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, do NOT stay at or near DIA. The airport in Denver is ridiculously far from the city, owing to the location of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge, so staying at the airport means being isolated from pretty much anything else in town.
Where To Stay In Denver On A Budget
There are very few quality budget hotels in Denver, and those that do exist, are mostly outside the city center by Denver International Airport, which lies about 30 miles away. But you’ll find a few good budget choices in the vicinity of the downtown area. One option is the Mainstay Suites, which is just west of the city center and easily accessible to it. The property is new and quite clean, and rooms come with a kitchenette, which makes it a great choice for families. The staff is friendly and professional.
Outside the downtown area, but closer than the airport, La Quinta Inn & Suites Denver Gateway Park, in the residential Montbello neighborhood in northeast Denver, is another good-value option. The rooms are clean and well-appointed for the price bracket, and the included breakfast is better than average, with some hot selections.
A Great City To Visit
A great city to visit. Had dinner at Mercury Cafe and the food was amazing! Loved the ambiance. Walked around the out door mall downtown and took a tour of Monster world, got some chocolates at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and then played arcade games at Lucky Strike. Drove up to Estes Park to stay at the Stanley and the next day went up to the Rocky Mountain National Park. So beautiful! So much to see.
- From $113.05 per night7.9Good782 reviews
Very good location for my purpose – near the conference site, museums, and public transportation including going to the airport. Safe and clean area. They also had complimentary Happy Hour with pizza, pasta, and drink at 5 p.m. It was a bonus and great! The price in Denver downtown is high so I appreciated this complimentary light meal! The room has a sleeping sofa and a kitchen with a set of dishes. I choose this place if I stay longer or with other people. Of course, it was good for a solo stay.
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Best Hostel In Central Business District: Hostel Fish
A great location, colourful artwork and modern décor are just a few of the reasons we love this hostel. Set in central Denver, this is the citys best party hostel and one of the best place to stay in Denver to meet people. It is close to bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs. Youll also find many of the top places to visit in Denver within walking distance.
Recommended Area: Central Business District & Downtown Denver
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Downtown Denver is home to some of the citys best accommodations. Here, you can find uber-cool boutique properties like The Oxford Hotel, big-name business hotels such as The Westin Denver Downtown, and a few more budget-friendly options like the SpringHill Suites by Marriott.
Downtown Denver, also known as the Central Business District, is, as its name suggests, located right in the Colorado capitals epicenter.
This area is Denvers main commercial, financial, dining, nightlife, and shopping district.
Some of the best restaurants, bars, and shops in Denver are around Larimer Square, the citys oldest historic block, located in the heart of the downtown area.
The Colorado capital also stands out for its thriving beer scene. Two important breweries are in this district: Wynkoop Brewing Company, the first of its kind in Denver, and Great Divide Brewing Company.
Attractions in this district include the Colorado State Capitol, the History Colorado Center, and the Denver Art Museum , with an impressive collection of American Indian and West American Art.
The Denver Performing Arts Complex is also in this area and is home to the Sculpture Park, with two 49-foot-high iconic sculptures called The Dancers. This venue hosts theater plays, dance recitals, and concerts regularly.
Another iconic Downtown Denver site is the Big Blue Bear, a 40-foot high sculpture located in the Colorado Convention Center.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Denver:
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Things To See And Do In Aspen
Take a stroll through the John Denver Sanctuary.
See the stunning Maroon Bells mountains.
Ski at one of Aspens four main resorts.
Enjoy a winter getaway by snowshoeing, sledging or snowmobiling.
Go for a hike through Aspens lush landscapes.
Shop until you drop in downtown Aspen, where youll find shops to fit every budget.
Eat amazing food at Meat & Cheese
Sip cocktails and dance to great music at Escobar Aspen.
Treat yourself to cookies and ice cream at Paradise Bakery and Café.
Dig into a platter of burger and fries at 520 Grill.
Stapleton Central Park Outdoor Activities And Plenty Of Lodging Options
Formerly named after the now decommissioned Stapleton International Airport, Central Park is located east of downtown Denver, and is the largest residential district in the city as well as Denvers third largest park.
Here is where visitors and locals alike can gather to enjoy all manner of outdoor activities, from boating and sledding to more traditional sports like tennis and baseball.
Children will delight in the Dr. Seuss-inspired playground, while the parkss other features include multiple athletic fields and playing courts, jogging and bike paths, fountains, picnic areas, theaters, grilling facilities, and even select indoor amenities.
If youre visiting Denver during the warmer seasons, youll definitely want to check out the roster of outdoor music and performance shows.
Frequently voted one of the best places to stay in Denver, you will find plenty of lodging options in the Central Park area, from 5 Star hotels to privately owned bed & breakfasts and apartment rentals.
