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Renovation Reviews

By M+E Staff

There have been several top-to-bottom hotel renovations in Colorado over the last year, and I’ve been getting out and about to see them as time allows. Each summer my family enjoys the Crested Butte to Aspen hike over West Maroon Pass, so it was a perfect chance to experience the St. Regis Aspen, which was classy before but went to ultra sophisticated in a comfortable way. For an outdoor event, the large Fountain Courtyard is hard to beat along with a nicely secluded and renovated outdoor pool and adjoining Mountain Plaza. The indoor function space also was tastefully updated and the locale of the annual Vince Gill & Amy Grant Golf Classic gala (my husband and son enjoyed riding the elevator with Amy Grant). I like the color palette used throughout, and the guestrooms and bathrooms are top-notch.

No trip to Aspen is complete without stopping by Hotel Jerome and its J-Bar for food and drink. The future of this hotel was in flux for a few years as ownership and management changed but this 1889 beauty is on top of its game with a whirlwind renovation completed in mid-December. Several of the hotel’s original features such as a beautiful clock and unique paging system in the lobby and tile floors on the main level were cleverly combined with the new. I especially like the indoor function spaces-Grand Ballroom, Wheeler Room and Library-as they are located above ground and have stellar windows. Look for news to come as Hotel Jerome recently purchased the Aspen Times property next door and is considering options. It could provide expansion potential for the property’s new spa.

With one night to spend in downtown Denver, it was time to see Grand Hyatt Denver, which has a totally new look due to a $28 million redesign. I stayed in two adjoining rooms with a stylish living room in the middle that could work well for mini-meetings or a social gathering for a small team. I peeked into updated function spaces that were busy on a Saturday night with two conferences and a wedding. Hotel lobbies today encourage guests to mingle, and the Grand Hyatt Denver is no exception with a eye-catching fireplace above the bar. My hopes of trying out the new Skycourt (rooftop jogging track and tennis court) were dashed by a stormy night that was riveting to watch from our 10th-floor windows, but I’ll be back to try again with tennis racquet in hand!

Beth Buehler
Editor
Colorado Meetings + Events

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