The jagged peaks of Colorado’s Front Range provide a rugged backdrop for the Denver metro area—they’re a steady, reassuring presence, always standing guard. The mountains’ sharp edges and subtle strength inspired the design of Denver’s newest hotel, Thompson Denver, which opens February 7 in LoDo.

The property, Thompson Hotels’ first in the Centennial State, embodies the luxury hotel brand’s masculine, midcentury-modern style, but with understated nods to the surrounding landscape. New York City interior design firm Parts and Labor used bold architectural features, layered materials, custom furniture and light fixtures, and a moody color palette to bring Thompson’s refined-yet-edgy aesthetic to the Mile High City, says Kerri Murphy, who oversaw the project as design and planning director for Hyatt’s lifestyle division, which includes Thompson. “It was very much informed by the topography of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, but not done in a thematic or overt manner, which is really important to us,” she says.

A monolithic marble reception desk greets guests in the light-filled lobby. Image courtesy of Thompson Denver
The lower level’s massive, two-story brick fireplace extends up into the lobby. Image courtesy of Thompson Denver
A rich color palette gives guest rooms a cozy, cocoon-like quality. Image courtesy of Thompson Denver

Guests arriving for an overnight stay in one of the 216 rooms and suites—or for a meal at the onsite French restaurant, Chez Maggy—will encounter a massive, two-story brick fireplace that extends from the lower level up into the lobby. They’ll also see a monolithic marble reception desk and, behind it, a marble wall. “The substantial heaviness and sculptural qualities of the natural environment are reflected in a lot of the design decisions,” Murphy says.

Curated decor pieces and the use of naturally aging materials like patinated metal, hand-hewn wood, and chiseled stone make Thompson Denver (rates start at $299 a night) feel more like a home than a hotel. That cozy, welcoming vibe extends right up to the sixth floor’s posh listening lounge outfitted with Victrola turntables and a selection of vinyl records. Victrola, which relocated its headquarters to Denver last year, also outfitted every guest room and suite with a turntable and is providing portable record players for guests to borrow while exploring Denver.

Art deco influences are on display in Chez Maggy, the hotel’s 90-seat restaurant. Image courtesy of Thompson Denver
Chez Maggy is helmed by French chef Ludo Lefebvre. Image courtesy of Thompson Denver
Reynard Social, the sixth-floor cocktail bar at Thompson Denver, serves up alpine-inspired fare and drinks. Image courtesy of Thompson Denver
Natural light, a cozy fireplace, and mountain views beckon from Reynard Social’s sunroom. Image courtesy of Thompson Denver

Travelers can wander from the listening lounge to the cocktail bar, Reynard Social, which offers alpine-inspired bites and drinks. Reynard Social is divided into two distinct sections, with the main bar in the middle: One side feels like a sunroom, the other like a masculine library, Murphy says. Both spaces offer beautiful northwest views of the mountains.

“There’s a sense of nostalgia and comfort at the hotel,” Murphy says. “We want people to feel welcome, we want to be part of the community, but we don’t want it to feel pretentious. We want it to be a living room within the city.”

Sarah Kuta
Sarah Kuta
Sarah Kuta is Colorado-based writer and editor. She writes about travel, lifestyle, food and beverage, fitness, education and anything with a great story behind it.