DENVER, Co.– For political power brokers who appreciate the importance of “seeing and being seen” in all the right places during the August 25-28, 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC), the most sought after address is The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, located in the heart of downtown. With less than a month to go, hotel staff are already memorizing political factoids, i.e. “What city is hometown for Senator Barack Obama?”; practicing checking in large numbers of arriving delegates; and creating menu and cocktail recipes inspired by the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, including Barack On The Rocks.
Sold out for months, with a lengthy waiting list, the 202-room hotel promises its VIPs (Very Important Politicos) an array of politically themed amenities, menus, cocktails, and environmentally friendly practices to make their visit to The Mile High City a memorable one. To prepare for some of the nation’s highest profile DNC attendees, The Ritz-Carlton, Denver is stocking up on thousands of pounds of prime Colorado beef, 15 kegs of the best Rocky Mountain brews, and hundreds of pounds of organic produce for the 6,000 meals they expect to prepare for parties and special events being held at Denver’s newest luxury hotel.
Inspired by the DNC official colors of red, white, blue, and eco-friendly green, The Ritz-Carlton, Denver staff will hand deliver more than 800 gifts reflecting the colors. Another 11,000 nightly turndown amenities will include donkey-shaped cookies and a card carrying philosophical quotes from Senator Obama. “We want our DNC guests to be as excited about their stay at our hotel as they are when they cast their votes on the convention floor,” noted Michael King, general manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Denver. The official color scheme will also be evident with candles and floral displays in the lobby to match the color of the day.
Two uniquely shaped donkey topiaries will stand watch at the hotel’s front door, where doormen are expected to handle more than 3,000 pieces of luggage and open the doors up to 5,000 times for arriving and departing guests. In keeping with the eco-friendly emphasis during the DNC, in-room amenities will be delivered in recyclable pouches. The special gifts include: boxes of famous Colorado confectionary Engstrom’s chocolates tied with red ribbons; white bath salts for a relaxing soak in the tub after a day on the Convention Center floor; and a Naturopathica Aqua Spa Milk wrapped in blue. On the last night of the convention, departing guests will be presented with a small packaged tree destined for planting in the Denver area.
In the spirit of keeping with eco-friendly practices during the DNC, The Ritz-Carlton, Denver will provide guests with the option of using and reusing the same sheets and towels during their stay; offer hybrid taxi transportation around town; reduce the number of food deliveries through use of refrigerated trucks, helping to conserve fuel; and recycle leftover food, flowers, and personal care amenities through donations to Denver-area hospitals and homeless centers.
At ELWAY’S Downtown, the hotel’s signature restaurant named for former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, more than 12,000 meals and cocktails will be on the menu. Libations have been created by ELWAY’S bartenders with a distinctly Democratic inspiration. They include: The Barack on The Rocks; Changing Tide; O’Pama Granite Martini ; and The Media Madness. On the menu, and available through in-room dining, will be: Obamalettes; Ba’Rock shrimp appetizers; and Yes We Can Pancakes. Desserts include Ballot Box Brownies and Campaign ’08 Trail Mix, featuring yogurt covered almonds, dried strawberries, and blue M & M’s” “Of course, when we know the name of Senator Obama’s running mate, we’ll add a cocktail and menu dish honoring the vice-presidential choice,” said Michael King.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Denver is located at 1881 Curtis Street in downtown Denver and opened in January 2008. The hotel is situated on the first 14 floors of a 19-story facility, which provides easy access to the 16th Street Mall, as well as Coors Field and lower downtown. The hotel includes 202 guest rooms, including 47 suites and 32 Club Level rooms and one Ritz-Carlton Suite. The property also includes The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Denver and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 72 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Shenzhen, China; Dove Mountain, Arizona; and Lake Tahoe, California. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service.
For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.
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