Clayton Hotel & Members Club

A few miles to the south of downtown Denver and the stadium district, in the upscale country club–adjacent enclave of Cherry Creek North, the Clayton Hotel & Members Club aims to thread a very particular needle: to be desirable yet inclusive, chic yet unstuffy, to be a private members’ club without universally drawing from among the already privileged.

Guests find themselves members of a surprisingly diverse society — one that draws heavily from Denver’s blossoming creative communities — and are set up in impressively stylish and unpretentious luxury digs as well; designers AvroKO have combined mid-century modernist style with subtle visual references to Colorado’s landscape and history. The result is as plush as any downtown luxury hotel, and a good deal more memorable.

Meanwhile the Clayton’s restaurants dramatically depart from the ranch-focused cuisine that’s ubiquitous in Colorado. Both Kinis and Cretans take their inspiration from Greece as well as the greater Mediterranean, while the rooftop restaurant serves lighter fare by the poolside — and Chez Rock, the cocktail bar, is a Moroccan-accented nightspot featuring live DJs and unusual interpretations of classic cocktails. It’s a side of Denver you’ll be glad you went a little bit out of your way to see.