Best Places to Stay in Denver: Top Areas & Accommodation
Traveling to Colorado and want to find the best places to stay in Denver?
There are many places to choose from, whether it be downtown or in one of the nearby suburbs. Denver can be an overwhelming city since there are so many hotels and lodging options.
One of my older brothers lives in Denver, and I love visiting him. Colorado is one of my favorite states, with endless outdoor activities and sunshine. Throughout the last few years visiting him, I’ve learned about the best neighborhoods around the city.
Whether you’re traveling to Denver for the first time or just searching for a new hotel to try, here are the best places to stay in Denver, Colorado.
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Denver Accommodation Quick Guide
Need to book one of the best places to stay in Colorado quickly? Here are the top choices around the city!
Budget—Ember Hostel: For a stay in a hostel, this is the best choice. It’s a colorful place with mixed dorm rooms and a few private rooms. Everything is chic, from the furniture to the art to the chandeliers. In the courtyard, there is a hot tub and fire pit!
Mid-range—Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel: Located in Park Hill, this is a great hotel for those looking for some quiet in the city. The hotel is within walking distance of parks and many cafes and restaurants. It’s also within walking distance of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Luxury—Hotel Indigo Denver Downtown: This stylish and chic hotel is right in the center of all the action in Union Square. They have a nice onsite restaurant with a bar and a fitness center. The windows are soundproof, so you don’t have to worry about hearing too much city traffic. It’s also only two miles from the Denver Art Museum!
Union Station
Union Station is on the lower side of downtown. If you’re visiting Denver for the first time, Union Station is the perfect neighborhood because it’s close to all the attractions. It’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods but well worth the price to be in the center of all the action.
Union Station is one of the best areas in Denver for restaurants and bars. They have every kind of restaurant you could dream of, from Indian to American to Japanese. It’s a great choice for foodies.
It’s also a popular spot for nightlife and is home to Coors Field.
Budget—Hostel Fish: For a cheap stay in one of the best areas of Denver, check out Hostel Fish. You can stay in a dorm room or book a private room. The rooms are modern and beautiful. The hostel is close to many different live music venues and the Black American West Museum.
Mid-Range—Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station: This is a great basic hotel close to Larimer Square and the Elitch Gardens Amusement Park. Many of the rooms have balconies with mountain views, so make sure to book one for stunning views! They have a restaurant on-site and an indoor pool.
Luxury—Sentral Union Station: For a stay right in the center of Union Station, book a few nights at Sentral Union Station. It’s within walking distance of some of the area’s best restaurants and bars. You can also pay a visit to Larimer Square to see some of the Victorian architecture. The rooms are classy with pops of fun bright colors. It feels more like you’re in a chic apartment rather than a typical hotel.
Five Points
For a more historic neighborhood, check out Five Points. It’s home to Denver’s art scene with many different museums and street art. It’s still an up-and-coming area, so the hotel prices are lower than what you’ll find in Union Station.
You can hang out at Denver Central Market, with plenty of cafes and cute ice cream shops. At night, you’ll find plenty of breweries and clubs. Five Points is where most Denver locals go to party.
Budget—Radisson Hotel Denver Central: This is a great budget option right outside Five Points. It’s only 5 miles from the Denver Art Museum and 6 miles from downtown Denver. They have a free shuttle that has several stops throughout the area, as well as an outdoor pool and an on-site bar.
Mid-Range—Queen Anne Urban Bed & Breakfast: One of the coolest hotels in Denver, Queen Anne B&B has themed rooms with colorful furniture and fun paintings. The suites are decorated by local artists. Make sure to head to the lounge area in the evening, where they have free wine and cheese nights. It’s within walking distance of the Denver Art Museum and the Benedict Fountain Park.
Luxury—The Source Hotel: Known as the best place to stay in Denver, this hotel is just two miles from the Colorado State Capitol and three miles from the Denver Art Museum. All the rooms have free Wi-Fi, floor-to-ceiling windows, and flat-screen TVs. There are also upgraded room choices with separate living spaces.
Central Business District
The Central Business District (CBD) is the best area to stay in Denver if you want to be within walking distance of most major attractions. It’s also the top neighborhood for those traveling to Denver for conferences.
If you’re coming to Denver for an event in the Denver Convention Center, CBD is the best place to stay. There are some restaurants and bars, but not a ton of nightlife. You will need to go to a different neighborhood in the evening if you’re looking for that.
Budget—Tru by Hilton Denver Downtown: This hotel is one of the most centrally located places, as it’s less than a mile from the Denver Art Museum and the Colorado State Capital. Breakfast and parking are free. You can also hang out in the lounge, where they have music and board games, or hit up the fitness center for a workout.
