Hotels are often places that are necessary to stay in while traveling. But a few hotels offer a truly special experience and are a destination in their own right. At The Crawford Hotel in Denver, Colorado, guests actually have the opportunity to stay inside the city’s landmark train station, Denver Union Station.
RewardExpert spoke with Tiffany Owen, general manager of The Crawford Hotel, about why the hotel is so unique and how travelers for both business and pleasure alike can experience a one-of-a-kind stay.
Experience the Hustle Bustle
Staying in The Crawford Hotel puts you in the center of it all. “Our lobby is the Great Hall, which is constantly buzzing with travelers and features 12 locally owned restaurants and shops, including the Terminal Bar (located in the old ticket office of the train station), which now pours 30 Colorado craft beers, and Tattered Cover, an outpost of Denver’s most popular independent bookstore,” said Owen.
The hotel website states that each of the three hotel floors represent a different era of the Denver Union Station’s history. The Crawford Hotel offers three types of rooms, and each of the 112 guest rooms are different. According to Owen:
- The “Pullman-style” rooms on the second level evoke train travel at its heyday with a subtle Art Deco nod.
- The “Classic” guestrooms are inspired by the building’s Victorian era beginnings, with a touch of modern elegance.
- “The Loft” rooms in the former attic feature exposed wood timbers and vaulted ceilings.
Owen also added that, “Train aficionados love our Pullman-style rooms because they literally overlook the train tracks and give you the feeling of sleeping in a Pullman train car.” In addition, The Crawford has been curated by Denver’s NINE dot ARTS, and features more than 600 pieces of eclectic art.
A Rich History
Denver Union Station originally opened as the Union Depot in 1881. It was the connecting line to the Transcontinental Railroad through Cheyenne, Wyoming, and afforded the city of Denver to greatly expand in population. “From 1900-1940, the building served as the main transportation hub for Colorado and the American West, with 60-80 trains passing through daily,” explained Owen.
Many presidents and celebrities have come, and during World War II, more than 200,000 visitors passed through its historic walls as it served a major transit area for soldiers heading overseas.
On July 12, 2014, The Crawford Hotel, known as “Denver’s Living Room,” opened for business and has proudly maintained many historic features of the original building. It’s now not only a great place to stay, but a venue that can be used for weddings, corporate gatherings and other events.
“The Crawford offers more than 3,000 square feet of historic downtown event space, including six private event spaces and 40,000 square feet of outdoor plaza space,” noted Owen. The hotel is named after urban preservationist and Union Station partner, Dana Crawford.
Sleeping in a Landmark
The Crawford Hotel is one of the most unique hotels in the country. It is also in a great location in the heart of Denver’s Lower Downtown (LoDo) District with easy walking access to great restaurants, entertainment, sports venues and more. Room rates start at just $289 per night, and Owen said The Crawford has created a variety of special experiences for travelers to enjoy.
“The Union Station Art & History package includes a guided tour, and the Denver Date Night package includes cocktails and snacks at Denver Union Station’s romantic Cooper Lounge.”
Owen added that the hotel is a great business for Denver overall and provides quick and easy transportation to locals and visitors. “The University of Colorado A Line to and from DIA (Denver International Airport) opened more than two years ago and it definitely makes it easier for guests to access The Crawford. Our hotel is just a quick 30 minute train ride from DIA. Lots of locals use the train as well; it’s a huge benefit for all of Denver.”
For more information and to plan your stay, visit www.thecrawfordhotel.com.