Hotel at a Glance: Magnolia Hotel Denver

Featuring original terra cotta architectural details and a vintage exterior clock, the 4-star Magnolia Hotel Denver stands as a testament to downtown Denver’s industrious past. Originally built in 1910, this landmark edifice—formally the American National Bank Building—was the first building on 17th Street to exceed 9 stories, effectively making it one of Denver’s first official “skyscrapers”. But don’t let all the history fool you—the interior is as 21st-century as they come. The sleek, hyper-modern vibe extends to the guest rooms, which feature contemporary headboards, elegant lighting fixtures, and—depending on the unit—garden tubs or walk-in showers.

• Location, location, location: Situated in the heart of the Central Business District, the hotel is within walking distance of many of Denver’s top attractions, including Coors Field (0.7 mi), The Denver Art Museum (0.8 mi), and The Colorado Convention Center (0.5 mi.).
• Grab a pint or three at Harry’s Bar and Grill, an onsite lounge with a hip, retro vibe that serves up seasonal appetizers and entrees for lunch and dinner. The Denver Post referred to it as “one of the best places to chill” in the city.
• Stick to your fitness goals thanks to the 24-hour fitness center, which boasts free weights, cardio machines, and shower-equipped locker rooms.
• Avoid driving headaches by taking advantage of the complimentary downtown car service, which runs from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day.

Denver: Mile High City in the Rocky Mountains

Modern urban life meets the Old West in the Mile High City. Founded as a mining town in the 1850s, Colorado’s capital has never quite lost its rugged frontier spirit. The proximity of the Rocky Mountains probably has a lot to do with it. The great outdoors are bound to stay near the forefront of your mind with such a spectacular reminder crowding the horizon.

If you can tear your eyes away from the scenery, though, there’s a lot to see in the city. In the trendy Lower Downtown Historic District—LoDo to natives—you can take a stroll through the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver or mingle with the fashion-forward crowd filling the restaurants, boutiques, and nightclubs of Larimer Square. Downtown, the pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall cuts a swath through the heart of the city, past sidewalk cafés, skyscrapers, and plazas filled with street performers.

For an outdoor adventure inside city limits, make your way to City Park, which houses the Denver Zoo as well as the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The museum’s long-standing wildlife hall features more than 90 dioramas and taxidermal animals from around the world, including the Arctic walruses and the cheetahs that once guarded Nicolas Cage’s mind.

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