Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Hotel
918 17th St., Denver, Colorado 80202, USAWhy We Like It
A newer property in an older space, the Renaissance has embraced both with enthusiasm. This is a shining example of this brand and embodies a truly higher-end experience at a fairly accessible price point. Plus, the restaurant, bar, and rare location of a top coffee purveyor, all add to this well-rounded and well-executed experience.
Fodor's Expert Review
A modern marvel encased in the restored Colorado National Bank, the building was renovated and became a hotel in 2014. Just a year after opening, the hotel won the prestigious Marriott internal award of 2015 Hotel of the Year. With 229 rooms—nine of which are suites—spread across eight floors, including one concierge level, the hotel borders on boutique. Decor details are thoughtful and the bar and restaurant are both excellent.
Tip The hotel provides a smartphone self-guided tour to learn more about the building’s history, art, and preserved mural.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
The restored bank’s columns provide support for impressive windows that stretch almost from floor to ceiling. Standard inclusions are in-room WiFi and a mini fridge. Suites offer spacious sofa seating and a marble dining/work table.
Tip For guests traveling with valuables, safe deposit boxes are available. You can store your treasures in the same spot where pioneers once stored their gold!
Bathroom
Bathrooms showcase white marble-topped vanities and spacious walk-in showers bedecked in granite. Bath and body products are from TokyoMilk.
Lobby
The hotel is imbued with a comfort and richness that brings out the beauty of the surrounding historic location. The decor is best described as “Western warmth,” with brown leather furniture, deep jewel tones, and the use of multiple textures. Restored murals from 1925, depicting western scapes, grace the surrounding walls. There’s even an open bank vault off to one side.
Gym
The 24-hour center employs weights and cardio machines, with a unique Kinesis wall for complete range-of-motion workouts.
Dining
The Renaissance's restaurant, range, is quickly gaining traction as a critical darling. Though the menu is often meat-heavy, most ingredients used are local to the Mountain West. The hotel also has an on-site illy Caffé, an Italian coffee brand with only a few cafe locations.
Drinking
The Teller Bar, located in the lobby where money counters once stood (Teller Bar, get it?), also serves pub food. The pink damask furniture and high-backed bar stools feel simultaneously regal and modern, especially when surrounded by greco-roman columns and high, marble ceilings. Snag a whiskey cocktail and you might also end up with a swizzle stick made of candied bacon.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The hotel offers valet parking only, though traveling with a car is not necessary in this highly walkable area. The 16th Street Mall, a downtown pedestrian promenade with en end-to-end free shuttle service, is a 1-minute walk away. During peak travel times (morning and early evening), another free shuttle service runs along 18th Street, a 4-minute walk. The closest light rail station is a 3-minute walk.
Restaurants
Though range is delectable, diners can venture off-site to many wonderful nearby cuisine options. Panzano (1-minute walk), is award-winning Italian, located directly across the street. Another terrific option is French 75 (2-minute walk), a bistro from acclaimed James Beard Award nominated chef Frank Bonanno. For breakfast, swing by Syrup Downtown (3-minute walk) for classics, twists, and serious stacks of pancakes.