$$
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection
Historic downtown hotel with a central atrium, afternoon tea with live piano, and themed suites.
Exceptional · Deep coverage · read from 22 sources · 114 traveler insights
84
RoomExpert Score
Exceptional
The verdict
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Read it your way
The Brown Palace Hotel is a historic downtown Denver property defined by its central atrium and period decor. Guests praise the dining offerings, from afternoon tea with live piano music to breakfast at Ellyngton's and service at the Palace Arms. However, visitors frequently complain about aging infrastructure, including lack of thermostat controls, thin walls, and plumbing delays where hot water takes ten minutes to reach the shower. 1416134
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- The hotel dining venues are widely praised, particularly afternoon tea in the atrium, breakfast at Ellyngton's, and drinks at the Churchill cigar bar. 14117
- Bathrooms stand out for their marble showers, ornate double vanities, plush spa robes, slippers, and Pharmacopia toiletries. 31518
- Guests consistently appreciate the central downtown location for its walkability to major attractions. 14187
- Beds deliver a comfortable sleep experience with fluffy bedding and high thread-count linens. 418
The catch
- Opinions on room style diverge, with some charmed by heavy wooden headboards and antique paintings, while others criticize carpets and decor as out of date. 316
- Guest reports on sound levels vary, from surprisingly quiet rooms to disruptive interior noise where conversations carry through the walls. drawn from the full read
Who it's for
- — Afternoon tea and history enthusiasts
- — Guests wanting walkable downtown access
- — Travelers seeking classic period architecture
Skip it if
- — Light sleepers bothered by thin walls
- — Guests wanting modern in-room thermostat controls
- — Travelers looking to avoid fees for parking and Wi-Fi
Seen on camera
8 moments · 1 video · The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“what are your favorite parts so far stained glass ceiling”
youtube.com1:00“so everything at the Brown Palace pretty much is done from scratch which is why it is so delicious you can take a look h…”
youtube.com14:43“so chocolateers and Willy Wonka be warned Brown Palace has giving you some competition over here with their handmade des…”
youtube.com15:24“no stone unturned at the Brown Palace when it comes to service and options”
youtube.com18:20“let's check out the palace arms which also has Churchill bar a cigar bar on the other side but the palace arms is a trea…”
youtube.com27:37“Ellington certainly has a modern flare about it being bright white Airy and filled with abundant plant life in here Elli…”
youtube.com29:59“here's Ellington's menu which is filled with delicious brunch food so if you're in the mood for a great brunch here the…”
youtube.com30:44“The Brown Palace has the ship Tavern which is filled with model ships brought back by beter in the 1930s while he was tr…”
youtube.com31:32Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
Ways to book
Direct with the hotelRoomExpert pick
$233est. per night
Marriott Bonvoy member rate · King Guest Room
Keep: Marriott Bonvoy points · elite nights · eligible benefits
Booking.com
$235est. per night
Public rate · King Guest Room
Forfeit: Marriott Bonvoy points · elite nights · eligible benefits
Marriott Bonvoy benefits may not apply.
Award stay: about 31,000 Marriott Bonvoy points a night. Availability not checked.
RoomExpert read
Booking direct costs no more here and keeps Marriott Bonvoy points, elite nights and eligible benefits.
Prices shown are an estimated range, not a live quote — the booking site confirms the real rate for your dates.
RoomExpert rate estimate
$233est. per night
Estimated range: $233–$339
Around our estimate
This sits inside our estimated range for this hotel.
Confidence: low · modelled estimate, not a live quote. Check the supplier for the real rate on your dates.
