Denver Renaissance
February 23, 2023
We didn’t really have our hopes set high enough, it seems. Because business trip, travel set by others, Marriott property, etc. But here we are at a very nice Renaissance Hotel in Denver. And everything is fine.
Getting here was a thing because a huge winter storm had travel all in a bind. Something like 1200 flights were cancelled. Mine was not, but it did take an extra 40 minutes because the headwinds were so strong.
The snowy drive from the airport was actually hazardous due to Americans in SUVs.
We were assigned an excellent suite (550) with lots of windows and, most important of all, glass showers. The room design is dated, but passable. Some refurbishment would be a good thing.
We were greeted with a personal note and a bottle of bubbly (which sadly will remain behind).
Glass shower for the win. The rest of the bathroom is pure Marriott.
A fun little chair.
The lobby bar is very good with clear ice, and proper Negroni capability. Seriously.
Entertainment for the evening included bowling (?1) and tequila shots. yeah no.
A late evening visit with Gino to Lady Jane (who made an absolutely excellent El Diablo with house hot ginger syrup) killed some time before we headed over to Williams and Graham (special shouts to Jacques and Sean Kenyon). Though W&G remains a top notch bar, it somehow seems to be overrun by non-bar people from conferences. Enthusiastic and stupid. Our bartender from NC was a hot and cold mess (and being a southern gentleman myself, I can assure you he is not very legit NC). Thing is, there was no green chartreuse. But instead of saying so, NC boy swapped to something not at all the same without saying a word. Not a fan of that kind of nonsense. We did have some excellent snacks and some great drinks in the end before we were summarily dismissed. Fernet for all.
Nephew Gino.
Sam’s number 3 is a great place for breakfast, even when it is 4 degrees outside.
All told, four showerheads and a great deal of surprise for the Renaissance. You go Marriott.
The Broadmoor: High Expectations Met
November 9, 2015
The Broadmoor is a resort tucked away at the foot of the Rockies close to Colorado Springs. Now that the annual conference we run is getting bigger, we’re moving up the food chain in terms of size. We were also looking for somewhere close to Denver to host this time, mostly as a respite from both coasts. The Broadmoor is a great choice.
The Rockies
Checkin was beyond smooth, no doubt helped along by the fact that the advance troops have been here for a couple of days. We are staying in Broadmoor West, which was recently-renovated. The property is, in fact, a very nice blend of old school luxury and modern amenity. Very tasteful.
I am in a huge suite (4500) called the Chayenne Mountain North. It is suitable for entertaining 50-75 late night people—which is what is going to happen again and again this week.
Lets tour the living room first.
Entrance hallway has a remarkable floor
Living area: Suite 4500, The Broadmoor
Fireplace and bar corner: Suite 4500, The Broadmoor
Dining: : Suite 4500, The Broadmoor
Balcony: Suite 4500, The Broadmoor
About the only fly in the ointment for this room (a spec of a fruit fly) is the parking lot which sullies the view of Cheyenne Mountain. We are, however, in the United States.
Mountains (and cars): Suite 4500, The Broadmoor
And the sleeping room…
Bedroom: Suite 4500, The Broadmoor
Fireplace too: Suite 4500, The Broadmoor
The master bathroom is great, including the all important shower. There is a guest bathroom as well for the entertaining part.
Bathroom: Suite 4500, The Broadmoor
The shower has a bench, always a good sign
Little hallway also with a very nice floor
While working out last minute minor details (like presentations) this afternoon, an amenity arrived with a personal note. Classy.
One of the drawbacks of entertaining at a resort or hotel is the limited bar capability. There is really nothing to be done about this other than enhance. So we enhanced. But the lack of fresh citrus and a juicer persists. That and no bitters. And no amaro. And no lillet. There’s no place like home.
We plussed things up with some excellent local products, including Stranahans and Leopold’s gin. (See stranahan’s tour here.)
On Wednesday after the conference, we’ve set up a private tour of Leopold’s, about which more later! Can’t wait for that.
All told, five showerheads and a gold star for the Broadmoor (which incidentally dogs the heck out of Garden of the Gods). Excellence in action. Lets see how their conference facilities are tomorrow.
The Broadmoor West overlooking Cheyenne mountain
A side trip to Devner included an unbelievable visit to Leopold Brothers’ distillery (amazing people and fantastic product), Colt and Grey for a very nice dinner (upscale yet relaxed and very very good), and drinks at Williams and Graham (not the best visit).
Sunset at the Broadmoor
Glassaholic: Sexual Chocolate
January 30, 2015
This is a drink discovered in Denver, Colorado at the Williams and Graham bar (quite a fantastic place). This cocktail was invented by Chad Michael George one evening with a gaggle of geeks—a delicious beverage that runs hot and a little sweet with a bitters kicker.
