Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainWhere to Stay
A practical guide to the best hotels in Denver by area, budget and style, from historic grand hotels and Union Station to RiNo boutiques and Cherry Creek.
Choosing the best hotels in Denver starts with deciding how you want to spend your time. Downtown, around Union Station, LoDo and the 16th Street corridor, puts you close to restaurants, nightlife, Coors Field, the convention center and the A Line train to the airport.
RiNo and LoHi offer a trendier neighborhood feel, with breweries, murals and rooftop bars, while Cherry Creek is quieter and more upscale, with shopping and dining nearby.
If you plan to spend most of your time in the mountains, staying near the airport or on the west side of the city can make sense.
Denver's hotels range from historic landmarks, including a grand Victorian hotel and a restored railway station, to design-focused boutiques in converted warehouses and large resorts with water parks near the airport.
Prices rise during major conventions, big concerts and sporting events, and summer is the busiest season. Parking downtown is expensive, so consider whether you really need a car. Many travelers combine a few nights in the city with a stay in the mountains.
This guide is organized by area and by type of stay, so you can find the right base for your trip.
We start with our top picks across the city, then break them down by the best areas to stay, couples, views and rooftops, families, luxury, boutique character, spas and budget-friendly value.
The best hotel in each category, if you just want to book.
| Category | Our pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa | Check Price |
| Couples | The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa | Check Price |
| With a View or Rooftop | Four Seasons Hotel Denver | Check Price |
| Family-Friendly Hotels | Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center | Check Price |
| Luxury Hotels | Four Seasons Hotel Denver | Check Price |
| Boutique Hotels | The Crawford Hotel | Check Price |
| Spa Hotels | The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa | Check Price |
| Budget & Value Hotels | Hostel Fish | Check Price |
📍 Downtown
Denver's grand Victorian hotel has welcomed guests since 1892, with a soaring atrium lobby beneath a stained-glass ceiling. Afternoon tea in the atrium, classic restaurants and bars and a spa make it a destination in itself. Rooms range from traditional to updated suites. It is a short walk from the Capitol and the 16th Street corridor.
Book Now📍 Union Station
Set in the upper floors of restored Union Station, the Crawford Hotel offers rooms with character, some with exposed beams and historic details, right above the Great Hall. Guests step downstairs to restaurants, bars and the A Line train to the airport. It is one of the most distinctive places to stay in the city.
Book Now📍 LoDo
Opened in 1891, the Oxford is Denver's oldest hotel still in operation, located a block from Union Station. Restorations have revealed historic details throughout, and its Art Deco Cruise Room bar is a local landmark. Rooms blend antiques with modern comfort.
Book Now📍 Downtown
This modern luxury tower near the Denver Performing Arts Complex offers spacious rooms, a rooftop pool, a spa and attentive service. It is a top choice for travelers who want five-star comfort in the heart of downtown, with views of the city and, from higher floors, the mountains.
Book Now📍 Downtown
The Ritz-Carlton offers large rooms, a spa and indoor pool, and polished service in a central downtown location. Its restaurant and bar are popular with business travelers and locals. It is within walking distance of the 16th Street corridor, Larimer Square and the convention center.
Book Now📍 Union Station
Next to Union Station, Hotel Born combines a facade of steel and Colorado sandstone with warm, Colorado-inspired interiors. Rooms are comfortable and stylish, and the hotel's restaurant and bar are lively. The location is ideal for exploring LoDo and catching the train to the airport.
Book Now📍 LoDo
Part of the Dairy Block, a redeveloped block of shops, bars and restaurants around a lively alley, the Maven offers industrial-chic rooms with local art. The Denver Milk Market food hall is downstairs, and Union Station and Coors Field are a short walk away.
Book Now📍 RiNo
This boutique hotel in the River North Art District is known for its stylish design, a lively lobby bar and cocktails made with Colorado spirits. It is a great base for exploring RiNo's murals, breweries and restaurants.
Book Now📍 Golden Triangle
Next to the Denver Art Museum, the Art Hotel displays original artwork in every room and public space. Its rooftop restaurant and terrace overlook the Golden Triangle. It is an ideal choice for museum lovers and travelers who appreciate design.
Book Now📍 Cherry Creek
This stylish hotel in Cherry Creek North offers modern rooms, a rooftop pool and lively restaurants and bars. It is surrounded by boutiques, galleries and restaurants, and the Cherry Creek Trail runs nearby. A good choice for a quieter, upscale stay away from downtown.
Book NowLocation matters in Denver, because the city's neighborhoods offer very different experiences and the mountains are a drive away.
Downtown and LoDo put you close to the main sights, restaurants, sports venues and the airport train, while RiNo and LoHi offer a creative, local atmosphere. Cherry Creek is upscale and quieter, and the airport area suits travelers with early flights or mountain plans.
Consider how you will get around and what matters most to you before choosing your base. Here are the main areas to consider.
The historic warehouse district around Union Station, with restaurants, bars, Coors Field, Larimer Square and the airport train. The most convenient base for most visitors.
Central hotels near the pedestrian corridor, the convention center and the performing arts complex.
A creative neighborhood of murals, breweries and food halls, with a growing number of boutique hotels.
Across the river from downtown, known for restaurants, rooftop bars and skyline views.
Near the museums, the Capitol and Civic Center Park, with art-focused hotels.
Historic mansions, bars and music venues along Colfax Avenue, with some budget options.
Upscale hotels near shopping, galleries and the Cherry Creek Trail.
Convenient hotels for early flights, including a resort with a water park.
A smaller-town base closer to the mountains and Red Rocks, best with a car.
A college town about 45 minutes away, with its own hotels and easy access to the Flatirons.
Denver has many hotels well suited to couples, from historic landmarks with romantic bars to stylish boutiques and luxury hotels with spas and rooftop pools.
