Everybody knows the concierge is the best resource at a resort. However, when does anyone have time to drill one of the most educated and experienced community members about their personal favorites? We picked several destinations from around the state and asked these locals where they like to go in their spare time.
And, we had to have a little fun. Here are some facts we learned about these hospitality veterans that might even shock the most well-traveled guest. Did you know that all the concierges at Hotel Jerome in Aspen are notaries? And, if you are to grab a brew, every town mentioned has their own brewpub and local moniker? Bottoms up, hike’s on and dinner is served; we’ve got the scoop on some of Colorado’s best secrets.
THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL & SPA, DENVER
CONCIERGE: Zachary Johnson
The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa quite possibly is Denver’s most iconic hotel for myriad reasons: president visits, diplomatic and political events, architecture, location … it’s endless. What if you have a couple extra hours to explore the city via foot or public transportation? Ask Zachary Johnson, chef concierge. He has these recommendations for visitors, with some located just across the street and others in his favorite neighborhood.
Favorite place to grab a drink?
Appaloosa Grill. Live music nightly, friendly pub, great food.
Favorite breakfast spot?
Dozens, I love the Steamboat scramble with extra apple butter for the English muffin.
Favorite lunch spot?
Highland Tap & Burger, where I enjoy the BYO burger with Denver Bacon Company’s peach wood-smoked bacon and American cheese.
Favorite dinner spot?
Work & Class on 25th and Larimer. I recommend the conchintapibil (red chile-braised pork), peppers five ways and Mexican banana cake.
Best 20-minute grab-some-fresh-air walk?
14th Street from Tremont to Wynkoop Street.
Favorite dish at your hotel’s restaurant?
Bison rossini at Palace Arms.
Something you do that most people don’t know about?
The concierge’s exclusive access to all that his or her region has to offer extends around the globe. We enjoy a good challenge, like securing Super Bowl or Oscar tickets and working magic getting our guests in at the most sought-after locales around the world.
Favorite spot to grab a gift for someone?
The Brown Palace bee bear is available in our coffee shop. We feature a bee bear as opposed to a regular teddy bear due to the fact that we have honeybees on the roof of the hotel that provide honey for our special soaps, teas, beers, lip-balm, lotion, shampoo and conditioner.
Favorite Colorado brewery or distillery?
Great Divide Brewery.
Best spot to grab a coffee and conversation?
Stella’s Coffeehaus on Old South Pearl Street, my favorite neighborhood to explore in Denver.
Favorite park and outdoor summer activity?
I send visitors to Washington Park, and during the summer months to PalletFest held in Sculpture Park. If you have a moment, I also recommend world-class fishing, kayaking, rafting, skiing, hiking, spelunking, and the largest hot springs pool in the world in Glenwood Springs (my hometown). Feel free to strike up a conversation about the Colorado Avalanche, as hockey is my favorite live sport to watch at the Pepsi Center or on television.
THE INVERNESS HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER, ENGLEWOOD
CONCIERGE: Erin McTigue
Located 15 miles from Denver’s city center, The Inverness has been a mainstay in the Denver Tech Center community for more than 25 years. Built in 1989, this expansive resort includes a PGA championship golf course, five restaurants, 302 guest rooms and access to south Denver’s best summer offerings. And, most recently, The Inverness completed a $1.3 million renovation, so they’re tapped into the scene with new threads to display.
Favorite place to grab a drink?
View House, either downtown or Centennial.
Favorite breakfast spot?
Denver Biscuit on Colfax Ave in the city; I order the Ellsworth biscuit.
Favorite lunch spot?
Marcos Coal-Fired Pizzeria (locations downtown and Denver Tech Center). My favorite thing to order is the lemoncello wings.
Favorite dinner spot?
Tommy’s Thai and order the green curry with shrimp.
Favorite dish at your hotel’s restaurant?
Braised short rib skillet at the Fireside Bar and Grill.
Favorite spot to grab a gift for someone?
I Heart Denver store in the Denver Pavilions on 16th Street. Everything is local!
Favorite Colorado brewery or distillery?
Platt Park Brewing Company on South Pearl Street.
Favorite park and outdoor summer activity?
If it’s summer, I send guests to Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a concert or Infinity Park in Glendale for movie nights, concerts or rugby games. I love watching indoor lacrosse and my beloved Rockies on a summer evening.
