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The Brown Palace- A Must See When You are in Denver
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| A National Historic Landmark, the Brown Palace has provided luxurious accommodations since 1892. As if their nine-story lobby, capped with stained a glass ceiling, weren’t enough, it has unique suites named after some of its visitors such as President Eisenhower, President Reagan, and President Roosevelt. The Brown Palace’s unique triangular shape, done in the Italian Renaissance Style, was designed by Frank Edbrooke. |
For more than 100 years the Brown Palace has set the standard for luxurious hotel accommodations in Denver. Rich in history, the Brown Palace has been updated to provide the latest conveniences for the modern traveler, and a must see for any visitor to the Mile-Hi city.
Opening its doors on Aug 12th, 1892, the Brown Palace was constructed by Henry Cordes Brown, after he was refused entrance into the Windsor Hotel, which was the finest hotel in Denver at the time, because of his cowboy attire.. Henry Brown decided he would build his own hotel, and vowed to shame the Windsor Hotel with the opulence of his hotel. Since it first opened, the Brown Palace has never closed its doors, not for a single day.
Built of Colorado red granite, at a cost of $1.6 million, the exterior is complete with 26 hand-carved stone medallions, each depicting a native Rocky Mountain animal. Brown spent another $400,000 to furnish the hotel with the finest pieces in the West. The hotel boasts of the first atrium lobby with the first eight floors overlooking the grand lobby. During WWII soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division tried rappelling down the balconies during their visit to the Brown Palace.
The extravagant furnishings of the Palace have made it a favorite stopping place for celebrities' and presidents alike. Every president since Teddy Roosevelt, except Calvin Coolidge has been a guest of the Brown Palace. Dwight D. Eisenhower used the Brown Palace Club as his campaign headquarters. Celebrities from the Beatles to National Western Stock show champion steers have spent time at the Brown Palace. During Prohibition there was reportedly a tunnel which connected the Brown Palace to the Navarre across the street, a gambling den and brothel at the time, offering the guests at the Brown Palace a discreet way to visit the establishment.
Today, the Brown Palace offers afternoon tea to visitors to the Denver on the original china specially commissioned for the Brown Palace. The scones and other bakery goods are baked on the premises in a unique carousel style oven, one of only three such ovens in the world. Experience the elegant of a bygone are while you enjoy being served by the professional staff during your delightful afternoon at the Brown Palace. While you are enjoying your tea, see if you can spot which 2 of the cast iron grillwork panels which line the atrium were installed upside down.
The Brown Palace also boasts of one of the finest spas and salons in downtown Denver, which is open to the public. Reportedly located at the corner of bliss and tranquility, spending time being pampered by the excellent staff will melt your troubles away.
Or visit with the hotel's resident historian and archivist (talk about a cool job), Debra Faulkner, about the history of the Brown Palace. Schedule to take one of the historic tours of the Palace, offered on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons at 3 PM, and if you're lucky you just might meet one of the several ghosts reported to frequent the hallways of the Palace.
When in Denver take (no, make) the time to visit the Brown Palace. Steeped in history and elegance, but updated to meet the requirements of today's traveler, the Brown Palace is one of the places you must visit while you are exploring Denver, Colorado.
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