The 9 best hotels in Denver, whether you're on a budget, seeking out luxury, or want to bring your pets

Summary List Placement

Recently booming Denver is a year-round getaway, offering world-class restaurants, museums, and more.
It also has easy access to nature and serves as a launchpad for mountain vacations all over Colorado.
We rounded up the best Denver hotels, ranging from $136 to $259, plus detail COVID policies for all.

Colorado's capital city of Denver has seen dynamic growth in recent years. Whether it's the consistent increase in population or the revitalization of historic neighborhoods, Denver has been among the country's most rapidly growing and changing metropolitan areas. This has also led to an expanded hospitality scene that includes the opening or renovation of countless hotels across the city.

And while many travelers might consider Denver simply as a brief stopover to some of the Rockies' most iconic mountain towns, especially now during the heart of Colorado's ski season, there's actually plenty to do in the city, from world-class art museums and award-winning dining to easy access to wide-open spaces for hiking or bike riding. Plus, Denver receives roughly 300 days of sunshine. All of this has led to Denver seeing greater visitor numbers than ever before.

As is to be expected during an ongoing global public health crisis, a capital city like Denver feels differently than it has in previous years, and there are citywide regulations that will impact the way a traveler can and will experience the city. While there are currently no restrictions for entry into the city, and there is also no testing requirement ahead of arrival, indoor capacity rules, which impact venues like museums and restaurants, can change from week to week. It's always helpful to remain updated on these rules and regulations as pandemic circumstances continue to evolve.

Additionally, it's vital to keep in mind that there is no guarantee when it comes to safety right now, and every traveler must navigate through these risks based on his or her personal comfort level. We advise that you follow not just local mandates but also the CDC's travel recommendations when it comes to where and how to travel. And, of course, wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash your hands.

With that said, the city has seen a number of new hotels as well as older properties undergo grand renovations, making the hospitality scene more dynamic than ever. The hotels selected here have also implemented thoughtful COVID-appropriate policies to help protect their guests and employees, which we detail below. However, bear in mind that experts have noted that private vacation rentals may be a safer option than hotels right now due to less contact with others. If you prefer a private home rental, start with our list of the best Denver Airbnbs.

In Denver, it's important to note that many hotels feature resort fees to cover the cost of various amenities like Wi-Fi and fitness center access. Some hotels' fees might include more exciting perks like use of a house car, complimentary food and drinks, and even discounts at neighborhood businesses. The fee usually hovers around $20 per room per night.

The best Denver hotels were chosen with the following criteria in mind:

The properties here appeal to a wide range of travelers. Whether you're on a budget, seeking out luxury, or someone who won't travel without your beloved pet, there's something for everyone.
However, we also kept affordability in mind and hotels range from $136 to $259 per night to start.
These hotels come with desirable amenities from impeccable decor and rooftop pools to top-notch on-site restaurants.
The hotels were also selected for their prime location in some of Denver's most exciting districts, from the shopping-friendly streets of Cherry Creek to the central neighborhood of LoDo.
The hotels here garnered top marks from former guests on sites like Trip Advisor, and Booking.com.

Here are the best hotels in Denver, sorted by price, from low to high.

The Art Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton

Book The Art Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton starting at $136 per night

Located in Denver's Golden Triangle, known for its countless art destinations, this aptly named hotel is a prime choice for travelers who are interested in exploring the city's robust art scene. The hotel is steps away from the Denver Art Museum, which regularly hosts fantastic exhibits. In keeping with this theme, the hotel is brightly decorated with striking paintings and sculptures from one of the owner's private collection.

The sculptural, glass building is a great complement to the architectural landscape of the neighborhood. And while the rest of the hotel has been dynamically brought to life with this art theme, the rooms are more subdued, with soft woods and subtly bright accents. Due to COVID, the furnishings have been scaled down to minimize high-touch surfaces, but the comfy bedding, LCD TVs, and luxurious bath products from Gilchrist and Soames all remain.

The hotel's resort fee is $20 (plus tax), but you get this back in a way since you're given a $20 credit to the on-site restaurant, Fire. The fee also covers amenities like premium and a selection of complimentary drinks and snacks.

Trip Advisor ranking: 5 out of 176 hotels in Denver

Booking.com rating: 8.6 out of 10

Pros: Bring your pet; there's no fee and amenities like a bed and a bowl are available.

Cons: If you're not into art, the hotel's location may not be as desirable, because there really isn't much around it otherwise.

COVID-19 status and policies: The hotel is open, but it has implemented many new regulations and protocols, including industry-wide standards like wearing masks whenever indoors and enforced social distancing. Other new protocols include:

The fitness center can only be used by one party at a time.
The onsite restaurant Fire isn't serving lunch or brunch (there is no in-room dining at all), and the hotel's airport shuttle service is currently suspended.
Rooms are thoroughly cleaned and sealed for every guest. (You'll see a sticker "sealing" the door upon arrival.)
More on Hilton's Covid policies can be found here.

