The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa
Best for travelers who value historic character, signature dining (Afternoon Tea, Palace Arms, Ship Tavern) and an on-site boutique spa.
Hotel comparison guide
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa vs Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa is a historic, full-service luxury hotel in downtown Denver known for its atrium, Afternoon Tea, and an on-site full-service spa — good for travelers who want intimate, storied lodging and classic dining. Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is a large, upscale, convention-oriented downtown property with extensive meeting space and straightforward business amenities — good for conference attendees or travelers who prefer a big-brand, centrally located hotel.
Updated · about 0.6 km apart
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Best for groups, conventions, and business travelers who need large meeting facilities, many rooms, and a central downtown address near the 16th Street Mall.
Quick Verdict: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa vs Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
When The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa wins: choose the Brown Palace if you want a historic downtown landmark with smaller scale, formal dining options, a dedicated full-service spa, and a hotel that emphasizes atmosphere and traditions like Afternoon Tea.
When Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel wins: choose the Sheraton if you need many guest rooms, extensive conference and meeting space, easy access to 16th Street and the Colorado Convention Center, and a full set of business-friendly amenities.
Bottom line: pick The Brown Palace for character, classic downtown luxury, and its spa and dining traditions; pick the Sheraton for scale, meetings, and plain-vanilla downtown convenience.
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa vs Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel – At a Glance
| Category | The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa | Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic, intimate luxury with formal dining and a landmark atrium | Large, modern upscale hotel focused on conventions and business travelers |
| Location | 321 17th St — steps from the 16th Street Mall, museums and Capitol sights | 1550 Court Place — centrally located, steps from 16th Street and close to the Colorado Convention Center |
| Size (rooms) | 241–243 rooms across 9 floors | 1,238 guestrooms |
| Age / building | Opened 1892 — a noted downtown landmark | Modern large-brand hotel (no heritage claim in listing) |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool | Number of outdoor pools: 1 |
| Restaurants & bars | Five venues including Ship Tavern, Palace Arms, Churchill Bar, Grand Atrium, Coffee & Tea Co. | Three restaurants, three bars/lounges, plus a coffee shop/cafe |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa at The Brown Palace — six treatment rooms, private couple's suite, steam rooms and signature treatments | Not published |
| Meeting & event space | About 20,000+ sq ft across many historic rooms; Grand Ballroom 5,800 sq ft | 133,000 sq ft of conference space and 52 meeting rooms |
| Known for | Daily Afternoon Tea beneath an eight-story stained-glass atrium and historic character | Large-scale meetings/conventions and central downtown access |
| Parking | Valet-only parking (about $66/day reported) | Self parking and valet available (surcharge) |
| Family policy | Family-friendly; children welcome (primary guest must be at least 21) | Family-friendly; children 12 and under stay free with existing bedding |
Location: Historic 17th Street vs Convention-friendly Court Place
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa – Location
The Brown Palace sits at 321 17th Street, a short walk to the 16th Street Mall, Civic Center Park, museums and the Colorado State Capitol.
- About two blocks (roughly 750 ft) from the 16th Street Mall.
- Close to Denver Art Museum, Civic Center Park and Union Station (around a 20-minute walk).
- Complimentary hotel car service within five miles; no airport transfer service.
Best if you want immediate access to downtown sights and prefer a historic street-address location.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel – Location
Sheraton Denver Downtown is centrally located at 1550 Court Place — steps from the 16th Street Mall and a short walk to the Colorado Convention Center.
- Within walking distance of the 16th Street pedestrian corridor and Denver landmarks.
- Preferred airport: Denver Intl. Airport (DEN); no airport transfer listed.
- Designed for convenient access to convention and performance venues.
Choose Sheraton for proximity to the convention center and a straightforward downtown base for meetings.
Rooms: Suites and historic rooms vs many standard business rooms
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa – Rooms
The Brown Palace offers roughly 241–243 rooms with a mix of classic rooms and named suites (Presidential, Royal, Beatles Suite, etc.).
- Room types include Room, City View; Signature Room, City View; Classic Room, City View; Executive Room, City View; and multiple named suites.
- Top of the Brown rooms on the 8th and 9th floors were renovated in 2020.
- In-room Wi‑Fi typically carries a nightly surcharge; loyalty members may get complimentary access.
Rooms emphasize historic character and a smaller, more boutique inventory of suites and signature rooms.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel – Rooms
Sheraton Denver Downtown lists 1,238 guestrooms spanning standard rooms to executive and presidential suites.
- Room types in the supplier list include Room, 2 Queen Beds; Room, 1 King Bed; many accessible variants; and a wide range of suites up to Presidential.
