A new year brings new opportunities and the chance to explore exciting, dream destinations. With hotel openings, family friendly attractions and the launch of Rocky Mountaineer’s new route, Colorado has even more to offer visitors in 2022.
New hotel openings
- Thompson Denver opening 31 January
Luxury hotel brand, Thompson, will unveil its first Colorado property in January with the opening of Thompson Denver. The 216-room property in downtown Denver will put guests in the heart of the city, with the Mile High City’s best restaurants, bars and independent shops on their doorstep. Guest rooms embody the casual sophistication of the American West, designed using a palette of dark browns, greens and greys, whilst the hotel’s restaurant, Chez Maggy, will serve contemporary French cuisine by celebrated chef Ludo Lefebvre, known for his successful outposts in Southern California.
- A-Frame Club opening February 2022.
A-Frame Club is a new resort opening in the Old Town neighbourhood of Colorado’s popular ski town, Winter Park. The mid century-inspired cabins pay homage to 1970s American ski culture and are nestled among aged pine trees, providing solitude and comfort to guests and allowing them to relax after a day of adventure.
- The Slate Denver opening 22 April
Opening its doors in April, luxury hotel, The Slate Denver, is a new boutique property that pays tribute to the site of the historic original Emily Griffith Opportunity School. Adding 251 guest rooms to downtown Denver, amenities include a signature bar and restaurant, lounge, outdoor patio and fitness centre.
New activities
- Jurassic World: The Exhibition.
From 3 April, Jurassic World: The Exhibition will open in Denver, offering guests an immersive experience based on one of the biggest films in cinema history. Fans can walk through the world-famous ‘Jurassic World’ gates, encounter life-sized dinosaurs and wander through themed environments, where they can get up-close and personal with animatronic Velociraptors, Brachiosaurus and Tyrannosauruses. The exhibition is produced in conjunction with Universal Live Entertainment emerging audiences of all ages in settings inspired by Jurassic World from Universal Pictures.
- Montanya Distillers tours
Debuting its Elk Avenue cocktail bar and tasting room before the new year, Montanya Distillers is part of a new venture for the award-winning Colorado rum brand of the same name. Consulting chef, Rose Reyes and head chef , Nontobeko Mbokwana-Tilton collaborated with the owner to develop a menu of delicious small plates designed to enhance the customers’ experience.
New routes
- Amtrak Winter Park Express returns
After a year hiatus, the Winter Park Express returns on 14 January for the ski season. From Denver Union Station, the train drops skiers and snowboarders at the base of the slopes at Winter Park resort. Sustainably savvy travellers can take the train from Denver International Airport to Winter Park, via Denver Union Station, in less than three hours.
- United Airlines expands Denver service
From 27 March, United Airlines will add a second daily service from London Heathrow to Denver International Airport. United first launched summer seasonal flights between LHR and DEN in March 2018 and the service was expanded to operate year-round in March 2019. It was suspended as a result of the pandemic but is set to resume on 5 March, with double daily flights beginning shortly after.
- Rocky Mountaineer introduces first US route: Rockies to the Red Rocks
Following a successful preview season August – October 2021, Rocky Mountaineer’s new Rockies to the Red Rocks route will officially begin service from 16 April. Travelling from Denver to Moab, Utah, via Glenwood Springs, the luxury scenic train provides guests with spacious glass-domed train coaches paired with a five-star culinary experience, allowing them to enjoy Colorado’s spectacular scenery in style. Typically running from April until November, there are one and three-night packages available to book.
