The Oxford Hotel
Nestled in the heart of Lower Denver (LoDo, if you want to sound cool like a local) is The Oxford, one of the city’s most historical hotels. Built in 1891, it’s a living timeline of Denver’s past that also boasts the best in modern-day comforts along with easy access to Union Station, restaurants, art museums and shopping.
Eighty dog-friendly rooms and suites wait to enchant you with their charms — and no two are exactly alike! Brace yourself for to-die-for decor like Victorian-inspired headboards, chic Art Deco tables and stunning fireplaces with intricate details. And with pillowtop mattresses and Egyptian linens, there’s no sacrificing comfort for style here.
You’ll also find an on-site salon and luxury spa where you can indulge in sugar scrubs, hot-stone massages and facials. Oh, and if that’s not enough — there’s Urban Farmer, a steakhouse that stars locally sourced ingredients, and The Cruise Room, a Prohibition-era cocktail lounge. (Fun fact: The lounge opened its doors shortly after Prohibition ended in 1933 and is the longest-running bar in the Mile High City.)
What makes it special?
We’re gonna go with the atmosphere. The Oxford has all the modern touches that most of us love when we travel — high-speed Wi-Fi, comfy beds, coffee and tea — but its vibe really takes the setting over the top. From the lobby art collection and in-room antiques to the vintage hotel logo carved in the stairway and splashed in mosaic tiles on the floor, it’s a one-in-a-million-type space. This is more than a place to sleep … it’s an experience.
The most “Colorado” thing about this place
We love a good ghost story in the Centennial State, and The Oxford Hotel has its share of guests who like the place so much they never checked out. Single gentlemen who stay in room 320 might run into Florence Montague, who killed her husband and herself in a jealous rage. Today, she just likes to get attention by running faucets and pulling covers back (and the hotel tries not to put single guys in that room, so don’t freak). Down in The Cruise Room, you might sip a beer next to a fretting postman who got lost on his way to deliver Christmas gifts to the children of Central City.
Coolest amenity
Look. We tried really hard to pick just one, but it’s not happening. How do you choose between a daily bourbon bar in the lobby and free Tesla rides within a 2-mile radius? There’s also treats for your doggo and a slew of discounts for swank nearby restaurants and shops.
Our favorite traveler review
“Classy, old-fashioned, adorable hotel in every way ... from the personable service, Tesla rides and kindness to our dog to the gramophone in the lobby to the delicious room service from Urban Farmer and soft, luxurious robes, everything about this place is top notch. If I ever need to come to Denver again, I'll be coming back here. 5 stars!!!! — Bonnie G., Google
Things to do nearby
Walk to Union Station or Larimer Square for boutique shopping, coffee sipping and people watching. Or stroll to the Museum of Contemporary Art to check out the latest thought-provoking exhibits. A 10-minute saunter will land you at either Coors Field (home of the Rockies) or the Pepsi Center, where the Nuggets dunk the night away. You’ll also be close to some of the best eateries and breweries in Denver. Don’t miss Denver Milk Market, Great Divide Brewing Company and Wynkoop Brewing Company.
Photos courtesy of The Oxford Hotel
