Denver Bed and Breakfast

Denver Bed and Breakfast Inns take a page from history. Whether it is a hankering for the past and a welcome change from the steel and glass of modern hotels, or a yearning for simplified surroundings and tranquility on your next business or pleasure trip, Denver has a variety of quaint inns to satisfy your desire. It just depends on how close you want to be to the action. Although they may provide secluded environments for work and pleasure, many still offer modern amenities that make you feel like you are still at home. The Gregory Inn is just north and east of Coors Field and all the other downtown attractions. Denver is fortunate that some of these Victorian homes have been preserved as inns, because they are truly special places for business and weekend getaways. B&B’s like the Gregory Inn were built in the late 19^th century and it offers a glimpse of early 20^th century Colorado with a melding of modern technologies. Rooms include Internet access and a LCD home theater screen that comes down from the ceiling. Private baths are decorated with mosaic tile and marble. Gas log fireplaces add the right ambiance to the rooms and suites, and refrigerator/freezers are in each room. A stay in the carriage house is a special home-like treat with a washer and dryer, dining area and Dolby surround sound. With all these conveniences, it is hard to believe that the house did not convert from gas to electric lighting until 1954.

Each Denver bed and breakfast Inn has its own charm. To the east of the Gregory Inn is the Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast Inn which bills itself as the first urban B&B it sits in the Historic Clement Park District in an evolving neighborhood. It is within walking distance of many downtown attractions and amenities. Breakfast is served for two hours from 7:15-9:15 a.m to cover early and late risers. Colorado wine is served in the dining room from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Queen Anne offers 14 guest rooms, several which have private hot tubs for a relaxing evening soak. It also is air-conditioned and Internet access and a concierge service are provided. The Queen Anne is marked by 4 gallery suites that are decorated in tribute to Alexander Calder the father of Kinetic Art, Frederic Remington-western artist and sculptor, the great bird artist John James Audubon, and Norman Rockwell illustrator of American culture. These suites make the Queen Anne a special place, if you tire of the piped in chamber music and relaxing by the fireplace, you can always go break a sweat in the fitness facility or catch up on your competitor in the business center.

Many of Denver’s Bed and Breakfast Inns are located in what were once early suburbs. The Gregory Inn and the Queen Anne are near Curtis Park and others are found east of the state capitol in the Capitol Hill and Historic Wyman neighborhood. These were once the homes of Denver’s elite silver barons and businessmen. The Capitol Hill Mansion is on the national and state historical registers. These are not hostel environments. All rooms have private baths, wireless Internet, cable TV and in-room refrigerators. You are greeted with a full gourmet basket each morning, and breakfast is served for two hours from 7:30-9:30 a.m., and a wine reception with Colorado wines is on the weekend from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The rooms are air conditioned but book early if you want rooms with balconies, fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Business rates are available Sunday thru Thursday when there is no charge for a second person. The Capitol Hill Mansion offers great views of the city skyline and the historic neighborhood.

The Wyman Historic District has 11 distinct architectural styles represented. It is no wonder that suburbanites are drawn here. It is home to two B&B’s, the Adagio and the Castle Marne. The Adagio is between two of Denver’s expansive parks, City Park to the east and Cheesman Park to the west. Though not as large as some other inns, the Adagio’s six rooms offer all the modern amenities of wireless high speed Internet access and Direct TV, and a two-person jetted tub. The owners are music lovers and each suite is decorated in tribute to a favorite composer-Host, Brahms, Copland, Debussy, Handel and Vivaldi. The Adagio is a perfect setting for romance, or relaxation for business travelers and vacationers. Castle Marne is also in the Wyman District and offers old world elegance and charm with modern conveniences and comforts. The Castle has nine unique rooms some with Jacuzzis and hot tubs and all have wireless high speed Internet if you really can’t leave your business at home. You probably don’t have pink Victorian houses in your hometown, but the Holiday Chalet just on the south side of Colfax Avenue is hard to miss. This 19^th century mansion east of the capitol building and west of City Park is probably the most visible of the B&B’s. The Chalet air-conditioned rooms that include kitchens and private baths and some have fireplaces. There are data ports in all the phones as well as TV’s and access to an extensive video library.

Not all Denver’s wealthy were in metal. The Lumber Baron Inn and Gardens in the northwest Highlands neighborhood is not particularly quaint and is quite the opposite. But this is a great place for a business group or retreat as well as a couple’s rendezvous. Three of the suites are named for those special occasions-Honeymoon, Anniversary and Valentine. The Anniversary Suite has a Greco-Roman motif complete with twin marbled pillars and a Roman Bath area. Whether you desire to join in or to be alone the Lumber Baron Inn fits the bill with participation in a murder mystery or couples massage. If you just want to stay in your room for the evening take advantage of the HDTV Theater. Most B&B’s have small rooms for gatherings, but the Lumber Baron Inn is markedly different offering a parlor with three large open rooms for guests’ enjoyment. The garden is popular for corporate parties and weddings, and the Lumber Baron provides a relaxing environment for business brainstorming and retreats.