When clients say a hotel exceeded their expectations, it’s often an intangible quality they speak of — a combination of warmth, well-executed hospitality and, sometimes, just “vibes.”
I had a strong feeling The Ritz-Carlton, Denver would deliver such an experience. After all, the 205-room property set in the heart of downtown Denver is the city’s longest-running AAA Five-Diamond hotel and has a Forbes Four-Star rating. But I didn’t anticipate that I’d also be able to point to incredibly specific factors that created an above-and-beyond stay.
Personalized Amenities
First, there was the microwave. When my partner made a last-minute nightguard purchase from a nearby pharmacy the first night of our stay, the instructions mandated use of a microwave. We called the front desk to explain our needs, expecting they’d direct us to the club lounge or some obscured room off the kitchen. Instead, we got a “no problem, we’ll bring you one shortly!” and soon, a big fancy microwave showed up in the living room of our Club Executive Suite.
Had we been directed to The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge for our needs, we’d certainly have had no qualms. The well-appointed 12th-floor retreat — complimentary with any of the 32 Club-level suites or a Club access upgrade — provides an exclusive dining and lounge area with five culinary presentations each day, an open bar and a dedicated concierge. We spent much of our time here enjoying light bites, wine and cocktails while playing provided games such as Scrabble and Connect Four.
The lounge is also family-friendly: We made friends with a mom and her two giggly little boys who sat excitedly beneath the large-screen television to catch recaps of the Denver Broncos football game.
The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge is an exclusive area for light bites and relaxation.
Credit: 2025 The Ritz-Carlton, DenverService here was just as wonderful as the atmosphere; hotel employees Julie and Blanca constantly attended to us and offered great local suggestions when I asked what we couldn’t miss (the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Tattered Cover bookstore and the renovated 1914 beaux-arts Union Station, for example).
Standout Service
Next, there were the pillows. Six, in fact. While I’m not embarrassed to admit I sleep with a mountain of pillows at home, I did feel sheepish calling housekeeping to ask for such a heap. I tried to demonstrate self-awareness while asking, claiming it was fine if they couldn’t accommodate my request. Instead, the voice on the other end asked, “Would you like all foam or all feather — or half and half?”
Just like the microwave, my half-and-half set of six pillows promptly appeared, making the plush suite feel even more decadent. Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver are outfitted with Diptyque amenities, Frette terry robes, marble bathrooms, HD smart televisions, Nespresso machines and 400-thread-count Frette linens on luxe featherbeds. Our nearly 1,000-square-foot suite provided more than enough room to make ourselves right at home, with a separate living area with a desk and minifridge; a walk-in closet; and a spacious bathroom with a separate shower and oversize bathtub.
A Remodeled Restaurant
Last, there was the ice. Upon checkout, I realized we’d need some ice for our mini-cooler to transport leftovers from our divine dinner at Elway’s, the on-site restaurant created in partnership with football legend John Elway. I asked the concierge, Allison, if there was an ice machine nearby I could run to, and instead she said, “Just a second,” and soon reappeared with a Ziplock baggie of ice, plus an entire bucket with more — “just in case.”
It did feel like an imperative to enjoy every last morsel of our Elway’s feast. The eatery is a centerpiece of the The Ritz-Carlton, Denver experience, offering daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (along with in-room dining) and a daily happy hour from 3-5 p.m. in the stylish sports bar. Remodeled in July 2024, the restaurant and bar now sport a more contemporary look, with Broncos-inspired blues and oranges, textured leathers, geometric patterns, warm lighting, modern furniture and memorabilia from Elway’s storied sports career.
Elway’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Credit: 2025 The Ritz-Carlton, DenverFor dinner, hand-cut USDA prime steaks are on the menu, along with culinary creations from The Ritz-Carlton, Denver’s executive chef, David Schaumburger, such as dashi-braised Chilean sea bass, Thai basil Brussels sprouts, twin lobster tails and slow-roasted lion’s mane mushroom. (Vegans and vegetarians, fear not: You have options!) My partner and I saw plate after plate of the lamb chop fondue go by — a favorite here recommended by our first-rate server, Alex, who also suggested the Ding Dong devil’s food cake with vanilla cream and dark chocolate ganache by pastry chef Stella White.
Alas, I cannot eat dairy, so we opted to share tuna tartare, a dozen oysters, Scottish salmon and bone-in ribeye, all paired with excellent wine from the well-curated list (I’m still thinking about my glass of Domaine Fouassier Sur Le Fort Sancerre). As if we hadn’t been extravagant enough, we followed our meal with Clos Dady Sauternes and Delord XO Bas Armagnac. It was absolute perfection from start to finish, with easy-to-point-to moments that tipped it over the top — just like the entirety of our stay.
