By Katie Rapone, editor.
At The Crawford Hotel, hospitality extends far beyond the guestroom walls. Anchored within Denver’s landmark Union Station, the property offers travelers a seamless connection to the city’s culinary heartbeat. With an array of dining options just steps away—from thoughtfully designed cafés to destination restaurants and buzzing cocktail lounges—The Crawford transforms its historic setting into an immersive guest experience, where architecture, atmosphere, and gastronomy converge.
A Hotel Inside a Landmark
The Crawford isn’t just a stand-alone hotel—it’s part of one of Denver’s most iconic destinations. Originally built in 1881, Union Station is the vibrant hub that combines rail travel, dining, shopping, and community gathering spaces. When The Crawford Hotel opened in 2014, the Union Station Alliance created something rare: a stay where history and hospitality surround you at every turn.
According to Ed Blair, the area general manager overseeing Denver Union Station and The Crawford, the hotel welcomes a broad spectrum of visitors, from business travelers attending conventions to couples arriving by train for a weekend getaway. Many guests are drawn to its timeless character and an experience that feels both classic and enduring.
“We like to say, ‘you cannot build history,” says Blair. “Our team works very hard every day to share the history of this incredible building that is once again the heart of downtown Denver and to honor the remarkable life of our namesake, Dana Crawford. We strive to offer an elevated experience for all guests – from the commuter grabbing a coffee from Pigtrain on their way to work to the overnight guest staying at The Crawford Hotel.”
Hotel Refresh
The hotel’s most recent renovation in January 2025 was led by Sage Studio, the in-house strategy and creative team at Sage Hospitality Group. Sage Studio partnered with global integrated design firm DLR Group, which specializes in adaptive reuse, for the redesign of the stately Crawford guestrooms. New York’s Goodrich, a multidisciplinary design practice grounded in hospitality expertise, reimagined and redesigned all public spaces, including the Great Hall and Cooper Lounge.
“The renovation reintroduces 112 distinct guestrooms, each channeling the opulence of traditional train cars and the grandeur of the station’s architecture,” says Stephanie Gearhart, interiors leader, NCIDQ, principal at DLR Group.
Guest rooms are newly appointed with luxury detail, lush fabrics, historic elements, and modern amenities. Each room features opulent custom-made furniture and window treatments in rich jewel tones of emerald green, deep rose, cobalt blue, and burnt orange, with an eclectic mix of locally sourced art and gorgeous floral ceiling coverings. Upgraded amenities include an in-room Cooper Lounge cocktail experience and Grown Alchemist bath products.
“Upon entry, guests are greeted with golden carpet flooring that exudes an inviting glow, along with arched doorways crafted to echo the Mizpah Arch, which once welcomed visitors to the city in the 1900s. Refinished original hardwood floors and the use of natural materials underscore our commitment to longevity and stewardship,” says Gearhart.
The recent recipient of a Michelin Guide One Key and also named one of Tripadvisor’s 2025 Best of the Best Luxury U.S. Hotels, The Crawford Hotel has elevated the guest arrival experience with the creation of an inviting new lobby called “The Parlour” that’s separate from the Great Hall with private elevator access to the guest floors. The space features an upholstered reception desk and a bespoke fabric chandelier, along with a mix of new and vintage furnishings and artwork. The Parlour hosts an extensive schedule of daily lobby programming, including live local music and welcome cocktails.
Beyond the Room: An Immersive Experience
More than just a place to sleep, stays at the hotel include perks that elevate the guest experience—complimentary morning coffee from local favorite Pigtrain Coffee, ice cream at Milkbox, and craft beer from Terminal Bar. Best of all, The Crawford provides direct access to Union Station’s diverse collection of restaurants, cocktail bars, and shops. Beloved Denver restaurant, Mercantile, by James Beard Award-winning chef Alex Seidel, offers elevated comfort food and a European-style market for fresh pastries, juices, and locally sourced meats and cheeses. Located on the mezzanine, mere steps from many of The Crawford’s guest rooms, The Cooper Lounge offers crafted cocktails and sumptuous bites in a chic Art Deco-infused space, making it the perfect place to enjoy an after-dinner cocktail.
New additions add even more variety. Baumé, an elegant & timeless dessert experience serving European-inspired patisseries along with a curated Champagne list, served in the newly renovated Great Hall. Occupying the 1,879-square-foot space across from Tattered Cover, the counter service Olive & Finch is open for dinner, happy hour, lunch, and breakfast, offering a robust selection of Chef Mary Nguyen’s signature gourmet fare made fast and affordable, available for dine-in or grab-and-go. At Ultreia, James Beard Award-winning Chef Jennifer Jasinski, along with Adam Branz, draw inspiration from the Iberian peninsula with its menu of tapas, pintxos, and petiscos, along with a selection of gins, sherries and gin-tonics.
Blending history with modern hospitality, The Crawford Hotel offers travelers a unique connection to the Mile High City’s past and present, all within the beating heart of Union Station. Visit https://www.denverunionstation.com/stay/ for more information.
