Absinthe Verte at The Brown Palace

From Edgar Degas to Charles Pierre Baudelaire, a number of legendary 19th century French artists and authors were known to imbibe absinthe, the green, cloudy drink believed to have hallucinogenic properties.

Absinthe Verte at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa

Although the libation was widely enjoyed throughout France, many people associate absinthe with Bohemian Parisian artists, who famously touted the illicit, green libation for its mind-altering effects. True, the hallucinogenic claims have been since disproved, but absinthe still carries a reputation shrouded in intrigue and fascination, perhaps due to its prohibition during the 20th century.

Whether you’re looking for a fun date idea in Denver or just want to experience a mysterious piece of cocktail history, you can dance with the green fairy at the Atrium Lobby inside The Brown Palace Hotel, where we serve Leopold Bros. Absinthe Verte in the traditional method. This award-winning absinthe, which is distilled in Denver, touts traditional flavors of anise, wormwood, sweet fennel and aromatic botanicals. Watch as our bartenders prepare the absinthe verte by pouring cold water over a sugar cube that has been placed on a slotted spoon. The slotted spoon sits atop the glass containing absinthe, so as the water melts the sugar cube, the boozy spirit transforms from clear to cloudy green.
Leopold Bros. Absinthe Verte inside the Atrium Lobby; $12 per glass

New Year’s Eve at The Brown Palace

Few parties can garner the excitement and anticipation of New Year’s Eve. It’s a night of champagne toasts, dazzling fireworks, midnight kisses and heartfelt promises for the future.

If you’re wondering what to do in Denver for New Year’s Eve, ring in 2013 with us at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, where you can dance the night away to the sounds of John Kite and The Majestics as they perform in our spectacular Atrium Lobby. Ship Tavern also will be offering live jazz and blues, performed by Hank Troy and Wendy Harston.

Or just make an entire night of it. When you book our special New Year’s Eve hotel package, you can start the evening with an indulgent four-course dinner at the historic Denver restaurant Palace Arms before enjoying our hotel’s live entertainment options. Once the party’s over, retreat upstairs to one of our guest rooms—the perfect place to call it a night.

New Year’s Eve Package Includes:
Overnight accommodations
Bottle of champagne
Complimentary parking
Four-course dinner in Palace Arms
Midnight champagne toast in the Atrium Lobby

Starting at $325 per person, not including guest room tax. Call 303-297-3111. 

Photo by Flickr/hakee

Breakfast with Santa at The Brown Palace

This holiday season, bring the kids to Ellynton’s to spend some time with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they host a special breakfast buffet fit for the whole family. The child-sized buffet offers a number of kid-friendly selections, and after filling up on delicious dishes, children meet with Old Saint Nick himself (all while sharing what they’d like for the holidays, of course).

This festive breakfast also features live music straight from the North Pole, with Danny Showers playing holly, jolly holiday tunes on the piano.

Breakfast with Santa: Saturdays – November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2012; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Adults: $34.95, Ages 6-12: $24.95; Ages 5 and under: $12.95; Reservations required. Call 303-297-3111, #3104 to reserve your spot.

A Day in the World of Tea Event November 15th

Looking for some girls time? Join us on November 15th for “A Day in the World of Tea,” which takes place in our opulent Atrium lobby. Here, you can sip a lineup of exotic, aromatic teas and speak to experts about each tea’s origin and distinct flavor profile. Learn how to correctly describe flavors and which type of tea suites you best. All while you nibble on an array of tea time snacks, such as decadent pastries, delicate finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones served with rich Devonshire cream. Two seating times are available (11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.), and tickets cost $32 per person. Call 303-297-3111 to reserve your table now before tickets run out.

Hotel Discounts for Active Military Members at The Brown Palace

With Veterans Day coming up, people across our beautiful country are coming together to appreciate our land of the free, home of the brave—and to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our courageous service men and women. Here at The Brown Palace, our gratitude extends beyond Veterans Day. We like to show our appreciation year round by extending a special package to our heroes at home.

