Where To Stay In Denver Colorado: The Best Neighborhoods And The Best Hotels
Finding great places to stay in Denver can be complicated. Its a big city with numerous unique neighborhoods. Our guide for where to stay in Denver, Colorado will help you choose hotels and accommodations in the best areas.
The vibrant and exciting city of Denver is the state capital of Colorado. It has long been considered one of the most fun and liveable cities in the United States.
Denver has an exciting history that was launched by thePikes Peak gold rush, and its southwestern charm has been central to its identity for a century and a half. And those visiting Denver are sure to fall under its spell.
I can talk for ages about all of the fun and exciting things to do in Denver. But when it comes to where to stay in Denver, Colorado, things get a bit more complicated.
Denver has a wealth of mouthwatering foodie experiences, architectural marvels, and world-class outdoor attractions both inside, and within a short drive of the city.
Another draw to Denver is the sunshine. The city sees around 300 days of sunshine each year. With weather like that, its no surprise that Denver is a paradise for hiking, biking, and nature lovers.
Im sure you already know that this city is an awesome place to visit. Youre here to find the best places to stay in Denver. So lets get down to it.
Downtown Where To Stay In Denver For The First Time
Downtown Denver is the heart and soul of the city and the best area for people visiting this city for the first time, especially if you want to enjoy everything that this wonderful city has to offer!
The Downtown area is divided into smaller areas, but the best ones I am recommending to travelers are LoDo and Central Business District. Below you can find my chosen hotel recommendations for each of these two areas:
All You Need To Know About Where To Stay In Denver
This list covers where to stay in Denver when you are headed to Colorado!
1850 Wazee St, Denver
+1 720 460 2727
Ideally located on the historic Dairy Block in downtown Denver, the Maven, a luxury boutique hotel, is surrounded by several bars, restaurants, co-working spaces, and shops alike.
When it comes to the amenities here at the Maven, expect large loft-style rooms, modern facilities, on-site entertainment, all within a beautifully decorated building. Even more, as a guest at the Maven, youll be granted several local deals exclusive to YOU so that you can enjoy the cityscape around you.
So, if youre eager to experience an authentic downtown Denver hotel and youre wondering where to stay in Denver in style, opt to stay at the Maven, you wont regret it!
1600 17th St
+1 303 62 -5400
Dubbed Denvers most historic hotel, the Oxford is located in Lodo arguably the most popular downtown district. Not only is The Oxford Denvers oldest hotel, opening in 1891, but its since been modernized with its own unique touch of antiquity.
If youre looking for a hotel with a timeless atmosphere, centrally located so that you can enjoy all that Denver has to offer, consider the Oxford Hotel. Oh! And remember to check out the Cruise Room, their martinis and locally sourced meals deserve a chefs kiss! Last, indulge yourself with a day at The Oxford Club Spa.
701 Wynkoop St
+1 720 460 3700
3330 Brighton Blvd
+1 720 409 1200
1280 25th St
+1 720 996 6300
245 Columbine St
+1 720 772 5000
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Cherry Creek Great Place To Stay In Denver For Shopping
Shopping rules the day in this affluent residential district, with Cherry Creek Mall presiding over innumerable high-end and mainstream boutiques, department stores, and specialty shops.
The upscale Cherry Creek Shopping Center features over 160 stores, 40 of which are exclusive to the Cherry Creek area.
North of the mall visitors can find both chain restaurants and world fare eateries, along with coffeeshops, cocktail lounges, and casual corner haunts.
Interspersed are notable contemporary art galleries, spas, salons, bookstores, and much more.
For those who prefer a more organic experience, Cherry Creek Trail is extremely popular with cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts, who can take full advantage of the areas bike paths and trails.
There is no shortage of chain and boutique lodgings in Cherry Creek, though prices can be fairly steep during highly-trafficked seasons. Make sure to check out special online discounts and seasonal rates to get the best deal on a truly memorable place to stay in Denver.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN DENVER IN CHERRY CREEK
The Inverness Hotel And Conference Center
The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center is a preferred stop for a lot of businessmen who move through the area, but it also doubles as a great venue for a family getaway that everyone will love.
Rooms are luxurious and decorated in a bright contemporary fashion where you can feel right at home.
There are several huge pools great for kids and adults, on-site restaurants, a spa, tennis and golf courts and theres even more to see just outside of the venue just a walk away.
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Central Business District Where To Stay In Denver For Business Travelers
The Central Business District is located at the heart of the Downtown area, it is filled with many office skyscrapers, corporations, and facilities, making it the ideal choice for business travelers.
