Within steps (literally) of Denver’s Union Station, Limelight Denver provides an ideal downtown hotel base for an urban Rocky Mountain getaway. Light-filled guestrooms and a selection of luxury suites reflect a sleek, contemporary design that still manages to capture the essence of this Colorado location with rich wood accents, nature-inspired color palettes and floor-to-ceiling windows providing views of one of the capital city’s iconic districts.

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Rooms are generously proportioned; beds with leather headboards feature rainfall wooden backdrops and ceiling “roofs,” while bathrooms are fitted with large walk-in showers and freestanding soaking tubs.

Dining on site is a delight: The property’s restaurant has a brand-new identity as Ajax, operating under the capable and highly creative guidance of Executive Chef Jared Becker. When asked what about the restaurant’s Rocky Mountain location most inspires him in the kitchen, Chef Becker said, “The Colorado setting inspires me through its amazing landscapes and rich seasonal variety. The rugged mountains, vibrant forests and pristine rivers remind us to embrace nature’s bounty. The changing seasons offer a diverse selection of ingredients from fresh, foraged wild mushrooms and berries in summer to hearty, locally raised meats and root vegetables in winter. This connection to the land and the cycles inspires me to create dishes that honor the purity of these elements, balancing bold flavors and live fire applications with simplicity; allowing each ingredient to speak for itself.”

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Serving breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner, the menu makes the most of seasonal, local ingredients. Breakfast menus might feature duck hash, while lunch options include a chili-smoked pork sandwich with roasted pepper, kosho aioli and rosemary fries. Seasonal dinner menu options include short rib cannelloni with caramelized onion, horseradish creme and fernet demi; or coal-roasted beet with Humboldt Fog goat cheese and pine nut gremolata.

“A couple local ingredients that we love to work with,” added Chef Becker, “are mokum carrots, badger flame beets, kohlrabi and tomatoes. I have had some of the best tomatoes here in Colorado and love when they fully come into season. The carrots and beets have such vibrant color and the ability to apply multiple applications, which makes them a staple in our kitchen.”

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A short walk from the front door, Denver’s Union Station provides a selection of dining and shopping opportunities, along with easy access to transportation — including direct bus and train lines to and from Denver International Airport. At Museum of Contemporary Art, a mere block from the hotel, guests are offered complimentary access. The connection between the museum and hotel runs deep: The hotel’s collection of 700 works of art, created by 32 local artists, was curated by MCA.