With the holidays upon us, here are a few ideas of how groups can celebrate to tap into what’s happening in Colorado, including enjoying the improvements and fanfare at two of Colorado’s most historic and glamorous hotels, gathering at one of the Mile High City’s newest restaurants and music venues, and heading to the mountains.
One of the grandest lobbies during the Christmas season can be found at The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, a 123-year-old mainstay in downtown Denver. I’ll never forget the awe showing on my young daughter’s face upon seeing the adorned lobby atrium several years ago. The holiday season kicked off on Nov. 22 with the 28th annual Champagne Cascade when a master swordsman severed Moët Chandon champagne bottles and bubbly cascaded down a two-story pyramid of glasses. Every Friday from Dec. 4 until Christmas, Dickens carolers will be in the lobby to help spread holiday cheer.
An additional present for groups and guests this holiday season is a $10.5 million renovation that beautifully upgraded The Brown Palace’s 200 guest rooms, added 3,500 square feet of new meeting space and restored the historic sandstone façade on the triangular structure. The $3 million exterior part of the project landed the property one of Historic Denver’s Community Preservation Awards in October. A covered walkway with views of downtown lit up for the season leads from the second floor across Tremont Street to a lovely 5,800-square-foot ballroom and 16 meeting rooms at sister property the Holiday Inn Express. The hotel provides an additional 231 guest rooms and recently underwent a top-to-bottom, $11 million renovation that included all new rooms.
Also in a wonderfully historic building downtown, but as a new occupant, Baur’s Restaurant is finding a niche in hosting all sorts of groups during the holidays and throughout the year in its main restaurant and bar along with the Listening Lounge and a large private dining space. The night I was there, my niece and I sat at the recently opened chef’s station, where six diners can watch chefs prepare several orders such as salumi, cheese, house made charcuterie and some of the most incredible deviled eggs we have ever tasted. We also enjoyed watching a jazz group playing in the Listening Lounge, meeting Chef/Proprietor Dory Ford and Director of Catering & Events Kimberlee Hansen, and observing a group that had reserved the bar area have a great time.
The restaurant uses locally-source ingredients and is differentiating itself by offering California cuisine with an elegant edge. Ford also has brought his catering company, AQUA TERRA Culinary, to Denver and still works on events in California. Upcoming highlights include Ellis Marsalis, Jr. in the Listening Lounge on Dec. 10 followed by Deanna Bogart on Dec. 17 and a New Year’s Eve Dinner and Masquerade Ball on Dec. 31.
The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs also is well known for offering spectacular holiday experiences, including its Holiday Spectacular, 12 Days of Christmas, Christmas House, breakfasts with Santa and New Year’s Eve gala. Groups holding meetings and events at The Broadmoor during the holiday season can enjoy these ready-made options as well as spectacular décor inside and out.
It’s no secret that Colorado mountain towns also excel in creating magical holiday moments. An abundance of snow, sleigh rides, festively decorated historic downtowns, snow-laden pine trees, events and outdoor ice rinks at the base areas of Telluride, Beaver Creek and Vail set the stage for groups and anyone visiting. My sister and her family are traveling to my home in Crested Butte from Indianapolis for Christmas for the second year in a row as they have caught the mountain holiday fever. Enjoy the season!