Great restaurants and some of the best hotels in Denver are located throughout the Central Business District. This is ideal for workers from out of town who need to unwind after a long, hard day.
The Colorado Convention Center is one of the highlights of the Central Business District. Opened in 1990, it features meeting rooms, ballrooms, and even an indoor amphitheater, making it the perfect place for conferences and conventions, of which it holds more than 400 each year.
The Central Business District isnt just for business travelers though. For starters, the convention center holds many of the citys major affairs, like the Great American Beer Festival, Denver Comic Con, and the Denver Auto and Boat shows, making it a destination well suited for tourists as well.
You then have a number of other attractions in the Central Business District specifically designed for tourists as well. There is the American Museum Of Western Art The Anschutz Collection, where you can enjoy one of the largest collections of art depicting the American West.
You have the Denver Performing Arts Complex, one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States, where you can enjoy performances of things such as ballet, dance, opera, orchestras, and more.
Best places to stay in Denver CBD:
Top Hotels Close To Civic Center Park
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Lohi: The Best Overall Place To Stay In Denver
Image credit: jenlo8 / Shutterstock.com
LoHi is a fraction of what locals simply refer to as The Highlands. Remember when you were drawing that silly map of the neighborhoods earlier? This is the one on the west side of the highway, closest to the mountains. Its a great location for families and lovers of architecture and design.
Pros and Cons of Staying in the Lower Highlands
PROS: Youll find great views of both the city and the mountain peaks from this hilltop locale. Its also home to some of the best restaurants, and boy do those restaurants have some views. Im talking about you, Linger ..
CONS: Its the furthest from the heart of downtown. But, if you bring your walking shoes or opt for a bike or scooter rental, you get to take advantage of the scenic Cherry Creek Trail, a beautiful paved pathway that follows the artery of the Platte River through the city.
What to Do in LoHi
Image credit: jenlo8 / Shutterstock.com
- Dont miss brunch at Root Down . Its great for every meal, but especially for brunch. They offer amazing gluten free food and drinks and have a lovely patio for outdoor dining. Definitely make a reservation, especially if you want to sit on the patio as this is a Denver favorite.
- Pop into speakeasy style bar Williams & Graham for a truly special cocktail experience. Drinks are made from scratch and they dont come fast, but the wait is oh-so-worth it. The entrance is disguised as a library, so if you peek your head in, youre not in the wrong place.
Capitol Hill: A Central More Neighborhood
Before there were all of the hip, artsy neighborhoods, there was Cap Hill. The classic tree-lined streets are dotted with well-kept old mansions, many of which have become high-end apartment buildings. It possesses an authentic, quiet, neighborhood feel and youll find parks large and small scattered everywhere.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Cap Hill
PROS: If youre looking for authentic, lived-in Denver, this is your place. Its also really central, so its the perfect starting point for exploring the rest of the city.
CONS: It might lack the quantity of trendy bars and restaurants that other neighborhoods can boast, but it makes up for that in quality and a local vibe, making it possibly the best area to stay in Denver if you want to truly get a feel for the heart of this city, and have quick access to patches of grass for a lazy afternoon in the park.
What to Do in Cap Hill
- Discover why Denver is called the Mile High City at the Colorado State Capitol Building. Look for the official marker of 5,280 feet above sea level when you reach the 15th step leading up to the entrance. The public are free to roam the halls during business hours, and you can book a tour to the top dome for a great view of the city.
- Enjoy the famous Colorado sunshine with a trip to theDenver Botanic Gardens. During the summer months, theres an expansive patio overlooking a lily pond that serves high quality salads, sandwiches, and brick-oven pizzas. Fresh produce comes seasonally from their CSA farm.
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Best Areas To Vacation & Stay In Colorado
Youll find fun Colorado things to do in just about every part of the state. Whether you want skiing in the mountains, the quieter scenery of Northern Colorado, Denvers museums, or the culture in Boulder, youll find lots to keep you busy in Colorado.
I broke this list down into the 8 areas of Colorado people are most interested in visiting. If youd like to do several things, like visit Denver and ski in the mountains, then your best bet is to plan to stay at least one night in each place so you have enough time to enjoy each area.
Best Areas To Stay In Denver
Denver is composed of dozens of neighborhoods, each with its own unique character. See this map to get a sense of how the city is broken down.
There are technically 78 Denver neighborhoods, far too many to cover fairly in this guide. Instead, Ill cover the 9 Denver neighborhoods that are most popular with visitors and tourists.
If youre looking to move to Denver, Id suggest you instead see my guide to the best Denver neighborhoods to buy, rent, or live in 2022.