Score breakdown
How the 84/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
91read from 1 source · Deep coverage
- “Even though the room itself wasn't that impressive, the bathroom was quite beautiful! I loved the big marble showers and double vanity.” 15
- “The elegant bathroom included a shower stall with the choice of an overhead rain showerhead or regular one. I enjoyed having both washing over me while my husband put all the power on the overhead - nice to have the choices.” 12
Food
92read from 8 sources · Solid coverage
- “The Palace Arms is a top of the line luxury restaurant in every way with impeccable service.” 21
- “This perk alone saved our party of four $360 ($30 voucher per person X 4 people X 3 days)! We ate at Ellyngton's all 3 days, and the food was outstanding. We made it a point to try a few different things off the menu (I'd highly recommend the waffle panini!).” 15
Location
94read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Noise
83read from 2 sources · Light coverage
- “The Eisenhower and Roosevelt Suites are especially elaborate, and have multiple rooms. It's worth noting that some guests have mentioned interior and exterior noise being an issue in rooms, possibly due to the historic nature of the hotel's architecture and fixtures.” 3
- “walls you can hear a conversation through, and front desk just advised me that it takes ten minutes for hot water to come out of the shower.” 16
Room
86read from 1 source · Deep coverage
- “There's even a retro Beatles Suite, where the band actually stayed in 1964 while playing the Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside Denver. With its custom jukebox playing only Fab Four records and framed pictures of the band on the walls, it really is the ultimate accommodation choice for lovers of Liverpool's finest.” 5
- “The rooms are spacious, deluxe and full of amenities. I concur with another writer who recommended booking a larger room if your pocketbook can afford it.” 21
Service
88read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Bed & Sleep
88read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Nothing quotable yet on this one — the score leans on the rest of the coverage.
Value
80read from 1 source · Deep coverage
- “It was always a treat to eat in the Ship Tavern, the least expensive of the dining rooms. It has a charming old-school nautical theme. It's not inexpensive, but it's reasaonable and the service is impeccable.” 21
- “It's always been a fun place just to visit, to walk through the lobby and look at the amazing architectiure. It was always a treat to eat in the Ship Tavern, the least expensive of the dining rooms. It has a charming old-school nautical theme.” 21
Where it is, how to reach it
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
Trails its peers
Falls short of what $$ usually buys
Scores 6 points below the mid-range median of 90, across 368 hotels in the same bracket. In Denver it sits 3 points below the local median of 87.
Price bracket
$$
Mid-range
- This hotel
- 84
- Bracket median
- 90
- Index median
- 90
Based on 368 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
Ask for
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
Avoid
No location within the hotel draws repeated complaints yet.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
Value
75
Room
68
Service
60
Bathroom
56
Food
53
Location
44
Noise
10
View the 78 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
Food19 mentions · 4 filmed
- “3 years ago they had a very nice executive lounge with nice breakfast and evening snacks for elite members.” 16
- “so chocolateers and Willy Wonka be warned Brown Palace has giving you some competition over here with their handmade desserts which you can't have anywhere else in the world” On camera1115:24
- “The central hall is grand and affords a great view below. There are great restaurants from the Palace Arms to the more casual Ship's Tavern.” 21
- “Room service food was very good, served timely.” 8
- “The mini-fridge was completely empty, which made it useful for storing our own drinks and food.” 7
- “The Palace Arms is a top of the line luxury restaurant in every way with impeccable service.” 21
- “If you don't have a steep discount like this through your Bonvoy status, I'd probably recommend skipping this restaurant for breakfast in favor of some of the other many excellent options available nearby in Denver.” 7
- “Guests consistently praise the outstanding breakfast at Ellyngton's and the legendary afternoon tea in the atrium, often accompanied by live piano music.” 14
- “The hotel breakfast was outstanding, and drinking tea cocktails and listening to jazz music in the lobby felt very Great Gatsby-ish. 😉” 15
