities. Given their location next to the train platforms, the rooms are surprisingly quiet.

This luxury hotel’s amenities are enhanced substantially by being part of historic Union Station that has several shops and restaurants, including an upscale seafood restaurant and Snooze, which is open for breakfast. The hotel also has its own bar, Cooper Lounge, on the mezzanine level. Hotel guests receive discounts at the full-service Oxford Club Spa & Salon nearby as well, which offers in-room spa and salon services. Various discounts and freebies at Union Station’s shops and restaurants are included in the Crawford’s daily destination amenity fee, which also covers free bicycle rentals and a Tesla courtesy car that provides free shuttles within a two-mile radius. 

The hotel’s spacious fitness center on the lower level features an excellent choice of Life Fitness equipment including spinning bikes. Eight meeting spaces can accommodate up to 120 people, and there's also a business center. Wi-Fi is free. Parking is valet-only and a bit expensive. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry and free shoe shines. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.