This is the historic high point of hotels in Denver. The Brown Palace's doors opened in 1892 and in the 120-plus years of continuous operation, much has stayed the same. The lobby remains one for the ages, with iron grillwork panels surrounding the 8-story atrium on the way up to the ornate stained-glass dome. The original artesian well—drilled 720 feet into the ground below—still feeds every faucet and drinking fountain in the hotel. A few things have changed over the years, however. Clad in sandstone and granite, the building is no longer the tallest in town. The guest rooms and suites, while still sporting a classic look, now have iPod docks, flatscreens, and other modern perks. The dining options—including the landmark Palace Arms and the less formal Ship Tavern—have gotten more adventurous. And there is now a beehive on the roof. The harvested honey is used to sweeten the traditional afternoon tea and in various spa treatments.