Kimpton Hotel Born hotel - Denver, USA

Denver may always be best-known as a homestead for champions of the outdoors, but its ever-enduring creative community has been raising its profile of late. Case in point is the Kimpton Group’s newest opening, Hotel Born, located in the midst of Union Station in the city’s iconic transit hub.

Here, efforts to harness wilderness and warmth are evident, as guestrooms are crafted with a holistically alpine approach. Knotted wood paneling lines the walls and ceilings and blends smoothly with herringbone walnut floors and clean concrete finishes, the co-creation of Ellen Bruss and Denver’s own Semple Brown design firm. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer ample natural light, and guests in west-facing rooms are rewarded with stunning mountain views.

In a monumental nod to local artists, Adam Lerner, from the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, has curated over 700 original and limited edition works that are featured throughout the hotel. 

So head to the ski slopes, take in the charm of the Lower Downtown neighbourhood, then cap the day off with smoked shortrib (butchered in-house, mind you) at Citizen Rail, just one of many offerings at the hotel’s onsite restaurant by executive chef Christian Graves. Nature-lovers and art aficionados take note, as Colorado seems to be beckoning.