- “The hotel won't be for everyone, particularly those looking for a more modern luxury experience, and our breakfast at Ellyngton's was underwhelming.” 7
- “here's Ellington's menu which is filled with delicious brunch food so if you're in the mood for a great brunch here the round pilot is a nice spot to stop” On camera1130:44
- “The breakfast burrito was gargantuan but just okay, and my partner noted that the club sandwich was also very mediocre.” 7
- “Ellington certainly has a modern flare about it being bright white Airy and filled with abundant plant life in here Ellington serves as an Exquisite brunch spot and is filled with historic pictures of the Brown Palace on the walls as you seeing here” On camera1129:59
- “The Ship Tavern is more relaxed with a superb menu - the prime rib sandw” 21
- “The Brown Palace has the ship Tavern which is filled with model ships brought back by beter in the 1930s while he was traveling in the Caribbean super good restaurant though homemade bread as you see in here I got the prime rib which was absolutely delicious” On camera1131:32
- “3 years ago they had a very nice executive lounge with nice breakfast and evening snacks for elite members. it was on 2nd floor in the corner, left as you get off elevators.” 16
- “This perk alone saved our party of four $360 ($30 voucher per person X 4 people X 3 days)! We ate at Ellyngton's all 3 days, and the food was outstanding. We made it a point to try a few different things off the menu (I'd highly recommend the waffle panini!).” 15
- “Onsite dining options range from the casual Ship Tavern to the fine dining experience at Palace Arms, offering an array of delightful flavors.” 10
- “And every morning, the server was sweet enough to deliver a mini smoothie to my daughter...which made breakfast all the more enjoyable for everyone. 😉” 15
Location15 mentions
- “Stay in the heart of downtown Denver, offering easy walking access to major attractions like the Colorado Convention Center, Coors Field, and 16th Street Mall.” 14
- “The room was surprisingly quiet, given its location downtown.” 12
- “Plus, downtown Denver is pretty much the worst major-city downtown in America right now.” 16
- “Rooms were good sized. We could walk to coors field as it's 10 minutes away.” 2
- “Easy access to activies in Denver: it's within walking distance or a short car ride to downtown Denver attractions” 6
- “You'll find sophisticated world travelers and a multigenerational blend of people who appreciate the hotel's historic architecture and refined luxury. There's also a hefty number of suited business travelers with large expense accounts in the mix due to its prime location downtown.” 18
- “Additionally, while the location is generally advantageous, depending on the specifics of your meetings, there may be instances in which traffic conditions or proximity to major corporate hubs could be less than ideal.” 20
- “Situated right downtown, on the corner of Broadway and Tremont Place, The Brown Palace is within easy walking distance of many bars and restaurants.” 3
- “Hotel Clio is great if it works for your budget. It's not downtown, but it's a nice walkable area with plenty of restaurants and shopping.” 16
- “The large central atrium and historic architecture give the property more character than a typical downtown hotel, while its central location makes it a convenient base for exploring Denver.” 7
- “The location makes it easy to explore much of downtown on foot, while the free 16th Street FreeRide buses provide convenient access towards Union Station and LoDo.” 7
- “If you are looking for a downtown Denver hotel with a historic background try Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Hotel. It is a former bank and the rooms are comfortable.” 16
- “For one thing, the Brown Palace is extremely convenient, in the middle of downtown Denver.” 21
- “Its central downtown Denver location offers unparalleled walkability to major attractions.” 14
- “It's in a great location, within walking distance to a number of fantastic restaurants and attractions, including the Denver Art Museum (which is part of Bank of America's "Museums on Us" program!), Paramount Theater, and the state capitol.” 15
Value4 mentions
- “If you are not sure, visit the dining room, enjoy high tea, ride an elevator up a few floors and look around. It's a beautiful place, and full of Denver's (and Colorado's) history. It's also expensive as all getout.” 21
- “It was always a treat to eat in the Ship Tavern, the least expensive of the dining rooms. It has a charming old-school nautical theme. It's not inexpensive, but it's reasaonable and the service is impeccable.” 21
- “There are virtually no freebies included in the room price -- expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast.” 3
