Denver has come a long way since the goldrush days. Today, the prospectors are long gone, but the city shines on its own as a modern, metropolitan destination. Just ask Condé Nast, which included Denver in its 2025 “Best Places to Go in North America” list.
While that list focuses largely on Denver’s emerging dining scene, the city offers much more: a jumping-off point for outdoor adventures like hiking, mountain biking, and white-water rafting, plus a pulsing urban core with live music, art shows, and upscale shopping.
And if you’re looking for a boutique hotel in Denver that captures the city’s modern energy, you’ll find it at Clayton Hotel & Members Club.
Nestled in the heart of the Cherry Creek neighborhood, The Clayton isn’t just a chic hotel–it’s where locals come to take meetings, sip cocktails, hit rooftop parties, and connect with each other over everything from trivia to DJ sets. From its lux comforts to its vibrant community, this boutique hotel embodies Denver’s personality: hip and modern, yet warm and unpretentious.
The Clayton Hotel: The Social Soul of a Boutique Hotel in Denver
What sets this boutique hotel apart is its concept as both a hotel and a members’ club. It’s where Denver’s trend-setters come to mix business with pleasure, whether over cocktails, yoga sessions, or a lively game of mahjong.
Don’t let the “Members Club” moniker fool you–the vibe is inclusive rather than intimidating. The Clayton hosts events for all of its members’ varying interests, from a Father’s Day BBQ to poolside DJ sets to Young Professionals networking events.
During my visit, I watched the staff set up for both a Juneteenth celebration (complete with live DJs and local art installations) and a Drag Trivia Brunch to benefit survivors of domestic violence. This is a space committed to making space for diverse, joyful community experiences–and you’re invited to be part of it!
As a hotel guest, you’re treated as an honorary member during your stay, with access to exclusive spaces like the rooftop pool, co-working lounge, parlor bar, library, and on-site restaurants. This means that the Clayton hotel is not just a place to stay, but an invitation to experience Denver more like a local. Rub shoulders with actual members at social events, ask for insider tips on where to eat or what to see, and spark genuine connections with the city’s creative community.
Rooms: Luxe Comfort Meets Thoughtful Design
The Clayton Hotel rooms blend modern luxury with details honoring Denver’s gold rush heritage. Expect warm metallic bath fixtures, fluted glass lamps, and marble tiling in natural shades, mixed with modern amenities like a smart TV and bedside charging station.
As a digital nomad who often combines work and play on the road, I especially appreciated the flexible workspace in my Clayton King room. Unique from other hotel designs, my room had a corner sofa with a rolling desk, creating a space perfect for answering emails or indulging in room service. The modular design lets you turn the space into whatever you need: a quiet office, cozy reading nook, or lively dining-room table.
But if you’re here to truly get away from your work schedule and unwind, the Clayton hotel delivers. Most rooms have king-size beds (I may have tripped over the generous corners a few times!), inviting you to spread out and nestle into their plush pillows.
If you want Denver’s best boutique stay, check out the hotel’s Isabella Penthouse Suite. With two bathrooms, a kitchen island, a private downstairs bedroom, and a spacious living area, the suite is perfect for entertaining or simply feeling at home in a new city.
A design-forward boutique hotel in Denver, the Clayton’s accommodations are both luxurious and liveable—tailored to discerning travelers who demand more than generic corporate comfort.
Dining & Drinks: Colorado’s Favorite Flavors
Denver has been much-heralded for its growing foodie scene, and this boutique hotel holds its own as a strong dining option. In between visits to highly-regarded restaurants, I was able to try out the hotel’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, plus spend an evening in the elegant Parlour Bar.
- Breakfast Menu: However you prefer to start the day, Clayton can get it done. Their extensive breakfast menu offers both lighter fare like yogurt parfait and avocado toast, and heartier specials like breakfast burritos and pastrami hash for those who are embracing vacation mode. I’m not a smoothie gal, but my companions gave their Honey Oat Berry smoothies 5 stars. Top it off with a coffee or matcha latte, and you can’t go wrong!
- Poolside: Those looking for a more substantial meal can order pizzas and sandwiches on the patio overlooking the hustle and bustle of Cherry Creek. For those who prefer to occupy the giant lounge beds by the pool, menu options are more limited but just as delicious. Expect friendly, attentive service with plenty of shade. I enjoyed a perfectly-dressed Kale Salad without baking in the summer heat. Sun-worshipers can always roll up their shade-cloth and cool off with a Hugo Spritz, delivered poolside.