- Guestrooms feature pillowtop beds and LCD televisions; room internet is typically a paid option.
- Large inventory suits groups and flexible room-block needs.
Pick Sheraton when you need variety, availability for large parties, or standard business-focused rooms.
Dining & drinks: Classic hotel dining vs varied casual options
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa – Dining & drinks
The Brown Palace emphasizes storied, sit-down dining and signature experiences.
- Ship Tavern (seafood/steak), Palace Arms (French-inspired fine dining), Churchill Bar (cigar lounge), Grand Atrium (Afternoon Tea & cocktails), and Brown Palace Coffee & Tea Co.
- Afternoon Tea is a daily signature tradition served beneath the stained-glass atrium.
- Dress codes and hours vary by venue; Palace Arms is dinner-only and has a shirt-and-slacks guideline.
Better for guests seeking formal dining, historic venues and signature hotel food traditions.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel – Dining & drinks
Sheraton Denver Downtown offers multiple on-site dining outlets geared to hotel and convention guests.
- Three restaurants and three bars/lounges plus a coffee shop/cafe and room service (limited hours).
- Buffet breakfasts are offered for a fee; snacks and poolside bar options are available.
- Vegetarian and vegan menu options are listed among property amenities.
Better for convenient, broad dining options that serve busy travelers and large groups.
Pools & signature amenity: Spa and atrium vs outdoor pool & meeting space
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa – Pools & signature amenity
The Brown Palace does not have a swimming pool; its signature public spaces and The Spa at The Brown Palace are the primary on-site amenities.
- No on-site pool — spa and fitness center replace pool amenities.
- The Grand Atrium and daily Afternoon Tea are central public experiences.
- Fitness center is complimentary with cardio machines and free weights.
Expect spa and historic public spaces rather than pool-focused leisure facilities.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel – Pools & signature amenity
Sheraton Denver Downtown lists one outdoor pool and extensive meeting and event facilities as standout features.
- Number of outdoor pools: 1; pool cabanas available for an extra charge.
- 133,000 sq ft of conference space with 52 meeting rooms supports conventions and events.
- On-site fitness center is open 24 hours and the property runs multiple food and beverage outlets for attendees.
Pick Sheraton if an outdoor pool and large meeting facilities matter to your stay.
Wellness & nightlife: Historic spa and lounges vs business-friendly facilities
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa – Wellness & nightlife
The Brown Palace centers wellness around The Spa and more formal, quieter evening venues.
- The Spa at The Brown Palace: six treatment rooms, a private couple’s suite, separate ladies' and gentlemen's steam rooms and signature treatments.
- Churchill Bar provides a cigar lounge; Grand Atrium offers evening cocktails and weekend jazz.
- No on-site nightlife complex — the hotel favors refined bars and dining over loud nightlife.
Better for quieter, wellness- and atmosphere-focused evenings with a formal bent.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel – Wellness & nightlife
Sheraton Denver Downtown focuses on straightforward wellness and multiple lounge options suited to hotel and conference guests.
- 24-hour fitness facilities and a pool for daytime relaxation.
- Multiple bars/lounges and a poolside bar provide casual evening options.
- Concierge and business center services support conference schedules and late-night needs.
Better for practical wellness needs, casual evening drinks, and services aligned with business travel.
Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa
Choose The Brown Palace for landmark architecture, Afternoon Tea, Palace Arms and Ship Tavern.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Choose Sheraton Denver Downtown for very large meeting space (133,000 sq ft) and hundreds of guest rooms.
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa
The Brown Palace has The Spa at The Brown Palace with signature massages, therapy rooms and steam areas.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Sheraton offers 24-hour front desk, business center, and multiple on-site restaurants and bars for busy schedules.
Frequently asked questions
See all FAQs →The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa vs Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel: FAQs
Which hotel is better for a group attending a nearby conference?
Sheraton Denver Downtown — it has far more rooms and about 133,000 sq ft of conference space and 52 meeting rooms, which makes logistics easier for large groups.
Which hotel has a spa?
The Brown Palace has The Spa at The Brown Palace with six treatment rooms and steam facilities. Sheraton's supplier listing does not publish a dedicated on-site spa.
Do either hotel have a pool?
The Brown Palace does not have a swimming pool. Sheraton Denver Downtown lists one outdoor pool.
Which hotel is better for a romantic or special-occasion stay?
The Brown Palace — historic rooms, Palace Arms fine dining, Afternoon Tea and the atrium create a more intimate, formal setting suited to special occasions.
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Daily Afternoon Tea in the Atrium
- Lowest rate guarantee
- Complimentary perks & upgrades
- 24/7 concierge