THE MINING EXCHANGE, COLORADO SPRINGS
CONCIERGE: Robert Wagner
Located in one of America’s most picturesque cities (America the Beautiful was written here), you will find a large historic hotel in the center of Colorado Springs’ historic business district. There are 117 guest rooms, a restaurant on-site, more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space, a ball room and much more to entice groups of all sizes and purposes. Robert Wagner’s chief job is to think outside the box a bit, yet remember the classic and cultural significance of his town. If he isn’t at the concierge desk, Wagner probably is at medieval combat re-enactments located at various parks in Colorado Springs throughout the warmer months.
Favorite place to grab a drink?
Rico’s Café and Wine Bar.
Favorite breakfast spot?
La Baguette on Chestnut and Garden of the Gods where I always order the eggs benedict with brie.
Favorite lunch spot?
Margarita at Pine Creek for the soup and salad lunch, it’s an all-you-can-eat, delicious.
Favorite dinner spot?
Springs Orleans, and I always get the truffle mac and cheese. I also recommend Fratelli’s Ristorante and the pasta al forno.
Best 20-minute grab-some-fresh-air walk?
Palmer Park.
Favorite dish at your hotel’s restaurant?
The Gorgonzola pasta with shrimp from our Springs Orleans restaurant.
Something your concierge does that most people don’t know?
We walk guest floral arrangements to the hotel from a local florist and personally deliver to each guest room. There’s no middleman, it’s just us.
Favorite Colorado brewery or distillery?
Trinity Brewery on Garden of the Gods Road. It’s the greenest brewery in Colorado.
Best spot to grab a coffee and conversation?
The Coffee Exchange because they have freshly roasted and ground coffee.
Favorite neighborhood around Colorado Springs?
Manitou Springs. It’s close, historic, quaint, walkable and colorful.
Favorite park?
Garden of the Gods for obvious reasons. It’s so close to us, so accessible and always so stunning.
Favorite summer activity?
Territory Days in Old Colorado City in May. It’s different, a heck of a lot of fun and nostalgic.
PARK HYATT BEAVER CREEK RESORT & SPA, BEAVER CREEK
CONCIERGE: Jessica Chaney
Located in the majestic Vail Valley in Beaver Creek Village, the slopeside Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa is spacious and relaxing and projects the Colorado lifestyle. Convenient access to outdoor recreation galore and the availability of a wide range of meeting and event space, the Park Hyatt offers groups the chance to really get away and have access to knowledgeable concierges such as Jessica Chaney.
Favorite place to grab a drink?
Coyote Café or sitting on the couches in the outside area of 8100 Mountainside Bar and Grill. In Avon, Loaded Joe’s or Bob’s Place.
Favorite breakfast spot?
For a hearty breakfast I would go to Montana’s Steakhouse in Avon. I always order a scrambler there; it’s amazing! For donuts, go to Northside Coffee & Kitchen. For pastries, I would go to Columbine Bakery.
Favorite lunch spot?
This depends on whether I want to face the mountain or the village or be on the mountain. For facing the mountain, I would choose 8100 Mountainside Bar and Grill and get a Brandt beef burger. For on-mountain dining, I would choose Mamie’s Mountain Grill. It is a grill-your-own-burger place with amazing views. In the village, I would go to Dusty Boot for one of their great sandwiches or Blue Moose for their gluten-free pizza.
Favorite dinner spot?
Grouse Mountain Grill in The Pines Lodge. I order the Parmesan zucchini tater tots or the crispy Brussels sprouts as a starter with pork belly or lobster mascarpone as an appetizer and then either lamb or beef as an entrée.
Favorite dish at your hotel’s restaurant?
Lobster chowder to start and the prime steak frites as an entrée.
Best spot to grab a coffee and conversation?
You can grab a coffee here at our café, and then have a seat in our billiards room. There are some great tables that look out at the village. It is usually quieter in that area. Another place I really like is Rimini. It is a gelato, coffee, crepe and chocolate place. You could grab something there and stay or you could venture out to the ice rink and sit on the big couches and chairs by the fireplaces. They have fireplaces on all sides of the ice rink.
Favorite park?
If you want an actual park, then I would suggest Nottingham Park. It has a great lake where you can rent stand up paddleboards. In the summer, the park has multiple concerts and festivals.
Favorite events to attend in summer?
Probably my favorite event in the summer is the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail. I also love all of the outdoor musical festivals; we have so many. My favorite music festival closest to us is Bravo! Vail and Jazz Aspen Snowmass.
