In 2011, my husband and I decided that we wanted to begin our lives in the thriving city of Denver, also known as the Mile High City. In this issue of THOR Advantage, I’m going to share with you some of the local favorites, including some of our most beloved landmarks, and those that lie off the beaten path.

Everywhere I look, I see new buildings going up, our population rapidly growing, and I’m not quite sure if it’s going to slow down anytime soon. Most recently, the City of Denver built our first light rail connecting downtown Denver to the airport, which has transformed Denver into an even more “metropolitan” city. Guests staying at The Crawford Hotel ought to consider taking advantage of the new transportation system, being that it literally drops you off right in front of the hotel. The Crawford Hotel is housed directly inside Denver’s newly renovated Union Station, a train station that has been one of downtown Denver’s most iconic landmarks. The lobby is the luxurious train station itself, surrounded by an array of beautiful sconces and chandeliers, award-winning restaurants, book stores, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, and my favorite, the Terminal Bar. While you can enjoy a cocktail inside the bar, most guests opt to order from the “ticket counter” and relax on one of its many sofas and lounge chairs. For breakfast, hotel guests should check out a local favorite: Snooze An A.M. Eatery. The savory pancakes are to die for and it’s worth the wait, because I assure you, there will be a wait. For a dinner splurge, be sure to make reservations at Mercantile, one of Denver’s award-winning restaurants. It’s known for its impeccable meat dishes and comes with its own sommelier. The best part is that both restaurants are located right inside the hotel.

It often feels like “you’re going out” without ever leaving the hotel, which is why The Crawford Hotel has become one of Denver’s top hotels. While each of its 112 rooms incorporates a “train station theme,” each room has a unique design and layout equipped with Nespresso® espresso machines, C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries, and its very own iPad. It’s no wonder the hotel attracts many business travelers. Guests can stay fit by walking across the street to use The Oxford Hotel fitness room, and better yet, hotel guests receive complimentary Tesla car transportation within a two-mile radius.

Approximately 250 feet from The Crawford Hotel lies one of Denver’s most historic and oldest hotels, The Oxford Hotel. Opened in 1891, the Oxford features traditional Victorian décor, featuring antique headboards, Chesterfield sofas, and even bow-tie wearing Bellmen.

Theodore Roosevelt, the Dalai Lama, and Hillary Clinton are all former guests of this 80-room landmark. Its award-winning spa includes luxurious packages, along with signature services, including the Signature Almond Joy Experience and the Signature Milk & Honey Bath. While the hotel might be the oldest in the city, the spa recently completed several upgrades and renovations of its own. Similar to The Crawford Hotel, The Oxford’s amenities are anything but ordinary. Your $15 nightly service and amenity charge includes the following:

• Complimentary Cadillac Escalade transportation within a 2-mile radius

• Complementary drink at its Bourbon Bar as well as during its happy hour, also known as “Cordial Hour”

• Unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi

• Two bottles of water delivered to your room daily

• 25% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages at select Denver Union Station eateries, including the Terminal Bar, PigTrain, Milkbox and ACME

One of my favorite happy hour spots is McCormick’s Fish House & Bar, which is conveniently connected to the hotel. The prices cannot be beat, ranging from $3-$6 for food (including bruschetta, chicken lettuce wraps and New York Strip Carpaccio), and cocktails and wine ranging from $3.75-$7. While most restaurants only include happy hour on the weekdays, McCormick’s provides a daily happy hour from 3PM-6PM, with a late night happy hour from 9PM-close.

Or, make your way to the Cruise Room, Denver’s very first post-prohibition bar! It’s also conveniently located within the hotel and known for its art-deco style and classic martinis. The actual bar includes a red-lit backdrop and the décor resembles the lounge of the Queen Mary, hence the name The Cruise Room. It’s the perfect place for a night cap and is still a beloved choice for locals.

About ½ mile away from The Crawford and the Oxford Hotels lies one of downtown Denver’s hippest hotels, the Magnolia Hotel Denver. Housed in Denver’s former American National Bank building, this 297-room hotel made its debut in 1995; however, it was most recently renovated in early 2016. Housed within the Denver Financial District, it’s an ideal location for business travelers who have meetings scheduled downtown. Travelers staying over two weeks should consider looking into the Extended Stay option, where guests will receive complimentary breakfast, high-speed Wi-Fi, downtown car service, and cookies and milk for a late night snack. In addition, guests will receive access to same-day dry cleaning and on-site laundry services. Those who are staying for just a few days will also receive complimentary breakfast, downtown transportation, and milk and cookies. Be sure to stop by and sip a martini at its very own Harry’s Bar and Grill, one of Denver’s hippest and most retro eateries. For large gatherings, the VIP Section accommodates up to 20 guests and is one of the funkiest and comfiest lounge areas.

Since all three hotels are located within the downtown area, the prime location makes it very accessible to visit some of the Mile High City’s most favored attractions. Below are some of my favorites:

SPORTS FANATICS:

All three stadiums are within walking distance or a very short drive away, including Coors Field (home of the Colorado Rockies), the Pepsi Center (home of the Denver Nuggets), and my personal favorite, Sports Authority Field at Mile High (home of the 2016 Super Bowl Champions, the Denver Broncos).

FAMILY FRIENDLY:

If you’re traveling with young children, Elitch Gardens is Denver’s largest theme park, including roller coasters, waterslides, and even nightly movies. On the way to Elitch Gardens, you will find the Denver Aquarium, which features rotating underwater exhibits, houses over 500 different animal species, and even includes an underwater restaurant.

HOMETOWN FEEL:

Boulder. I’m biased, but I can assure you that the 30-minute drive is completely worth it! Make sure to take your camera, hiking shoes, and visit the farmers market on Saturday if you’re in town between May and November. Walk down Pearl Street, where you will find local restaurants, shopping and entertainment

HIKING:

While there are too many trails to list, here are some of my favorites: Flatirons in Boulder, Red Rocks in Golden, and Estes Park.

SHOPPING:

Visit Larimer Square, which is located a few blocks from all three hotels. If you walk around at night, you will be mesmerized by all the beautiful lighting. For designer shopping, visit Cherry Creek, which is a 10-minute drive from downtown. If you rent a bike, you can bike all the way from downtown to Cherry Creek.

ENTERTAINMENT:

Red Rocks. Th is open-air amphitheater is a rock structure that is the most beautiful venue I’ve ever visited. Be sure to check out the summer concerts, movie nights and Saturday yoga.

The Mile High City isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and it’s no wonder it has become one of the fastest growing cities. Its healthy lifestyle, combined with world-class skiing, sporting events, walkability, and great transit is truly hard to beat. It’s the reason I, along with thousands of others, joined this city’s melting pot and never looked back.

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