noplasticshowers

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.