the ART, a hotel

Downtown Denver’s cultural district has come a long way in a few short years, thanks in no small part to Daniel Liebeskind’s extravagant addition to the Denver Art Museum. And if you see echoes of Liebeskind’s jagged diagonals in the facade of the ART, it’s no coincidence. This 165-room boutique hotel weaves together a number of disparate design threads, and manages to integrate itself seamlessly into a neighborhood that’s already full of architecturally eclectic monuments.

As you enter you’ll pass beneath a massive LED light installation by Leo Villareal, and you’ll never again be out of sight of at least one piece of contemporary artwork. This includes the guest rooms, whose neutral tones and sparse décor impart a gallery vibe. But the comforts tell a different story; touches like Illy espresso machines and Gilchrist & Soames bath products are about more than just visual appeal.

FIRE, the restaurant, serves New American cuisine with a local emphasis, and is no less drenched in artworks; it’s full of sculptures and installations, and has commanding views of downtown Denver. And from here you’re close to the Golden Triangle Creative District as well as the new arts district along Santa Fe and the perennial nightlife center of LoDo — and the Denver Art Museum is practically right next door.