Review: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection

En route to Costa Rica we found a way to tack on a night in Denver to see a show by Two Friends at the fabled Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Needing a place to stay in downtown Denver that was central and not too far from the airport or from shuttle pickup locations, the Brown Palace Hotel fit the bill perfectly. 

I also conveniently had a lonely Marriott Free Night Award that I was able to make use of for the stay. As a big fan of the Autograph Collection brand by Marriott, I was looking forward to checking out the unique property for our short stay. 

Booking & Check-in

For my stay at the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, I redeemed a 35,000-point Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Award, topped up with an additional 11,000 Bonvoy points. There was also a cash component of $48.54 CAD associated with the booking. Cash rates for my stay were around $300 per night, so redeeming a Free Night Award that I already had available made sense, even with the additional points and cash required.

We arrived quite early around 10:00 AM to the hotel knowing that we likely wouldn’t be able to check in, but wanting to drop off our bags and explore Denver while we waited for the room. The hotel front desk agent was rather pessimistic in telling us there was no guarantee we’d be able to get in before 4:00 PM. The hotel didn’t seem especially busy, but it also wasn’t completely vacant. Sure enough our room ended up being ready right around 1:00 PM. 

The hotel features an open atrium-style layout, with the guest rooms arranged around a large central space. The design gives the property an old-school palace feel, while still fitting with the unique, boutique character of Autograph Collection hotels that I’ve come to enjoy. 

Location

The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa is located at 321 17th Street in downtown Denver, just a block from the 16th Street pedestrian promenade. The location makes it easy to explore much of downtown on foot, while the free 16th Street FreeRide buses provide convenient access towards Union Station and LoDo.

The Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park are also nearby, making the Brown Palace a particularly convenient option for a stay focused on downtown Denver.

Denver International Airport is not especially close by at approximately 28 miles from the hotel, and the Brown Palace does not operate an airport shuttle. However, the RTD A Line connects the airport with Denver Union Station in approximately 37 minutes for $10 each way, after which you can connect towards the hotel using the free downtown shuttle or another form of local transportation.

Parking

There is valet parking available on the property for $66 per night. The Brown Palace does not offer self-parking on property.

For those who prefer to self-park or save money, there are several public garages located within a short walk of the hotel. Rates and availability vary by location.

Room – Signature, Guest room, 1 King, City View

We were assigned room 427, a Signature King room with a city view. The room continued the historic feel of the rest of the property.

Immediately inside the entrance was a double-door closet with plenty of hanging space, wooden hangers, and an in-room safe.

The bathroom was located nearby inside closet-style doors and was relatively spacious, featuring marble-style flooring, a large single vanity, and a walk-in shower.

The bathroom design definitely leaned into the historic character of the property, with patterned wallpaper, ornate trim, chrome fixtures, and a large framed mirror. The walk-in shower had both a wall-mounted showerhead and an overhead rainfall showerhead.

The main room was a decent size, with a king bed positioned against an oversized upholstered headboard. Large mirrors and lamps flanked both sides of the bed, while each bedside table provided additional storage.

Across from the bed was a wall-mounted television above a generously sized desk and office chair. There was also a separate armchair positioned next to the windows.

Near the entrance to the room was a small refreshment station with a Lavazza coffee machine, coffee and tea supplies, and a mini-fridge underneath. The mini-fridge was completely empty, which made it useful for storing our own drinks and food.

Overall, I thought the room struck a good balance between maintaining the historic character of the Brown Palace and still providing the amenities you’d expect from a modern hotel room. The furnishings certainly weren’t cutting edge, but they felt appropriate for the style of the property. 

Restaurants & Bars

The Brown Palace has several dining and lounge options throughout the property. I didn’t have a chance to visit any of these except for Ellyngton’s during my stay. They include:

• Ellyngton’s: The hotel’s main breakfast and brunch restaurant, located just off the atrium.
• The Grand Atrium: The hotel’s impressive central atrium hosts its longstanding afternoon tea service, with tea, sandwiches, and pastries served beneath the stained-glass ceiling.
• Palace Arms: The Brown Palace’s more formal dinner restaurant, serving a French-inspired prix fixe menu in an ornate dining room filled with historic décor and Napoleonic artifacts.
• Ship Tavern: A casual, nautical-themed tavern dating back to 1934, serving hearty pub-style fare in a wood-paneled setting decorated with model ships and maritime memorabilia.
• Churchill Bar: A classic lounge located within the hotel, known for its traditional club-like atmosphere. A great place to enjoy drinks and cigars. 

Ellyngton’s – Marriott Bonvoy Elite Breakfast

We stopped at Ellyngton’s for an early morning breakfast before taking off for Costa Rica, dining just after they’d opened at 6:30 in the morning.

We had a club sandwich, breakfast burrito, a couple of coffees and an orange juice. The breakfast burrito was gargantuan but just okay, and my partner noted that the club sandwich was also very mediocre.

The total came to around $65.00 USD, however as a Platinum Bonvoy member we received a $38 USD breakfast voucher which was intended to cover two entrees.

If you don’t have a steep discount like this through your Bonvoy status, I’d probably recommend skipping this restaurant for breakfast in favor of some of the other many excellent options available nearby in Denver.

Facilities

Spa

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, as evidenced in the name, did have a full-service spa on property. I didn’t get a chance to make use of the facilities during my stay; however you can learn more on the spa website if interested.

Fitness Center

The property had a small fitness center available. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and complimentary for hotel guests. Equipment includes:

• Cardiovascular Equipment
• Elliptical Machine(s)
• Elliptical, treadmills, stationary bicycles
• Exercise Bike(s)
• Free Weights
• Stair Climber(s)
• Strength Equipment
• Treadmill(s)
• Weight Machines

I did not have time to check out the fitness center during my stay so can’t comment further.

Conclusion

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa. The large central atrium and historic architecture give the property more character than a typical downtown hotel, while its central location makes it a convenient base for exploring Denver.

The hotel won’t be for everyone, particularly those looking for a more modern luxury experience, and our breakfast at Ellyngton’s was underwhelming. That said, the Brown Palace remains a distinctive Autograph Collection property and one I’d consider staying at again when I’m next visiting Denver.