Denver’s Oldest Hotel – The Oxford Hotel
The Oxford Hotel in Denver opened its doors in 1891 beating out the Brown Palace as the oldest hotel in Denver by a year. With its primo spot by the Union Station, The Oxford was basically the welcoming committee to people traveling to Denver.
The hotel underwent renovations in the ’80s and again in 2009 and in 2018 so while it’s old it’s got all the modern amenities you may need. Dana Crawford the mastermind behind the renovation and restoration of Larimer Square and Union Station oversaw the renovation and remains a part-owner today, so ya know it’s good. Read more about the hotel’s history here.
Relax or Shop?
Head to the hotel early to drop off your bags or for early check-in. While there are so many things to be in arms reach of The Oxford I have two suggestions – visit the spa or shop & sip!
The Oxford Hotel Spa – Take a complimentary class at the gym or enjoy a spa treatment, all guests get 10% off too!
Shop & Sip – Walk the two short blocks over to the Dairy Block to enjoy some great shopping. Shop the best in curated vintage in Denver at The Vintage Label. Stop in Aesop and Beauty Counter for your skincare favorites and Sarah O for the most beautiful and local jewelry. Another local favorite is Topo designs for outdoor gear and bags. For the sustainable shopper check out Conscious Market.
When you’re tired from shopping head to Blanchard Family Wines for a complimentary tasting for hotel guests or Kachina for 1 complimentary appetizer! P.S. Kachina has great white queso and killer margaritas.
Daily Burbon Tasting – Guest of the Oxford get a number of discounts around town but they also get a free bourbon tasting every afternoon from 5:30 to 7:30 so be sure to snag one before heading up to your room to get ready for the night
Dinner + Drinks at The Oxford Hotel
Make a resy at Urban Farmer for the most incredible steak dinner. Urban Farmer is a stake house and the dinner prices are that of a high-end steakhouse (cheapest entree was $29, cheapest steak is ~$50 sides range from $10 to $18.) Our food and service matched what we paid, plus the decor and vibe is so Denver and not a stuffy old man steak house. Besides, you are on a vacation so enjoy yourself!
For starters, the octopus and pork belly are not to be missed. Honestly, it’s a plate of my two favorite things and each one is done perfectly.
We were sold on the New York Strip Tasting Platter, the 3 cuts were just enough for both of us but we through on the Wagyu cause, why not! My favorites were the grass-fed and grain-finished steak. For sides, we got the mushrooms which are prepared tableside (see my stories), and the creamed corn. Y’all, the creamed corn is next-level good!
After dinner head to drinks at The Cruise Room – the longest continually running bar in Denver – it opened at the end of prohibition and has been rocking ever since. This place is a vibe. If you want to keep the party going head over to Terminal Bar or Poka Lola Social Club.
Coffee or Brunch?
Before checking out in the morning you will want to grab something to eat, again two suggestions, depending on where the rest of the day is going – coffee or brunch?
For a quick bite and a coffee – head just downstairs and around the corner to The Wild for the most amazing blueberry almond croissant. Acme Delicatessen across the street in Union station offers a more substantial but quick breakfast option – i.e. bagel sandwich. Discounts are available at The Wild and Acme too!
For Brunch – Snooze is a Denver institution and is open for breakfast and brunch 7 days a week and less than a block from The Oxford Hotel. Other options all within walking distance are Tupelo Honey, Avelina, and Urban Farmer.
I hope this post helps you plan the perfect getaway to Downtown Denver in one of the coolest and oldest hotels! Always feel free to leave a comment, email me or send me a DM – happy to help you plan!
Looking at these photos, it’s easy to imagine yourself in a Stephen King novel