Denver's BEST Downtown Hotel? Embassy Suites Review!
Denver's Downtown Diamond (or Maybe Just a Sparkling Pebble?): My Messy, Honest Embassy Suites Review
Alright, folks, buckle up. Because I've just emerged from a Denver stay at the Embassy Suites Downtown, and let me tell you, it's a whole thing. Not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but definitely a thing. This isn't some polished, corporate review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, complete with my brain’s delightful habit of veering off-topic.
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(Deep Breath) Let’s Dive In…
First impressions? The accessibility game is strong, which instantly scored major points with me. Ramps everywhere, wide hallways… it's clear they put some serious thought into making this place user-friendly. I saw someone navigating a wheelchair with ease, and that's refreshing. (Side note: I was thrilled to see that wheelchair access extended to the pool, always a huge win for inclusivity.)
But then, the Parking Saga Began…
The car park itself? Well, it exists. And at a free price, which is a massive win for any downtown location!. Let me just say parking in downtown Denver is a blood sport, a gladiatorial arena for your car. So, free on-site parking: GOLD. However, the parking garage felt more like a concrete maze built for a particularly grumpy Minotaur. Tight turns, confusing signage… I spent a solid five minutes circling like a lost pigeon before finally finding a spot. Valet parking? Offered, and probably worth the splurge. Seriously. My sanity is worth more than saving a few bucks.
The Room: Suite Life or Just a Room?
Okay, let's talk rooms. Standard Embassy Suites: a suite. A living room area, a bedroom area, a decent-sized bathroom. Comfortable, yeah. Spacious, definitely. The air conditioning blasted like a polar vortex, which I appreciated, since I'm a human radiator. The bed? Solid. Not the cloud-like, "wake up feeling like a newly minted angel" kind of comfortable, but definitely better than those mystery-meat-mattress hotels I've encountered.
A few room observations:
- I love the extra long bed, because, well, I'm a tall person. But also, the comfy bed is great!
- The blackout curtains? A lifesaver! Denver sunshine can be relentless.
- The mini-fridge, a godsend for chilling those hastily purchased snacks.
- The in-room safe box is a nice touch, if you trust it. I’m always a bit paranoid about those things.
- Internet access was available, with free Wi-Fi, but the signal kept cutting out on me. They also offer Internet [LAN], which, honestly, who uses LAN anymore?
- The air conditioning in public area should have been cranked up a bit, because I got a little too hot on a few occasions.
The Breakfast, The Glory, The Mayhem!
Ah, the breakfast. The raison d'être of Embassy Suites, the very thing that fuels the masses and keeps the corporate wheels turning. And it was, as expected, a sprawling buffet of questionable quality. I mean, the breakfast [buffet] is the stuff of legend, right? The buffet in restaurant was well-staffed. They were constantly refilling things, and the breakfast service was efficient. There were Asian breakfast, and Western breakfast options! I loved the sausage. It was cooked well, and tasty.
My experience: I wandered in, bleary-eyed, and immediately got overwhelmed. It's a beautiful chaos of scrambled eggs, rubbery bacon, and waffles that look suspiciously like industrial foam. Then, I managed to find some coffee/tea in restaurant, and this brought my spirits back up.
The Food & Beverage Scene:
- Restaurants: Okay, so there's a restaurant. I never was able to dine there, unfortunately.
- Bar: I did manage to grab a drink at the bar, which was decent for a hotel bar. The happy hour, I heard, was decent!
- Poolside bar: I didn't see this, so I don't know about the poolside bar.
Relaxation & Recreation:
- Swimming pool: The swimming pool [outdoor] looked amazing, and the pool with view was awesome
- Gym/fitness: I found a fitness center, which was very nice.
- Spa/sauna: I forgot to check them out.
Cleanliness & Safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products, according to the little pamphlets. I'm still a bit skeptical about how thoroughly it's done, but I wasn't sick, so I guess it worked.
- I liked the Hand sanitizer everywhere, which is a nice touch.
- The whole place felt clean, which is always a plus.
