September 2025. After Oscar came to London in June 2024 and I joined him there for a day, I’m now going to his hometown of Denver in Colorado. My second trip to the United States in 2025, after visiting my uncle and aunt in Wilmington, North Carolina. No, Denver is is not on foreign tourists’ mind when travelling to the US. But that doesn’t bother me. Quite the contrary.
Oscar recommend Catbird Hotel on Walnut Street for me to stay in Denver. And as I didn’t know the city, why not? So I booked a lofted studio.
Presentation
Catbird Hotel opened in July 2021 in Denver’s River North or RiNo Art District, a neighbourhood known for its creativity and industrial edge. It was developed as an independent extended-stay concept by Sage Hospitality Group, designed to blur the lines between hotel and home. The idea was to create a place that feels both functional and imaginative, combining the comfort of a well-designed apartment with the energy of a boutique hotel.
The building’s style pays tribute to RiNo’s industrial past while embracing the area’s vibrant art scene. Inside, the 165 rooms are inventive and practical, with full kitchens, cleverly integrated furniture, lofted beds, hidden storage, and short-throw projectors that turn windows into immersive screens. The sense of surprise and adaptability runs throughout, making each stay feel personal and playful rather than standardised.
Alongside the main property, Catbird also restored a historic 1890 home next door, now offering four bedrooms with modern amenities. This space is particularly suited for families, groups, or private gatherings looking for a more traditional residence with hotel service nearby.
Amenities reflect the idea of living rather than just staying. Each floor includes laundry facilities and water stations with still and sparkling options, while the fitness centre comes equipped with peloton bikes.
For working guests, there are purpose-built Zoom rooms, ensuring remote business can blend smoothly into the stay. A signature touch is the Catbird Playroom, a gear library stocked with bikes, skateboards, cameras, instruments, and games, all free to borrow so guests can explore Denver in style.
The rooftop is a defining feature of the hotel, offering expansive views of both the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains. It includes hot tubs, fire pits, lounge spaces, an amphitheatre and stage for events, and The Rook, a lively bar and restaurant with an indoor-outdoor setup. This social hub has become popular not just with guests but with locals as well.
Food and drink are available at Catbird Kitchen, which serves breakfast, lunch, and grab-and-go options, along with meal kits that guests can prepare in their own kitchens. A 24-hour marketplace keeps essentials and snacks on hand. Pets are welcome too, with thoughtful touches like beds, bowls, and connections to local pet day care.
Since opening, Catbird has gained attention for its originality, winning awards for innovative design and standing out as one of Denver’s most creative hotels.
Reception
There is no reception as such. Receptionists sit either at the kitchen table or at a concierge / host(ess) type desk. You’re actually expected to self check in, using three available computers, but the receptionist was so kind to do it for me.
I received two key cards, while I travelled solo.
The room: a lofted studio
I stayed in a lofted studio. It features the eponymous lofted bed, with very practical storage space underneath, a couch, a tv (no projector in my room, which is fine), a low stool or something like that, a closet featuring yoga equipment and free weights and the kitchenette.
There are many power outlets, even on both sides of the bed. The
The kitchenette is well-stocked. There are utensils, pots and pans to actually cook. There is a fridge and a freezer! There are some containers to keep leftovers, which is a nice feature.
I’m guessing this was not on purpose: there were three knives but only one fork provided.
The kitchenette misses cleaning options. No detergent for doing the dishes by hand or for using the dishwasher. Yes, there’s a dishwasher.
Another miss, is a table. I ate at the desk. But what if there had been the two of us?
The bathroom
The bathroom features one sink and a long walk-in shower with overhead ‘rain’ outpour. Three sets of towels welcomed me. How generous.
I specially like the large, unbranded soap and shampoo dispensers. They were not fixed to the wall.
No housekeeping
Catbird specialises in extended stays, which for the hotel means six nights or more. This means there is no daily housekeeping. You can always ask for fresh towels and you have to ask for more toilet paper. But housekeeping doesn’t come. Only after six nights you get a weekly visit.
The receptionist could have mentioned this. I was disappointed, but there’s an upside. You don’t have to clean up or fear a walk-in.
The gym
The gym is open 24/7, which I like a lot. The fitness room options could be better.
Breakfast
Breakfast is included, but not completely. Included are coffee, tea, juices, cereals and milk, fruit and “anything from the top shelf” in the fridge. Yoghurt, hard boiled eggs, overnight oats and fruit.
There’s also a warm options: breakfast burrito, breakfast bagel, breakfast English muffin. Always with egg, cheese and a meat option (or not for the vegetarians).
I guess it’s okay. But more variation would be welcome. You can also pay for some other items.
Rooftop
On the rooftop, there’s a bar, Rook and hot tubs. I guess it can get lively.
So?
My first impression was “‘wow, what a room”. Then I got disappointed by the lack of housekeeping and the included but repetitive breakfast.
Then again, I liked the independence. When you know it focuses on extended stays, catering to people coming to Denver for work such as conventions, it makes sense.
Catbird tries to have this student vibe, being social. It reminds of The Social Hub in Bologna. At first I felt it was cringy, like parents trying to be cool. But it seems to work.
Catbird is pet friendly and you’ll know it: there are many pets.