Sexual Chocolate
2 oz Rye (barrel proof)
.75 oz Cocchi Torino vermouth
.5 oz Cynar
teaspoon of cherry liqueur (heering or luxardo)
7 drops chocolate bitters
stir. strain over big cube. add a luxardo cherry on skewer
Hotel Monaco Denver: Mile High Karma With an (Immediately Fixed) Exercise Problem
September 17, 2014
I love it when a good plan comes together. Years ago, each Kimpton property had to be trained (eagerly I might add) one at a time. These days the Kimptons all share data on guests. So before I have ever stayed here in Denver, the Monaco knows about my plastic shower problem and that I dig a great cocktail.
It’s a joy to travel like this. Thanks Hotel Monaco (and Panzano).
The poor goldfish in 532 has no name
I am in room 532 which is spacious and very nice. The shower is not plastic (and, yes, there is a huge tub in here too). Perusing the map on the wall, it looks like the corner rooms might be even cooler, but I can’t complain about this great room on a first stay. They hit all of the parameters!
Well, all except one. It turns out that 532 is right next to the fitness center and at 5am in the morning it sounds like a marching band. Or maybe a herd of elephants. With beeping. Want to sleep in? Forget it. Sure hope I can get a different room!
To make matters worse, a busybody guest from 430 called my room at 6 and asked me to stop exercising?! It’s a serious problem.
Denver bed in 532
Really the only drawback to this room is the very plain design. But you know, that’s just how Denver looks architecturally. Plain and boxy.
Maybe a little too plain.
The bathroom is great. And the shower is glass.
The all important non-plastic shower.
Gigantic tub will likely never be used. So sad.
I spent some time catching up with work since United had no wifi (again) on my plane. United did manage to stay inside my good graces by upgrading me on both legs of this trip. We like that United. Well done.
When I was almost done working, “walter” showed up with a superb cheese plate and best of all some manhattan cocktails all ready to go. Awesome. Thanks to Panzano for putting everything together.
Are we spoiled? Heck yes.
Signature cocktail is just what the doctor ordered.
I went downstairs early in the morning after the exercise fiasco and the front desk staff were all over solving the problem. They agreed to comp the night and switch me as soon as possible to another room. Quick solutions to fire drills is classic Kimpton excellence. Great staff.
The only question I have is this: doesn’t this exercise noise problem happen all the time?! Apparently it does happen occasionally, but not all the time. Personally I think something needs to be done to move the exercise room elsewhere. (I let Mike Defrino know what I thought.)
Just before noon I came back to switch rooms. The delightful K-state Kevin helped me move and we chatted about Kimpton and how well they treat their employees for a while. It is a testament to great management that the concierge/bellman has such good things to say about where he works.
I am now in one of those corner rooms that I was eyeing on the door map yesterday—730. Lots of light and interesting design.
Anteroom in 730 through the door
730 king bed surrounded by windows.
High corner is nice. Interesting corner angle in 730.
The only NPS quirk about 730 is that the shower is build over a big hot tub. (This bathroom design reminds of of room 1115 at 70Park in NY.) No glass cube. But need for sleep is greater than need for glass shower, and the rest of the room is awesome.
A shower curtain. Run away!
One of those weird hot tub tub things with a shower over it.
We’ll stick it at a high four showerheads for the Hotel Monaco Denver, somebody needs to move the exercise room or make some usage rules. (Turns out that sleep is more important than a shower.) Instant response saves the day. Thanks for being you Kimpton.
As for the rest of Denver. A dinner at Guard and Grace was very good indeed. Great sommelier, though the wine list needs some propping up in the South American and Italian sectors. The bar made a superb drink whose name sadly did not make it on the recipe card. We’ll just call it A Stitch in Thyme :
.25 oz simple syrup with thyme infusion (1:1 and a 20 minute steep)
.25 oz lemon juice
3 dashes orange bitters
muddle with 1 slice grapefruit
.25 oz Génépydes Alpes
1.5 oz Bulleit rye
shake. double strain over large cube with thyme sprig and lemon wheel
The drink was invented by Katie Shank (and mixed/served expertly by Morgan)
Turns out that Panzano (associated with the Monaco Denver) is absolutely excellent. Best carbonara in north america bar none.
Stranahan’s distillery makes a malted barley whiskey. Here’s how.
Step 1: make wort with malted barley (as if creating a stout)
Step 3: pot still
Step 4: white dog second distilling
Step 5: put in charred white oak for at least 2 years. Water down first. Angel share less that 8%
Step 6: Wait around and then marry 2,3,4 in a 16-20 barrel mix plus water
End product is a fairly hot spicy whiskey way more like bourbon than scotch.
Williams and Graham is an excellent cocktail bar. (Thank you Jacques for the heads up and the string pulling.) We were served by Chad Michael George who made us a Sexual Chocolate :
2 oz Rittenhouse Rye
.75 cocchi torino vermouth
.5 cynar
teaspoon leopold’s marischino
7 drops bitterman’s mole bitters
stir. strain. serve over big cube with a luxardo cherry on a skewer
Moo.
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