The Maven at Dairy Block

Book The Maven at Dairy Block starting at $159 per night

One of Denver's hippest new hotels, The Maven mixes an industrial-chic aesthetic with hundreds of Instagram-ready art pieces. Case in point, the first thing you might notice upon arrival is the giant hand suspended from the lobby ceiling. Or the airstream coffee/bar. The vibe in the guestrooms is very similar, where concrete walls and steel furniture are punched up with colorful murals, floor-to-ceiling windows, and spacious bathrooms. For fitness enthusiasts, the hotel has a fully equipped 4,500-square-foot gym that is currently restricting capacity to eight people at a time.

Its location in the Dairy Block, an artsy micro-neighborhood that was completed in 2018, is a fantastic way to experience the recent revitalization of the LoDo neighborhood. And the $20 (plus tax) daily resort fee affords guests some complimentary and discounted treats from the various businesses around the hotel. For instance, you get a free cup of coffee at Huckleberry before noon, a free taco with the purchase of a margarita at trendy restaurant Bruto, and more. Trust me when I say the $20 pays for itself.

Trip Advisor ranking: 8 out of 176 hotels in Denver

Hotels.com rating: 9.4 out of 10

Pros: There's a generous cancellation policy at the hotel, where a full refund is available to guests who cancel their reservations with at least a 24-hour notice.

Cons: While there are dog treats available to guests traveling with their pets, there is also a $50 fee for having them stay with you.

Guests are being allocated every other room, which means no one is occupying the room next to yours unless you request an adjacent room for a traveling companion.
Similarly, rooms are only being fully serviced by housekeeping every third night.
Valet services have been suspended as has courtesy transportation with the house SUV.
More on The Maven's Covid policies can be found here.

The Crawford Hotel

Book The Crawford Hotel starting at $179 per night

Located inside the historic Union Station terminal just steps away from the train platforms, The Crawford Hotel could not be more accessible via all forms of transportation. The transformation of Union Station, which included the opening of this 112-room hotel in 2014, is part of the revitalization of Denver's LoDo neighborhood.

The hotel combines old-world elements with modern perks that come with the district's recent growth. For instance, many of The Crawford's guestrooms feature historic architectural details like exposed bricks, wood beams, and elaborate crown moldings that date back to the 19th century, but guests are also in smack in the middle of a fast-changing neighborhood in the heart of the city with bars, restaurants, and cultural attractions right at their fingertips.

Its daily amenity fee ($20 plus tax) is possibly the best in the city. It covers a free scoop of ice cream at Milkbox Ice Creamery, a cup of coffee from Pigtrain Coffee Company, car service within two miles of the hotel, free gym access, and classes at The Oxford Club. It also offers discounts to various businesses within Union Station and throughout Denver. While pets are allowed, there is a steep $50 per night fee.

Trip Advisor ranking: 3 out of 176 hotels in Denver

Hotels.com rating: 9.2 out of 10

Pros: The hotel's location can't be beat for those who want to be close to the action. Inside Union Station, there are shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants that add to the convenience of staying at The Crawford.

Cons: Its location inside Union Station can be a negative for some people as well because there is no private lobby that's reserved for hotel guests. You share the public seating in the station that is also used by commuters, travelers, and sightseers.

Turndown service has been suspended.
Deliveries, such as in-room dining, will be left outside your door.
More information about The Crawford's current policies can be found here.

Life House, Lower Highlands

Book Life House, Lower Highlands starting at $189 per night

The Denver location of the Life House hotel brand is one of the newest hotels in town; it opened in November 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. Still, this design-forward property features a ton of cool elements that are quite unique to the local market, including a wine program that's entirely natural.

Tucked away in the Lower Highlands (or LoHi), a hip residential neighborhood with buzzy restaurants, bars, and shops, the hotel is not very close to the main tourist sights of Denver, but it is just on the other side of Union Station.

Inside, the interior decor, inspired by Victorian Industrialism, is all about Victorian-era meets Wild West drama. The medley of floral upholstery and heavy plush drapes mixes with lots of leather (of course), potted cacti, and mountainscape murals, presenting an intriguing visual narrative. Guestrooms are split between bunk-bed rooms and more spacious suites, but both come with Le Labo bath amenities, rain showers, and wellness programming on the TVs. (The hotel even filmed the yoga classes in the actual guestrooms to ensure that you have enough space to comfortably follow along.)

While there are many local-approved restaurants near the hotel, Life House's on-property dining concept Wildflower has been a hit, thanks to potent cocktails and a vegetable-driven food menu of shared plates.

