So you finally found that perfect time in your work schedule and family life to slip away out of town to that dazzling destination: Denver.

You booked the flight and before perusing the available hotels and … oh, no!

One of the year’s major conventions in Denver is taking place the same time as your vacation, tying up almost all of downtown Denver’s hotel rooms.

Never fear — Sheraton Denver West Hotel can come to the rescue.

At first glance, the hotel may not seem ideal. After all, the accommodations don’t even carry a Denver address; the location is in the western suburb of Lakewood. But first thoughts belie the perfect location of the high-quality lodging.

Despite the technicality of a non-Denver address, the hotel is blocks away from the high-speed, free-flowing U.S. 6, which during a recent visit brought us to downtown in 10 minutes. All of Denver’s downtown attractions, including the Denver Botanic Gardens, 16th Street Mall, Coors Field and Washington Park, are easily accessed.

Better yet, visitors are just minutes away from the breathtaking Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and the Coors Brewery on the western fringe. And, the hotel’s west-suburban address means it’s even closer to mountain destinations Breckenridge, Aspen and Vail.

But location wouldn’t mean much if accommodations were forgettable. Nothing about the Sheraton Denver West Hotel is forgettable.

Affordable, newly updated and spacious rooms feature marble-studded dressers, sinks and bar. Spectacular views of downtown Denver or the Rocky Mountain foothills stare vacationers in the face.

Free continental breakfast is offered. Better yet, a “Club Level” upgrade offers customers a complimentary evening reception that features a multitude of delicious appetizers, cookies, desserts and more. The chic reception even has a high-definition television.

A courteous, professional staff puts an exclamation point on the lodging experience. The Sheraton Denver West Hotel makes one wonder: Even without a major convention in town, perhaps this should be the primary hotel for visitors, not just a fallback one.