The cultural and social hub of the Rockies, gay-friendly Denver has gradually evolved in the past two decades from merely a key business destination to a favorite spot for both leisure and corporate travelers. Simultaneously, the city's hotel scene has changed markedly. You'll now find a nice mix of hip boutique hotels, historic city inns and B&Bs, and upscale chain properties enthusiastically welcoming the many gay and lesbian visitors to Colorado's largest city.
Tops with gay visitors is the swank Hotel Monaco Denver (1717 Champa St., 800-990-1303), part of the famously GLBT-welcoming Kimpton Hotel group. The Kimpton comprises a pair of historic side-by-side buildings in the heart of downtown, an easy walk from the shops and restaurants of LoDo in one direction, and the museums and attractions of Civic Center Park in the other. There's a cool restaurant here (Panzano, serving top-notch contemporary Italian fare), and rooms are done in bold, stylish hues.
If you're a big fan of shopping, consider staying a short drive (or cab ride) from downtown, out by the fancy shops and hot restaurants around Cherry Creek. Here you'll find one of Denver's true gems, the gay-friendly JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek (150 Clayton La., 303-316-2700), a refined yet unstuffy mid-rise hotel adjacent to the retail buzz of Cherry Creek Shopping Center (Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, etc.), and Cherry Creek North (Betsey Johnson, Whole Foods, Crate and Barrell, etc.). Service here is top-notch, and spacious, modern rooms have all sorts of creature comforts, from CD-DVD players to elegant marble baths.
You'll find a number of other first-rate properties downtown. In fall 2007, the city welcomed its first Ritz-Carlton (1881 Curtis St., 303-312-3800) - the 202-room stunner overlooking downtown's pedestrianized 16th Street Mall brings the Ritz' signature service and clubby decor to the Mile High City. The prestigious Four Seasons chain will follow with its own ultra-posh property, currently under construction where a parking lot once stood at the corner of 14th and Arapahoe streets - completion is estimated for early 2010 and will include both a hotel and residences. Across the street from this spot are a pair of trendy Denver hotels with significant followings among GLBT travelers: the posh Hotel Teatro (1100 14th St., 888-727-1200), a lovely building with attractive rooms but uneven service that always doesn't match up to the steep rates; and the whimsical Curtis Hotel (1405 Curtis St., 800-525-6651), a quirky and campy place with rooms themed with pop-culture kitsch in mind (the 14th floor is a tribute to "TV Mania," while the fifth floor is a nod to "One Hit Wonders"). Rates are reasonable and amenities are fun (iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs), but this relatively new property (opened in fall 2006) is still a little rough around the edges in terms of service and quality.
Among smaller properties, the gay-owned Capitol Hill Mansion (1207 Pennsylvania St., 800-839-9329) ranks among the state's most romantic urban getaways. This towering Queen Anne mansion, clad in red sandstone and crowned with a distinctive turret, dates to 1891 and anchors the grand Capitol Hill neighborhood. There are eight lavishly appointed rooms, some with Jacuzzi tubs and working fireplaces, and others with balconies affording fine views of the neighborhood and, in the distance, the Rockies. It's an easy walk to several gay bars, handsome Cheesman Park, and a nice range of cool cafes and restaurants.
Other gay-friendly B&Bs and inns around town that bear mentioning include the ornate Castle Marne (1572 Race St., 800-926-2763), a regal 1880s beauty known for its lavish breakfasts and elaborate architectural details (it's also an easy walk from the popular gay bar, J.R.'s); and the affordable John Walters Bed & Breakfast (2259 Gilpin St., 303-831-8522), a beautifully kept 1888 Italianate Victorian house in a mostly residential neighborhood just west of City Park and close to downtown. Rates are reasonable, especially in the units that share a bath, and on the third floor an entire apartment with full kitchen and balcony is available.
