The warm Southwest hospitality of Table Mountain Inn was my introduction to Golden, Colorado. From the valet and the bellman to the front office staff, I knew I would enjoy my stay at Table Mountain Inn. They were fun, friendly, and helpful at check-in and throughout my visit.
The weather was picture perfect, with sunny skies, brilliant fall colors on the trees, and mountain views that took my breath away when I was there in October.
While my visit was hosted at Table Mountain Inn, all opinions are my own.
About Golden and How to Get to Table Mountain Inn
The quaint town of Golden is filled with small shops and Western charm, surrounded by some of the best biking, hiking, fishing, rafting, kayaking, and winter sports in the Rocky Mountains.
Golden is a pet-friendly, family-friendly destination. I saw many physically fit people on the streets of Golden, and I couldn’t help but be inspired by their fitness. It seemed to be in the air.
Golden is centrally located for all Denver-centric adventures, only 25 minutes from downtown Denver, 40 minutes from the airport, and 15 minutes from Red Rocks Amphitheater—among other attractions. Breckenridge and Keystone, two of Colorado’s most popular ski resorts, are less than an hour away.
Table Mountain Inn is located in Downtown Golden at 1310 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401
Guest reviews on TripAdvisor make Table Mountain Inn a Traveler’s Choice.
From Table Mountain Inn, I could quickly explore on foot and by car to complete my research for things to do in Golden and discover great places to eat.
About Table Mountain Inn
Originally built in 1925 to be Golden’s first modern luxury hotel, known as the Hotel Berrimoor, the property has undergone many changes.
When the Hotel Berrimoor failed to recover after the Depression, this Golden hotel remained vacant until 1948 when Lu Holland, Golden’s Mayor at the time, came to the hotel’s rescue. For the next 24 years, the revived hotel was known as the Holland House and was famous throughout Denver for lodging and food.
When Lu Holland retired in the early 1980s, the new owners closed the hotel. The hotel remained closed until a team of successful restauranteurs decided in 1991 to revive it again. Reborn as Table Mountain Inn, the overhaul was unprecedented. The exterior was stuccoed, and the rooms were completely rebuilt. The lobby and restaurant were recreated in the elegant Southwestern décor iconic for Table Mountain Inn.
In 1999, an addition to the building added 42 rooms, guest parking, and additional indoor/outdoor event space at this adobe-style boutique hotel.
With 74 well-appointed guest rooms and suites today, a unique feature is that all rooms have real windows to better enjoy fresh mountain air. Many have balconies (my suite had two balconies), jetted tubs, and pillow-topped mattresses. All boast eco-friendly, luxurious toiletries in the bathroom and shower/tub and premium bedding.
Guests can enjoy breathtaking views across downtown Golden to the Foothills and Table Mountain. I kept marveling at the scene before me–the Coors billboard and the incredible mountain views behind it.
The Lobby at Table Mountain Inn
When you walk through the two wide doors, the hallway to the bar/lounge is on the far right, the restaurant host is on the right, and the Front Desk is on the left. To get to the Front Desk, you must pass a furry brown bear that has been to the taxidermist. It was hard to resist the urge to pet him and scratch under his chin.
Later, I observed another guest scratching his back and realized it was a natural inclination to pet the giant stuffed animal. When I asked the Front Desk attendant if that happened often, he said, “All the time. Some people even try to ride him and get a picture doing it.” After three days, I still hadn’t scratched his back, but I did take a selfie with him.
Santa Fe Executive Suite
My Santa Fe Executive Suite accommodations were welcome and relaxing after my two-day road trip. A sanctuary from the lively downtown tourist scene, I could rest in the quiet quarters, teach some online classes with an Internet connection, and write without interruption.
Welcomed luxuries included the king bed with five pillows (a girl can’t have too many), a big-screen TV, a south-facing balcony, an east-facing balcony, and a private bathroom with a jet tub.
The oversized sitting area with a leather couch and chair, fireplace, big-screen TV, and a small table with two chairs separates the sitting room from the bedroom. It is spacious, and a sliding glass door opens to the balcony facing east with stunning views of Table Mountain and overlooking Washington Avenue. I enjoyed sitting on the balconies and observing the light play on the mountain at different times of the day.
The textured walls and the artistic design in the plaster ceiling surrounding the ceiling fan are subtle and elegant touches.
