The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club

I was disappointed in breakfast because I thought it was included in the price. It was undoubtedly my mistake but still was disappointing to find out that I had to pay.

Last weekend my son was terribly sick with an infected abscess that caused a scary fever. I took him to an emergency room in the mountains but they couldn’t do anything for him. They told me I had to drive to Denver and take him to the University of Colorado Children’s Hospital Emergency Room. Long story short we had hours of waiting and then terribly painful procedures before being released from the hospital at 4:30 AM. Given that I had no idea when I woke up that morning that I would need a hotel room in Denver that night I had no reservation. I looked up hotels on Booking and they were quite inexpensive indicating that they had strong availability but I couldn’t make a reservation “for the night before” because it was already the next day. So I took my poor kid and drove to the Benson. The door was locked so I rang the bell to call inside. Whomever answered rudely told me that they were full and to go away. Obviously ion general, it’s super odd to show up at that time of the morning for a room but I imagine that it is a more regular occurrence near a hospital where the Benson is located. I was desperate and would have paid anything and I got rudeness. We ended up going to the Hyatt Hotel where they couldn’t have been nicer. The Hyatt might not be as nice as the Benson on paper but they have an understanding of hospitality that the Benson sorely lacks. (PS. They told me that none of the hotels in Aurora had more than a 20% occupancy so obviously the Benson person was lying and just didn’t feel like dealing with us.)

I was a bell captain in three major hotels in Manhattan. I know class and style at the right price when I see one. The entire staff goes above and beyond to make me feel welcomed.

This hotel is nothing short of Incredible. Every moment, from the friendly greeting at check in, to the gorgeously appointed public areas, fabulous room, great restaurant... all a wonderful delight. Bed comfortable, amenities over the top, and best of all a warm and welcoming staff. Yes, it was a "splurge", but totally worth it! P.S. Our ESA dog totally enjoyed it, too.