Where to stay in Denver

What a night costs

Budget

$155

Mid-range

$230

Luxury

$320

2nd cheapest of 4 areas, about $185 a night less than Cherry Creek.

Where we'd book

• The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection ↗LuxuryGrand 1892 hotel with a famous atrium lobby and a spa.
• Hotel Teatro ↗BoutiqueBoutique hotel opposite the Performing Arts Complex.
• Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver ↗Mid-rangeWell-rated hotel with a rooftop terrace off 16th Street.
• Tru By Hilton Denver Downtown Convention Center ↗BudgetGood-value modern hotel by the convention centre.

The verdict

Denver's central business district, with the 16th Street pedestrian mall, Larimer Square, the Colorado Convention Center, the Denver Performing Arts Complex and the State Capitol.

Minutes to the sights

• 16th Street4 minwalk
• Colorado Convention Center9 minwalk
• Larimer Square11 minwalk
• Denver Performing Arts Complex12 minwalk
• Denver Central Market12 min
• Confluence Park13 min

Stations and airports

5 min to 16th Street. The free MallRide bus runs the length of 16th Street to Union Station, light rail stops by the convention centre, and the A Line to the airport leaves from Union Station.

What a night costs

Budget

$205

Mid-range

$275

Luxury

$395

3rd cheapest of 4 areas, about $140 a night less than Cherry Creek.

Where we'd book

• The Crawford Hotel ↗LuxuryTop-rated hotel inside Union Station itself.
• The Oxford Hotel ↗BoutiqueDenver's oldest hotel, top-rated, with a spa.
• Sentral Union Station ↗Mid-rangeHighly rated hotel with a pool, next to Union Station.
• Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station ↗Mid-rangeWell-rated hotel with an indoor pool near Coors Field.

The verdict

Lower Downtown, Denver's historic warehouse district, with Union Station, Coors Field, Dairy Block and many of the city's best restaurants and bars.

Minutes to the sights

• Union Station2 minwalk
• Larimer Square11 minwalk
• Coors Field11 minwalk
• 16th Street12 minwalk
• Confluence Park14 minwalk
• Denver Performing Arts Complex15 minwalk

Stations and airports

5 min to 16th Street. Union Station is Denver's hub, with the A Line train to the airport, light rail, regional buses and the free MallRide down 16th Street.

What a night costs

Budget

$150

Mid-range

$190

Luxury

$575

The cheapest of the 4 areas, about $225 a night less than Cherry Creek.

Where we'd book

• The Ramble Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels ↗LuxuryTop-rated design hotel with a famous cocktail bar.
• Catbird Hotel ↗BoutiqueHighly rated boutique hotel with apartment-style rooms.
• The Source Hotel ↗BoutiqueHotel above The Source market with a rooftop pool.
• Vīb Hotel by Best Western Denver RiNo ↗BudgetTop-rated, good-value hotel on Brighton Boulevard.

The verdict

The River North Art District, an old industrial area turned into Denver's creative hub, full of murals, breweries, food halls and design hotels.

Minutes to the sights

• Denver Central Market7 minwalk
• 16th Street17 min
• Union Station22 min
• Larimer Square25 min
• Coors Field25 minwalk
• Denver Performing Arts Complex25 min

Stations and airports

10 min to 16th Street. The A Line train stops at 38th & Blake on the way to the airport and Union Station, and scooters, bikes and rideshare cover the short trip downtown.

What a night costs

Budget

$270

Mid-range

$415

Luxury

$445

The dearest of the 4 areas, about $225 a night more than RiNo.

Where we'd book

• Hotel Clio, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Denver Cherry Creek ↗LuxuryTop-rated luxury hotel in Cherry Creek North.
• Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, Denver ↗BoutiqueStylish hotel with a rooftop pool.
• The Jacquard, Autograph Collection ↗BoutiqueDesign hotel with a rooftop pool and bar.
• MOXY Denver Cherry Creek ↗Mid-rangeFun, compact rooms in the middle of the shopping district.

The verdict

Denver's upscale shopping district, with Cherry Creek Shopping Center, boutiques, galleries and restaurants, close to the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Minutes to the sights

• Cherry Creek Shopping Center4 minwalk
• Denver Art Museum17 min
• Denver Botanic Gardens18 min
• Colorado State Capitol19 min
• 16th Street22 min
• Colorado Convention Center23 min

Stations and airports

15 min to 16th Street. RTD buses run along 1st Avenue and Colorado Boulevard to downtown, the Cherry Creek Trail is good for cycling into town, and most visitors use rideshare.