Oh, the Amenities! (A Mixed Bag, Naturally)
- They have a convenience store, so you can grab a snack.
- They have a concierge and front desk [24-hour].
- Elevator: Check.
- They have facilities for disabled guests.
- Laundry service available.
- Safety/security features are in place.
- They even have a shrine?! I saw no shrine.
Staff: The Human Element
The staff were generally pleasant and helpful. There's that ubiquitous hotel cheerfulness, which is fine. The front desk staff was good, and they were very kind with me.
Accessibility: More Than Just Ramps
As mentioned earlier, accessibility is a major win. This includes details like accessible rooms, which I didn't personally check but were listed, and readily available assistance. The commitment to inclusivity is commendable.
Things to Do Nearby:
Well, you're in downtown Denver! So, a ridiculous amount. Museums, restaurants, bars, shops… the world is your oyster. I'm not a huge city person, so I ended up spending most of my time exploring the local coffee shops.
Final Verdict: The Good, The Bad, and The Slightly Bland
Look, the Embassy Suites Downtown Denver isn’t going to win any awards for cutting-edge design or Michelin-star food. But it’s reliable. It’s accessible. It’s a solid choice for a business trip, a family vacation, or if you just need a place to crash after a long day exploring Denver.
The good: Free parking (sort of!), accessibility, spacious rooms, free breakfast (even if it’s slightly terrifying).
The bad: Spotty internet (I'm talking to you, Wi-Fi!), the confusing parking garage, and the slightly generic feel of the whole place.
The slightly bland: The overall experience. It's not particularly memorable, but it does the job.
Would I stay again? Yeah, probably. Especially if I was on a budget, with accessibility needs, wanted a free breakfast, and didn’t mind a bit of chaos. It’s a perfectly serviceable hotel that gets the job done. And hey, that's sometimes all you need. 7.5/10 stars.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is me, flailing joyously (and probably slightly hungover) through the Embassy Suites Downtown Denver. Let's see if I can make a decent schedule out of this glorious, overpriced, breakfast buffet.
Denver Jamboree: Embassy Suites Blowout (AKA My Attempt to Adult)
Day 1: Arrival and That First Awkward Hotel Encounter (aka Jet Lag is a Beast)
- 1:00 PM: Finally, Denver! (Yay! Sort of). Actually, first, the flight felt like it took a week, fueled by stale pretzels and sheer willpower. Landed, grabbed my (slightly mangled) suitcase, and made my way via (Uber, naturally…because public transport and I have a complicated relationship) to the Embassy Suites. The lobby…well, it is an Embassy Suites lobby. Brown. Lots of brown. And a fountain. (Why fountains in hotel lobbies? Mystifying).
- 1:30 PM: Check-in time! The poor guy behind the desk… bless his heart. I'm clearly a mess - tired, grumpy, and probably smelling faintly of airplane peanuts. I fumble with my credit card (always a delight!), and then, the grand reveal: “Sir, do you know you've been upgraded to a suite?” (Score!) Little did I know, that "suite" still felt like two standard hotel rooms bolted together.
- 2:00 PM: Room inspection. First impressions are key: The room is spacious, but the décor screams "business conference." (Think: Beige armchairs, a suspicious-looking mini-fridge, and a TV that probably pre-dates the internet). The bed, though… that heavenly cloud of fluffy goodness, is a life-saver. I dive in, promising myself “just a quick nap.” (Spoiler: That nap was a solid three hours. The jet lag is real).
- 5:00 PM: Wake up. Disoriented, vaguely hungry, and slightly ashamed of how much time I've lost. Gotta eat! But, the thought of venturing out into the cold Denver air feels like a Herculean task. I'm weak. I'm vulnerable.
