Hotel Review: The Art Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Art Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton has none of the run-of-the-mill, chain hotel vibes you might expect from Hilton. Delightfully, it feels more like a museum than anything, thanks to its curated artwork throughout the common spaces and within the rooms.

Located in Denver's Golden Triangle district, it’s within walking distance of many of Denver's top art-focused attractions, including the Denver Art Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum. It’s also near other popular destinations, such as the Colorado State Capitol and 16th Street Mall.

For travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind hotel but who also appreciate the benefits that a major brand like Hilton can offer (including the ability to book on points or to flex elite status), The Art Hotel Denver fits the bill.

This stylish and contemporary hotel originally opened in June 2015. In October 2020, the hotel joined the Hilton brand Curio Collection, which is a portfolio of more than 140 hotels worldwide that promise distinctive architecture and design.

The art displays start from the moment you pull up to the porte cochere (the covered car entrance), which is illuminated by 22,000 LED lights. The piece was commissioned specifically for the hotel and done by Leo Villareal, who is known for installing the 25,000 LEDs strung on vertical cables of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

The hotel’s ground floor is referred to as the Portico Gallery. Curated by Dianne Vanderlip of the Denver Art Museum, it’s a free-to-visit space filled with high-end pieces from artists including Sol Lewitt, Tracey Emin and Sam Francis.

In the hotel’s fourth-floor lobby, the art displays continue with an enormous sculpture of a horse named Otter. Artist Deborah Butterfield created Otter by burning away wood with molten bronze.

The whole lobby is framed by large windows that let in natural light and overlook the hotel restaurant’s patio seating.

The hotel features 165 rooms and suites, many of which offer views of the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountains. Rooms are modern with high-end touches and curated art.

In the Italian marble bathrooms, you can freshen up using Gilchrist & Soames bath amenities.

You might make your in-room coffee from the Illy Caffe coffee bar.

Suites offer even more space, including a separate living room area. Some suites also have balconies and separate tubs.

The Art Hotel Denver’s restaurant, Fire, is open for every meal of the day. The name Fire is appropriate given the most enjoyable seating options is the outdoor patio surrounding a fire pit. On some evenings, there’s even live entertainment.

If you sit inside, you’ll still look out on floor-to-ceiling glass windows. In the spirit of the broader hotel, the restaurant is adorned with art pieces, too.

Fire serves standard upscale American fare. Salad lovers can expect elevated toppings like fried goat cheese and bourbon maple vinaigrette. Other menu options include classics like burgers, seared salmon or filet mignon.

Not to be missed on the breakfast menu is the hashbrown casserole.

The hotel charges a $20 daily amenity fee, which is just another word for a resort fee.

At least this hotel’s fees covers amenities that go beyond the basics like Wi-Fi. Among the highlights are the complimentary candy bars, bottled water and sodas inside the room. You’ll also get a $20 daily credit to use at Fire.

There’s a fitness center open 24 hours. And while there’s no business center, the folks at the front desk will print and copy documents for you for free (up to 10 pages).

The hotel offers valet parking, but it’s not cheap. You’ll pay more than $50 to park your car overnight.

Among the most unique benefits, though, is complimentary use of the House Car, where a hotel driver will take you within a 2-mile radius of the hotel. The limited distance means you can’t use it to get to the airport, but you might take it to other popular attractions such as Coors Field for a baseball game, Union Station or The Denver Central Market.

If the car is unavailable, the hotel’s concierge can call a Lyft car to take you to your destination. The hotel will foot the bill, not you.

While the Art Hotel Denver is located near top attractions (primarily Civic Center and many museums), it’s about a 1.5-mile walk to Denver Union Station, (which can be a convenient way to get from downtown to the airport by train). The House Car (or Lyft, if the House Car is unavailable) can take you there.

Since the hotel is part of the Hilton Honors program, you can redeem Hilton Honors points for your stay. Because Hilton does not use an award chart for its properties, the number of points needed to book a given room can change based on supply and demand.

Points rates generally correlate with cash rates. With the understanding that a Hilton point is worth 0.6 cent, according to NerdWallet calculations, run your own calculation to decide whether you’re getting a good value for booking on points.

The value of a Hilton point is pitifully low when compared to other hotel loyalty programs, but that’s not a bad thing given how easy it can be to earn Hilton points. Sure, you might earn points through hotel stays, but you can also earn them through Hilton’s co-branded credit cards.

Speaking of credit cards, some offer cardholders free Hilton hotel certificates simply as a benefit for holding the card. This hotel is one of the better uses of your Hilton free night certificate given its high cash rates relative to other Hilton properties nearby.

Booking with Hilton elite status

If you have Hilton elite status, your stay here will be a step above the rest. With Hilton Gold or Hilton Diamond status, you’ll be granted Hilton’s daily food and beverage credit, which you can apply to dining at Fire.

Gold and Diamond members are also eligible for room upgrades, if available.

Even with the lowest level of elite status, Silver, you get the benefit of your fifth night free if you book on points. You also won’t owe that amenity fee when you book on points.

Booking through the AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts Program

The Art Hotel Denver is a participant in the AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts Program (FHR), which is an online booking platform available to certain American Express cardholders. When you book this hotel through FHR, don’t expect the lowest prices. Instead, expect extra benefits that might net out more valuable anyway.

If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express and you book through FHR, you’ll receive:

• 12 p.m. check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4 p.m. check-out.

• Room upgrade at check-in, when available.

• Daily breakfast for two.

• $100 food and beverage credit to be used during your stay.

One of the best benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express is its $200 credit for prepaid bookings with American Express Travel at Fine Hotels + Resorts properties. That means a stay booked at this hotel qualifies for the credit (see rates and fees).

Terms apply.

The Art Hotel Denver is ideal for travelers seeking a stylish and contemporary hotel in downtown Denver. For art aficionados — or anyone looking to ditch the generic chain hotel vibes — this one delivers.

It can be especially valuable for Hilton Honors members, who can flex their elite status and book rooms using points. It can also be a smart way for The Platinum Card® from American Express holders to spend their annual hotel credit.