Whether you’re coming back from deployment and want to enjoy a romantic night with that special someone or are just looking for a fun night on the town in Denver, you can enjoy special perks and discounts when you show us your active military ID.

Package Includes:

  • 10% off room rate
  • Guaranteed upgrade to next available room category
  • 15% discount in all restaurants and spa with military ID

To book, please call 303-297-3111 or 800-321-2599.

Holiday Spa Treatments at The Spa at The Brown Palace

Sure, there are plenty of things to do in Denver during the holiday season, but if you’re wondering what to do that will have you relaxed and ready to face the holiday madness, we’ve got just the thing. Take a trip to our favorite Denver spa—The Spa at The Brown Palace, of course—for one of our seasonal spa treatments. Just consider it a holiday gift to yourself.

Holiday Cookie Massage
There’s the kind of holiday cookie you can enjoy after spending the day toiling in the kitchen, and then there’s the kind you can enjoy from the comfort of your massage table. Personally, we prefer the latter. This holiday cookie-inspired spa treatment involves a tantalizing blend of Swedish, Reflexology and deep tissue massage techniques, combined with deliciously scented chocolate, almond and coconut essential oils. Not only is this treatment rich in vitamins A, B1 and B2 (perfect for parched winter skin), but it’s delightfully calorie-free. $115 (without gratuity).

Holiday Candy Body Scrub
We’ve always had a soft spot (or sweet tooth, rather) for old fashioned holiday candy, so what could be better than this candy inspired body treatment? Sit back, relax and relive holiday memories with an indulgent sugar scrub featuring the invigorating aromas of wintergreen and grapefruit. This exfoliation session will reveal glowing, soft skin, which is then moisturized with a hydrating lotion application. $110 (without gratuity)

Book your spa treatment by calling us at (303) 312-8940.

The Brown Palace Hotel Announces 25th Annual Champagne Cascade to Celebrate Our Veterans

We are excited to host our 25th annual Champagne Cascade on Sunday, November 11th at noon. During the event, a master swordsman will use an antique Napoleonic saber to sever the bottle necks of Moet & Chandon Champagne bottles that will be poured into the uppermost glass of the two-story, 6,000-glass pyramid. In addition to kicking off the holiday season, this year’s toast will honor U.S. veterans, offering several ways for the community to thank the servicemen and women this Veteran’s Day.

The legendary event will feature live jazz music and an afternoon of entertainment in The Brown Palace’s stunning open Atrium.  The event is open to the public to watch the famous champagne pour from the balconies of floors four through seven.

For prime viewing access on the Mezzanine level and unlimited champagne, beer, wine, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and desserts, a VIP experience is available for $75 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter and the organization’s Service to the Armed Forces program.  To make reservations for VIP viewing, please call (303)294-3618 or visit www.brownpalace.com to purchase a ticket.

Joining the guests on the Mezzanine level and addressing the crowd before the pour will be the honored guest of The Brown Palace and the American Red Cross, General Victor E. Renuart Jr. General Renuart is the Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, stationed out of Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. and also acts as the Chair of the National Red Cross Service to Armed Forces Committee.

Guests joining the celebration can also express their gratitude to veterans through the Red Cross “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program. Special holiday cards will be available in the lobby of The Brown Palace throughout the event to send seasonal greetings to veterans and current members of the military serving at home and overseas.

“The brave members of our armed forces are always a focus of The Brown Palace’s community giving efforts,” said Marcel Pitton, General Manager of The Brown Palace. “The American Red Cross does amazing work for our armed forces and veterans and we’re proud to partner with them to support their Service to the Armed Forces program and give back to those who have served our country.”

The American Red Cross has provided humanitarian support to the United States military, veterans and their families under a trusted symbol for more than 130 years. Through the Service to the Armed Forces program, the Red Cross provides emergency communications, supports military and veteran health care facilities, and provides social services to more than 2 million military members – including National Guard and Reservists – 23 million veterans and their families.

