Arrival/Check-in: After about a 20-minute drive from the Denver airport to suburban Englewood, my limo pulled up in front of the portico of the long, low-slung Inverness. Friendly young bellmen carried my luggage as I entered the airy lobby, which has views to the lake and golf course beyond. After a pleasant greeting I was checked in with a minimum of fuss and rejoined by my bellman for the quick trip to my room. (28/30)

Guest Quarters: The three long guestroom floors are broken into manageable chunks by mini-lobby areas with plenty of light and windows. The guestrooms underwent a $9-million renovation last year and are fresh and spacious, with earth tones predominating. I had my choice of wired or wireless Internet connectivity at the oversized desk, which was paired with a comfy chair; the bath was lovely and the bed was perfect. My view was overlooking the pond, fountain and golf course; other rooms have views of the Rockies. (28/30)

Services/Amenities: The hotel’s design, which resembles parallel spokes coming off a square hub, puts its considerable meeting facilities along the two front spokes — the latest in high-tech conferencing rooms to the right, function space and private dining rooms to the left — and places dining and recreation in the rear spokes.

The main restaurant, Baca, looks into the rear lobby with windows that frame its lightly Spanish motif and exquisite food. Opposite Baca is the Fireside Lounge, with a modern bar and lots of individual sitting areas. At the Garden Terrace, the Sunday buffet was amazing and included made-to-order Bananas Foster. And then there’s the new Spa — no mere add-on amenity — where I enjoyed the relaxation room that opens onto a little walled garden with hot tub and fireplace, and a “Devote and Detox” treatment that included a lemon-coffee blossom scrub and tangerine fig butter moisturizing, plus a 10-headed shower. There’s also an 18-hole championship golf course, with pro shop and Golf Grille, on the property. (39/40)

The Experience: The Inverness is perfect for an individual business traveler, but I could readily see coming for a spa or golf weekend, or for a meeting. Everywhere I went was low-key and lovely, and since I didn’t need to go to downtown Denver it had enough variety and activities to keep me happy on-site for the duration of my stay.

Total Score: (95/100) 

The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center

200 Inverness Dr. W.
Englewood, Colo.
tel 303 799 5800
http://www.invernesshotel.com