- 5:30 PM: Decide (after much internal debate) to embrace the hotel life and check out the "Complimentary Evening Reception." (Translation: Free booze. My weakness.) The bar is packed. I awkwardly mingle, grab a questionable cocktail ("Am I really going to drink that, or is it the first thing I see?"), and try to look like I know what I’m doing. Fail. Spectactularly.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner! A fancy restaurant. It felt like a blur of menus and I think I said "yes" to everything that sounded remotely edible - The risotto was delightful. But, I swear someone dropped the wine glass with the sound of the glass shattering, and I felt like I'd witnessed a murder. Now, for some reason, I'm really into the idea of a hot tub. I think I'll skip that.
- 9:00 PM: Back in the suite. The TV blares some generic cable drama. I am completely overstimulated and still somehow completely understimulated.
- 10:00 PM: Lights out (hopefully for the night).
Day 2: "Breakfast Wars," Convention Chaos, and a Search for the Soul of Denver (or at Least a Decent Cup of Coffee)
- 7:00 AM: The infamous Embassy Suites breakfast! A buffet of epic proportions and questionable quality. Eggs that are undeniably "yellow." Waffles that I suspect were born in a lab. Toast that's either rock-hard or completely soggy. The sheer volume of people is overwhelming. It's a feeding frenzy, really. My immediate reaction is to run to the coffee machine and fill my cup. I then find a table where I can watch the chaos unfold, and then slowly get up to get some fruit. Eating eggs at a hotel buffet feels wrong
- 8:00 AM: The coffee finally kicks in. Time to face the beast: the convention. (Ugh). This is where the real "work" begins. I'm here for a conference. This is not fun. I'll keep you posted, but I might need to go to a bar right after this.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. The conference provided nothing but those sad cold plastic containers, so I escaped. I saw a local sandwich shop and had a great idea. I had a sandwich, maybe a bit over the top, and went back to the hotel.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the convention, more speakers and more plastic containers.
- 5:00 PM: Retreat from the convention! I’m starving again. Time to find some real food. Research time!!
- 6:00 PM: I walked around Denver. After some wandering, I came across a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place. The food was incredible. The margaritas were even better. My soul is revived!
- 8:00 PM: Back at the hotel, I'm suddenly motivated to go for a walk. I got lost. Saw some cool stuff. Ended up at a brewery and had a couple of pints.
- 10:00 PM: Hotel time.
Day 3: Brunch, Last Stand, and Departure (with a Hint of Nostalgia)
- 8:00 AM: The Embassy Suites breakfast, again… but this time, armed with experience and a steely will. I avoid the waffle situation and go straight for fruit. I think I'll learn.
- 9:00 AM: One last attempt to experience something outside of the hotel. I take an Uber to a brunch spot. The eggs are good, the mimosa's better. I could get used to this…
- 11:00 AM: Pack. The dreaded task. My suitcase is a disaster. I’ve accumulated a bunch of conference swag I’ll never use and a few random souvenirs.
- 12:00 PM: Check-out. The front desk guy, bless his heart, smiles. I probably look like I haven’t slept in a week.
- 1:00 PM: Airport time. Reflecting on Denver. It had its moments. The food, the brunch, and the margaritas. It wasn't all bad. A bit rough around the edges, but hey, so am I.
- 2:00 PM: Flight. Goodbye, Denver. Hello, reality.
- 4:00 PM: Home.
This itinerary, like my life, may be a little messy. but with a laugh, and a bit of grit, it's an adventure.
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Embassy Suites Downtown Denver: The Real Deal (Or Just Another Brick?) FAQs
So, is this place actually *good*? Everyone raves, but... is it real?
Okay, let's be real. The Embassy Suites Downtown... it's a *scene*. Seriously, the lobby alone is a whole vibe. You got the waterfalls, the greenery, the free happy hour... it's designed to lure you in. And it *works*. Is it perfect? Nah. But good? Yeah, I'd say it's a solid bet. Especially if you're, like, mildly obsessed with complimentary cocktails and cooked-to-order breakfasts, like me. I mean, free food? In a downtown hotel? Sign me UP.
BUT, and it's a big but… more on that later, keep in mind. Expectations need to checked. There’s always SOMETHING, right?
What's the deal with the rooms? They *look* nice in the photos...
