DiamondRock Hospitality Company has reopened the former JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek as the 199-room Hotel Clio, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Denver Cherry Creek. The hotel is DiamondRock's third Luxury Collection hotel.
"This repositioning further enhances the strong return on our investment," DiamondRock Hospitality Company President and CEO Mark Brugger said in a statement. "DiamondRock acquired the hotel, formerly branded a J.W. Marriott, in 2011 for $74 million ($372,000 per key). The $3.6 million of incremental capital to reposition the property into a luxury hotel is expected to generate over a 70 percent internal rate of return for DiamondRock shareholders.
The company expects Hotel Clio to generate a stabilized 10.5 percent yield on our total investment. Importantly, the repositioning is another step forward in DiamondRock's strategic initiative to assemble an exceptional collection of urban lifestyle hotels and experiential resorts."
Design
The design was led by the firm of Wilson Ishihara Design. Interiors take cues from Cherry Creek's origins in the Gold Rush era paired with the natural surroundings of the destination. Inspired by the story of William Green Russell striking gold at the confluence of Cherry Creek and South Platte River, the interiors have subtle gold accents complemented by earth tones.
Hotel Clio's lobby has marble floors and custom art pieces, all anchored by a large stone fireplace. The design blends influences of the region's natural elements with touches authentic to the destination. The idea of "confluence," a term that describes the junction of two rivers, is expressed in design details like floors that evoke the flow of the river, cerused oak and brass accents highlighted with custom table lamps designed to emulate a gold miner's lamp.
The hotel has two spacious modern ballrooms, indoor/outdoor event spaces, ten event rooms and an intimate rooftop deck backdropped by Rocky Mountain views. Hotel Clio's elegant venues with 10,000 feet of functional space are easily transformed to create authentic, memorable events from board meetings, team retreats to inspired celebrations.
Toro Latin Kitchen and Bar is Hotel Clio's signature restaurant by local chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval. The space blends with the open-concept lobby to create a social hub and gathering space.