Approachable elegance in the Mile High City: My stay at the Thompson Denver
Editor's Note
- The hotel has an unbeatable location for exploring downtown Denver and its top attractions.
- The mountain-inspired design feels thematic without being over-the-top or kitschy.
- On-site dining options are limited but superb.
I recently checked in to the Thompson Denver, a Category 5 Hyatt property nestled in the heart of downtown Denver. As a simple Colorado girl, I don’t frequent upscale hotels (I tend to feel more at home in a tent or cabin), so I feared I’d be out of place lounging in the hotel’s lobby or sampling dishes at its elegant French restaurant. To my surprise, the hotel and its staff felt extremely approachable — and I have a new favorite place to stay when I visit the Mile High City.
Related: The ultimate guide to redeeming your World of Hyatt points
What is the Thompson Denver?
Opened in 2022, the Thompson Denver was designed by New York City firm Parts and Labor Design with a goal of incorporating the Thompson brand’s signature midcentury modern style with subtle (not kitschy) nods to the nearby Rocky Mountains. Having lived in Colorado for more than a decade (and seen my fair share of kitschy mountain-themed lodging), I’d say it succeeded.
The rooms and common spaces draw from a palette of earth tones, with elements like wood, marble and leather adding to the natural feel. Contemporary art pieces and industrial light fixtures keep the decor from feeling old or fusty, and fun touches like a puzzle in the lobby and snacks at check-in add to the approachable vibe.
With several ways to book with points and miles, this is an affordable place to stay in style while exploring the Mile High City. It’s also a haven for foodies (and nonfoodies like me), with an on-site French restaurant helmed by award-winning French chef Ludo Lefebvre and an unbeatable location in the heart of Denver’s dining scene.
Related: Your ultimate guide to Hyatt hotel brands
How to book the Thompson Denver
Cash rates at the Thompson Denver generally hover around $300 per night, though they can climb past $800 on peak dates. Thankfully, there are several ways to save using hotel points and credit card perks.
This is a Category 5 Hyatt property, meaning you can’t use Hyatt’s valuable Category 1-4 free night certificates here. Per Hyatt’s award chart, an award stay here will cost you 17,000, 20,000 or 23,000 points per night, depending on whether the dates fall into Hyatt’s definition of “off-peak,” “standard” or “peak" periods.
On my weekday visit in early December, the going nightly rate for a standard room was 17,000 points or roughly $300 — giving me a value of 1.76 cents per World of Hyatt point, right on par with TPG’s January 2025 valuations. My research showed a Saturday night in June would set you back around $800 or 20,000 points per night, giving you an even better value of 4 cents per point.
Since World of Hyatt partners with a couple of transferable points programs, you don’t have to be a Hyatt loyalist to book an award stay here. You can transfer points from Bilt Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
The Thompson Denver is also available on Capital One Travel and Chase Travel℠. You likely won’t be able to earn hotel points or elite benefits if you book through these portals, but it could be worth doing if you hold the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), which give you an annual travel credit to use toward portal bookings. Just be sure to check rates at both the hotel site and portal, as one may cost more than the other.
If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can book the Thompson Denver on Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, which grants you elitelike benefits such as early check-in and late checkout, space-available room upgrades, daily breakfast for two and a $100 on-property credit.
When booking the Thompson Denver, you could also use a credit card that earns bonus points on Hyatt stays or offers World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees), both of which earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts and provide automatic Discoverist status and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
Related: Which credit card should you use for Hyatt stays?
The location can’t be beat
The Thompson Denver is in the heart of LoDo (Lower Downtown), the city’s most historic and central neighborhood, and around the corner from Denver’s ever-popular 16th Street Mall. You can easily explore the mall’s shopping and dining on foot or by hopping on one of the free MallRide buses that run from Union Station to Civic Center Station. You’ll be within easy walking distance of the Denver Mint, Downtown Aquarium, Elitch Gardens theme park, Comedy Works Downtown, Holey Moley minigolf and more.
During my visit in December, the area was decked out in festive lights and garlands, with an outdoor skating rink just a couple blocks from the hotel.
Foodies may never want to leave the Thompson’s flagship restaurant, Chez Maggy. But if you do, you’ll find plenty of dining options within easy walking distance, from the Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant Bruto to the hip Milk Market food hall.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor hoping to hit Denver’s main attractions or a longtime Coloradan looking for a fun weekend downtown, the Thompson Denver is ideally situated.
