EstherIris

I'll be in Denver for two nights in the fall and I'm looking for hotel suggestions. I'm willing to spend about $350 a night. It'll be my first trip to Colorado.

I'm in my mid 50s, not afraid to explore a new city on my own. I'm the type of person who likes to be in the middle of things when I walk out of the hotel, near attractions, shops and restaurants. I'm likely to leave the hotel in the morning and not return until late evening.

Among the places I want to see are the 16th Street Mall, Colorado History Center, State Capitol, Molly Brown House. I'm also planning to see a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

I want a place where it's easy to return at night by public transportation and also take public transportation to the airport.

I just want someplace that's nice and convenient since I'll be there for such a short time. I'm willing to pay for that convenience. I usually stay at chains, like a Marriott, Hyatt or Westin, but I don't mind a nice boutique hotel.

Thanks in advance!

tomfuller

The Crawford looks wonderful. It was part of the renovation of the old Amtrak station which also has a new rail system to the airport. http://www.thecrawfordhotel.com/

dreamer320

It's been several years, but we stayed at the Westin for a conference. It was very convenient, right on the 16th Street pedestrian mall. We took the free trolley a lot, and only used a taxi to get to the Botanical Garden (and the airport). The hotel itself was nice.

fmpden

Since the convention center is in the heart of downtown, you have an abundance of choices. The 16th St mall is actually a mile and half long pedestrian street linking the state capital at the south end with the Union Train station at the north end. It has a free shuttle bus running 5 to 20 internals depending on time of day. The Center for Performing Arts is also in the middle next to the convention center on 14th Street. You can take the A-train from the airport to the Union station and the mall bus within a block or so of your hotel.

Any hotel in that area will met your requirement for access. As mentioned the Crawford is new and in the Union station but that is the north end of the mall and slightly less convenient. The Kimpton at Monaco and 17th is new hotel in the old Security bank building. Hotel Teatro is one block north of the Performing Arts Ctr as is the Four Season on 14th. The Magnolia is a great little hotel on 17th and across the street from our favorite wine bar. Courtyard is a block west on 16th.

The Oxford is an old, restored hotel just a block south of the main entrance to Union station on 17th. Unfortunately McCormick's in the hotel just closed.

The Westin is on Lawrence street between 15th and 16th but not on the mall.

Any of the hotels in the area will be fine as you can walk to any of the locations that you listed. So just find one that needs your price preference. Call up goggle maps to see the locations. There is no bad area to avoid. The only problem could be what else is in town where you are. Some thing in the convention center can fill the hotels in a hurry.

Tabernash2

Your budget should cover a stay at The Brown Palace. (Look for a room in the original building, not across the street.)

https://www.brownpalace.com

fmpden

Ya, forgot about the Brown Palace. Do it. A very traditional, historical hotel in Denver. It is at the south end of the mall on 17th.

EstherIris

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I will check them all out! This is the second time I've asked for advice on a Fodor's Forum and everyone has been so helpful both times. I really appreciate it.

Tabernash2

If you enjoy high tea, The Brown Palace has a wonderful one.

illininutt

I tried to book 2 nights. 06/20-22. It came back $499 a night!! Is that a mistook!?

DebitNM

+1 for The Monaco by Kimpton. Great hotel and location.

sylvia3

There are several hotels, even new, in the space of a few blocks, in a great location in downtown Denver. No need to pay a premium.

fmpden

Just did some checking on various dates -- The Oxford and Brown Palace are about the same around the $350 mark. Surprised that The Oxford was that expensive but is another grand old hotel but doesn't have the reputation of the Brown Palace. Kimpton is at $300 but haven't been in it since the remodel. And there is nothing wrong with the Courtyard at about half that. All are very convenient and safe.

fmpden

PS - What are your dates? The Denver Ctr is having huge run of Frozen from mid-Aug to Oct 1. Many of the dates are sold out so you should booking your tickets soon.

Gretchen

Even if you don't stay at the Oxford, go have a martini in the Cruise Room--tres cool.
http://www.theoxfordhotel.com/denver...e-cruise-room/

EstherIris

Thanks! I've started to research everything. It looks like the Courtyard Marriott is about $250, Kimpton Monaco $300 and Brown Palace $350.

I've stayed at Courtyards before and they're fine but I've heard good things about Kimpton hotels, and I'm a history buff so it would be a fun experience to stay at the Brown Palace. I'll have to think about it a little bit more.

I'm going in September, so Frozen will still be playing. Single tickets go on sale May 1, so hopefully I can snag one!

DebitNM

Join Kempton's free rewards program for perks and emails on deals.

fmpden

You should be able to snag a single ticket but I would not wait. There are always a single seat here and there. We are season ticket holders for 20+ years and contributors so we have a pretty high priority for obtaining extra tickets. Subscribers have been able to buy extra since the first of the year. When we bought extra tickets earlier this year I was surprised at the limited options available. I expect the show to be sold out the first day or two that public tickets are available.

If you fail on the 1st there is always the walk up window when last minute tickets are sold. These tickets are tickets that have been turned back during the prior week mostly by subscribers. So you should be OK if a little flexible.

Gretchen is correct. If you are a martini lover (or even liker) you do need to go the Cruise room. A true throw back to the 20s,30s.

Tabernash2

Deb is right about the Kimpton program. You might save some money off the $300 price.

The Monaco is very nice.

EstherIris

Hi everyone. I got back from my trip yesterday.

I ended up staying at the Courtyard Marriott on the 16th Street mall and it was a perfect location. I saw "Frozen" Thursday night. The theater was a short walk from the hotel and a very easy and safe walk back after the show.

I had a great time in Denver. I went to the Molly Brown House, toured the statehouse and went to the History Colorado Museum, where there was a swearing-in ceremony for new citizens taking place. It was inspiring. And I went to the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve branch, where you can take a plastic bag of shredded bills as a souvenir!

I also had a delicious smoked trout salad at the Appaloosa Grill on 16th and a great bison burger at Sam's No. 3 on Curtis Street.

Thanks so much for all the help.

MoBro

Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to our city!