Life House Lower Highlands

"Why book? If you were to move to Denver, you’d want to live in its coolest neighborhood, Lower Highlands. The first hotel in LoHi, as the locals call it, transports guests back to another era with its Western frontier meets Victorian homestead design. Excellent cocktails and Italian-inspired fare at Wildflower make it a destination for both locals and visitors. Set the scene: Stepping into Life House Lower Highlands feels like a time warp; just like that, it’s the 1800s. A vintage Victorian-era Cabinet of Curiosities stocked with vintage glassware, turquoise jewelry and beaded Western hats replaces the typical hotel retail shop and a pair of Louis XVI Bergere chairs upholstered in floral prints await arriving guests in the lobby. You’d half expect to see Victorian-era ladies or Wild West cowboys at the adjacent low-lit bar but instead, the crowd of 30-something creative cool kids and urban adventurists don Danner boots and Filson flannels. A soundtrack of Wilco and Johnny Cash sets the mood at one of LoHi’s hottest new watering holes. The backstory: Hotel industry veteran Rami Zeidan founded Life House in 2017; the brand bills itself as the first Silicon Valley-backed hotel in the U.S. Its first property debuted in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood and that was followed by a second in Miami Beach and a third in Nantucket. Tennessee, Brooklyn and Bali outposts are scheduled to open in 2021. The brand takes the concept of storytelling to the next level with intricate narratives for each hotel that firmly root it in place and shed light on the history of the building and the destination. The Lower Highlands narrative, for example is: “A Victorian Industrialist’s Frontier dwelling with a musing for Western wildflowers.” It can feel a bit theatrical but at the same time informs visitors and residents about local culture (i.e. the Italian and Mexican influences in Denver). They’ve become known for their affordable price point and for turning the low-brow bunk room into stylish digs worthy of grown ups with good taste. The rooms With just 17 rooms, Life House feels more like a friend’s home than a hotel—in a comforting way. Interiors pay homage to Colorado’s wildflowers and cowboy past with a color palette of Prussian blue, rusty red, and mustard complemented by honey-colored leather and cowhide. All of the millwork is bespoke, made with Life House’s furniture partner in Bogota, Columbia. Modern takes on vintage botanical paintings hang next to black-and-white artwork of cowboys and Victorian-era ladies. Bathrooms are a highlight, featuring 10-inch rain shower heads and ceramic tiles as well as Le Labo bath products. If you thought bunk rooms were for kids, think again. These aren’t the rickety twin bunks of your youth. Bunk rooms range from four to eight luxuriously comfortable beds each. Food and drink: The restaurant and bar are the heart of the hotel. Chef William Harris came from Denver hotspot Linger and his menu of subtly Italian-influenced dishes is all about quality ingredients. Most, like the Colorado bass featured in the crudo, are local. A handful are imported, like the heavenly burrata sourced weekly from a farm in Apulia, Italy. The bar program is a standout in the city. The Wildflower negroni and smoked old fashioned are staples. There’s also a deep natural wine list and interesting selection of meads. In the morning, the cafe has a half-dozen breakfast items and a unique selection of wellness lattes in flavors like pink beet and blue butterfly pea. The neighborhood/area: Lower Highlands is undeniably Denver’s hub of food, cocktails, coffee, craft beer and cool kids. Now, there’s finally a hotel that allows out-of-towners to experience the neighborhood’s creative energy. Life House is walking distance from popular local spots including Avanti food hall, Black Eye Coffee, Prost Brewing Company and Ash’kara restaurant. Life House’s Victorian-age design elements are a nod to the hood’s Victorian-era architecture. The service: You don’t stay here for five-star service or over-the-top amenities. You book a stay to be based in Denver’s center of cool at an affordable hotel that has character, stellar drinks, and friendly, low-key staff. The Life House app makes everything touchless, from check-in to chatting with the concierge and connecting with other guests. An online blog curates the best of the neighborhood with posts sharing insider intel like the founder of Method Coffee Roasters’s favorite neighborhood spots. For families: While bunk rooms could accommodate families, the layout and overall vibe of the hotel caters to 20 to 30-something groups of friends. Eco effort: The commitment to supporting local purveyors, from coffee roasters to craft brewers, and local artists and artisans is exceptional. Anything left to mention? I loved that each room has a yoga mat and that the TVs stream yoga and fitness classes from Sky Ting Yoga. The hotel partners with Ranchlands and can arrange day-trips and overnights at their ranches, including Chico Basin, so guests can experience Colorado’s frontier spirit first hand. The custom wallpaper layers the Colorado landscape over Victorian-inspired elements and if you look closely you’ll find Victorian figures and objects hidden in the woods and mountains." - Jen Murphy