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Residence Inn Cherry Creek
If youre looking for a great mid-range Denver hotel that offers beautiful rooms as well as full kitchens and comfortable living spaces, the Residence Inn Cherry Creek is a great fit.
As someone who travels with kids, I love the convenience and comfort of renting suites. I can cook the food from the day and chill out while the kids sleep.
The Residence Inn also offers a social hour with light snacks and drinks in the afternoon, which is always appreciated.
You can compare the prices and availability here.
Beautiful, Quiet Carriage House
Offering old-world charm in the heart of Cherry Creek, this gorgeous property makes for one of the nicest Airbnbs and VRBOs in this part of Denver.
The exposed brick and minimalist charm make for a cozy feel, yet youre within walking distance of excellent restaurants and shopping in Denver.
The unit sleeps six people across two bedrooms and offers a modern kitchen with all of the conveniences travelers could hope for.
You can check out the pricing and availability below.
Things To See And Do In Denver
Visit the Colorado State Capitol Building.
See incredible works of art at the Denver Art Museum.
Stop and smell the roses at the Denver Botanical Gardens.
Root for the home team by taking in an Avalanche ice hockey, Rockies baseball or Broncos American football game.
Take a tour of the Coors Brewery.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Glazed & Confused Donuts.
Eat incredible vegetarian American fare at Root Down.
Dance the night away at the Church Nightclub.
Sample cheap and delicious tacos at Tocabe.
Choose from more than 70 excellent beers on tap at the Falling Rock Tap House.
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Top Things To Do In Lower Downtown
- Enjoy incredible sweeping vistas from The Viewhouse.
- Eat well at Vesta Dipping Grill.
- Wander through Larimer Square, the oldest and most historic block in the city.
- Surround yourself with the buzz of Denver at Union Station, which hosts an array of restaurants, bars and shops.
- Sip finely crafted cocktails at Roosevelt Bar.
- Take a stroll through Commons Park.
- See exquisite sculptures, drawings and installations at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.
- Step back in time at The Cruise Room, Denvers first post-prohibition bar.
- Dance the night away at Beta Nightclub.
- Sample local craft beers at Sandlot Brewery.
Union Station / Lower Downtown
Best Area For First Timers and Tourists | Best LoDo Hotels: The Maven The Crawford The Oxford
Since 2014, when the historic train station re-opened to the public after a major renovation project, Union Station has quickly established itself as the cultural heart of Lower Downtown Denver. If you are figuring out where to stay in Denver, and want to be in the center of it all, Lower Downtown is the area for you.
The surrounding neighborhood consists largely older warehouse-style buildings to the east of the station and newer construction to the west, all filled with some of Denvers best restaurants, boutique shops, bars, hotels, and Coors Field .
If you can afford it, my top recommendation for first-time visitors is that the Lower Downtown area is the best neighborhood to stay in Denver! Youll be in the middle of it, all with easy access to transportation options, fine dining, sports and performances, nightlife, and the most vibrant parts of the city.
Pros of Staying in LoDo / Union Station Neighborhood:
- Located in the center of the action
- Tons of restaurants and bars
- Easy to walk to much of the city, a short Uber or scooter ride to the rest
Cons of Staying in LoDo / Union Station Neighborhood :
- Hotels are relatively expensive
- Where to Drink The Cruise Room, The Green Russell, Terminal Bar
- Top Attractions Union Station, Larimer Square, McGregor Square, Dairy Block, Museum of Contemporary Art
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Where To Stay In Denver Colorado: 5 Best Areas & Neighborhoods
Denver, Colorado has grown so much in the last few years and has developed into a very popular city for all types of people. That being said, there are so many things to do all year-round for visitors.
Denver is a large city that has many different areas and sectors that all have their attractions and perks. No matter what brings you to the capital of Colorado, there will be a neighborhood that can cater to your needs. In the winter, snow sports are king, and in the summer, there are tons of outdoor and indoor attractions.
All of this considered, where you choose to stay is a pretty important decision. Although you will likely go outside of the neighborhood to visit certain attractions, you will want to stay close to your top priorities. Here are five of the best areas to stay in while visiting Denver!
Baker / South Broadway
Best Area For Young Professionals | Best Uptown Hotels:Towne Place Suites by Marriott
In recent years, the area along South Broadway has become the hip spot for Denvers younger professional set. The anchor attraction here is Punch Bowl Social, a huge complex that includes a restaurant, several bars, a bowling alley, shuffleboard, and an upstairs game room. But youll also want to check out the rest of the many smaller, hip joints that dot South Broadway from 1st Street down to Alameda Avenue.
From swank restaurants to cheap eats, there are plenty of places to grab a bite. And if youre in a shopping mood, skip the chain stores and check out the many incredible boutiques that line South Broadway. If you want a fun area to stay in Denver outside of downtown, this is it . Note that most of the accommodation in the area is Airbnbs, are there arent a ton of hotel options. The one exception is the Towne Place Suites by Marriott which is a decent budget option if youre looking for a cheap place to stay in Denver.