The most memorable stays combine character, good restaurants and a walkable location, so you can step out for dinner and drinks. When booking, look for packages with spa treatments or dinner, and ask for a quiet room. These picks are ideal for anniversaries or a romantic weekend.
Afternoon tea, a spa and Victorian elegance.
A historic room above Union Station's Great Hall.
Antique charm and cocktails in the Art Deco Cruise Room.
Luxury, a spa and a rooftop pool downtown.
A stylish base for shopping, dining and rooftop drinks.
Art-filled rooms next to the museum and a rooftop terrace.
A refined boutique hotel across from the theaters.
Warm design and an easy walk to LoDo's restaurants.
A stylish boutique in RiNo with a lively bar.
Large rooms, a spa and polished service.
Mountain views are one of Denver's great luxuries, and some hotels make the most of them with high-floor rooms and rooftop pools or bars. On clear days, you can see the Front Range stretching along the western horizon, and sunsets from a rooftop are spectacular.
When booking, ask for a west-facing room on a high floor if views matter to you. These picks are the city's best options for a room or a rooftop with a view.
High-floor rooms and a rooftop pool with city views.
A rooftop lounge with views of the mountains and the city.
A rooftop pool and bar in Cherry Creek.
A rooftop restaurant and terrace in the Golden Triangle.
Upper-floor rooms with city views.
High-floor rooms over downtown.
Views of the plains and, on clear days, the mountains.
Mountain views between Denver and Boulder.
Denver is a good city for families, and many hotels offer pools, suites and easy access to kid-friendly attractions like the zoo, the Museum of Nature & Science and the aquarium.
Downtown hotels near Union Station are convenient for walking and transit, while resorts near the airport offer water parks and on-site entertainment. Look for suites or rooms with two beds, and check whether parking is included. These picks are well suited to families.
A water park, restaurants and seasonal activities for families.
Central location near Union Station's summer fountains.
Fun for children who love trains.
Large rooms and a central downtown location.
An indoor pool and direct access to flights and the train.
Near the Blue Bear and downtown attractions.
Spacious rooms and an indoor pool.
A resort with outdoor space between Denver and Boulder.
Family-friendly service and a pool downtown.
Denver's luxury hotels range from a Victorian grand dame to sleek modern towers, all offering refined service, excellent restaurants and spas.
Many are concentrated downtown, close to the performing arts complex and the best restaurants, while Cherry Creek offers a stylish alternative. Expect high prices during major events, and look for packages that include breakfast, parking or spa treatments.
Five-star comfort, a spa and a rooftop pool.
Large rooms, a spa and polished service.
Historic luxury since 1892.
Boutique luxury inside Union Station.
Modern luxury in Cherry Creek North.
Refined comfort in the theater district.
Historic elegance in LoDo.
Upscale design next to Union Station.
Denver's boutique hotels offer character and design that large hotels often lack. Many occupy historic buildings or are part of new developments in LoDo and RiNo, and several have bars and restaurants that attract locals.
They are ideal for travelers who value personality and a neighborhood feel. Rooms can vary in size, so check the details before booking.
Historic rooms above Union Station.
Denver's oldest operating hotel.
A stylish base in RiNo.
Industrial-chic rooms in the Dairy Block.
Original art throughout the hotel.
Colorful design in historic buildings.
A refined boutique in the theater district.
Colorado-inspired design near Union Station.
A lively boutique in Cherry Creek.
After hiking, skiing or a long day of sightseeing at altitude, a spa can be the perfect way to recover. Denver's best spa hotels offer massages, treatments, pools and relaxation areas, and some use local ingredients inspired by Colorado's landscapes.
Book treatments in advance, especially on weekends.
A spa in the historic hotel downtown.
A full-service spa and rooftop pool.
A spa and indoor pool downtown.
A large resort spa near the airport.
A spa at a resort between Denver and Boulder.
Denver can be expensive during big events, but there are good-value options for travelers on a budget. Hostels downtown offer the cheapest beds, while chain hotels near the airport and along the light rail lines often cost less than downtown properties.
Traveling outside peak periods and avoiding major convention dates can help you save. Watch for parking fees, which can add significantly to the cost.
Dorms and private rooms in LoDo.
A budget hostel near the Golden Triangle.
Chain hotels near the airport often offer lower rates and shuttles.
Hotels near light rail stations outside downtown can be cheaper, with easy access to the city.
Watch for deals at this central boutique hotel outside peak dates.
Winter weekdays outside major events often bring the lowest rates.
Big Red Rocks shows and conventions fill hotels fast, so book ahead.
LoDo and the area around Union Station are the most convenient for a first trip, with restaurants, bars, Coors Field, Larimer Square and the A Line train to the airport within easy reach. Downtown near the 16th Street corridor and the convention center is another good option.
Downtown is better for walkability, transit and access to sights. RiNo and LoHi offer a more local, creative atmosphere with breweries and restaurants, but you may rely more on rideshare. Cherry Creek is quieter and upscale.
Denver International Airport is far from downtown, about 25 miles away. Staying at the airport makes sense for early flights or short layovers. Otherwise, the A Line train connects the airport with Union Station in about 40 minutes, so downtown is easy to reach.
Most downtown hotels charge for parking, often with valet service, and some add daily fees. Check the total price, including taxes and fees, before booking, and consider whether you need a car for the city part of your trip.
Families often choose downtown hotels with suites or pools, or the Gaylord Rockies resort near the airport, which has a water park for guests. Hotels near City Park are convenient for the zoo and the Museum of Nature & Science.
Yes, if you stay downtown, in LoDo or near Union Station. Light rail, buses, scooters and rideshare cover most needs in the city, though a car is helpful for Red Rocks and the mountains.