Denver, Cherry Creek hotels, dining, shopping
 

I am driving with my daughter next week from Massachusetts to Denver (road trip! bonding experience! white line fever!) to get her car and her stuff from here to there. She is moving into an apartment near Cherry Creek (map says Glendale, what's the relationship?) and starting grad school.

I am looking for a hotel near Cherry Creek and every one I have researched has some serious negative reviews on Tripadvisor. Any personal opinions on hotels in the area?

Places to eat in the area that are not too expensive, that are fun and/or funky and/or interesting?

Places to shop for inexpensive stuff to set up her apartment would be appreciated as well.

Thanks for all suggestions.

The best hotel in Cherry Creek is the new J.M. Marriott. Pricey probably, though. Close to Glendale is a Loew's, and also the Cherry Creek Four Points. Those are probably your best bets. There's also a Holiday Inn on Colorado Blvd. that caters mostly to business people, so it's pretty bare bones. And an Executive Suite Inn, too.

Glendale is very close to Cherry Creek, and has lots of shopping options. There's a Target and a Mervyn's right there, for instance. Also a Costco not far away. And a Home Depot, Office Depot, grocery stores, etc. Just about anything you want will be relatively close by.

Cherry Creek North and the Cherry Creek Mall will provide all the fun/funky/interesting places you will want-- restaurants, shops, salons, etc. It's a nice, upscale area.

Anything else you need to know, please ask. I'd be happy to look in the phone book for specifics if you need anything else.

Have a safe trip! I may have to drive with my daughter from Denver- Baltimore soon myself, to do the same thing that you're doing to set her up in her apartment.

I have friends who've stayed at the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek and they raved about it. Evidently even room service is marvelous there!

Loews is nice and not too far away. Downtown, for that matter, is very close and there are many good hotels there--the Marriott, the Warwick and Hotel Monaco are three that come to mind right away.

Don't you love Tripadvisor?

Thanks Maureen and Tess.

The Marriott and the Loews are too pricey. The Four Points has scary reviews on Tripadvisor. Any opinions on the Fairfield Inn and Suites?

What is Cherry Creek North? Can't find it on my map. In fact, I'm not sure I can find Cherry Creek. The apartment complex office says it's in Cherry Creek, but it looks like Glendale on the map.

What is Mervyn's?

Any specific restaurant ideas?

The first thing we'll have to do is buy a bed. Any ideas where to go?

Nikki,

I really would avoid the Fairfield, unless you're just looking for a place to crash at night. Busy streets surround it and it's noisy. Just thought of the Staybridge Suites--it's close by where you need to be. We've stayed there before--nice rooms, free cocktails and breakfast and complimentary Internet off the lobby. It shouldn't be as pricey as the Marriott or Loews, either. Am just leaving for work but let me ponder some other hotels.

Oh, Mervyn's is great--kind of like a Kohl's department store. Cherry Creek North is just the north edge of Cherry Creek proper. To get to Cherry Creek, turn west off of Colorado Blvd. onto 1st (or is it 3rd, Maureen? I'm blanking on this) and you'll run right into it.

More later!

I haven't looked but you might try bidding on Priceline for a 4* in cherry Creek.
Ollies Chinese is good. Isn't the Cherry Cricket in Cherry Creek area?

Nikki,

Bed shopping, just head south on Colorado Blvd. I think the cross street is around Louisiana. There are two or three mattress stores on the west side of the street, Denver Mattress has always been good for us.

Cherry Cricket is always a great place for burgers and beers. It is on second ave. in Cherry Creek north. Also on 2nd Ave. is the Cherry Creek Grill - good comfort food. The majority of stores in Cherry Creek north are on 2nd and 3rd Street, between University and Colorado Blvd, just north of the Cherry Creek Mall. Other good places for dinner, pick up a copy of Westword when you get in town, the food editor is obnoxious but pretty accurate. http://www.westword.com/Issues/2005-...ning/bite.html

Have a great time!

Yes, Cherry Creek North is close to Glendale, an area of a few square blocks with shops and restaurants. From Colorado Blvd. going west, you can take several routes: 1st turns into Speer Blvd, which is probably the busiest route right through the middle of Cherry Creek, but it also goes straight into downtown past the Denver Country Club. Also, 2nd or 3rd streets will also take you there, via the 'stop sign route'. There's also Cherry Creek Drive off Colorado Blvd. Or Alameda, the intersection where Mervyn's and Target is, will also run into Cherry Creek. All roads lead there! Just ask anyone when you're there.
For less expensive hotel options, if you don't mind being a mile or so west of Cherry Creek, you could go downtown. I always recommend the Embassy Suites down there, for a good value, as they are all-suites, plus complimentary cocktails/hors d'oeuvres in the evenings and a great breakfast buffet included. You'd have to pay for parking downtown, though, so factor that in.
There's also Cherry Creek Hotel, on the west side of Colorado Blvd., just a few blocks south of Glendale. I sent a friend there recently, because she didn't want to spend as much as Loews, etc. The Cherry Creek Hotel used to be a Sheraton, but is in transition to a new owner, so it's not running at top speed right now (so to speak) and they aren't putting a bunch of money into it yet, but it's in good enough shape and they include a breakfast buffet. A fine choice if you don't need top notch.
For restaurants, you will have your pick. In Cherry Creek North: Little Ollies is Asian, Go Fish is obviously fish, Cherry Creek Grill has great roasted chicken and barbequed meats, North is a newish Italian I haven't tried yet, Elways is a newish high-end steak and gathering joint, Pagliacci's (sp?) is Italian, Cucina Colore has mostly Italian, ... Just stroll Cherry Creek North and take your pick.
Then there are lots of little places for lunch, too. Panera Bread is my favorite for sandwiches, salads, soups; Chez Jose for good Mexican. Also two or more Starbucks and a Whole Foods grocery with great take-out deli meals. You won't go hungry in Cherry Creek!
In the Cherry Creek mall is Kona Grill, which has a great half-price appetizer happy hour, and California Pizza Kitchen. Other fast food in the mall that isn't so great, but decent.
For bed shopping, the biggest and least expensive option is probably American Furniture warehouse, which is east of Glendale in Aurora. It's huge. I've found good deals at Kacey's outlet store on Santa Fe. Kacey's Furniture has a nice store downtown, in fact you'd see it if you take Speer downtown all the way to Market (I think that's the street-- you'll see Kacey's on your left). Maybe let your fingers do the walking, for prices. You could even try craigslist.com.

Wow, lots of ideas here! I'll try some of these other hotels. Staybridge Suites appears to have no availability. Thanks again.