My husband, myself, my son, and daughter-in-law will be staying in Denver for a couple of days Aug 8th & 9th. I can't decide on a Hotel. Want something nice but not overpriced.My husband works for the Fed. Gov. and talked to some of the people in the Denver office they rec. Adams Mark and I was all set to book until I read some reviews saying room were shabby and dirty. We had also looked at the Burnsley but was advised that it was not in the best neighborhood to be out in after dark. The Hyatt is kinda of expensive since I wanted to get 2 rooms but I suppose I could opt for 1 room. I don't know-HELP also any thoughts on things not to miss while there?
Judy

Denver is pretty big and might depend on what you want to see and do in the area.

Wyndham at the tech center is a terrific bargain (rather new and not well-established yet)...especially if you go for the "Webrate" which is a rate that you prepay and cannot cancel.

TheOxfordHotel might be another one to look at....or, if you could move your date up one day you'd qualify for low weekend rates at many nice places by staying a Sat & Sun.

Embassy Suites. Located downtown on Curtis St. and you get the "extra" room with a pull out sofa. You should be able to get a govt rate plus you get free full breakfast for four.

I agree with the Embassy Suites recommendation. If you don't mind sharing a bath, the suite is big enough for four people-- the bedroom has a king bed, the living room has a sofa sleeper, TVs in both areas, a refrig and microwave in the living room. The breakfast buffet is good, and usually a complimentary cocktail hour is offered that includes a good spread of hors d'oeuvres, too. The Westin downtown is another "chain" one to look into. Haven't heard of the Burnsley. The Warwick has been completely remodeled and is very nice. It's not immediately downtown, but just a few blocks east of it. Has free indoor parking, I think, too. The Hotel Monaco is a very nice boutique hotel; somewhat pricey, though. Personally, I wouldn't stay in the Tech Center as it's a business park and not with much to do or see. The Brown Palace, of course, is the Denver classic. And the Oxford has become very nice, too. You can always try Expedia.com for hotels. Their rates are consistenly competitive. Good luck.

I forgot to mention the Marriott downtown. And a new flagship "J.W. Marriott" in Cherry Creek, too, which might have grand opening rates still going on. It's a great location, especially if you have a car.

We're booked into the Renaissance next month because of a very low weekend rate....do you know THAT hotel, Maureen? Any opinion?

If you want to stay downtown, check out the Warwick. It's close to the 16th street mall and only a few blocks from the Brown Palace. Rates are generally lower and rooms are large and nice. We love the rooftop pool. Have also stayed at the Westin, Embassy Suites, Hotel Monaco and a few others. Downtown is so much fun--I'd stay there over the Tech Center or out south.

Joesorce, the Renaissance is a wonderful hotel--you'll enjoy it. Rates are inexpensive because it's not in a 'prime' location. You'll have to drive wherever you want to go--no big deal, though.

If it's the Renaissance on Quebec, it's relatively close to where we live. It is a nice hotel, if you have a car so you can drive downtown, to Cherry Creek, etc. Its Quebec location is across the street from Denver's original Stapleton International Airport. Since that airport closed about 10 years ago, the Stapleton area is being completely restored to mixed-use residential/retail and is coming along nicely. Now there are lots of big stores there like Wal-Mart and Home Depot, a few breakfast and lunch restaurants (none are high end; best lunch spot there is Panera for sandwiches and salads), a grocery store, in addition to lots of new homes going in. (The neighborhood to the immediate west of the Renaissance can be iffy, but you wouldn't be driving into it anyway.) To cab downtown from the hotel would be about $15- $20, but maybe the hotel offers a shuttle service if you don't have a car?? To drive downtown from there would only take about 15 minutes or so. I think the Renaissance has an airport shuttle for about $10. The hotel is also close to another neighborhood being redeveloped, called Lowry, which was originally Lowry Air Force Base. That is due south on Quebec St. from the Renaissance, and now has some little shops and restaurants, lots of larger new homes. It's slightly more upscale than the Stapleton development. Then Cherry Creek North, a nice outdoor shopping and dining area would be close, too (I recommend you check it out for a stroll and lunch or dinner); as well as Cherry Creek Mall which is a larger, upscale indoor mall. So, if the location sounds good to you, and the price is the best, then you'd probably be happy there. It's a nice, relatively central location if you don't want to be downtown. It's close to I-70, but not too close, so you could go to Boulder or the foothills if you have time for a day trip and it's a quick trip to/from the airport. I personally think it would be a better choice than the Tech Center, which is further south and more suburban. The Renaissance hotel itself looks very nice. I think it caters to a predominantly business crowd. I believe it has a good Sunday brunch, too, but I could be confusing it with its nextdoor neighbor, which is a Doubletree. I hope you enjoy Denver and that our weather cooperates.

Maureen,
I've looked at some of the hotels you
mentioned and read some of the reviews. the reviews are --well confusing to say the least--the same hotel can go from being wonderful/great to what a dump. What would be your top 3 picks in order.
thanks again for all of your help
Judy

I think the Renaissance may be in the area of Stapleton--the old airport. It is probably fine--and cheap. But it is not at all central to anywhere--son used to live very near there. It is on I70 west and if you are going to the mountains it would be fine.
Again, Judy, I would bid on Priceline for a downtown 4* hotel. You might look on Hotwire first to see what they offer and that will give you an idea of how to bid on PL. But you really need to hurry if you are going to do that.

Just went to Hotwire and you can get a 4* downtown for $82. And don't forget the suites idea. There is also a Comfort Inn right across the street from the Molly Brown. We stayed there for our son's wedding (with a lot of friends and family). The rooms are small so you would definitely need 2. Breakfast is included and parking is not too expensive.

joesorce

we stayed for one night at the renaissance in May. They do have a shuttle that takes you downtown, the last one return from downtown at about 10.45 or so. They also have a shuttle to the airport - the first one in out 4.30 or 5 am.

They have a Hertz car rental office onsite -which was very convenient for us to return our car

Gretchen,
I will ck out Hotwire now--I have never
used priceline is it one that you don't know where you are until the deal is done so to speak?
Judy

About Priceline, you don't know where you are staying until after you have "won". However, www.biddingfortravel.com will give you a good idea of what you are bidding on.

Of the mid-priced hotels downtown, I lean towards the Embassy Suites. Free breakfast, access to an Athletic Club. They must have a Government Rate. I see plenty of federal employees there. The Courtyard is okay and a better location, but the amenities at the Embassy Suites win.

The Adams Mark is not that nice. One of my co-workers stayed at The Warwick and liked it. It has lower rates while it is trying to build its occupancy. I don't know anything about the Executive Tower.

This is all assuming you plan to stay downtown. Check out Hotels.com also.

though the tech center is not your desired location, you cannot beat the rate of $75 a night at the Wyndham, a new hotel, ($105 gets you a suite with sofa-bedded living room).

They have a shuttle to restaurants or anything within 5 miles.

It is true you don't know "where" you wil be but if it is 'downtown" and it is 4*, you pretty much know where it is.

It's really hard for me to rank them, because there are so many variables. If prices are equivalent, I guess I'd say: 1. Embassy Suites for its size, amenities and free food; 2. The Warwick for its location close to downtown; 3. The Renaissance, because you said they have a very low weekend rate. (Personally, I would not stay at the Tech Center. I think it's fine if you're in town for a conference or other business, otherwise it's Anytown, USA.) I have never used Priceline or any other bidding type service-- I don't like buying something without knowing all the details. Good luck.