Denver's Dairy Block Jewel: The Maven Hotel's Unforgettable Stay
Denver's Dairy Block Jewel: The Maven Hotel's Unforgettable Stay
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review that's less sterile hotel brochure and more, well, me. I'm talking messy, opinionated, probably slightly off-topic, and hopefully, hilariously honest. This isn't just a hotel review; it's a journey. And yes, I've tried to cram in ALL the ridiculously long list of features you gave me. Brace yourselves.
(SEO, Metadata, blah blah blah – I'll sneak it in)
Title: The Good, the Meh, and the “Did They Forget the Soap?” - A Hotel Review for the Real World (And Google)
Keywords: Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Dining, Wi-Fi, Cleanliness, Safety, Family Friendly, Luxury, [Hotel Name - Insert Later, I Don't Know It Yet!], [City/Region Name], Travel, Vacation, Review, Honest, Opinionated.
(Okay, SEO-ish stuff done. Now for the fun…)
Let's Get This Show on the Road! (The Accessibility Rundown)
Alright, first impressions. Always important. And I'm happy to say, this place (wherever it is) seems to get accessibility. Wheelchair accessible across the board? Excellent! I'm not a wheelchair user, but I love seeing places make an effort. It's just good humaning, you know? Elevator? Hopefully, or it’s going to be a looonnng climb to my suite (more on that later). The fact they have facilities for disabled guests suggests some thought has gone into this. They should mention the level of accessibility for different room types for a better review, but from the list provided, it’s promising.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges? Fingers crossed. I'm picturing a romantic evening, crutches and all. (Just kidding. Sort of.)
Interior Design & the Room – A Deep Dive (and a Few Rants)
The non-smoking rooms are a must for me, thank goodness. And thankfully, it looks like they've thought of everything (or, at least, nearly everything). Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains? Double check. Sleep is sacred. Air Conditioning in the public area? Good, but not exceptional like in the rooms.
Now, the room itself… The list says bathroom phone. (Face palm*). Who *uses* bathroom phones anymore? And why is that considered a feature? Maybe someone is living some kind of luxe life I don't know about, but I like talking on the phone at my desk, not while I'm using the toilet.
Complimentary tea? YES! Crucial for a proper civilized start to the day. Free bottled water? Again – essential. Hair dryer? Phew! Saved from the dreaded air-dry look. In-room safe box? Necessary for peace of mind. Good job, hotel, on those. But, (and there's always a but) Mirror? Seriously? Is that listed as a perk? I want to know if the mirror is positioned so I can actually see myself, and that is a very important detail because it could ruin the whole trip!
Cleanliness & Safety – The COVID Era Edition (Deep Breath)
Okay, let's get real. Post-pandemic, clean is the new luxury. And the list here looks promising. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. Whew! They are really trying here. It's reassuring to see, but I'm also a bit cynical. I've seen plenty of places say they're clean, and then… well, let's just say I brought my own wipes. I'd need to see this in action to be truly convinced. In reality, the proof is in the pudding, or rather, the meticulously cleaned bathroom, the perfectly made bed, and the lack of dust bunnies.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Feed Me, Seymour!
Alright! This is where things get interesting. On paper, this place is a foodie's dream. A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Okay, let me just process. This place has a bar, a coffee shop, and a poolside bar? Excellent. And Happy hour? You know I'm there. The fact they have Vegetarian restaurant options is huge bonus points. However, Breakfast [buffet] and Breakfast service are listed separately. Are they two separate options? Or is there an actual buffet and a room service breakfast? A real buffet is always a gamble. Are the tongs being changed regularly? How close are the sneeze guards? I need answers!
The Spa, Sauna, and Swimming Pool – My Happy Place (Hopefully)
Spa! Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. This is where the "zen" comes in. And a pool WITH A VIEW? Sign me up! The list here sells this place to me. I mean, who doesn't love a good massage? Now, let's hope the masseuse knows what they're doing and doesn't use too much pressure unless you request it. Fitness Center? Okay, fine. I'll probably use it to justify all the delicious food I'm about to eat. Gym/fitness: a little of a redundancy, but who cares?
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
Here's where a hotel can truly impress. Air conditioning in public area? Okay, great. Audio-visual equipment for special events? Might be useful for a conference or wedding. Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. A lot of bases covered, as far as I can tell!
A concierge is a must. But I'm judging this place based on its "small perks." Are they going to have spare toothbrushes? Are they proactive about keeping the mini-bar restocked? Little things that matter to a person who has just arrived after a long trip.
Internet – The Modern Necessity
Alright, let's talk connectivity. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! That's the bare minimum these days, but I'm glad to see it. Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas. They haven't left a stone unturned, and I can work on my blog, and not have a panic attack!
For the Kids – Because, You Know, Life
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. Okay, they seem to have the kid situation handled, which is good to know. I'm not personally traveling with kids, but lots of people do.
Getting Around – The Logistics
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. All the options! Again, excellent.
Extra Bits & Bobs – The Tiny Details
Access: The access is the most important thing
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms.
I'm especially glad to see 24-hour security and a front desk. Especially if this place is a bit more on the remote side. And a proposal spot? Hmm. Seems a bit cheesy, but hey, if it works for you, go for it!
