I'm off to Denver next week for work and need a good hotel recommendation. My company has several preferred hotels which include the Brown Palace, Hotel Monaco, the Magnolia, the Westin, etc, etc... I need to be downtown, near East 17th Ave... it doesn't have to be walking distance, per se, but if it isn't, a hotel with a car service would be nice.

I've stayed at the Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City and was happy with it. I've stayed at the Magnolia in Houston and liked it. I've stayed in Westins all over and am always pleased. Supposedly the Brown Palace is the Grand Dame of historic hotels... does this mean it's cools or just old and out-dated?????

All thoughts are appreciated!

There is another HUGE thread about hotels in Denver with lots of info and opinion.

All the hotels are within the same small area so the location doesn't make much difference as they are all about the same distance from 17th AVE. You have listed them in about the distance from 17th AVE - Westin the furthest and BP the closest. The Brown Palace is the Grand Dame but not old and out-dated. It is not the same as the new Hyatt but it very elegant. Depending on where you need to be on 17th AVE you can walk. Remember we have both 17th Street and 17th Avenue.

Should have said, the BP is old but not out dated.

I would go for the Brown, since it is unique to Denver and quite nice.

Thank you for your responses. I may try out the Brown just to say I've been, but the Magnolia is running a strong second given the free breakfast, courtesy drink tickets at happy hour, and milk and cookies at bed time.

Gretchen, I previously looked at the other thread I believe you are referencing and I didn't find it very helpful, nor did it disucss the specific hotels I asked about. If there are other links that I may have missed, will you please include the link to it? I never want to ask a question on a topic that has already been covered, but if I do, please forgive me. It may be oversight or lack of search abilities on the site.

Sorry, didn't mean to offend or discount your search capabilities. I didn't realize you were totally wedded to YOUR list and thought that others' suggestions would also be helpful.

I think the Magnolia is the least popular of the four that you mention. That's probably why they are throwing in the freebies. It does save a fair amount each day to have a free breakfast, of course, if it is more than a continental.

Stayed at the Monaco and was very happy with my choice. I was upgraded to a suite because of my corporate status. The happy hour from 5-6p with a masseuse, wine, and appetizers was appreciated. The restaurant in the hotel, Panzano, was a very popular after work spot with great happy hour drink specials and half-orders of entrees. The proximity of the Monaco to the 16th Street Mall made it walking distance to LoDo and several restaurants and bars. It was also convenient to my meetings on 17th Ave (about a $5 cab ride- I could have walked it, but not in 4inch heels over snow and ice). I'd definitely stay there again and would recommend it to those traveling to Denver.

In the other thread I think I have commented that our kids in Denver liked the Monaco for a "staycation" with all its amenities.

Thanks for reporting back. Glad you had a good stay.

Glad to hear that you were happy with your choice. I love the Monaco in SF and it's the one I'd pick in Denver too. Good to hear the location worked well for you too.