Pros of Staying in the Baker / South Broadway Neighborhood:
- South Broadway is filled with lots of fun bars, restaurants, and shops
- Still pretty quiet once you are a block away from South Broadway
- Always a pretty lively area
Cons of Staying in the Baker / South Broadway Neighborhood :
- Fewer hotels to choose from
- Far from much of the rest of Denver
South Broadway Mini Guide
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Where Should I Not Stay In Denver
Areas to avoid staying in Denver as a tourist include anywhere that is too far from downtown Denver, as well as the northern parts of the city between City Park and Five Points . It is also generally inconvenient to stay at Denver International Airport as the airport is located far from the city.
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Thats it for this guide to where to stay in Denver. If you have any questions or any need personalized advice, feel free to scroll down and leave a comment. Youll just want to bookmark this page and check back for my response .
Enjoy the Mile High City!
Iconic Luxury In Downtown Denver
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, part of Marriotts Autograph Collection, has been synonymous with extraordinary service since its opening more than a century ago, in 1892. Today, we invite you to experience our collection of 243 distinct guestrooms and suites, including our newly renovated Top of the Brown sleeping rooms located on our top two floors. Our celebrated property spoils guests with amenities including plush terry robes, complimentary Wi-Fi in Lobby and pure artesian water from our own well. The hotel also boasts six unique restaurants and bars, a boutique spa and nearly 20,000 square feet of meeting space, making The Brown Palace as appropriate for an adventurous jetsetter as it is for a corporate-minded CEO.
Enjoy access to timeless luxury with a unique sense of place, original experiences and world-class service and amenities. Theres simply no better way to experience Colorado and the Mile-High City. Make your reservation today.
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River North Art District
RiNo, or River North Art District, is located in north Denver. Its known for its industrial revival of historic warehouses and factories that now house jazz bars, restaurants, breweries, art galleries and working studios. The Denver Central Market is the heart of RiNo and the best place to begin exploring the areas bars and breweries, galleries and restaurants. The area is very walkable and is meant to be explored. RiNo has 15 craft breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries in a one-mile radius, making RiNo home to the largest concentration of craft beverage manufacturers in the U.S. If you like street art, this is the best place to find it in Denver. In fact, Colorados biggest celebration of street art takes place each September in RiNo when streets and alleys become open-air galleries celebrating art and culture. There is a great 2-hour Denver Graffiti walking tour showcasing the best street art in the city. There are also a lot of great dining options such as Comal Heritage Food Incubator, Zeppelin Station food hall, Dio Mio for Italian, and Owlbear Barbecue to name just a few.
Lower Downtown Great For First
Battling it out with the arts district, RiNo, for the title of Denvers coolest neighborhood is Lower Downtown, or LoDo, as its affectionately known by locals.
LoDo takes a little of everything that is great about Denvers other neighborhoods and condenses it into one. The historic architecture of Capitol Hill, the nightlife of the Central Business District, the artsy vibe of RiNo, and the boutiques of Cherry Creek its all here in LoDo, in a microcosm of the city.
Historically, LoDo was one of Denvers most affluent neighborhoods you can still see evidence of this in the elegant Victorian architecture of the district.
The heart of LoDo is Larimer Square, the citys first designated historic district. Go for a romantic stroll past the specialty boutiques and award-winning restaurants the square is lit up with thousands of glittering fairy lights, making it particularly atmospheric in the evening.
The abundance of bars, restaurants, and cafes in LoDo is simply staggering. Whether you want to admire the city from a rooftop bar, relax in a speakeasy or sip Italian coffee in a cozy cafe, LoDo has everything. Theres even a bar and award-winning restaurants in the iconic restored Union Station.
Other attractions in LoDo include the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, the Pepsi Center, and the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
If youre a sports fan, you should of course catch a baseball game at Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies.
Best Hotels in LoDo:
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Denver’s Original Boutique Hotel In The Heart Of Downtown
Hotel Teatro provides guests with a recently renovated, modern experience juxtaposed with the historic setting of the 20th century Renaissance Revival building in which we are housed. An ideal location in the heart of Denvers music and theatre district, set against a beautiful Rocky Mountain backdrop, our four-diamond hotel is surrounded by independently owned and operated restaurants and shops for a host of activities to explore. We are within walking distance of Denver’s best destinations such as the Denver Center for Performing Arts, the Colorado Convention Center, Union Station, Larimer Square, and professional sports and entertainment venues Coors Field and the Pepsi Center. Our Denver hotel is home to a popular restaurant, The Nickel, as well as The Study, a beautifully designed lounge, bar and community space. Hotel Teatro allows guests to enjoy a one-of-a-kind, local Denver experience through its unique amenities and services, including a Craft Beer Concierge and a Charcuterie Concierge.