Nicknamed the Mile High City due to being almost exactly a mile above sea level, Denver is the gateway to Colorado’s majestic Rocky Mountains. As well as an abundance of natural beauty, Denver is also a hub of cultural activity with a host of museums and performing arts to enjoy. The Ritz-Carlton, Denver sits at the center of the action. To celebrate its partnership with Elite Traveler, we spoke to general manager Brad Mills on why he fell in love with the property.
What attracted you to your position at the hotel?
My journey in hospitality started in the Midwest Plain and has taken me to Chicago, New York City and Washington, DC. The Mile High City sounded exciting and the perfect balance of sidewalk and mountain peaks. Denver is a unique and wonderful city that offers world-class sports, arts, and entertainment in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains for all your outdoor adventures. It also helped that I am a ski enthusiast and have been visiting Colorado’s world-class slopes for many years. I am excited to lead the incredible team of Ladies and Gentlemen and continue our legacy of creating unique and memorable experiences for our guests.
Tell us about a defining moment in your role that sticks out.
Denver has been Championship City in 2022 and 2024. The city has had a lot of sports success and the energy and passion from Colorado Sports is truly fantastic. Denver Nuggets won the NBA Champions 2023 and we loved playing our small part in celebrating with the team with an amazing private event at Elway’s Steakhouse with all the players and organization. We look forward to hopefully celebrating with another Denver-based sports team with another championship soon.
What has been the hotel’s biggest challenge during your time there?
We are all in this: Supply chain disruption, changing consumer behavior, economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability. These challenges collectively reshaped the hospitality landscape, pushing businesses to innovate, streamline operations, and focus on resilience in a volatile global environment. It reminds us to stay focused on our culture and provide exceptional experiences to our guests. With all those impacts creating stress, our hotel is a perfect urban oasis to escape.
What is it about this suite that separates it from anything else on offer in the region?
The Ritz-Carlton, Denver’s Presidential Suite stands out in the region for its unparalleled combination of space, customization, and exclusive offerings. This suite spans over 2,000 sq ft and offers the flexibility to extend into a full three-bedroom space; ideal for families or groups seeking luxury and privacy.
What exciting plans have for the hotel that you can share with our readers?
We have embarked on a journey elevating our hotel and renovating our signature suites above, and our brand-new renovated Elway’s Steakhouse. More is in store as we continue to elevate the legacy of The Ritz-Carlton, Denver.
The hotel has been named one of the first Green Lodging Certification with Audubon International. I am very proud of our Ladies and Gentlemen on our drastic and continual hike be a better steward in sustainability. This certification represents an internal change and commitment by our L&G to be stewards for their community, and a place where guests and L&G can be even more proud to stay.
With a renewed focus on service excellence, we are enhancing the guest journey to ensure each stay is nothing short of extraordinary.
