Most people don’t associate the Rocky Mountains with blue-chip modern art, but that’s all about to change. This summer, the ART Hotel—Denver’s most anticipated new luxury property—opened its doors to sophisticated jetsetters traveling through the West. Curated by Dianne Vanderlip, the hotel’s public spaces are bursting with post-WWII work from masters like Ed Ruscha, Tracey Emin, Larry Bell, Sol LeWeitt and Jim Dine.
Before stepping foot into the 165-room tower, guests pull in to a breezeway covered with 22,000 twinkling LED lights, an original installation by Leo Villareal. Also not to be missed is FIRE, the terraced restaurant off the elevated lobby. Visitors and locals alike will appreciate the intimate setting—not to mention superb cocktails—when taking in their decidedly highbrow surroundings.
Inside the ART Hotel
Here, General Manager David Bodette gives us the skinny on which of the hotel’s rooms are already most in demand:
The most requested room:
The Mountain View Suite and Museum View Suite
What makes it so special:
They have commanding wraparound views of either the mountains or the city. Their configurations are elegant and well thought out, down to their unique additional art works from the likes of Clyfford Still, Claes Oldenburg and Herbert Bayer, making them the perfect urban residence for Downtown Denver.
Inside the ART Hotel
The rate:
It starts at $509 per night.
Your personal favorite:
Capital Balcony Suite
Because…
It contains two of my favorite artist’s work Vance Kirkland and Clyfford Still (both who have their museums within blocks of the hotel). It has wonderful French doors to the bedroom and finally a private patio for each room that is the place to enjoy your morning coffee and read the Denver Post.
Inside the ART Hotel
Celebrity guests:
We are not allowed to divulge names, however a recent female Academy Award-winner did come to stay.
Fun fact:
It has many works that were commissioned just for the hotel, such as Leo Villareal’s “Threshold” LED light art on the exterior of the building and Larry Bell’s mesmerizing “Light Knots” that are the centerpiece of our FIRE restaurant. In fact Leo’s Threshold has more LED lights (over 22,000) than his famous installation on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. We are honored to house such a significant collection of modern and contemporary art and look forward to sharing its beauty and story with each of our guests.
