I love AC Marriott hotels, and seek them out in every city that I visit. This one did not disappoint.
It's a fabulous ultra-modern hotel in the middle of downtown Denver, with dozens of shops, restaurants and amenities mere steps away. It's also conveniently situated 1 block from the 16th Street (pedestrian) Mall, and 2 blocks from another mall.
I had a few challenges during check in but Lamarr was tremendously helpful. My 1st room was next to the entrance to rooftop bar and the fitness center. I was in the room for 5 minutes and realized that I was not going to get a good night's sleep there. He assigned me to another room, which still had the stench of marijuana in the air. Not a good look, especially when you're travelling on business. Given the 'marijuana culture' in Denver, the hotel needs an efficient way to deodorize rooms after guests who smoke have occupied them so that other guests can enjoy a smoke-free room. Or charge a cleaning surcharge the way that other hotels do for cigarette smoke.
I was starting to feel like Goldilocks, but fortunately the 3rd room was just right.
Lamarr was very patient as he helped me find suitable accommodations. I was concerned because the 1st room keys he gave me weren't the ones given to Elite members, so I thought I hadn't booked this trip using my rewards number. However, he told that he was "just being lazy" and didn't want to get them from the other drawer. He also threw in some vouchers for breakfast, as well as another for bar credit at the rooftop bar. Definitely appreciate the goodwill gestures.
My room was open concept, studio apartment-style, with a water closet instead of a full bathroom: smaller than I'm used to, but it worked. There was also limited space for clothing: no dressers, only a clothing rack and a few hangers.There's also no fridge or microwave in the room. The ironing board does not lock securely and is prone to collapsing without warning: especially dangerous iron when the hot iron is on it.
The hotel provides the basic toiletries as well as extras like shower caps and makeup remover wipes. However, maid service is inconsistent and the latter two are not replenished consistently. Toilet paper, tissue and bath mats were also inconsistently replenished. One maid also made up my bed, but did not put all the pillows back on the bed. I knocked two of them on the floor during the night, and when I returned after my room had been serviced, those pillows were in the same spot on the floor.
The shower has both the 'rainshower' and shower handle with great water pressure. The shower chamber is made of opaque white glass and includes a towel rack right inside. Nice touch.
There are no couches or other seating surfaces in the hallway. The hotel has 20 floors and although elevators generally arrive quickly, it would be great to have somewhere to sit when they don't.
The rooftop bar, 54thirty, offers a beautiful view of the mountains and the city below. It offers an eclectic variety of bar bites, as well as a thoughtful and creative cocktails and spirits. Service is attentive, and there are bar managers walking around to ensure that guests' needs are met, and that everyone is enjoying themselves.
The breakfast bar has a small assortment of breakfast options. Sliced salami, prosciutto, and roast turkey. Manchego and cheddar cheeses. Spinach, leek, and gruyere quiche, ham and swiss quiche, cranberry apple breakfast tart (often overbaked), 3-5 dry cereals, fresh fruit options (sliced melon, pineapples, and blueberries, as well as apples, oranges and bananas). There are also croissants, rye and multigrain bread, Nutella, cherry jam, and apricot jam. Once morning they had pumpkin strusel ('tis the season): another morning they offered a banana walnut breakfast pastry, and on another, they offered assorted flavors of rugalah, but made with soft, chewy phyllo dough. My favorite, by far!
There's OJ, cranberry, and apple juices, milk (2%, skim, soy: almond is available upon request), coffee and teas. Unfortunately bowls, condiment cups, juice, and hot water for tea were not readily replenished. I also noticed that some of the food items were labeled incorrectly. Not good for people with food allergies. There was a language barrier with some of the staff members, who didn't quite understand what was being requested. Once I was brought a bowl of oatmeal, when I asked for almond milk for my tea. Lol! (It looked good, served with an assortment of fruit and nuts on the side, and I was sad for wasting it). The staff are well meaning though, and remember guest preferences. I was surprised that, not long after I was greeted, one of the staff members asked me if I would like almond milk this morning. She's probably seen hundreds of guests since my last visit, but I was pleased she remembered. It can become redundant after eating the same thing for a few days, plus there are many amazing restaurants and cafes nearby. read more