Trip Advisor ranking: 7 out of 16 B&Bs/Inns in Denver

Hotels.com rating: 10 out of 10

Pros: For traveling groups, the hotel's bunk-bed rooms are fantastic. And these are not hostel-like setups; the stacked beds are quite spacious.

Cons: The walls of the hotel are thin and noise can waft in from just about anywhere.

COVID-19 status and policies: The hotel is open and has implemented many new regulations and protocols, including industry-wide standards like wearing masks whenever indoors and enforced distancing. Other protocols include:

The hotel has increased the cleaning frequency of both guest-facing and back-of-house spaces.
Similarly, the hotel (and the Life House brand in general) is built mostly on contactless processes on its mobile app, on which guests can check-in, make requests, etc.
More on Life House Hotels' Covid policies can be found here.

Moxy Denver Cherry Creek

Book Moxy Denver Cherry Creek starting at $199 per night

This playful, colorful hotel in Cherry Creek is geared towards hip, millennial travelers. Checking in, for example, happens at the hotel bar and your room key comes with a complimentary drink. The modernly designed rooms are on the smaller side, but feature clever storage solutions as well as wall fixtures for hanging clothing and other personal items. The bathrooms come with walk-in showers but no tubs.

If the more modest guest rooms might seem pared down, the public-facing amenities and social spaces are certainly more exciting. There are complimentary bikes for guests to use during their stay, the bar has a shuffleboard setup, there's a separate ironing room, the gym is full of top-of-the-line equipment, and the adjacent outdoor beer garden is frequented by both locals and guests of the hotel. However, all of the shared amenities may be as enticing amidst the pandemic.

Trip Advisor ranking: 45 out of 176 hotels in Denver

Booking.com rating: 8.5 out of 10

Pros: While the property has a more streamlined list of amenities, its enviable location in Cherry Creek means tons of places to visit are within easy reach.

Cons: The hotel charges a $100 fee to guests who bring their pet. Considering other hotels with similar overnight rates don't charge for pets at all, this could be a prohibitive expense.

COVID-19 status and policies: The hotel is open, and is following Marriott protocols, including:

As far as dining goes, only grab-and-go food options are currently available at the hotel.
New cleaning technologies include electrostatic sprayers that allow for touchless disinfecting capabilities and cleaning processes, along with and new regimen changes.
In public spaces, the company has required that surfaces are treated with hospital-grade disinfectants and that this cleaning is done with increased frequency.
In guest rooms, Marriott has added detailed cleaning practices, requiring all surfaces be thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants. The company will also be placing disinfecting wipes in each room for guests' personal use.
More on Marriott's Commitment to Clean policies can be found here.

The Ramble

Book The Ramble starting at $229 per night

Located in the heart of River North Art District, Denver's hippest enclave, The Ramble is a cocktail-obsessed hotel that calls Death & Co, the iconic NYC drinking den, its dining partner. Mixologists actually managed many of the property's food and beverage offerings, from the various dining venues around the hotel as well as the contents of the mini bar. The Ramble's cocktail bonafides has made it a local hangout, too.

But this 50-room boutique hotel is more than just a bar with bedrooms. The interior narrative was modeled after the intrigue of centuries-old French salons. Guest rooms were brought to life with a moody but sexy aesthetic with its velvet headboards, dramatic crystal chandeliers, whimsical wallpaper, and, in some rooms, soaking, clawfoot tubs.

Its location in one of Denver's thriving new neighborhoods is a particularly big draw for traveling creatives who want to be near new restaurants, buzzing food markets, local distilleries, and indie boutiques.

Trip Advisor ranking: 67 out of 176 hotels in Denver

Booking.com rating: 9.2 out of 10

Pros: There are a lot of creative COVID pivots at the hotel, including the new walk-up window that you can order food and coffee from until noon. This is to limit the amount of people that would otherwise need to enter the hotel lobby.

Cons: There's more of a nightlife vibe here that's not for everyone.

COVID-19 status and policies: The hotel is open and it has implemented many new regulations and protocols, including mandatory masks and social distancing. Other protocols include:

Its tiny fitness center, small as it was, is now closed.
Some of the nicer in-room amenities (like the French Press and stripe bedside throws) have been removed to minimize high-touch surfaces.
More on the hotel's Covid policies can be found here.

Kimpton Hotel Born

Book the Kimpton Hotel Born starting at $239 per night

Kimpton's design-forward hotel located just steps away from Union Station pays homage to the Rockies with a mountain-inspired interior aesthetic. Pinewood surfaces, including beautiful wraparound headboards, and flannel-like upholstery deliver a wintertime vibe no matter when you visit. Every room boasts soaring, floor-to-ceiling windows and artworks by Denver artists can be found throughout this posh hotel. Pricier room categories come with massive soaking tubs, and depending on which floor you end up on, you could get mountain views.

