This is a fun hotel. When you arrive smiles abound and there is a chalk board on the shape of a dog where the current four legged guests are listed. If you don't like dogs, don't stay here!

The rooms are comfortable. I had a standard queen with an interior view. It was great. Huge bathroom, very comfortable bed, and the the leopard robes are a fun touch.

The "bath" menu was cleaver. What I liked about this hotel, is that it is 4 star service with NO attitude. The exceed on the basics and then do it with fun and style. It is a bit quirky, but that is the charm.

I would most definetly return to this propety on future visit to Denver.

A pet goldifsh in your room?
A shih tzu in the lobby to greet you?
Free overnight shoe shine?
Choice of four bubble baths (for a paltry $40)?
Both nightwear (yes, several sizes) and robes available for you to purchase right from the closet?
Vegetable soap bars?

Did I just overshoot Denver and end up in San Francisco?

It's a really ritzy little boutique hotel called the Hotel Monaco in Downtown Denver. One block from the 16th Street Mall, the Monaco surprised me with both opulence and gimmickry. The rooms are nice... tall ceilings and appointed well, despite their compact size. The hotel is an older one, meaning that most of the rooms have a great view of a wall or a parking garage. Just leave the blinds drawn and enjoy the comfort. There is a great bed... lots of pillows for your selection... some really expensive stuff in the frig and on the snack tray. (Walgreens is two blocks away and has all that stuff at a fraction of the cost.) And the people are kind and accommodating.

What really blew me away was when I dined in their Italian restaurant downstairs. The place is called Panzano and features the creations of Chef Elise Wiggins. I had the most wonderful veal of my life. I proposed to the chef, but I didn't have a ring on me at the time, and she wanted one really badly. Thanks for great food in a very attentive atmosphere, Elise.

Pricey? What isn't in the downtown of a major city? But yes, it was a little more than I would have liked to have afforded, but there were few choices because of some convention in town that week.

I did not find a problem with noise in the hotel, though they do have a funny way of putting ice machines on only the odd-numbered floors.

One of my better corporate stays in a while. Service was friendly and competent at every stage, from valet to desk to room service. Hotel was clean and convenient. Wine hour in the evening is a nice gesture, even if I didn't take advantage myself. Lots of others did. Am usually very loyal to hotel reward points, but would go out-of-network to stay here again.

I live in Denver and stay at the Monaco on occasion for fun and when I don't feel like driving or when I just simply feel like splurging. It's walking distance to a lot of the trendier, yet more refined late-night hangouts downtown. So if you aren't into the 'meat market' scene and you feel like taking in a night on the town without the hassle of making the trek home afterwards, it's great.

Also great for out-of-towners who want to enjoy good food and drink but want to avoid a mass of twenty-two-year-olds sweating all over them in an over crowded club pumping out of date techno tracks into tired ear drums after a long day's work. Both business travelers and trendy tourists alike will enjoy. After all, each room comes equipped with your very own LIVE gold fish for crying out loud!

This is Denver. It's known for relaxing, casual, edginess. And Hotel Monaco sums that up well with its trendy decor, friendly and knowledgeable staff, more than ample accommodations, and great location.

I'll never hesitate to revisit and it never disappoints.