The Brown Palace has been a Denver landmark my entire life, (and for quite some time before), but I never stayed there before. The only time previously that I walked through the doors was when Governor Ritter was debating Bob Beauprez on the campaign trail. I promised myself then that I would come back to the hotel, and I finally made it. I was happy I did. This hotel is really something special.

Oh, sure, the hotel has the reputation for being expensive, fancy and reserved for the rich, but I found that was not completely true. The "Brown" has something for everyone and everyone is an important guest. You can choose to stay in a $1200 a night suite, but they also have nice rooms for as little as $144. You can choose exquisite dining at Ellyngton's, or The Palace Arms, but the Ship's Tavern has great food too. You also have the option of walking one block to the 16 th Street Mall Shuttle and a free ride to visit any one of the many fine establishments up and down 16 th Street. Additionally, the Brown has its own spa, a nicely equipped workout room, and an ambience few hotels in the country match.

Built in 1892, the hotel was once the main attraction in the region. It opened with electric lights supplied by electricity from the hotel's own power plant, and many of the original fixtures are still in use. The hotel also opened with its own artesian well to supply the guests with all the comforts of modern plumbing. The well, too,is still in use today. The hotel was one of the first designed with a central atrium to ensure that every room had a window and a view. Of course, the view has changed since the days when the Brown was the tallest building in the area, but you can still see a lot of Denver from any room in the house.

Last summer, I stayed at the Stanley in Estes Park. That, too, is a fine hotel, but I immediately noticed the differences. Few hotels in the world can compete with the view from the front deck of the Stanley, but the Brown's hallways are wider, the rooms are nicer, the staff more friendly, and the prices are better. The room at the Brown was 30% less expensive than the room at the Stanley and a lot closer to home. The Brown is close to everything.

In keeping with the Ride Smart Thursday Pledge, we left the car at home and took the bus. We walked to the bus stop and, for only $1.50 apiece, we got off just one block from the hotel. Other routes stop right by the front door. Even though I arrived by bus and was dressed in my customary "blue-jeans", we were still greeted with smiles from a friendly staff. We easily located our room, dropped our bags, and went to the Ship's Tavern for a beverage. Standard well drinks run $8.00, which is high, but we only had one. I had a Bloody Mary and I didn't care for the amount of horseradish the bartender used. It's a matter of taste, but be forewarned. While we were in the Tavern, we noticed that a hotel tour was about to begin and we decided to join in.

I was anxious for the tour, but it turned out be less than impressive. Most of the information given is readily available from handouts in every room or from books purchased just about anywhere, including the front desk. I know the tour guide is a volunteer, but she reminded me of the tour guide at the Alamo in the movie, "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", (Please, just the facts, Ma'am). I was also disappointed that the tour omitted much of the hotel's more "colorful" history, and only allowed us to visit one area that we could not visit on our own; The Reagan Suite. It was nice to see inside a suite where so many famous people stayed, but I was expecting just a bit more from the tour. On the good side, tour is open to anyone, (not just hotel guests), the tour only lasts 45 minutes, and the tour is free of charge. Nonetheless, I had to go back and seek out a few of the areas left off the agenda for my own investigation. With that done and a few pictures taken, it was off to explore our suite.

The suite was very nice. We were upgraded to a suite free of additional charge even though we only booked a single. In the room there were two, large, flat-screen televisions with cable and HBO, all the amenities imaginable, (including bathrobes), and one of the most comfortable beds I have ever been on. Despite being right next to the elevator, we never heard any of the outside noise of people coming and going. The view from our window was of the companion hotel across the street and the Navarre, which was once a brothel. The room was nicely decorated, comfortable, and had the warm feel of history lacking in modern hotels. I highly recommend the Brown for your own "Presidential Visit". Personally, I would go back in a minute. This is a well-run, well-staffed, class operation.

Since guests may choose to dine at one of four Brown Palace venues, I looked into the health inspection reports, and most did well. The only one we visited was the Ship's Tavern, but they, as do all Brown Palace restaurants, cater mostly to non-vegetarians. Nonetheless, they were friendly, accommodating, and professional. We were treated very nicely and the warmth of the Tavern added to the pleasure of the experience. The four restaurants of the Brown and the results of their Health Inspections are: 1) The Brown Palace Main Kitchen (Room Service) - Five violations on 10/2/2007, but on the follow up on October 18, there were no violations reported. 2) Ellyngton's at the Brown Palace - on a May 2007 inspection there was only one Type 1 violation for improperly stored toxic items and no Type 2 violations. 3) The Ship's Tavern - on a May 2007 inspection, there was one Type 1 violation for inadequate water and no Type 2 violations noted. 4) The Brown Palace Club- on a May 2007 inspection, three violations were recorded; two Type 1 and one Type 2 for poor hygienic practices, lack of a food thermometer, and improper food contact surfaces. Remember, Food Inspection Reports only represent a snapshot of the day inspected and do not necessarily represent the overall cleanliness of an establishment.

On this visit, The Brown Palace, its staff, its restaurants and its overall experience rate a "High A". I cannot give the "A+" without a perfect Health Inspection Report. Those are the rules. As I said before, I definitely recommend the "Brown". Anyone with a taste for elegance and royal treatment, (even if you have to stick to a budget), will love the Brown. Remember, the Brown is as close as the nearest bus stop, and only a one-block walk from the theatres, clubs, dining, entertainment, shopping and experience of Downtown Denver. If you haven't spent an evening Downtown in a while, here's a good place to start.

The Brown Palace Hotel, 321 17 th Street in Downtown Denver, phone: 303-297-3111. Reservations for any of the fine dining experiences can be made from this phone, from the Concierge, or on-line at www.brownpalace.com. Check out the extravagant and exquisite Christmas and New Year's offerings, or write me and I will forward them to you. Make your own Denver history soon at the World Famous Brown Palace Hotel.