FIT TO BE TRIED
Written by Bridget Williams
Denver is endowed with an average of 300 sunny days annually, and HALCYON, a hotel in the chic Cherry Creek neighborhood, wants to make sure you soak up every ray. From morning-till-night the "kitchen counter" in the hotel's lobby, which doubles as the reception desk, serves up complimentary drinks and snacks, so you can fuel up with an espresso or wind down with a glass of wine. Their unique Gear Garage is a toybox for adults, stocked with everything from bicycles, Kota longboards, Go-Pro cameras, Leica film cameras, a Piaggio scooter, and backpacks, to a selection of LPs to listen to on in-room record players.
Comfortable common areas and guestrooms serve as a continuation of the hospitality extended at the kitchen counter. The overall experience is akin to staying at the home of an uberhip friend, albeit one that is adept at creating chic spaces with a palpable mid-century vibe. More than 700 pieces of art created by Colorado artists add to the distinct sense of place.
Full of the quirky personality afforded by an independent boutique property, a cheeky welcome mat at the entrance to each room elicits a smile. Each of the 154 guestrooms are identified by a brass room number plaque affixed to a leather satchel suspended from a brass rod, a design element that pays homage to the building's former life as a post office. Beverage stations near the elevator offer on-demand sparkling, still and hot water.
HALCYON makes a concerted effort to ingratiate itself within the neighborhood. The lobby's living room is the site of "modern-day Tupperware parties," where local businesses, hotel guests, and residents gather for cocktails and networking. The rooftop pool (one of very few in Denver) is popular year-round, even in winter, when guests pack cabanas to sip hot chocolate and wrap in warm towels as part of "Robes on the Rooftop" events. Rooftop barre and yoga classes turn into social shindigs with après glasses of wine. In January and February, HALCYON will be hosting a TruFusion Fitness Series led by local fitness experts.
For a boutique property, HALCYON has a bustling and burgeoning food and beverage scene, led by Quality Italian, an outpost of the notable New York City Italian-American steakhouse. The vibe is lively, the portions are generous, the steaks are top-notch, and the service is intuitive.
Elevated Rooftop Bar serves up jaw-dropping views of the Rocky Mountains, along with craft beers, clever cocktails, and wines by the bottle and the glass. When you're lounging poolside, be sure to try a glass of APAULO, a non-alcoholic malt energy drink brewed just for HALCYON by Declaration Brewing, Denver's first certified green brewery.
Scoring the dog tag that signifies you're a member of B&GC, HALCYON's "secret" underground cocktail club is a badge of honor. Hotel guests can request timed access to the 26-seat hotspot, with directions and a password sent via text just before your scheduled reservation. B&GC bartender Albion Bundey teaches the tricks of the trade behind two unique cocktails as part of a monthly Cocktail Club.
Colorado is consistently ranked among the healthiest states in the nation, and HALCYON does its part to inspire guests to stay active during their stay. Their Wellness Passport is a unique program that provides one complimentary class each day at either barre3, Corepower Yoga, Rise Nation, SoulCycle, or Tru Fit Athletic Club—all located within the Cherry Creek neighborhood. "Halcyon strives to keep its guests in line with their daily routine, but also to inspire them to experience an activity that they wouldn't normally participate in," said Candace Duran, HALCYON's Director of Sales and Marketing.
Reserve a bike from HALCYON's Gear Garage and head out to explore the shops and restaurants along the well-trafficked Cherry Creek Trail, or the nearby Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Art Museum. The hotel also serves as an ideal home base for day trips to Red Rocks Park, the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
If you are feeling adventurous, make plans to hike the 6.8- mile out-and-back trail to the summit of Mount Bierstadt, the closest 14'er to Denver. Be sure to start at sunrise to beat the thunderstorms that often plague the peak in the afternoon. Coming down the mountain following our summit this past summer, during which I was beset by altitude sickness, my thoughts were consumed by the sanctuary awaiting me in the cloud-like bed in my room at HALCYON!
Rooms at HALCYON start at $299/night.
The hotel is currently offering a "Make An Impression" package that provides VIP access to the Claude Monet exhibition at the Denver Art Museum – use promo code MONET
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