Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek

Halcyon opened in August 2016 in Cherry Creek North, the shopping district southeast of downtown Denver, as an independent hotel developed by Sage Hospitality and BMC Investments. It has 154 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and four places to eat and drink. Arrival happens at a counter serving espresso, not at a conventional reception desk.

The place

The hotel stands at 245 Columbine Street in Cherry Creek North, a district of tree-lined streets, high-end shops and expensive housing, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Denver. The neighborhood is also home to the Denver Country Club, which says it is the oldest country club west of the Mississippi.

Guests are expected to move around on their own. Its Gear Garage program lends e-bikes and, at opening, Vespa scooters, and guest passes cover yoga, barre and cycling studios nearby. A Range Rover was offered as a courtesy car for short trips when the hotel opened.

The concept

Sage Hospitality, the Denver operator, and BMC Investments, led by Matt Joblon, opened Halcyon in August 2016, with Cindy Bedan as general manager. The room count moved during planning: a pre-opening announcement spoke of 155 rooms, the opening release of 154 guestrooms and suites. Listings today keep 154 and give between 11 and 13 suites depending on the source.

The design draws on Colorado and the American West. At opening, each room had a turntable and a vinyl collection and an in-room Nespresso machine. Current listings describe loft-like rooms with full-length windows, Lavazza coffee makers and Jonathan Adler bath products.

The Kitchen Counter replaced the check-in desk: hosts handle arrivals and serve Intelligentsia espresso, with snacks and drinks included in the stay. Hallways have taps for still, sparkling and hot water, and rooms carry glass water bottles.

In 2019 the hotel was reported sold to a new operator for $93 million, described as the highest price per room recorded for a Denver hotel. The buyer was not named.

The event space measures 6,500 square feet, has floor-to-ceiling windows and holds up to 300 guests.

Dining & wellness

The food program has been reshuffled since 2016. At opening it was Departure Restaurant + Lounge, a modern Asian kitchen from Sage Restaurant Group, a rooftop bar by the pool, and Quality Italian, a modern Italian-American steakhouse due later that year.

The hotel's own site now lists Local Jones, a bistro, Rare Bird on the roof, B&GC, a hidden cocktail bar, and Quality Italian. A daily social hour is advertised.

The rooftop pool comes with a hot tub and cabanas that can be reserved, and looks toward the Front Range. The fitness center is open around the clock, though one 2019 account calls it modest.