- Rooftop Restaurant: Most of our group ordered the rainbow trout after chatting with the head chef on a chance elevator ride–everyone loved how fresh and zesty it tasted. If fish isn’t your thing, they offer other Coloradan classics like ribeye steaks and the “80206” salad with buttermilk dressing, plus a solid range of casual fare like burgers and pastas. Don’t forget to take in the sunset views from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows, or step out onto the patio for after-dinner drinks.
- The Cocktail List: Stroll into the second-floor Parlor Bar for an elegant, social vibe and playful, on-trend menu. Indulge in unique signature cocktails like the Rising Sun (Japanese Whisky, Cointreau, green tea syrup) or classics like gin martinis or Manhattans. Late-night revellers will love the unique flavors of the Oaxacan Espresso Martini or the Espresso Old Fashioned (bourbon, cacao, coffee liqueur, espresso). For those preferring to spend the night spirit-free, don’t miss the non-alcoholic Aperol spritz or the sparkling lavender lemonade.
- Beer and Wine: Denver is often referred to as the “Napa Valley of beer”, so expect to see a range of local beers on tap from sours to stouts to IPAs. Those preferring the flavors of Napa Valley itself can find a well-curated list of Californian and European wines.
If you want to explore another boutique hotel in Denver, this boutique hotel should be your benchmark for quality—its food and beverage offerings alone are worth the stay.
Activities & Events: Work Hard, Play Harder
The Clayton Hotel shines with its robust calendar of events that invite hotel guests and members alike to mingle and experience Denver’s vibrant energy. From Wednesday wine tastings to Saturday afternoon DJ sets by the pool, to Sunday morning yoga classes in the fitness studio, weekly events offer something for every interest.
Keep an eye out for special events hosted during your visit. Though we just missed the Father’s Day Rooftop BBQ, my arrival coincided with an exuberant Juneteenth event organized by local organizers. “A Toast to Freedom” featured local DJs spinning funky grooves, powerful art installations celebrating liberation, and of course, fantastic food and drinks.
The sound of music, chatter, and joy was spilling into the street as I approached. Of course, as hotel guests become temporary members, the front desk staff let me know I was invited to head up and soak in the jubilant energy for myself.
And fun didn’t stop there–several days later, the Clayton hotel hosted a Drag Trivia Brunch Benefit, featuring fierce performances from local queens. With a bloody mary bar and Taylor Swift-themed trivia, the event was a blast, with laughter carrying all the way down the hall.
Plus, it was all for a good cause, with 10% of the food and beverage profits going to support a local women’s shelter. It’s this ethos–building an inclusive community and having a good time doing it–that sets this boutique hotel apart from Denver’s other boutique hotels.
Location: Cherry Creek Charm
The Clayton is perfectly positioned for exploring Cherry Creek’s “see and be seen” vibe. Cherry Creek is Denver’s glitzy shopping district—think brand-name boutiques, polished salons, and sleek fitness studios like Solidcore.
Between shopping sprees and bites to eat, pop into one of the neighborhood’s eclectic art galleries to get a finger on Denver’s creative pulse. For those exploring further afield, downtown’s restaurants, breweries, antique shops, live music venues, and sports stadiums are all just a short ride away.
If you’re looking for a peaceful respite from the city’s buzzing energy, walk a few blocks south to Cherry Creek itself. Cherry Creek was once a gold miner’s dream–if you’re lucky, you might even see a modern prospector sluicing for gold nuggets in the stream. Today, a paved pedestrian path is perfect for a morning run, or simply sit by the water and take it all in.
Good Vibes Only at Denver’s Top Boutique Hotel
Contemporary crowds know that traveling isn’t just about checking sites off a list—it’s about experiences. The Clayton Hotel & Members Club delivers an experience tailored for those who want the best of the city: opportunities to eat, drink, play, and connect with a genuine community.
Its Members Club concept balances exclusive access with a welcoming spirit, inviting you to soak up Denver’s cultural scene in a way that feels authentic, not touristy. Add in stylish, functional rooms, warm and attentive service, and a packed calendar of events, and you have a boutique hotel in Denver that truly reflects the city’s modern, evolving spirit. You may come for the king beds and cocktails, but you’ll stay for connections and character.
