The air changes when you walk through the doors of The Brown Palace Colorado. It’s not just the smell of expensive lilies or the faint, distant clinking of silver spoons against porcelain during afternoon tea. It’s the weight of the place. You can feel the 1892 red sandstone and granite pressing down with a kind of dignified authority that a glass-and-steel Marriott just can’t replicate. Most people think of it as just another historic hotel in downtown Denver, but honestly, it’s more like a time capsule that refuses to stop ticking.
Henry Cordes Brown was a real estate tycoon with a massive ego and even bigger pockets. He spent $1.6 million back in the late 1800s—which was an absolute fortune—to build a triangular hotel that would rival the finest stays in Europe. He didn't want wood. He wanted iron, stone, and onyx. He basically built a fortress of luxury.
Since the day it opened on August 12, 1892, it hasn't closed for a single second. Not for the Great Depression. Not for world wars. Not even for global pandemics. It’s stayed open, serving as the "White House of the West" for every U.S. President since Teddy Roosevelt, with the lone exception of Calvin Coolidge. If those walls could talk, they’d probably tell you to mind your business and order another drink at the Ship Tavern.
The Architecture That Modern Builders Can't Copy
Most modern hotels feel like they were assembled from a kit. You know the vibe—gray carpet, beige walls, and a shower head that feels like it’s judging your life choices. The Brown Palace is the polar opposite. It was designed by Frank Edbrooke, the same guy who did the state capitol, and he went all out on the Italian Renaissance style.
The atrium is the showstopper. It’s eight stories of cast-iron balconies looking down on the lobby. If you look up, you see a massive stained-glass skylight that filters the Colorado sun into this warm, golden glow that makes everyone look like they’ve been photoshopped in real life.
But here’s the thing most people miss: the onyx. The walls are covered in 12,000 square feet of rare golden onyx from Mexico. It took years to find enough of it. If you look closely at the patterns in the stone, you’ll see shapes that look like faces or animals. It’s weirdly hypnotic.
Why the triangular shape matters
The hotel sits on a plot of land bounded by 17th Street, Tremont Place, and Broadway. Because of that odd shape, every single room in the hotel has a window facing the street. There are no "interior" rooms staring at a brick wall or a dumpster. In 1892, that was a revolutionary flex. It meant every guest got natural light and a view of the growing city.
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The Mystery of the Artesian Well
You might notice something strange when you turn on the tap in your room. The water doesn't taste like city chemicals. That’s because The Brown Palace Colorado has its own artesian well located 720 feet beneath the building.
When Henry Brown built the place, he wanted total independence. The well provides incredibly pure water to every guest room and every kitchen in the hotel. They even use it for the ice. It’s one of those hidden luxury details that doesn't show up on a flashy Instagram post but makes a massive difference when you're waking up with a hangover after too many Old Fashioneds.
Afternoon Tea Is Not Just for Grandmas
If you think tea is just hot water and boring conversation, you’ve never seen the tea service here. It’s an institution. You have to book weeks in advance, especially around the holidays.
A pianist plays a Steinway in the lobby while servers bring out Devonshire cream shipped directly from England. They have their own specialized honey, too. The hotel keeps beehives on the roof. Five colonies of bees produce the "Brown Palace Honey" used in the tea, the spa treatments, and even the local beer they serve.
It’s surprisingly unstuffy. You’ll see people in full suits sitting next to tourists in Patagonia flecks. That’s the Denver way—mixing high-end tradition with "I just came from a hike" energy.
What to actually order
- The Scones: They are legendary for a reason. Don't skip the lemon curd.
- The Rooftop Honey Tea: It’s the signature for a reason.
- The Champagne: If you're going to do it, do it right. Get the Moët.
The Ghostly Residents and Famous Guests
Let's get into the juicy stuff. Every old hotel claims to be haunted, but the stories at the Brown Palace are oddly specific.
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There’s the story of Louise Crawford Hill. She lived in room 904 for fifteen years back in the early 1900s. She was a socialite who supposedly died of a broken heart. For decades, the hotel’s switchboard operators (back when those existed) would receive calls from room 904, even when the room was completely empty and the lines were disconnected.
