Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, Denver

Our group had a very upsetting encounter with a valet attendant at the Halcyon. He was hostile and confrontational from the moment we arrived, without any provocation. We tried several times to calm things down and resolve it civilly, speaking calmly and clearly, but each attempt was met with more aggression. He moved to within inches of our faces, an intimidating and threatening gesture that left us feeling unsafe. We were also pressured to pay him through a personal Venmo instead of the hotel’s official system, which felt inappropriate. No guest should have to keep asking a service employee for basic respect. We did our best to de-escalate and gave him every chance to correct his behavior, but he chose not to. I hope management takes this seriously. This kind of conduct has no place in hospitality.

The room is comfortable, clean, and nicely equipped, though not luxurious. My wife had stayed before and thought I’d like it. She was right. Each floor has a filtered water tap and big bottles to fill, plus hot water, tea bags, and mugs. Coffee drinks from the front desk barista service are available 24/7 and included in the room rate, and the room has an espresso machine with pods. Snacks are available to buy. Both lobby restaurants and bars are fantastic, and the location is great. All around, a great place to stay.

We had fun at the speakeasy bar, and the service was friendly. For anyone hoping to skip valet fees, here’s what we did with minimal luggage: we parked at 250 columbine across from the hotel on Saturday, then paid $45 when we left Sunday afternoon. There’s another nearby garage with a cheaper overnight rate of $36.

The location in Cherry Creek made getting around on foot easy, with restaurants and dessert nearby, including Little Man Ice Cream. I was in Denver on a business trip and stayed at Halcyon. It felt different from the usual Hilton or Marriott from the minute I arrived: warm smiles, good energy, and a complimentary drink. Mike and Matt at the front desk were genuinely helpful and friendly. They remembered my name when I came back later, helped me find my new office, and suggested nearby places to eat, including Sol Cocina. The hotel also has a rooftop restaurant, several dining options, and a gear room where you can borrow bikes. My room was really comfortable, with a great bed and pillows, oversized towels, and a robe that felt luxurious. The whole place seemed very well run. I’d happily come back. Halcyon gave me a great sense of what hospitality can feel like.