Arrival/Check-In: Check-in took less than five minutes; we received our keys and headed straight to our rooms. The Oxford Hotel sits in Denver’s historic Lower Downtown (LoDo) district and was originally built in 1891, making it the city’s first hotel. Located in one of Denver’s most vibrant neighborhoods, the property blends grand historic character with boutique sensibilities, offering a personalized stay in spaces filled with American West art. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Oxford is also the only hotel in Denver with a fully functioning wood-burning fireplace.
Guest Quarters: I stayed in room 516, one of the hotel’s 80 guestrooms. Recently refreshed, every room at The Oxford is uniquely decorated and features elements like claw-foot bathtubs and floor-to-ceiling Chinese silk curtains, along with French and English antiques throughout the property. My 350-square-foot room included a comfortable queen-sized bed and a pleasant city view. A well-designed work area with multiple outlets made it easy to charge devices and work comfortably. Standard room amenities included 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, pillow-top mattresses, a flat-screen TV, complimentary WiFi, and thoughtful touches such as robes and slippers.
Services/Amenities: The hotel provides access to the Oxford Club, Spa & Salon, which includes a fitness center, as well as a business center for guests who need workspace or meeting resources.
Attached to the hotel is Urban Farmer, a steakhouse that had opened only weeks before my visit. The restaurant offers a bright, open atmosphere and a menu focused on high-quality ingredients. On the evening I dined there, I chose a seared sea scallops entrée accompanied by grain risotto, carrot juice and pepita seed—a satisfying seafood option executed well.
Don’t miss the hotel’s bar, The Cruise Room and Martini Bar, located just off the lobby. Its red-hued interior and decorative panels showcasing toasts from around the world create a distinctive setting. The Cruise Room was modeled after the bar on the famous Queen Mary and was designed by the same architect; it also features a vintage jukebox with complimentary song selections.
Top Takeaways:
◆ Prime location in the heart of LoDo.
◆ A notable collection of American Western art throughout the property.
◆ Luxurious guestrooms with well-chosen amenities.
◆ Onsite dining and a memorable bar make it convenient to stay in-house for meals and drinks.
The Oxford Hotel
1600 17th St.
Denver, CO 80202
tel 303 628 5400
theoxfordhotel.com