Then there are the Beatles. In 1964, the "Fab Four" stayed here during their first US tour. The hotel was swarmed by thousands of screaming teenagers. The band stayed in what is now the Beatles Suite. Fans actually tried to crawl through the ventilation ducts to get into their rooms. The management had to replace the carpet because girls were literally trying to cut out pieces of the floor where the band had walked.
Every President has a story here. Eisenhower loved it so much he basically made it his Western headquarters. You can still see a dent in the fireplace mantle in the Eisenhower Suite where he supposedly hit a golf ball while practicing his swing indoors. He was a great general, but apparently, his indoor short game needed work.
The Ship Tavern: Denver’s Oldest Bar
Most people go to the lobby for the "see and be seen" vibe, but the real ones go to the Ship Tavern. It opened in 1934, right after Prohibition ended.
It looks like the inside of a vintage sailing ship. Why is there a nautical-themed bar in the middle of a landlocked state? Because the owner’s wife had a massive collection of model ships and he needed a place to put them. Seriously. That’s the whole reason.
It’s dark, wood-paneled, and serves a prime rib that will make you want to nap for three days. It’s the kind of place where business deals are made over gin martinis and nobody cares about your "macros" or your "wellness journey." It’s unapologetically old-school.
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The Reality of Staying Here in 2026
Is it perfect? No. It’s a historic building. Sometimes the elevators are a bit slow. The hallways are narrower than what you’d find in a new Hilton. The floors might creak a little when you walk to the bathroom at 2:00 AM.
But that’s the trade-off. You’re trading sterile perfection for character. You’re staying in a place where the Unsinkable Molly Brown once walked the halls after surviving the Titanic. You’re sitting in the same room where Bill Clinton and the G7 leaders hung out in 1997.
The hotel underwent a massive renovation recently to update the tech—better Wi-Fi, smarter climate control—but they were careful not to scrub away the soul of the place. They kept the original mail chutes on every floor. They kept the ornate brass work.
Why you should care about the G7 legacy
In 1997, the Brown Palace hosted the Summit of the Eight. World leaders like Boris Yeltsin, Tony Blair, and Jacques Chirac were all under this one roof. The security was insane. They had to weld the manhole covers shut on 17th street. It proved that this isn't just a local landmark; it’s a global one.
Misconceptions About the Price
People assume the Brown Palace is only for the ultra-wealthy. While the suites can cost as much as a used car per night, the standard rooms are often surprisingly competitive with other downtown hotels like the Crawford or the Ritz-Carlton.
If you just want the experience without the overnight bill, you can always just go for a drink. The "Palace Arms" is their formal dining room—very "Napoleon-era chic"—but you can grab a cocktail in the atrium for the price of two movie tickets and soak in the same atmosphere as a billionaire.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're planning to head to The Brown Palace Colorado, don't just wing it. You’ll miss the best parts.
- Book the History Tour: They have a resident historian. It sounds nerdy, but it’s fascinating. They’ll show you the "secret" tunnels that were used to move luggage (and occasionally famous people) away from prying eyes.
- Check the Dress Code: They aren't going to kick you out for wearing jeans, but you’ll feel a lot more comfortable in "smart casual" in the lobby, especially during tea time.
- The Spa is a Sleeper Hit: Most people forget there’s a full-service spa. They use the artesian well water for the soaking tubs. It’s arguably the best way to deal with the dry Colorado air.
- Look for the "B"s: The letter B is carved into almost everything—the stone, the wood, the iron. It’s a fun game to see how many you can spot while you’re waiting for your drink.
- Sunday Brunch: It’s an ordeal in the best way possible. Expect seafood towers, carving stations, and enough dessert to give a small village a sugar rush.
Staying here isn't just about a bed; it's about participating in a continuous story that started before Colorado was even a major player on the map. It survived the silver crash, the fire of 1902, and the radical shifts of the 20th century. It remains the anchor of downtown Denver because it knows exactly what it is: a monument to a time when travel was an event, not a chore.
Your Next Steps
- Check the Calendar: If you want Afternoon Tea, go to the official website and book it at least three weeks out. If it’s December, book it three months out.
- Request a Corner Room: When booking, ask for a room on the "prow" of the building. These triangular corner rooms offer unique layouts and some of the best views of the 17th Street canyon.
- Visit the Ship Tavern for Lunch: If you want the history without the high price tag of the Palace Arms, the Ship Tavern’s burger and prime rib dip are world-class and much more affordable.