“Although the Red Cross provides support and services year-round for the armed forces, veterans and their families, Veteran’s Day and the holidays provide a special time for us to join with local residents in expressing gratitude to those who have served our country,” said Gino Greco, CEO of the American Red Cross Mile High Region. “We’re so pleased to be welcomed by The Brown Palace to this premier event and to have the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ together with The Brown Palace and its guests.”

The American Red Cross provides these services through employees and volunteers who are stationed alongside the military, across the country andaround the world. Although the Red Cross provides these services as part of its Congressional Charter, the Red Cross is not a governmental agency and relies on the generosity of volunteers and donors to fulfill its mission.

Holidays at The Brown Palace

If you’re wondering what to do in Denver this holiday season, you’ll find no shortage of uniquely Denver attractions—especially when you stay at The Brown Palace Hotel. From a champagne cascade to breakfast with Santa, we have a packed holiday schedule for fun things to do in Denver.

25th Annual Champagne Cascade
Saturday, November 11 at Noon, open to the public.
The Brown Palace christens the 2012 holiday season with its 25th annual Champagne Cascade. Master Swordsman and Ambassador Bernard Ganter will sever the necks of bottles of Moet & Chandon Champagne in true Napoleon-style with an antique saber. Afterwards, it will be poured into the topmost glass of a 6,000-glass pyramid that rises nearly two stories. A sparkling cascade will flow down the sides of the crystal pyramid as the gathered crowd watches.

Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 22
Let someone else do the cooking this Thanksgiving, and enjoy a festive brunch served in Ellyngton’s from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and in the Prospector Suite from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., accompanied by the Danny Showers Trio. We’ll have traditional roasted turkey with all the trimmings, as well as other gourmet offerings. The Palace Arms also will be serving a special prix fixe menu from 3:00pm – 8:00pm.

Denver Downtown Parade of Lights
Friday, November 30 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 1 at 6 p.m.
Watch a magical holiday spectacle of bright lights, illuminated floats, equestrians on horseback and floating character balloons as they make their way downtown.

Breakfast with Santa
Saturdays: November 24, December 1, 8, 15 and 22
Santa and Mrs. Claus host the little ones in Ellyngton’s for a special breakfast buffet on these special mornings. The child-sized buffet offers kid-friendly selections, as well as live music from the North Pole with Danny Showers.

57th Annual Debutante Ball
Saturday, December 22
Other Denver nightlife options can’t hold a candle to this invite-only event, which is considered the social gathering of the year for Denver’s elite.

Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 25
Gather your loved ones, and enjoy a festive holiday brunch served in Ellyngton’s from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and in the Prospector Suite from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. We’ll have traditional roasted turkey with all the trimmings, as well as other gourmet offerings. The Palace Arms also will be serving a special prix fixe menu from 3:00pm – 8:00pm.

New Year’s Eve
Monday, December 31
Ring in 2013 in true Brown Palace style, and dance the night away to the sounds of John Kite and The Majestics in the beautiful Atrium Lobby.

Brown Palace Hotel & Spa Ranked One of Top Hotels in The West By Conde Nast Traveler’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Award

All of us at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa are absolutely tickled to announce that we were voted as one of the top10 hotels in the west in Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards. With over 46 thousand votes cast, we are delighted to have achieved this accomplishment and look forward to providing top-rated service and hospitality to all of our guests.

We truly thank each and even one of you that voted in this year’s Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Poll.

25th Annual Champagne Cascade at The Brown Palace

Some traditions are worth toasting to, and we think our annual Champagne Cascade is one of them. This November 11th at noon, come raise a glass with us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this exciting event, where bubbly flows like water.

Watch as a master swordsman expertly severs the necks of Moet & Chandon bottles, using only an antique Napoleonic saber. The Champagne then will be poured down a towering pyramid of 6,000 sparkling Champagne glasses, housed in our elegant Atrium Lobby. This free event is open to the public, and attendees can watch the spectacular display from floors four through seven.

If all that flowing champagne makes you thirsty, stop into Ship Tavern for a glass of bubbly after the event, or plan ahead by making a reservation at Ellyngton’s for their famous Dom Perignon Champagne Brunch.