Mid-Range—Hyatt Place Denver Downtown: Hyatt Place has incredible views of the city from almost every room! The Denver Botanic Gardens is only two miles away. The rooms are basic but have all amenities you need. The hotel also has a large fitness center and an indoor pool.
Luxury—Courtyard by Marriott Denver: This hotel has spacious and modern rooms just a 7-minute walk from the 16th street rail station. They have basic rooms as well as suites. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and Wi-Fi. For a city view, make sure to book one of the suites so you can sit outside on the balcony and enjoy the view.
Top Things to do in Denver
Now that you know the best neighborhoods in Denver, here are the top things to do around the city!
- Tour the Denver Art Museum. Denver is home to many different museums. This one is one of the best, as it has permanent and rotating exhibits showcasing over 70,000 works of art from all over the world.
- Explore the 16th Street Mall. It’s a mile-long pedestrian-friendly part of the city where you can go shopping or just relax with a glass of wine. There are also coffee shops and a few small breweries to check out.
- Try the local brews. Denver has many different breweries to choose from. The most popular among residents and tourists are Great Divide Brewing Co, Wynkoop Brewing Company, and Cerebral Brewing.
- Visit the Botanic Gardens. The gardens are a great place to visit in Denver. They have special exhibits throughout the year as well as their permanent collections. Make sure to check the calendar before booking to see if there is a special event you want to attend.
- Learn about the nature of Colorado at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. This is the best place to go if you’re interested in the natural history of Colorado. They also have great activities for young children making this a good place to bring the family.
How to Get to Denver
The easiest way to get to Denver is to fly into Denver International Airport (DEN). They have daily domestic and international flights from cities around the world. The most popular airlines that fly into Denver are United, Southwest, and Frontier.
Denver is also well connected by interstates to other parts of the country, so driving into Denver is easy if you are taking a road trip to Colorado.
How to Get Around Denver
To get around downtown Denver, you don’t need a car. You can walk from one place to another for most places. For places that are a little further away, you can take the Light Rail.
Public transportation options are limited the further you get from downtown. Consider renting a car if you’re staying in the suburbs or if you plan to take a few Denver day trips.
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To avoid snowy winters and hot summers, try visiting Denver in April through May or September through October. The hottest months are over by September, and the snow has usually stopped by April.
The best part about Denver is that it’s almost always sunny. Even if it’s a bit chilly or rainy, the sun continues to shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown Denver Safe to Walk Around?
Downtown Denver does have a higher crime rate than many other parts of the city. However, most people do not have issues walking around to restaurants, bars, or other places. If you’re walking around at night, make sure to stay in well-lit areas.
Walking around in a group is also safer than walking alone. As a female solo traveler, I would recommend not walking around late at night in downtown Denver. If you’re leaving a bar or club really late, call an Uber, even if you’re staying very close to the club.
Where Should I Stay in Denver to See the Mountains?
Many people come to Denver just to see the mountains. There are many hotels around the city that have incredible up-close views of the mountains that are worth checking out.
Try the Four Seasons Hotel Denver and Halycon in Cherry Creek. Some rooms have better views than others, but the mountains can be seen from almost anywhere in the hotel.
How Many Days Do You Need to See Denver?
You need at least three to four days to explore Denver. If you want to take some day trips, you should add on a day or two. If you have unlimited time, you could easily spend a week exploring Denver. This will also give you more time to visit some of the nearby national parks.
Where to Stay in Denver on a Budget?
Most places like Union Station and Five Points have higher priced hotels since they are close to downtown and all the attractions. Since even the budget options are on the higher end, many people wonder where to stay for lower prices.
Cherry Creek is one of the best places for budget travelers. It’s a quiet suburb of Denver. You will need to Uber or rent a car as it’s further from the attractions and museums.
You can also stay in a hostel for lower prices as long as you’re okay with sharing your space and sleeping in a dorm room. Or you can get a private room, which often costs less than a hotel room.
What is the Best Area in Denver?
This depends on why you’re traveling to Denver. As a first-time tourist, Union Station and Five Points are the most popular places to stay. Sloan’s Lake and Cherry Creek are better for those coming as a family.
Denver has many different areas and neighborhoods with different things to see and do. No matter where you choose to stay, there will be plenty to keep you busy!
Ready to Book One of the Best Places to Stay in Denver?
Whether you want to be close to nightlife or you’re looking to be close to all the main attractions, the best places to stay in Denver can be found all over the city.
For first-timers or those looking to be within walking distance of everything, choosing a neighborhood from this guide makes vacationing in Denver easy!
Are you traveling to Denver? Which area do you plan to stay in?
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