There are two restaurants in the building: Citizen Rail, which focuses on wood-fire-prepared meals, and Tavernetta, considered one of Denver's best Italian dining rooms. There are also outdoor dining options available. Some of Kimpton's signature brand benchmarks have changed. Unfortunately, complimentary coffee in the lobby has been suspended. Its social hour concept is still going on, but instead of gathering at the lobby for a couple of hours over drinks and snacks, guests of the hotel can grab a glass of wine from Citizen Rail that they can then enjoy in their rooms.

The hotel charges a $23 (plus tax) resort fee, which among other amenities, includes a $10 credit to Citizen Rail and complimentary access to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Colorado Athletic Club Union Station.

Trip Advisor ranking: 16 out of 176 hotels in Denver

Booking.com rating: 9.3 out of 10

Pros: The location is great, especially during ski season as it offers an easy connection to the rest of Colorado via Union Station.

Cons: Some guests have complained that they found the rooms to be too small.

COVID-19 status and policies: The hotel is open with new regulations and protocols, including industry-wide standards like wearing masks whenever indoors and enforced social distancing. Additional protocols include:

Housekeeping services have been suspended.
Lunch service — either via in-room dining or at Citizen Rail — has been temporarily suspended, too.
In-room spa treatments have been suspended.
More information about Kimpton's current policies can be found here.

Halcyon, A hotel in Cherry Creek

Book the Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek starting at $239 per night

This good-looking, 154-room hotel in Cherry Creek offers up a contemporary take on the luxury experience. The check-in desk is called the Kitchen Counter, where guests might be offered a CBD drip coffee upon arrival. Rooms are spacious and bright featuring high ceilings, minimalist decor, like shiny subway tiles in the bathroom mixed with gilded fixtures, a yoga mat, and Jonathan Adler bath amenities.

The public venues are worth getting reservations for ahead of your trip, too, especially because they are often booked out by Denver tastemakers. Local Jones is a great restaurant serving elevated comfort dishes and the basement-level speakeasy whips up some of the best cocktails in town. The rooftop pool scene is also quite a draw. This winter, the space has been transformed into a winter wonderland with a curling floor and telescopes for sky viewing.

There is a resort fee of $30 per room per night.

Trip Advisor ranking: 1 out of 176 hotels in Denver

Hotels.com rating: 9.4 out of 10

Pros: The hotel's Gear Garage, stocked with everything from tennis racquets to mountain bikes for guests to borrow, is one of the most unique offerings in Denver's hospitality scene.

Cons: The Halcyon offers a massive list of wonderful perks (free coffee, snacks, wine are just a few), but most of them are folded into one of the priciest resort fees in the city at $30 per room per night.

COVID-19 status and policies: The hotel is open and has implemented many new regulations and protocols. In addition to mandatory masks in public areas and enforced distancing, new policies include:

Masks and hand sanitizers are offered to guests upon arrival.
Housekeeping has been suspended.
Staff members are required to sanitize their hands after every guest interaction.
More on Halcyon's Covid policies can be found here.

The Jacquard, Autograph Collection

Book The Jacquard, Autograph Collection starting at $259 per night

Located in Denver's ritzy Cherry Creek neighborhood, The Jacquard projects both an upscale and boutique vibe, though it's actually under the Marriott umbrella. The hotel's 201 rooms are known for their spacious blueprints, as well as glistening custom furniture and stunning mountain and sunset views. Design-wise, there's a modern though minimalist style to the interiors, with warm wooden headboards and desk areas that may appeal to business travelers.

Being located in Cherry Creek, one of the city's most walkable neighborhoods, means there's plenty to do just outside the hotel's doors, whether it's shopping, dining, art-hopping, or biking along a river trail. But guests should make sure to make it up to The Jacquard's rooftop pool and bar. It boasts sprawling vistas of Denver. Similarly, the on-property restaurant Narrative from award-winning chef Paul Nagan is one of Denver's best. Its wine menu is over 750-label strong.

Trip Advisor ranking: 36 out of 176 hotels in Denver

Booking.com rating: 9.0 out of 10

Pros: For those who remain wary of dining with strangers, the hotel's grab-and-go market is stocked with a variety of food and drinks and is open 24 hours a day.

Cons: According to some reviewers, noise can be an issue in some guestrooms.

COVID-19 status and policies: The hotel is open and is following Marriott protocols, including:

As far as dining goes, only grab-and-go food options are currently available at the hotel.
New cleaning technologies include electrostatic sprayers that allow for touchless disinfecting capabilities and cleaning processes, along with and new regimen changes.
In public spaces, the company has required that surfaces are treated with hospital-grade disinfectants and that this cleaning is done with increased frequency.
In guest rooms, Marriott has added detailed cleaning practices, requiring all surfaces be thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants. The company will also be placing disinfecting wipes in each room for guests' personal use.
More on Marriott's Commitment to Clean policies can be found here.