Limelight Hotel Denver

A sleek high-rise downtown with a ski lodge feel, two topnotch restaurants, and museum-quality artwork at every turn.

Poorly serviced. Kimpton’s amenities are legendary, including gratis wine hour, loaner bikes and pampering perks for dogs, like in-room pet bowls and beds at check-in.

For all it’s postcard-worthy mountain views, Denver is actually a good hour and a half drive from the best alpine lodges. Visiting ski bunnies can get their fix just after landing at the new Kimpton Hotel Born, where blonde knotty pine wood walls, plaid accessories and plush rugs have the feel of a Swiss chalet. Here, though, the floor-to-ceiling walls peep out on the city (and in the distance, the Front Range of the Rockies). Guest rooms begin at 355 square feet; upgrade to a 632-square-foot King Spa Suite for a deep soaking tub and entirely separate living room that comes with an extra pull-out sofa—in case your friend “shreds the gnar” too hard and needs to crash.

The hotel art collection was curated by the folks at Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art and includes works by 32 local artists. Bonus: guests of the hotel get in free at the museum, just a few blocks away.

One look at the menu at Tavernetta, by the same James Beard Award-winning people behind Frasca, and you’re about to give them an award yourself. Maine lobster tagliatelle with Calabrian chile? New York strip steak with nasturtium pesto? You feel a mile high closer to heaven with each bite.

Citizen Rail - a modern American restaurant with creative and soulfully rustic cooking

Tavernetta - Authentic Italian with a Master Sommelier on staff