The Verdict (So Far…)
Okay, based on this list, the hotel appears to be ticking all the boxes. The accessibility is excellent, and the amenities are impressive. BUT… I'm going to need to experience this place to give a
Sharon Inn Taichung: Your Dream Taichung Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is a raw, probably slightly caffeinated, and definitely opinionated peek into my, shall we say, adventures at The Maven Hotel in Denver. Prepare for glorious imperfections, because, frankly, perfectly curated travel is BORING.
The Maven Meanderings: A Denver Diary (and Hopefully, Not a Disaster)
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude, and Accidental Tacos
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at Denver International (DIA). Oh, the joy. Honestly, the whole airport feels like a surrealist art project gone wrong. Seriously, those gargoyles? I’m half expecting them to jump off their pedestals and try to steal my luggage. Got a ride to The Maven. (Uber, bless them. Flying is exhausting.)
- 2:30 PM: The Maven! Okay, first impressions. LOVE the Dairy Block vibe. It’s all exposed brick, fairy lights, and a general air of effortlessly cool…which I’m clearly not pulling off, judging by my travel-wrinkled T-shirt. Check-in was smooth, which already puts The Maven ahead of the game. That lobby bar looks tempting… but must. Resist. Jet lag is a beast.
- 3:30 PM: Rooms are stylish, if a tad…small? (Let's be honest, I pack for a zombie apocalypse). The view isn't the sweeping mountain vista I'd hoped for – it's a charming brick wall with a fire escape. Hey, it's character. And the bed? Cloud-like. Important. VERY important.
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Attempt to acclimatize to the altitude. Walk around Dairy Block, trying to breathe normally. Walked into a brewery. It was a mistake. A delicious, hazy, beer-filled mistake. (Two beers in, and already feeling the effects. Denver, you treacherous temptress).
- 6:30 PM: Dinner: Accidental tacos. Wandered into a place called "Los Chingones" because, and I quote, "the neon sign looked cool." BEST. ACCIDENT. EVER. The margaritas were lethal (in the best possible way), the tacos were divine, and I may or may not have spent a solid hour just laughing at everyone’s (and my own) very poor Spanish attempting to explain how much I loved them. Slightly tipsy, very happy.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the Maven. Passed out in a blissful coma of tacos and altitude.
Day 2: Art, Coffee, and a Near-Disaster with a Pretzel Bites
- 8:00 AM: Woke up with a headache that could rival a jackhammer. Altitude strikes again! Vowed to drink all the water. Needed coffee. Desperately.
- 8:30 AM: Coffee from a little place in the Dairy Block – "Huckleberry Roasters." This place is adorable. Actually, adorable doesn't even cut it. The coffee was so good, I kinda just forgot about the headache. (Maybe Denver isn't so bad, after all.)
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Explored the RiNo Art District. Oh. My. God. The murals! The street art! It's sensory overload in the best possible way. Took a million pictures. (And then, inevitably, lost half of them to my phone's storage capacity, which, like my brain, is limited.) Found a gallery showcasing local artists. Made a mental note to return to Denver in order to improve my personal art sense.
- 12:30 PM: Back to Dairy Block to grab lunch. Ordered pretzel bites from a place that sounded promising! They arrived! They looked amazing! I took a giant bite…and it was so hot! Burnt the roof of my mouth. For a good 20 minutes I was convinced I would only be able to have smoothies for the rest of my trip, but the pain subsided and I could continue enjoying my meal. Lesson learned: let pretzel bites cool!
- 2:00 PM: Attempted to work. (I am supposed to be doing something productive, right?) Felt the pull to go back to sleep, but I had a deadline! Forced myself to stay up.
- 4:00 PM: Happy Hour (because, research, right?) at the Maven's own bar. The bartenders are cool, the cocktails are unique, and I chatted with a couple from Chicago who gave me their recommendations for dinner.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner! Following the recommendation from my new friends. "Hop Alley." It was incredible. Asian-inspired small plates. Seriously, you MUST go. (Just make a reservation. Learn from my mistakes).
- 9:00 PM: Back at The Maven. Feeling surprisingly…good! Denver is growing on me. Maybe the altitude is less of a jerk today. Maybe I'm just finally embracing the chaos.
Day 3: The Spa, the Goodbye, and a Mountain of Laundry
- 9:00 AM: Last day. Bitter sweetness?
- 9:30 AM: The Maven does Spa. Went to the Spa at the Maven and got a massage. I feel like I'm in a commercial, because I'm so relaxed.
- 12:00 PM: Tried some local fare. The Maven has a great restaurant, and I tried the breakfast sandwich. Excellent!
- 1:00 PM: Packed (this time with a slightly more organized approach). Did a final stroll through Dairy Block. Sighed.
- 3:00 PM: Departure from The Maven.
- 3:30 PM: Ride to DIA (ugh, again.)
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Post-trip introspection and planning.
- 7:00 PM: Back home. Unpacked my suitcase, which exploded everywhere. Realized I needed to do laundry. And, let's be honest, catch up on life.
- 8:00 PM: Considered my trip to Denver an absolute success.
Final Thoughts:
The Maven Hotel? Absolutely recommend. Dairy Block? Charming and vibrant. Denver? A city that surprised me in the best possible way. The altitude is still a jerk, but I will 100% go back. Next time, though, I am bringing a portable oxygen tank. Just kidding… maybe.
Now, where did I put my passport…? And, most importantly, where can I get those tacos again?
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