Getting there
Of course, with this prime location comes the struggle of parking downtown. If you’re coming from Denver International Airport (DEN), your best bet is to take the RTD A Line from the airport to Union Station and walk or catch a ride the last few blocks to the hotel.
If you’re driving, the only hotel parking option is valet, which costs $64 per night with in-out privileges. This is certainly the most convenient and pleasant option — the valets were incredibly friendly (to both me and my dog), and the QR code they provided made it easy to request my car.
However, the cost can add up fast, especially on longer stays. Unless you’re booking with points and you have top-tier Globalist status (which provides free parking on award stays), you may want to park in one of downtown Denver’s many public garages instead.
Related: World of Hyatt elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Rooms are small but luxurious
My standard king guest room felt appropriately elegant for the vibe of the hotel — but there were also several thoughtful, homey touches that made the room more comfortable.
I arrived to find a piece of chocolate on the bed and a handwritten note with the weather forecast for the next day. Another note listed the hotel’s dining venues and their hours, the fitness center hours, and a map showing the location of water and ice stations on each floor.
There were two bathrobes waiting for me, along with a pair of velvety slippers.
A barn door revealed a well-equipped bathroom, with extra towels, a hair dryer, a double-sided vanity mirror and a brown washcloth for makeup wearers. The spacious shower had both a rain-style overhead fixture and an extendable wand. There were Bowmakers bath products and a few other toiletry items provided for free, as well as for-purchase kits (like the Mile High Miracle skin kit by Skin Authority for $75) in case I wanted to have a spa night.
Dried eucalyptus hanging over the toilet added a spa-like touch and a light fragrance.
Instead of an iron, there was a steamer provided in the closet. There were also bags and instructions for how to get your shoes shined and gym clothes laundered for free, some of the amenities included with the $25 nightly destination fee (more on that later).
Besides the usual coffee/tea station, the room was loaded with snacks, drinks and other handy items available for purchase. Prices weren’t cheap; a few examples include a $10 bag of kettle chips, a $16 chocolate bar, $20 canned cocktails and a $25 smartphone charging kit. I appreciated the notes included in the snack tray explaining how much each item cost, which some hotels leave out.
The nightstands held a phone and an old-school Victrola radio, which you can connect to your phone via Bluetooth to play music. The thermostat was easy to use, and I found both the heat and air conditioning extremely quiet when running. There were also both standard and USB outlets around the room.
The closet had a couple of slick touches that I found very useful. Its glass doors automatically lit up when I opened them (and beeped if I forgot to close them), and motion-activated lights underneath illuminated the floor when I walked by (handy when I needed to find my way to the bathroom during the night).
Related: The best Hyatt hotels in the world
Storage is limited
Like many city hotels, the Thompson Denver has a small footprint, so each floor has only around 18 rooms. This means every room is conveniently close to the elevator and ice/water station, but the rooms are also on the smaller side.
The tall glass-fronted cabinet was the only place to store my belongings — but with only two small drawers and a curtain rod, it didn’t seem very thoughtfully designed for this purpose.
Although the shower was roomy, there wasn’t much space to store toiletries. Similarly, there was no logical place to hang a hand towel near the sink.
Since I’d brought my mischievous dog along, all the snacks lying around were more an inconvenience than an amenity. I had to lock the snack tray in the closet, shrinking my storage space even more. In addition, all the delicate glassware everywhere seemed at odds with the hotel’s extremely dog-friendly policy (more on that later) and could pose a challenge for anyone traveling with boisterous pets or young children.
Between the small, cozy rooms, upscale decor and luxurious touches, the Thompson Denver seems ideal for a romantic getaway. It may be less suited to a large family group, unless you’re prepared to splurge for a suite.
The pet policy is generous
I’ve stayed at a variety of dog-friendly hotels, and this one tops them all when it comes to value. Guests can bring up to two dogs of any size — no weight limits — for free. Most hotels charge a per-pet or even per-night fee, which can get expensive. The Thompson Denver even offers amenities like bowls, beds and blankets for your furry friend to borrow.
Although the pet policy is mostly geared toward dogs, a hotel rep told me they’ve hosted the occasional cat. If you’re traveling with an animal other than a dog, you’ll have to contact the hotel to see if it can accommodate you.
Related: These hotels go all-out with luxury pet amenities
Amenities range from standard to unexpected
The hotel lobby is a beautiful place to work or read, chat with your traveling companions, or try your hand at a puzzle. It never seemed very crowded (though to be fair, I stayed from Monday to Wednesday). There’s also meeting space downstairs; if it’s not in use, you can enjoy some peace and quiet in the seating areas between meeting rooms.
