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| Outdoor patio area on side of Hotel Teatro |
It is rarely dark and dreary in
Denver, Colorado, but on this particular late afternoon, the clouds are
menacing and angry. The light rain has been trickling off and on for several
hours throughout the day, and there appears to be no end in sight. Parking is
always a tricky and expensive proposition in any downtown city, and Denver is
no exception. I am fortunate to find an evening lot that will only fleece me
$5.00 for the remainder of the evening – not bad. As I meander up the
street towards my ultimate destination, Hotel Teatro, I close my umbrella and
allow the light raindrops to brush my cheeks. It is a refreshing feeling and
makes me feel like a child.
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| Picture of Tramway Building being built |
Hotel Teatro is housed in a historic
building in downtown Denver. It was originally constructed in 1911 as the
Denver Tramway building, and has seen a fair amount of renovations, updates and
changes throughout the years. Mere steps away are the Denver Center for
Performing Arts, the 16th Street Mall, and Larimer Square. Hotel
Teatro is blessed to be in close proximity to the downtown city life, but
tucked away enough to revel it its own intimate privacy. Prior to my
visit, I was in contact with their PR representative, BrieAnn Fast of B Public
Relations, and the General Manager of Hotel Teatro, Jim Turner, in order to
ensure it would be acceptable for me to take some photographs of their property
– I was graciously given the “green light” to forge ahead.
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| Bar area inside Hotel Teatro |
I entered the property on the side
entrance, since their main entryway was under renovations. The doorway leads immediately into their bar area. The space is cozy and
accommodates more than a dozen tables, as well as the seats at the bar. I made
my way through the bar into the mini waiting area off of the lobby check-in
station. Each of the walls are covered with varying art work from performances,
including large, framed pieces of clothing from plays that have taken place at
the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Several comfortable seating areas
are located in the waiting area, one of which faces an alluring fireplace.
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| Deluxe Corner King Room |
While awaiting my mini tour to be
given by Ms. Fast, I decided to sit and do a bit of people watching. During my
visit, the hotel was completely filled to capacity, and given there is a major
hotelier directly across the street from this location, it bodes well for Hotel
Teatro that they are still able to fill rooms. The age group that tends to be
at this congenial boutique hotel seems to rest in the late thirties to early
forties range. Granted, there were other age groups representing their
clientele, but the individuals I saw checking in and out tended to be in the
aforementioned age group.
Both Mr. Turner and Ms. Fast arrived
at about the same time and I introduced myself to them both, and thanked them
for being so hospitable and allowing me to “poke” around the hotel. During our
brief exchange, I asked them both if they had seen any changes in their
occupancy since the large, luxury brand hotel recently located directly across
the street. Both Mr. Turner and Ms. Fast conveyed that Hotel Teatro guests tend
to come because of the general ambiance of the hotel; the art located
throughout the property; and the more personal experience that oftentimes can
only be accomplished at a smaller, boutique property. I have stayed at the
Hotel Teatro before, and I tend to agree with them.
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| Dress worn by Annette Bening |
My brief tour began in the basement,
where several wall mounted shelves showcased numerous masks and head pieces from various plays. Also on display
were a variety of costumes that were worn by popular performers, like Annette
Bening, in Anton Chekhov’s, The Cherry Orchard. The entire property
boasts black, white and gray swirled marble staircases and walls; elegant crown
molding; and impressive light fixtures and framed prints. There is an
upstairs eating area, as well as cozy meeting rooms. Although Hotel Teatro is
not big on grandiose spaces, there are more than enough intimate and tucked
away spots that can accommodate individuals or small groups of people. Hotel Teatro has everything one
would need to take a brief respite from the hectic day to day life.
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| Seating off main lobby area |
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There is valet parking
available at check-in, and one of the top voted Denver restaurants, Kevin
Taylor, is located on the premises. This is the sort of place you can sneak
away to and never have to leave the property, or you can wander aimlessly down
the streets, stopping in at varying martini lounges, restaurants and shopping;
all within a short distance from the hotel. The use of theater as art is
seamlessly woven into the very texture of the property, thus creating the
feeling that Hotel Teatro is not simply a place to stay, but is also a stage
for all of those who inhabit the premises.
*photos taken by That Chick Té; photo of Deluxe King Corner Room Courtesy of Hotel Teatro
www.chicksthattrip.com