Amenities at Table Mountain Inn
Table Mountain Inn offers these amenities:
- 24-Hour Front Desk
- Free wifi
- Valet Parking
- Premium Bedding and linens* with pillowtop mattress
- Complimentary Newspaper
- Silver Canyon Coffee & Tea Services
- Coffee maker
- Complimentary Bottled Water Every Night
- In-Room Dining
- On-site restaurant – Grill & Cantina
- Bar/Lounge
- Iron and ironing board
- Hair Dryer
- Air conditioning
- Complimentary Access to the Golden Community Center
- ATM
- Dog-Friendly**
- Premium HD Cable Channels
- Eco-Friendly, Locally Sourced Body & Hair Products
- Blackout Drapes
- Refrigerator in all Rooms
- Cribs & Infant Beds Available Upon Request
- King and queen beds
- Rollaway & Sofa Beds Available Upon Request
- Wheelchair accessible****
- Accepts major credit cards in USD
- Regular check-out time is 11 a.m.***
* Hypo-allergenic bedding available upon request.
** Dogs are permitted in the hotel. Fee applies.
***Arrange for late check-out by calling the Front Desk.
**** There are a limited number of ADA-accessible rooms. Some additional ADA equipment is available upon request.
Dining at Table Mountain Grill & Cantina
Table Mountain Grill & Cantina, helmed by Executive Chef Michael Erickson, offers the freshest local cuisine with choices to suit almost everyone. The lively patio, cantina, and restaurant are a gathering place for locals and guests, especially on the Friday night I dined inside. The flow of diners was constant, and service was brisk.
Menu at Table Mountain Grill & Cantina
Food is available almost any time of day or night at Table Mountain Inn. From an extensive Brunch menu and an abbreviated Happy Hour menu to a Late Night Happy Hour served from 9 p.m. until close, you will find something to please your appetite.
The Dinner Menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, Southwest specialties, Cantina favorites, and handhelds. Desserts are on a separate menu, including in-house delectables and after-dinner drinks.
Because I learned in the interview with the Chef that his favorite dish to make is the Short Rib (on the current menu), I ordered it for my evening meal. The glaze tastes amazingly like maple syrup, but the recipe has no maple syrup. The meat was fork-tender and served with gnocchi (Italian) and green peas. The taste and texture of all ingredients were well-paired.
Room Service is available every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Private dining, business, and social event rooms are also available on-site.
Chef Michael Erickson
I was pleased to interview Chef Erickson during my stay at Table Mountain Inn. His passion for delivering what his guests want is evident in how he speaks about his career before and during his four years at Table Mountain Inn.
Hailing from Southern Georgia, Chef learned to cook from his grandmother and an aunt as a youngster. While deciding whether to join the Coast Guard or pursue cooking, he made the life-changing decision to attend the Atlanta Art Institute to study the culinary arts. Chef realized he had a passion for the discipline and challenge of running a kitchen and earned a four-year degree in Culinary Management.
During a three-month semester abroad, Chef studied cooking in Orvieto, Italy, where he met a woman in the same program who later became his wife. They developed a love for Italian cuisine, and he brings that into his Southwest menu.
In 2015, Chef and his wife moved to Colorado and are raising their children in a suburb of Golden. Incorporating Southwest flavors into his broad repertoire is a benefit to his clientele. Because diners in his restaurant expect traditional Southwest fare, he delivers that and more.
During his years at Table Mountain Inn, he has trained and mentored cooks, sous chefs, and other staff to perform their tasks with dedication and attention to detail.
Dining at Table Mountain Inn Grill & Cantina is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Famous Neighbors in Golden
Coors Brewing Company, founded in 1873, is based in Golden. The Coors mural billboard is visible from many locations in town.
Coors Brewery celebrated its 150th Anniversary in September 2023 with a street festival in Golden that included live musical performances, local artisans, brewery tours, food, and, of course, beer.
Colorado School of Mines, around the corner from Table Mountain Inn on Illinois Street, is a community of 17,000 with a small-town atmosphere. Mines specializes in engineering and applied science with a special emphasis in Earth, Energy, Environment, and Materials. I learned they have a winning football team, too.
Golden History Park, formerly known as Clear Creek History Park, is home to the Golden History Museum and Golden History Park. The Park is within walking distance of Table Mountain Inn.
Many of the original homesteading buildings from the Pearce Ranch in Golden Gate Canyon (Pearce Ranch was the largest in the region by 1912) are open to the public periodically at Golden History Park. Pioneering history of the area features 15,000 historic objects housed in the Museum, which is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday.
Final Thoughts
Table Mountain Inn is a historic and iconic Southwest experience. They’ve thought of everything in hospitality for their guests. I knew I had a great visit because I hugged the bellman when I left.
