A few weeks ago I found myself alone at 5:30 pm on a Friday at the beautiful sleek The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop, recently opened in the Cherry Creek North shopping district in Denver. After a tour of the property I sat near the bar in Narrative, the hotel’s new restaurant. My laptop was deliberately left in the car, and, instead a glass of white wine and beautiful bowl of green olives accompanied me for the start of the weekend. Plans to meet friends weren’t for another hour. Suddenly time slowed down. How strange to be someplace, a new destination, without plans or people to meet.
To my left were two couples competing in a regular Friday evening card game. Across from me was an elderly couple both holding “Old Fashioned” bar glasses perhaps filled with scotch and water, clearly enjoying each other’s company
and the energy of the seating alcove. A slow sip of wine. Lovely. No place to go. Delightful. Sitting, relaxing, observing, and taking in the sounds and sights of a happy place. We were our own guests.
Almost as a conspiratorial offering I shared my bowl of olives. How did you come to be at The Jacquard? The husband and wife, David and Anne, explained that they had just been driving by the hotel and spotted a parking place right next to the restaurant’s door. With no immediate plans they pulled over and came inside to enjoy an evening out. We uncovered that David had grown up in the same New Jersey town as me. We had skated on the same ponds and biked the same streets as children. They had moved to Denver thirteen years ago. Yet, here’s a big bonus: David is ninety-three and Anne turns ninety in June. Conversation flourished until it was sadly time for my next date. Meeting this adorable couple was a surprise awe-inspiring gift.
As travelers the world is full of possibilities and coincidences. How do happenstances occur? Here are some answers:
- “We are where it’s at”, my mother-in-law has always said. Fully focus on what’s right in front of you wherever that might be!
- Ditch the agenda. Too often when somewhere new or not we’re focused on the wrong thing like worrying about finding a seat at the bar. The bar was full at Narrative. No matter. I just sat someplace else and didn’t worry about it. So glad that I did!
- Allow for spontaneity. If only we could be driving by and pull over whenever and wherever we wanted. How fun would that be! Even if schedules and obligations sometimes restrict our options, always be on the look out for alternative ideas. Stay flexible.
Coincidently The Jacquard wants to be the fabric of the neighborhood. Clearly, in addition to all the “bells and whistles” of a Five Star property this new hotel offers even more. The atmosphere is inviting and extremely comfortable. The staff strives to provide memorable experiences, those that fit perfectly with guests’ desires and surpass expectations. As the elevator door opens to each floor, there’s different art to greet you. The meeting spaces one floor above the lobby are fresh and can be configured in a variety of ways. There’s a delicious restaurant onsite, Narrative, with high ceilings, large windows, lots of light, and excellent service. The whole property seems full of light and frankly it’s a happy place to go!
If you’re living or visiting Denver, check out this property. Host a “Pop Up” in the outdoor spaces. Enjoy a cocktail. Indulge in dinner. Let happenstance happen!