- “It's always been a fun place just to visit, to walk through the lobby and look at the amazing architectiure. It was always a treat to eat in the Ship Tavern, the least expensive of the dining rooms. It has a charming old-school nautical theme.” 21
Noise2 mentions
- “The Eisenhower and Roosevelt Suites are especially elaborate, and have multiple rooms. It's worth noting that some guests have mentioned interior and exterior noise being an issue in rooms, possibly due to the historic nature of the hotel's architecture and fixtures.” 3
- “walls you can hear a conversation through, and front desk just advised me that it takes ten minutes for hot water to come out of the shower.” 16
Service16 mentions · 2 filmed
- “The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the hotel, from the elegant atrium to the impeccable service provided by the staff.” 13
- “The hotel's decadent afternoon tea service is a must-try experience for anyone visiting Denver. It is served in the hotel's elegant atrium lobby, surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows and a grand piano.” 13
- “The hotel front desk agent was rather pessimistic in telling us there was no guarantee we'd be able to get in before 4:00 PM.” 7
- “no stone unturned at the Brown Palace when it comes to service and options” On camera1118:20
- “But if you can afford it, a stop for High Tea is quite nice. (I believe it's up to $75 a person now.)” 21
- “The Brown Palace Hotel in the Uptown neighborhood has catered to the city's visitors for more than 100 years, and recent guests praised the property's period accents and elegant ambiance, as well as its top-notch customer service.” 4
- “The Brown Palace has a fleet of staff prepped to make check-in seamless, and the hotel is easy to navigate despite its size.” 18
- “Elegant rooms boast plush white linens, a flat-screen cable TV, an iPod docking station, and private bathrooms.” 10
- “let's check out the palace arms which also has Churchill bar a cigar bar on the other side but the palace arms is a treasure” On camera1127:37
- “You should avoid booking the Brown Palace. It has been on a downward spiral for several years. They eliminated their concierge and bellmen, many of whom were veteran employees. Rooms are poor too.” 16
- “It has been on a downward spiral for several years. They eliminated their concierge and bellmen, many of whom were veteran employees. Rooms are poor too.” 16
- “The front desk is open 24 hours, served by a professional concierge and staff.” 3
- “The Palace Arms is a top of the line luxury restaurant in every way with impeccable service.” 21
- “The hotel guarantees superior service in an elegant setting.” 10
- “One would expect a hotel of the level of The Brown Palace, especially with its history, to have staff that are somewhat stiff and exceedingly proper. We found the service to be excellent and formal but very friendly.” 12
- “I have stayed there and personally dined there. I would say the suites are large and very nice.” 21
Bathroom6 mentions
- “The elegant bathroom included a shower stall with the choice of an overhead rain showerhead or regular one. I enjoyed having both washing over me while my husband put all the power on the overhead - nice to have the choices.” 12
- “Among its standout features are the well-appointed rooms, some of which come with a lavish bath, a separate soaking tub, and bright, airy bathrooms.” 20
- “The elegant bathroom included a shower stall with the choice of an overhead rain showerhead or regular one.” 12
- “Even though the room itself wasn't that impressive, the bathroom was quite beautiful! I loved the big marble showers and double vanity.” 15
- “walls you can hear a conversation through, and front desk just advised me that it takes ten minutes for hot water to come out of the shower.” 16
- “The bathroom was located nearby inside closet-style doors and was relatively spacious, featuring marble-style flooring, a large single vanity, and a walk-in shower.” 7
Room16 mentions
- “Bathrooms are nicely renovated, better than the room itself.” 8
- “The bedroom had plenty of storage space with a dresser and large closet. We enjoyed watching a late-night movie on the second TV in the room, from the comfortable bed.” 12
- “A2A: it's okay. the layout is unique with all the rooms open to the giant central hall.” 21
- “Overall, I thought the room struck a good balance between maintaining the historic character of the Brown Palace and still providing the amenities you'd expect from a modern hotel room.” 7
- “Last time I stayed in the Brown I was already in an upgraded room but it had some problem with a faucet or something-not huge-and they moved me, to a suite that really was an apartment, at the corner of the building. It was a named suite; I can't recall the name. Although huge, the carpet and decor were extremely out of date.” 16