THE PEAKS RESORT & SPA, TELLURIDE
CONCIERGE: Ashley Denton
Built in 1993, this 160-room resort also offers more than 30 two- to five-bedroom cabins, penthouses and condominiums. There is a plethora of on-site restaurants to choose from including Palmyra Restaurant, The Great Room and Legends Restaurant. The 42,000-square-foot spa is the largest in Colorado with more than 32 treatment rooms and dozens of services. If Ashley Denton isn’t at the concierge desk, she is enjoying powder on the ski slopes. “My love of the mountains is the reason why I love my job as a concierge; I get to share that with our guests,” she says.
Favorite place to grab a drink?
The Historic New Sheridan Bar, a true local favorite. In Mountain Village, I enjoy Palmyra at The Peaks. The view from the deck is amazing.
Favorite breakfast spot?
Saturdays and Sundays at Floradora. I always order the Nutella-stuffed French toast. Sinfully delicious!
Favorite lunch spot?
Oak…The New Fat Alley. They have the best chicken tacos, which are not on the menu as chicken tacos, but you can sub chicken for fish.
Favorite dinner spot?
Smuggler’s Brew Pub. I always order the fish and chips.
Best 20-minute grab-some-fresh-air walk?
The River Trail in the town of Telluride is a great, easy walk.
Favorite dish at your hotel’s restaurant?
Palmyra Restaurant is known for sourcing 75 percent of its menu locally. I like to stick to dishes that remind me of the mountains. For a fun, shareable, conversation-worthy app, I always get the elk corn dogs. For dinner, you must try the 7X wagyu flat iron steak (raised by 7X Beef in Colorado).
Favorite spot to grab a gift for someone?
There is a great Colorado cookbook that is sold at the Spa at The Peaks boutique shop.
Favorite local brewery?
Telluride Brewing Company. Be sure to try Face-Down Brown, 2014 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal Winner.
Best spot to grab a coffee and conversation?
I love locally roasted coffee, and we have a great coffee shop at The Peaks called The Steaming Bean at The Peaks.
Favorite park?
Town Park has all the music festivals in the summer.
Favorite festival to attend in summer?
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is a must-come-to event.
HOTEL JEROME, ASPEN
CONCIERGE: Tamara Petit
Smack in the middle of Colorado’s glitziest town is Aspen’s Hotel Jerome. Like many of its comrade hotels, the property is steeped in history and many celebrity stories. This is one location where you never know who or what might walk in the door, and Tamara Petit is more than prepared. Built in 1889 by Jerome B. Wheeler, her favorite rooms are in the historic wing, such as the one-bedroom suite with high ceilings, full-length cashmere curtains and stunning views of Aspen Mountain and town.
Favorite place to grab a drink?
Justice Snow’s is located in the Wheeler Opera House, which was built in 1889, so it has that historic feel, as well as the largest craft cocktail menu this side of the Mississippi. Incredible thought goes into the preparation of each cocktail; it’s a true art. My favorite is their PDA, an apple whiskey base shaken with lemon juice and egg white.
Favorite breakfast spot?
Prospect, our signature restaurant here at Hotel Jerome, is known as the best spot for breakfast in town. I adore the eggs Benedict, which is prepared on a gruyère biscuit with ham and asparagus in a chive hollandaise sauce. I also love going to Peach’s Corner Café for a quinoa bowl, which has cubed Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes topped with two poached eggs and pesto sauce.
Favorite lunch spot?
White House Tavern. I order the French dip. All their bread is made fresh daily in-house. Be prepared to wait, as they don’t take reservations.
Favorite dinner spot?
Ellina’s. I order the artichoke heart bruschetta and the oven-roasted rabbit.
Best 20-minute grab-some-fresh-air walk?
John Denver Sanctuary is a quick stroll away, is always relaxing and takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the town of Aspen.
Favorite dish at your hotel’s restaurant?
Besides the amazing breakfast at Prospect, I love the tuna tartare for dinner. Every bite is bursting with flavor and who can say no to foie gras and truffles!
Favorite spot to grab a gift for someone?
A Stetson cowboy hat from Kemosabe, an amazing store that has hats and belts of all different skins. It’s perfectly Aspen in that it blends our Western culture with the luxuries of modern day.
Favorite Colorado brewery?
Aspen Brewing Company. Best. IPA. Ever. Best spot to grab a coffee and conversation? Victoria’s Espresso. It has a European vibe (naturally they also serve wine).
Favorite street to explore?
I love South Galena Street. It’s where all my favorites are: Prada, Dior, Loro Piana, Gucci, Zegna and Moncler.
Favorite park?
Wagner Park. It’s popular in the summer to get together and play softball, throw a Frisbee or just sit on a blanket and have a picnic and a drink while watching the dogs run around and play.
