element is a new sub-chain of hotels from the large Starwood company of hotels, which is the holding company to brands like Sheraton, Westin, 4 Points by Sheraton, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, etc.
Starwood has a lot of great resort hotels around the world, in Hawaii (Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Princeville Resort, etc) Bali, Australia, New Zealand, and just about every major destination. But they were really behind Marriott and Hilton in efficient, moderately priced, business hotels. So element (and also the new aLoft) was designed to put a new twist on the business hotel, copying many concepts that have become de riqeur for the travelling businessman's hotel, which has evolved greatly since Courtyard and Embassy Suites (originally Grande Royal) created the category 40 years ago.
There are only a half dozen elements completed so far. This one, in the southwest Denver suburb of Lone Tree, where everything is less that 10 years old, is the first I have stayed in.
The decor and styling is definitely Euro-Japanese modern. Not the Americana type construction that is Marriott brands like Courtyard, Fairfield, Residence Inn or Hilton brands like Hampton Inn, and Homewood Suite. Hyatt's new Hyatt Place chain is probably closest.
The lobby is a multi-purpose area, where you can meet, eat, or check-in to your airlines. They offer the free breakfast and manager's happy hour, like Embassy Suites, Residence Inn and the like.
The gym is larger than those older chains that usually had a closet to excerzise in, with half a dozen CV machines, and a full compliment of free weights.
The rooms are like a Gentleman's Bachelor pad in Tokyo or NYC. It is no bigger than most hotel rooms, but it is efficiently designed to include just about all you need. When you enter, there is a wall along the right that includes a euro-cabinet like closet, a cupboard, a full size stainless steel fridge, and the rest of that wall has an efficiency Euro-kitchen with 2 burner stove, microwave, full sink, DW, toaster, coffee maker, and cabinets and dishware, with two stools for an eat-in kitchen nook..
The desk is in the right corner, with a desklamp, glass top over visible storage drawers, and ergonomic adjustable hydraulic desk chair sitting on hardwood laminated floor. The right two thirds of the room has a King size bed, a sectional couch, and a swivel 42 inch TV with AV inputs. So you can watch the TV from the kitchen, desk, couch or bed.
As mentioned, the design influences are Euro-Japanese, with dark wood tones and Danish modern construction, with accents in Japanese neutral tones. The bathroom has a square bowl sink, bright indirect lighting around the mirror, and a large glass enclosed shower with a modern 8 inch square flat shower head to rain down on you.
Checking in, they have airport luggage carts for you to bring in your luggage, instead of the traditional hanger dollies that bell hops use.
All in all, it is a very efficient design meant for the non-nonsense business traveller, but with international design motifs in a very casual, do-it-yourself style, at a reasonable price ($149)
There are plenty of eateries nearby, mostly chains, as there are a couple of shopping centers down the street, and the area is packed with less than a decade old businesses and large apartment complexes, and freeway access is pretty close and easy. read more