- “There's even a retro Beatles Suite, where the band actually stayed in 1964 while playing the Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside Denver. With its custom jukebox playing only Fab Four records and framed pictures of the band on the walls, it really is the ultimate accommodation choice for lovers of Liverpool's finest.” 5
- “It wasn't until three years ago that I finally stayed there overnight. I was a little disappointed. ?he rooms had been renovated nicely, but the furniture was about like any upscale hotel anywhere in the country. it wasn't as posh as I'd expected, but it was thrilling.” 21
- “I hope you didn't stay at Brown Palace. I'm here now and it's AWFUL. No thermostat control in rooms, walls you can hear a conversation through, and front desk just advised me that it takes ten minutes for hot water to come out of the shower.” 16
- “The lobby is certainly dramatic (and worth a visit), but I was underwhelmed by the rooms, and the pub they have on-site is either charming or severely dated, depending on your perspective. Their suites are nice, but their standard rooms are pretty cramped and underwhelming in terms of decor.” 21
- “It was a named suite; I can't recall the name. Although huge, the carpet and decor were extremely out of date.” 16
- “Regular rooms are small, so spend the the money on a suite to treat yourself or company. The standard room will not impress.” 21
- “The bedroom had plenty of storage space with a dresser and large closet.” 12
- “The decor may not be everyone's cup of tea, though, and floral patterned drapes and sometimes frilly bed linens can be a bit fussy depending on the guest's taste.” 3
- “The main room was a decent size, with a king bed positioned against an oversized upholstered headboard.” 7
- “Meanwhile, guest rooms feature more updated decor and high thread-count linens, making the bed a cozy place to curl up with your special someone.” 4
- “The rooms are spacious, deluxe and full of amenities. I concur with another writer who recommended booking a larger room if your pocketbook can afford it.” 21
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- Noise rests on 2 sources — too thin to rely on.
- 22 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 56/100We read 22 sources for this property, and pulled 114 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-08-24.
0
Editorial
20
Blogs & sites
2
Video reviews
0
Podcast segments
Breadth
38
Depth
52
Freshness
96
Watch this hotel
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Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
5 of 6 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 22 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 1Inside Denver's Historic Brown Palace Hotel | Pinpoint Coloradoyoutube.comVideoDate not statedListened for quotes onlyRead originalyoutube.com
- 2THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL AND SPA ... - Denverthe-brown-palace-and-spa-autograph-collection.atdenverhotels.comReview siteDate not stated1 quote used
“Rooms were good sized. We could walk to coors field as it's 10 minutes away.”
Read originalthe-brown-palace-and-spa-autograph-collection.atdenverhotels.com - 3The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collectionoyster.comReview siteDate not stated9 quotes used
“The Eisenhower and Roosevelt Suites are especially elaborate, and have multiple rooms. It's worth noting that some guests have mentioned interior and exterior noise being an issue in rooms, possibly due to the historic n…”
Read originaloyster.com - 4The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa Autograph Collectiontravel.usnews.comReview siteDate not stated2 quotes used
“The Brown Palace Hotel in the Uptown neighborhood has catered to the city's visitors for more than 100 years, and recent guests praised the property's period accents and elegant ambiance, as well as its top-notch custome…”
Read originaltravel.usnews.com - 5Hotel Review: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Denver, ...luxurylifestylemag.co.ukReview siteDate not stated1 quote used
“There's even a retro Beatles Suite, where the band actually stayed in 1964 while playing the Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside Denver. With its custom jukebox playing only Fab Four records and framed pictures of the ba…”
Read originalluxurylifestylemag.co.uk - 6The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, Denver Reviewthehotelguru.comReview siteDate not stated3 quotes used
“Easy access to activies in Denver: it's within walking distance or a short car ride to downtown Denver attractions”
Read originalthehotelguru.com
Showing 6 of 22 cited · 22 read
1/4
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