It’s not actually sprinkled with gold dust, but thanks to a multimillion-dollar renovation, the Hotel Clio really shines. The former JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek will relaunch in February as Hotel Clio, claiming a place in Marriott Bonvoy’s Luxury Collection brand with 193 rooms, six suites, and 10,000-plus square feet of meeting and event space.

The sparkling new interiors were created by Mark Wilson and Yoko Ishihara, the California-based duo behind Wilson Ishihara. Drawing inspiration from the hotel’s location, the designers referenced the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River through the newly revamped spaces as an ode to Colorado’s historic gold rush.

The entry lounge has an elevated residential vibe, with an open layout and a mix of comfortable seating options. The pattern of the marble flooring is intended to mimic the flow of a river, leading hotel guests toward the registration and concierge areas. Image courtesy of Hotel Clio

“We’re storytellers at Hotel Clio, and the design is no exception,” says Sean McNamara, the property’s director of sales and marketing. “The new design truly tells the story of Hotel Clio and [of the] rich history of the destination.​​”

Wilson and Ishihara attempted to capture the gold-rush-era spirit of pioneering optimism with the new soft, organic palette punctuated by river-inspired flowing forms and metallic accents. To mimic the look of a riverbed shimmering with flecks of gold, they covered the floors with angular, brass-bordered tiles of marble with a strong vein texture. A tall screen surrounding the registration area is composed of interlocking brass and stainless-steel elements. Custom wool rugs feature a bubble-like pattern that evokes the effervescence of rushing water, and other custom furniture pieces and handblown-glass lighting reinforce the organic theme. Color choices throughout lean toward a natural palette of soft green, blush, and gentle shades of silver, including cerused-oak panels with brass and nickel details. A stunning fireplace wall of gold-veined white marble recalls the thrilling discovery of gold hidden within rocks.

The hotel’s registration area is wrapped by a dramatic metal screen, with desktop light fixtures designed to evoke a traditional gold miner’s lamp. Image courtesy of Hotel Clio

Specially commissioned art pieces displayed throughout the lobby and public spaces continue the gold and mining theme, including the concierge area’s display of custom pottery marbled with fluid patterns of silver, sage green, and blush. In the entry hall, a large-scale artwork’s bold layers of pattern and color drive home the power of converging streams.

“This imagery of two rivers coming together is evident throughout the interior,” McNamara notes. “Just like Cherry Creek and the South Platte River coming together—and just as travelers and locals will be coming together in this new luxury hotel.” Nightly room rates start at $289. Find more information online