A First Look Inside Denver's Brand New Crawford Hotel at Union Station
Exterior of Denver's Union Station, location of the Crawford Hotel
If the Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center has the most beautiful lobby in Denver, then the one at the brand new Crawford Hotel has the best buzz. Maybe that's because it's not really a lobby at all. Located in the freshly renovated Union Station in downtown Denver, the hotel sits above the main train terminal, home to ten bars and restaurants. If you're looking for a place to escape the vibe of the city, the Crawford Hotel is not the place to do it. As the newest refurbishment project in the city, Union Station has embraced the spotlight since opening in late July.
Dominating the scene in the "lobby" is the Terminal Bar, which, while having its own dedicated space, pours out into the terminal and offers about 40 Colorado beers on tap. Two shuffleboard courts sit in the middle of the main room, and a walk-up window allows easy access for those who prefer to have a drink in the common space and watch the coming and goings of the station. The rest of the restaurants and bars are located outside of the main room, designated by signs reminiscent of old-school train schedule boards, similar to the one below that marks the location of the Crawford's concierge desk.
Signs reminiscent of old-school train schedule boards hang on the walls of the terminal
One of the most unique things about the Crawford is that you can "go out" without really "going out." Sure, lots of hotels have restaurants in their lobbies, but most of the time, you feel like you're having dinner in a hotel. Because there is so much going on at the Crawford - and the fact that there's really no lobby - a guest instantly forgets they are in a hotel upon exiting their room. Eatery options range from small coffee shops to local favorites: Stoic & Genuine for seafood and raw bar, the Kitchen Next Door for farm-to-table fare, and Snooze, Denver's infamous "A.M. Eatery," known for its pancakes and Benedicts.
The Crawford Hotel's "lobby" is actually the main terminal for Union Station
When standing in the middle of the main terminal, or the "Great Hall" as it is called (aka, in the middle of the Terminal Bar), you can look up and see the rooms on either side. Above is a view from the hallway outside the rooms. There's a total of three floors and 112 rooms, and each is laid out differently. 112 rooms, 112 layouts and designs. If you have special needs, be sure to let them be known when booking a room. For example, some rooms don't have desks, and each has a uniquely arranged sitting area.
The Crawford's flagship rooms are known as the Pullman Rooms. While some feel a little smaller due to a slanting ceiling, the concept seeks to combine the feeling of a sleeping car on a luxury train with art deco decor. Think train-traveled inspired art and mahogany highlighted by bursts of color. Perhaps even more in line with the theme is the fact that all Pullman Rooms look out onto the train platform and tracks. To ensure this remains a novel experience and does not become a nightmare, every room at the Crawford is fully soundproofed.
The flagship Pullman Rooms are designed after a sleeping car on a luxury train
The two other room categories at the Crawford are Loft and Classic. The Loft Rooms are all located on the top floor, making use of the old attic space once present in the historic building. The rooms feature high ceilings, exposed beams, and oversized windows. In one room, the bathroom fully took advantage of this with a rainshower head hung approximately ten feet in the air - one of the highest we've ever seen at a hotel. The hotel also offers two specialty rooms, the Lodo Suite and the Crawford Suite.
Like each room, each bathroom at the Crawford has a unique layout. Pictured here is a Loft Room
In 2016, the city will complete a train line from Union Station to Denver International Airport. When that happens, the Crawford Hotel will become even more prominent. The hotel will draw leisure guests on its own accord, beauty, and buzz, but also because of its logistical advantage for those flying into and out of Denver. Currently, rates for the Crawford Hotel in Union Station start at $289 a night.
Will paid a discounted media rate to stay at the Crawford Hotel. Typical rates start at $289 a night.
[Photos: Pullman Room: Ellen Jaskol; All Others: Custom Creations Photography]
