RMGA Membership Meeting Review
Le Meridien / AC hotels
Membership Program November 12, 2018
RMGA membership meeting for November was held at the Le Meridien / AC hotels. Larry Foos, Nominations Committee Chair, introduced a new member and a guest. He then introduced the slate of officers for 2019: Sherry Moon, President; Jessica Ward, Vice President; Nancy Brueggeman, Secretary; Wendy Pickering, Treasurer; and Mike Pearl, Director at Large. There was a quorum present and the slate was elected unanimously. Mike Pearl offered a door prize, won by Madu Ramesh - a book “No Individual”. The holiday event was announced: at Dawn Nelsen’s clubhouse at Prince and Santa Fe in Littleton, December 12, 2018 at 6:30 pm.
Mike Pearl gave a very brief overview of the Governor’s Conference. Theme was sustainability – how can we engage guests in Colorado and its beauty without ruining these scenic spots.
Larry Foos then introduced Christy DeSiato, Director of Sales & Marketing for AC Hotel, Denver. Christy noted that the Le Meridien is French influenced. Le Meridien and AC hotels share one building but are actually two hotels. Le Meridien has 270 rooms, AC 223 rooms. The theme in Le Meridien is more opulent than the AC hotel. Owned by Starwood/Marriott hotels. Air France / L’Etoile / European Heritage formed the theme for Le Meridien. Antonio Catalon, a Spanish hotelier owned the AC hotels which were bought in 2011. So the French and Spanish influence are prevalent.
Every room has unique local art – NINE DOT Arts curated the art. The meeting rooms are all named for the best places in Colorado to watch the leaves turn. The lobby chandelier represents cottonwood cotton floating in the air. Look for the optical illusion. The registration desk has 1,100 different oil views of Marie Antoinette, each about 2”x2”.
The 54thirty, a rooftop bar on the 20th floor is a happening place. This location is noted in ZAGAT as one of the top 15 bars in the USA. Currently open only on warm weekends, closing for the winter today! Their New Year’s Eve celebration has great views of all the fireworks around town. You can rent the entire rooftop for $20,000 and $20,000 in food and beverage. A portion of the rooftop can be rented for $500 and a $500 food and beverage minimum. The West Deck can be rented for $6,000 and a $6,000 food/beverage cost. The rooftop also houses the fitness center – which is open 24 hr/day – access with your room key.
Corrinne – the hotel restaurant serves “comfort food” and The Lobbiest is the in-house lounge on the first floor. The hotels have many options for renting a portion of these rooms or the entire rooftop for an event.
The hotels offer a theatre package with complimentary valet and beverage service. BarAC kitchen has a $15 buffet. The hotel has a partnership with several companies/museums, including the Clyfford Still Museum, several brewers and distillers, and also offer the complimentary use of a Range Rover car and free bicycles (several are parked in the lobby window).
Le Meridien rooms cost approximately 10% more than the AC hotel. Breakfast is not included (American plan).
Weekend rates run from a low of $169 to $229, weekday rates run from $229 - $289. Le Meridien rooms are mid-century and luxurious, the AC rooms are more masculine, and more modern.
We visited the AC bar and the AC lobby – many events held here each evening.
Contact information:
Victoria Sanchez
Manager of the AC Hotel
AC Hotel, Denver
750 15th Street
Denver, CO 80202
Victoria.sanchez@whitelodging.com
Christy DeSiato
Director of Sales & Marketing
AC Hotel, Denver
750 15th Street
Denver, CO 80202
303.356.8932
Christy.desiato@whitelodging.com
Written by Nancy Brueggeman
Le Meridien / AC Hotels
WHAT: RMGA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING – Le Meridien Hotel
WHEN: November 12, 2018, 6:30 - 7:00 – networking and sign-in, then a short business meeting (about 15 minutes or so – ELECTION OF OFFICERS!!!) and 7:15 - 8:00 – History and tour of the hotel..
WHERE: Le Meridien Hotel, 1475 California Street, Denver, CO 80202.
PROGRAM: The Le Meridien Hotel is a traditional European influence and a modern sense of style. Kayla Haugen and Christy Desiato will present the history and tour of the hotel.