Brown Palace Hotel

Although a number of stylish, contemporary hotels have opened in Denver over the past few years, the city's gold standard for luxury and opulence remains the elegant and historic Brown Palace Hotel (321 17th St., 303-297-3111), which is in the heart of downtown. ornately decorated hotel opened in 1892 and has been visited by every U.S. president since Teddy Roosevelt (except for Calvin Coolidge - although perhaps he visited and nobody noticed). The hotel's signature feature is its dramatic eight-story atrium lobby, which was revolutionary for its time. Today the hotel is known for having one of the best spas in the city, and it's also the place in Denver for afternoon tea (be sure to make reservations - it can be highly popular) and the Dom Perignon Sunday brunch (the food at this lavish buffet is decent, not amazing, but it's still great fun and wonderful for people-watching).