GETAWAYS

Business Travel To Denver

For those traveling on business to downtown Denver there are two distinctively different hotels not to be missed. If your pleasures and comforts call for a classy, venerable hotel, or a reinvented 1930s, “cool” Gen-X accommodation just a short walk away -- then I want to tell you about the Brown Palace and the Hotel Monaco Denver, which can boost one of the city’s truly “hot” restaurants -- Panzano. I spent a few days in both hotels recently. They are polarized in terms of their accommodations and ambiance, but equally cozy and worth letting other business travelers know about.

In a word -- class…The Brown Palace is a recall of Denver’s 1890s, with its stained glass ceilings, cast iron railings and regal atrium where they even serve afternoon tea like they do in London. We had dinner in the historic Palace Arms restaurant where we dined on prime rib and roasted rack of Colorado lamb, which I found flawless. A cigar in the adjoining Churchill Bar was a treat since they have killed such pleasures in California. The rooms are furnished in American classic posh. It’s a great place for business travelers with its downtown location and up-to-date Internet modem connections. The Palace is the place to stay if you want to entertain business associates in style. The Brown Palace, 321 17th Street, Denver, CO., 303- 297-3111. Rates vary at about $200 per night and up -- but many specials are available.

Quite a shift of gears is the Hotel Monaco Denver. When you enter the lobby you are greeted with classic color and design – a recall of perhaps a long ago hotel in Istanbul or a stop along the way off the Orient Express. The young staff is efficient, friendly and goes the distance to make you comfortable and your business trip a success while staying at the Monaco. The hi-ceiling rooms are bathed in contemporary Mediterranean colors and take into consideration every need of comfort for the “biz traveler” -- like even complimentary lip balm to guard against the very dry and high altitude Denver air. Don’t miss the hotel’s contemporary Italian restaurant, Panzano, which was just getting discovered by Denver’s downtown business people -- and business travelers like me. I had many meals there and could hardly find one thing done without perfection, especially the Fileto di Manzo (pan seared filet of beef with Tuscan white beans) and an oversized, memorable pizza called “Margharita” with roma tomatoes, mozzarella, red peppers, olive oil and Parmesan Reggiano – large enough at $8 to feed four. Recommended. (Hotel Monaco Denver, 1717 Champa St., 303-206-1717. Room rates start at about $200.

Charles Barrett
Getaways 2002
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