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Central Business District Where To Stay In Denver For Nightlife
If youre a night owl interested in partying in dancing, then the Central Business District is THE place for you!
The Central Business District is right near LoDo in Downtown Denver and a great place for all types of travelers. Staying here means youll be surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafes, museums and everything in between at all times. If you want to try some exciting activities, you can go to the Platte River and try some paddle boarding, for example!
Dont forget to check out the Downtown Aquarium and Denver Art Museum while youre here, as well as the Denver Beer Trail.
Convinced? Here are the best hotels in the Central Business District that I picked for you:
Where To Stay In Denver For Nightlife: Rino
Within the past five years, this industrial wedge along the Avon River has become an unlikely magnet for edgy restaurants, bars, and late-night breweries. It all started in 2013 with The Source, an eclectic market hall with food and design vendors further up, on Hanover St, the bars spill onto charming patios and stay buzzing well into the night.
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Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Denver
Its good to get lost sometimes, but its also good not to get too lost. There are people that want you home in one piece.
Theres one travel insurance provider The Broke Backpacker trusts for all his wildest shenanigans World Nomads!
And then let the shenanigans begin.
How Many Days Do You Need To Visit Colorado
Youll need one week to visit Colorado if you want to spend time in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Rocky Mountain National Park. If you want to explore southern Colorado, including the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park or the breathtaking town of Telluride, youll need at least 10 days.
Hopefully, this guide has given you some good ideas for where to stay in Colorado, depending on what youre planning to do and see. As a local, I love every single one of these areas for different reasons and I think theyre all worth a visit. Enjoy your stay and welcome!
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Where To Stay In Denver On Your Colorado Trip
Daniel and I had a limited amount of time in Denver on our Colorado road trip, but we did have some time to explore the downtown area and find out the where to stay in Denver. There are some pretty incredible hotel options in this city, though be warned that if you are planning on staying in the heart of the city, you will be paying a lot in order to do so. While you might be able to find some rentals for affordable prices, consider the options on this list a treat before you head to other areas of the state.
Tip #1 Dont Stay At Denver International Airport
If you are new to Denver and searching for hotels on many booking sites, you may be tempted by relatively good deals for hotels near Denver International Airport . Unless you are specifically coming for a conference that takes place in one of those hotels, or unless you are just transiting through DIA, please do NOT stay at or near DIA.
The airport in Denver is very far from downtown Denver. This is because it sits on the other side of the massive Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. So staying at the Denver airport means being isolated from pretty much anything else in Denver.
First Time in Denver? Dont miss Abigails list of Denver travel tips!
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Colorado Stays: Where To Stay In Keystone Year
This past September, we took advantage of a glorious fall weekend to do a little staycation in Keystone., Colorado. We are frequently drawn to Keystone because the size and vibe feel just right and homey to us. Theres no hoity-toity-ness but there is a lot to see and do, year-round. In the course of planning, we found out about two unique options for lodging that we wanted to tell you about.
Capitol Hill Best Place To Stay In Denver For First
Centrally located and packed with attractions, theres no better neighbourhood for first-time visitors to Denver than Capitol Hill.
Set at the centre of the city, Capitol Hill is a neighbourhood bursting with history. Within its streets, youll find some of the citys most notable attractions, including the Colorado State Capitol building, the United States Mint and the Molly Brown House Museum.
Architecture buffs will also love exploring Capitol Hill if only to peep the turn-of-the-century mansions that characterize the hood.
But theres more to Capitol Hill than history and old-time charm. This downtown district is also where youll find a great selection of restaurants and cafes, bars and clubs.
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Vrbo: Luxury Loft With City Views
This VRBO property is gorgeous. The penthouse loft is open plan, with sweeping private views over the Denver skyline. The three-bedroom condo sleeps up to twelve guests and is the perfect spot for a luxury holiday with friends.
Not enough space for you? Rent the rooftop space as an add-on to your standard accommodation package. The rooftop features a firepit, sunken seating area, and an outdoor kitchen. See it on VRBO
Things to do in Capitol Hill
There are many things to do in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Visitors will be within walking distance of Civic Center Park, where the domes of the Capitol Hill building can be found. On the buildings steps, you can even see the mile-high city mark, which shows where the city is exactly a mile above sea level.
Capitol Hill is the spot for old-world charm and classic architecture and stately mansions. Its streets are full of art galleries, museums, old mansions, and historic buildings.
Capitol Hill also has the Denver Art Museum, Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, and the Molly Brown House Museum. The neighborhood is a great place to stay in Denver if you love wandering well-established museums and attractions.