There’s a fitness center on the bottom floor with a variety of cardio machines, free weights, kettlebells and exercise balls.
There are also several amenities that come with the nightly $25 destination fee. A note in my room outlined the “citywide perks” included with this fee:
- Bubbles and cookies at check-in
- In-house shoe shining and gym clothes laundering
- Printing and business services (15-page limit)
- Refillable bottled water in room
- Free tickets to the Denver Zoo and a 10% discount on food and gift shop purchases (up to four per day available to the entire hotel on a first-come, first-served basis)
- Discounts at various local shops and restaurants (for instance, a free beverage at Milk Tea People or 20% off all services at Luxe Salon). To use these, I was told to simply bring the card with me.
Unfortunately, there are no pool or spa facilities.
Related: The most exclusive travel experiences you can book with points and miles
The dining is divine
The Thompson Denver is home to a restaurant, bar and coffee shop. The hotel used to have a lounge called Reynar Social, but that recently closed and is slated to reopen in early 2025 as event space.
Chez Maggy
The star of the show is Chez Maggy, a traditional French brasserie helmed by Ludo Lefebvre, an award-winning chef and restaurateur who’s appeared on cooking shows such as "Iron Chef."
Although Chez Maggy sounds (and tastes) upscale, the atmosphere felt as down-to-earth as any Denver brewery. You could get dressed up and make a date night out of it, or you could stop by in yoga pants to eat breakfast while working on your laptop.
Since I'm vegan — and French cuisine isn't known for being particularly veg-friendly — I was surprised to find myself becoming a Chez Maggy convert during the course of my stay. The restaurant staff members were extremely helpful when I informed them of my dietary needs, and every (veganized) dish I sampled was delicious, including the chopped salad ($14), crispy chickpea wrap, oatmeal ($12) and avocado toast ($13).
There's a handy QR code in each room to order room service. The restaurant charges a $5 fee for delivery, or you can pop downstairs and grab takeout for free.
In addition to Chez Maggy, there’s the swanky Bar M next door, where you can get mixed drinks and all the same food as Chez Maggy.
Related: Hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants — and how to use points to pay for them
Duel Coffee
Duel Coffee's name comes from a Denver legend about two women who dueled it out over a man in the late 1800s, which lends the otherwise standard coffee shop a little Western flair.
When it comes to caffeine, Duel covers all the basics at reasonable prices (by Denver standards), plus a selection of baked goods and grab-and-go items. When I picked up the vegan chorizo wrap for lunch on my last day, the barista popped it into some kind of oven or air fryer for a few minutes, transforming my cold lunch into a perfectly puffed pastry.
Related: Which card should I pay with when dining at a hotel?
Accessibility
The Thompson Denver is equipped for a variety of guests’ needs. It offers wheelchair-accessible guest rooms with wider doorways, roll-in showers and bathroom grab bars. According to the hotel’s site, the concierge desk, registration desk, restaurants, public restrooms and fitness center are all wheelchair-accessible as well.
For visually impaired guests, Braille signs can be found throughout the building. Hearing-impaired guest rooms are available, with text telephones and closed-caption decoders — but I didn’t see these as an option when booking, so you’ll probably have to contact the hotel to ensure one is ready for you.
Reasons the Thompson Denver might not be for you
I was impressed by the hotel’s perfect location, gorgeous common spaces and delectable dining. However, depending on your travel style, you may prefer to look elsewhere.
- If you’re traveling with children or pets, this hotel might feel a bit cramped, with too many edible and breakable items within easy reach.
- If you’re extremely sensitive to smells, the Thompson brand’s signature eucalyptus scent could be uncomfortable.
- If you’re seeking a relaxing retreat, you may prefer a hotel with a pool, hot tub or spa.
Checking out
Overall, the Thompson Denver felt luxurious yet accessible — in more ways than one. Its (usually) reasonable cash rates and many ways to book with points and miles make this upscale hotel easy to book for a variety of travelers and budgets. The restaurant was classy, with excellent food and service, without feeling pretentious. And the staff members were always friendly and attentive, never making me feel out of place — even in my gym clothes.
Plus, the Thompson’s location in the center of downtown makes it a perfect home base for first-time and repeat visitors alike to explore the Mile High City.
Related reading:
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.