Late Checkout: Denver’s Ramble Hotel

Though you might consider Denver a wintertime destination for powder seekers and ski bums, the mountain city is also worth a visit for its beautiful dry summer days, craft beer, and access to world-class hiking. If you’re looking for a homey, low-key stay in The Mile High City with quality culinary offerings, The Ramble Hotel fits the bill.

I stayed at The Ramble in early October, just as the Aspens were turning the mountains surrounding Denver a shimmery gold. The days were hot and sunny, and the nights were chilly, but it was nothing that a cocktail (or several) at Death & Company, the hotel bar, couldn’t fix. 

Staying in River North

The Ramble Hotel is located in the River North Arts District of Denver, more affectionately called RiNo. The neighborhood has the feel of a place in transition. Concrete block-style buildings, which once housed factories, are now garnished with street art. Inside, indie coffee shops are interspersed with mainstream outdoorsy retailers like Patagonia and Faherty. The area is gentrifying but holding on to some of its industrial edge.

Denver is a large, gridded, fairly car-dependent city, though it’s easy to hop on public transit and there are plenty of public bikes and lanes. If you’d rather stick around the hotel to eat, the Ramble is within walking distance of Denver Central Market, a bustling indoor food hall. Vendors include Vero, where you can watch a pizzaiolo spin dough into air while you cheese-pull your way through thin-crust ‘za and High Point Creamy, which scoops unique ice cream flavors like Basil with Blackberry Swirl and Earl Grey with Shortbread Cookies.  

Country Western Aesthetic

As soon as you enter the lobby of The Ramble, the cozy, welcoming vibes are everywhere. The staff is friendly, attentive, and eager to help with recommendations and assistance. There seems to be a constant cohort of laptop users posted up in the lobby-meets-coffee shop run by Deathe & Co. It’s unclear whether they’re hotel guests or locals in need of a soft velvet couch to work from for the afternoon. But clearly, everyone is enjoying themselves.

The hotel has 50 rooms, including spacious suites and an adorable private bunk room. The largest accommodation, a pied-a-terre, has a kitchenette and a dining space. Every room is full of country western charm, with antique rugs, brass and leather accents, and art deco chandeliers. 

Death & Co Cocktail Bar

The Ramble Hotel is home to the first non-New York location of the iconic cocktail bar Death & Company. Reservations are recommended—this is a popular spot every night of the week, and waits can get long. But once you’re settled into your booth and sipping a cherry-hued Radio Star (tequila, strawberry, mint, cucumber, feta, and cava) or my favorite, the Fan Fiction, which is a fruity take on a white negroni made with sweet potato shochu and tomato brandy, you’ll be a happy camper. 

The drink menu reads like an around-the-world adventure novel, and the servers are more than happy to help you navigate the flavors and translate any unfamiliar terms (I found many). If you’re feeling adventurous, you’re pretty much guaranteed to try something new at Death & Co. 

Of course, no one should drink on an empty stomach, and the food menu, though brief, is not to be slept on. The caesar salad has ample handmade croutons and a light and savory parmesan dressing. The steak tartare is fresh, chilled, and perfectly seasoned. And the chocolate chip cookies (baked to order) are intensely gooey and chip-filled.

Thoughtful Details

Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, The Ramble is the type of hotel with personality and character that you look forward to spending time in. Each room is well stocked with thoughtful amenities, including a high-end bar curated by Death & Co, a French press with local coffee, a beautiful freestanding tub, and even a practical backpack from Topo Designs to use during your stay.

Though you might be tempted to linger in the hotel lobby, bar, and cozy room, the greater Denver area offers plenty to explore. If you’re visiting to ski, climb, or hike the surrounding Rockies, the Ramble offers the ideal place to come home to for a warm night by the fire with a fortifying beverage.