In a milestone achievement for Colorado’s hospitality sector, Hotel Maverick in Grand Junction has earned the No. 10 spot on Travel + Leisure’s 2025 listing of the 15 Best City Hotels in the U.S. This recognition from one of the travel industry’s foremost publications not only raises the profile of Hotel Maverick but also spotlights Colorado’s western slope as a rising player in the nation’s urban hospitality scene.

A Boutique Hotel Making National Headlines

Intentionally blending contemporary comfort with Western Colorado’s vibrant culture, Hotel Maverick bills itself as “your own personal Colorado hideaway.” Located on Colorado Mesa University’s campus, the hotel features 60 thoughtfully curated rooms and suites, providing panoramic views of the region’s distinctive landscapes. Since opening in 2020, it has emphasized personalized guest service, unique amenities, and a strong connection to the Grand Junction community—a formula now validated by its presence on this prestigious list.

Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards survey results, released July 2024, drew more than 180,000 respondents who cast over 657,000 votes for more than 8,700 properties worldwide. For the City Hotels category, readers rated finalists on rooms/facilities, location, service, food and beverage, and overall value. With a remarkable reader score of 96 out of 100, Hotel Maverick came just two points behind the category-topping Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas and beat out highly regarded hotels in much larger metropolitan destinations.

The Only Colorado Hotel Honored This Year

Hotel Maverick’s recognition is especially significant as it was the only Colorado-based property to break into Travel + Leisure’s top 15 this year—an honor typically reserved for iconic hotels in major American cities such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. This achievement not only elevates Hotel Maverick’s profile but also raises the visibility of Grand Junction and the broader western Colorado region among leisure and business travelers.

Brian Smith, General Manager of Hotel Maverick, expressed the team’s pride in the recognition. “It’s such a select group, 15 hotels out of thousands of hotels across the country,” Smith said. “We’re encouraged that it sheds light on our property here, but really also on Grand Junction as a whole, and allows people to explore this part of the state and country.”

Smith attributed the hotel’s success to the dedication of its staff and the unique guest experience offered: “It’s really the service that they provide and the attention that they give to our guests each and every day, the hard work, dedication, loyalty that they have to Hotel Maverick.”

Devil’s Kitchen: Elevating the Guest Experience

Beyond its accommodations, Hotel Maverick features Devil’s Kitchen, an acclaimed rooftop restaurant that has quickly become a culinary destination in its own right. Highlighting local ingredients and innovative preparations, Devil’s Kitchen offers guests and locals alike a panoramic culinary experience that complements the region’s burgeoning wine and food scene. Hospitality experts increasingly recognize destination dining as a key differentiator among leading boutique hotels, and Devil’s Kitchen is central to Hotel Maverick’s unique appeal.

The restaurant’s creative menu and stunning terrace views over the Colorado National Monument and Book Cliffs elevate the property’s allure and contribute to guest satisfaction—an important factor that likely influenced Travel + Leisure readers’ high ratings.

Economic and Educational Impact

Hotel Maverick is owned by Colorado Mesa University and managed by renowned hospitality firm Charlestowne Hotels. The property showcases a model of university-hospitality collaboration and serves as a living laboratory for hospitality management students. By integrating hands-on learning with high-level customer service training, the hotel supports workforce development goals in western Colorado’s growing visitor economy.

According to the Colorado Tourism Office, tourism generated more than $27 billion in direct travel spending statewide in 2023, supporting over 192,000 jobs. Destinations beyond the well-known ski resorts—including Grand Junction—are seeing record numbers of leisure travelers, conference attendees, and repeat visitors, a trend that has accelerated post-pandemic as Americans seek out authentic, less-congested destinations with robust amenities and local flavor.

Redefining Urban Hospitality in Secondary Markets

The national recognition of Hotel Maverick signals a shift in traveler preferences toward boutique properties that offer distinctive experiences, personalized hospitality, and integration with the surrounding community—even outside traditional urban centers. Grand Junction, known for its scenic beauty, easy access to outdoor adventure, and vibrant arts and wine culture, perfectly aligns with these evolving expectations.

According to 2024 industry reports from the American Hotel & Lodging Association, secondary markets across the U.S. are outperforming some gateway cities in hotel occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR), as both leisure and business travelers diversify their destination choices. Hotels like Maverick are at the forefront of this trend, thriving through a blend of local engagement, innovative management, and strategic partnerships.

Outlook: What Comes Next for Hotel Maverick and Grand Junction

As the only Colorado hotel on Travel + Leisure’s 2025 top city hotels list, Hotel Maverick is poised for increased attention from national and international travelers, event planners, and hospitality professionals. Its achievement coincides with Grand Junction’s growing reputation as a must-visit place for those seeking a genuine Colorado experience without the crowds of the state’s more famous destinations.

Smith and the hotel team are optimistic about the future: “We’re so honored to be on this list, and we’re excited to welcome even more guests to discover Grand Junction and everything this region has to offer.”

Travelers interested in learning more about the list or discovering what makes Hotel Maverick unique can visit the full rankings at Travel + Leisure.