Hotel Review: Halcyon, Cherry Creek - Denver
While staying at the Halcyon may very well break the bank, I can happily say that you won’t regret shelling out the benjamins for your stay here. You will very quickly see where your money is going when you book a room at the Halcyon, from the posh yet modern decor to the friendly and accommodating staff, right away you’ll be greeted by the markers of a luxury hotel. A doorman to immediately greet you and open your cab/Uber before grabbing your luggage and kindly ushering you into the hotel. Check-in at a modern bar/counter, where you’ll be able to go throughout your stay for complimentary tea, coffee, and lattes. It's at this same bar where you’ll be able to enjoy an inclusive happy hour (approximately from 3pm-6pm, though the staff will let you know the exact time when you check in).
Happy hour(s) at the Halcyon includes free wine or beer, with as many refills as you want; at least it felt that way when I was there. While I can’t speak for the beer selection, others seem pleased by the options. For wine, I had my choice of red, white, and rose, as well as a sparkling wine/prosecco. After finishing my first glass of bubbly, enjoyed in the trendy lobby-lounge area of the hotel, a staff member offered to get me a refill or bring me a different drink. And when I returned to the bar a little later, ready to switch from the bubbles to a rosé, the staff were happy to pour me a large glass. No judgement, smiles, and a generous pour - what more could one want from a complimentary happy hour?
Stationed throughout the hotel, on every floor and by elevators, I found stands with hand sanitizer and tissues. So there’s no excuse not to sanitize before pressing elevator buttons, helping to keep the hotel just a little safer in these more cautious times.
I also found a countertop by the elevator on my floor with mugs, a box of tea bags, and hot water were available, allowing me to make myself a nice cup of tea whenever I wanted. There was also a variety of newspapers sprawled out for my enjoyment. These little touches, while ultimately factored into the cost, mark the difference between a nice hotel and a luxury hotel.
THE ROOM
My room was quite spacious, with a large comfortable queen size bed and a sofa lining the length of the window. Should I have been staying at the hotel longer, this would have been a great place to sit back and watch TV, or to enjoy in-room dining (whether from room service or take out). The decor was more modest and simplistic, a little more hip in its styling. Records and large coffee table books were the motif, with some available to peruse beside the TV.
The bathroom was clean and large, with a big shower. My only complaint would be the lack of individualized shampoos and conditioner. While a bar of soap was provided with the bathroom amenities, in the shower there was a shampoo and conditioner dispenser mounted to the wall.
Personally, I always find that disconcerting in a hotel - especially in one of such high caliber and standards. But in the age of Covid, I was truly surprised by it. With people so careful about sharing and what they touch, the idea of using somewhat-communal shampoo was off putting. Again, not enough to make or break the experience, especially since I always bring my own products, but still… this was the only element of the hotel that seemed out of place and the antithesis of luxury.
The bed was very comfortable, the pillows a mix of firm and plush. I don’t know if that was intentional or not, but I found both on my bed, which made for optimal comfort.
HOTEL RESTAURANTS
As for hotel dining, there is a rooftop bar and pool that’s quite popular, where you can enjoy a cocktail on a lounger, or throw back beers while enjoying that rooftop bar vibe. To give you that Vegas vibe, you can even reserve a cabana in advance. On the main floor, you’ll find two restaurants, both quite popular with hotel guests as well as locals. In fact, Quality Italian, the hotel’s steakhouse which was designed with consideration to modern luxury paired with New York Italian-style steakhouses, may require reservations in advance. Depending on the time of year, perhaps you can simply walk in and snag a table, but if you want to guarantee yourself a spot, it’s best to book ahead. Menu items include a range of pastas made in house, fish dishes, a variety of steaks, and some decadent desserts and delicious appetizers. I mean, who needs pasta or a sirloin when there are filet mignon meatballs to start and cream cheese gelato with carrot cake croutons to finish? It’s also worth noting that this restaurant offers an Instagram-friendly weekend brunch, with beloved items like New York style Eggs Benedict, Bananas-Foster French toast, breakfast risotto, egg white frittata, and an over-the-top sausage roll. You can also enjoy their signature Bellini cart with your choice of freshly squeezed juices.
The other restaurant, Local Jones, has a more laid-back vibe, marketed as a cozy neighborhood restaurant, albeit a fancy one. You’ll find classic popular salads (caesar, roasted beet and ricotta, chopped, and summer vegetable) where you can add your choice of protein, a cheeseburger, homemade vegetarian agnolotti pasta, roasted chicken, steak, fish of the day, and a range of overpriced starters. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll enjoy your food here. But I don’t believe in charging $9 for a “simple bread basket”. Five dollars maybe, but I’m not paying nearly $10 for carbs I don’t even need to be eating - no thank you, I’m not wasting my calories on a bowl of bread unless it’s included in my meal. Instead, I would suggest checking out the brunch here instead, as their brunch menu is quite big with some great options. Blueberry pancakes, challah French toast, avocado toast, a classic eggs breakfast, a power bowl, and some heartier options for those who aren’t getting started until later in the day. And happily, they offer weekday breakfasts so you can treat yourself to a weekday morning indulgence.
THE LOCATION
The location of the hotel is both great and unfortunate, dependant on how you look at it. It’s right in the heart of the Cherry Creek North neighbourhood, which is full of great restaurants, cafes, and shopping. So if you’re looking for a nice upscale neighbourhood to wander around and spend your time, this is a great place to stay. It’s safe and extremely pleasant, clearly why so many locals flock night after night to Cherry Creek. But if you’re looking at ‘walk-scores’, it’s not ideal. Denver is a city for drivers, not walkers, so unless you plan on taking busses to get around or using Uber/Lyft every day, you may want to rethink this hotel. Though again, this will depend on what you’re looking for on your trip, how active you want to be, and how long you’re staying in Denver.
Personally, I like to be able to walk everywhere when I’m on vacation, or at least to most of a city’s highlights. I don’t need them to be within five minutes of my hotel, but I don’t particularly like when everything is a minimum 30-45 minute walk. And I especially don’t like it when most of that walk is either residential neighbourhoods or just busy streets with lots of traffic but little to actually look at or enjoy.
So if you’re just looking to relax in a nice neighbourhood for a couple of days, maybe with only one day designated to sightseeing, or if you’re happy to Uber/bus everywhere - you’ll love staying at the Halcyon. But if you’re looking to explore the city on your feet, you better have comfortable shoes and a lot of patience if you want to stay at the Halcyon.