Okay, the rooms. Yeah, they *do* look good in the pictures. And for the most part, they *are* nice. It’s a suite, so you've got that whole separate living area thing going on, which is fantastic if you're traveling with kids, or just want to sprawl out and channel your inner couch potato. I'm a huge fan of this. I once stayed with a friend, and it felt like we had a whole apartment!
However… and here's the *minor* gripe. I once had a room on a lower floor, and the street noise? Ugh. Denver is alive, and the hotel couldn't quite hold it back. Another time, the AC sounded like a jet engine revving up every time it kicked on. You know, the usual hotel quirks. But hey, at least you get *two* TVs. Priorities, people!
That Free Breakfast… Is it actually worth the hype? (And the potential for long lines?)
Okay, buckle up. The free breakfast at Embassy Suites is… an *experience*. Let's just say, it's a solid step above the stale continental breakfast you usually get. They have omelet stations, made-to-order eggs, pancakes, waffles, the whole shebang. It's glorious. And let's be real, nothing beats a quick and easy feed before a long day of exploring.
The lines? *Sometimes* they're a thing. I've seen them snake around the lobby. But honestly? It's usually worth the wait. My personal strategy? Go REALLY early (like, before 7 am) or REALLY late (hoping they're wrapping up and nothing is gone!). I'm not a morning person unless food is involved and the stakes are high. Because, in my humble opinion, bad food makes for a bad day.
Happy Hour: Free Drinks. What's the catch? (Besides potential dehydration!)
Oh, the happy hour. That's where the magic happens – and the potential for bad decisions. The Embassy Suites serves up complimentary cocktails and other alcohol (beer and wine) every evening. For a solid two hours, you can sip on drinks and pretend like your expenses don't exist. And with no line. Because, hey, people are chill, right?
The catch? It can get crowded. REALLY crowded. But it's also a fantastic people-watching opportunity. I once saw a guy attempt to juggle… with tiny cocktail umbrellas. I'm not judging. It was peak Embassy Suites. The other "catch"? It can be loud. So, bring earplugs or embrace the festive atmosphere! I normally do the latter.
Location, Location, Location... Is this actually a good spot for exploring Denver?
YES! The location is a *massive* win. It's right in the heart of downtown, close to everything. You're within walking distance of the 16th Street Mall (perfect for aimless wandering), plenty of great restaurants, bars (obviously), and attractions like the Denver Art Museum. I'm talking minutes away. Seriously.
Bonus points: The light rail is nearby, so you can easily get to other parts of the city, like the zoo, or the mountains. If you're using public transportation, you can basically ditch the car and save on parking, which, let's be honest, can be a nightmare in Denver. Seriously, parking is a game of chance.
Okay, let's talk about the little things: Amenities, Service, etc... Anything else to know?
Alright, the nitty-gritty. The gym? It's there. It's a hotel gym, so it's not the *best* gym, but it'll do the job if you feel guilty about overindulging at the breakfast buffet (which, let's be honest, you probably will). The pool? Yep, there's one. Not huge, but a nice option on a hot day.
The service? Generally pretty good. The staff seems genuinely friendly and helpful. I've had a few hiccups here and there – like a forgotten request for extra towels (the horror!), but nothing major. Check-in and check-out are usually smooth. And hey, a friendly face always makes a difference!
One time, my key card stopped working THREE TIMES. Seriously! Talk about frustrating. But the front desk was super apologetic and efficient about it, and I ended up getting a free drink voucher. Silver linings, people!
Is the Embassy Suites Downtown Denver worth the money?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly, it depends. If you're looking for a super-luxury, quiet, intimate experience, maybe not. There's nothing super fancy about this place.
But… if you're looking for a comfortable, convenient, relatively affordable hotel in a prime location, with free breakfast and happy hour? Absolutely. Especially if you're traveling with family, the suites are awesome. Just go in with realistic expectations, a sense of humor, and maybe a few earplugs. You'll have a blast.
Final verdict: I'd stay there again. Probably will, actually. Because, free food, am I right?
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