Short trip to Denver - Where to stay?
 

Hi All!

We are flying from the East Coast to Denver on 5/27. We land about 2:30pm. We plan to see the afternoon Rockies Game on Monday, head out to Rocky Mountain National Park on Tuesday and we leave around 10:30am on Wednesday.

There are 2 adults and one 13 year old boy. We are using Marriott reward points, so the property needs to be one of that chain. Not sure if it's worth it to "splurge" and stay downtown or if one of the outlying hotels would be ok.

As you can see, this is a "hit and run" trip. Clean and comfy is all we need from the hotel!

Also, would love any suggestions for Sunday afternoon - biking at Cherry Creek maybe?

Thanks!
Tina

There is a JW Marriott in Cherry Creek. It's pricey, though a great location.

Less expensive Marriott Properties in the Cherry Creek vicinity would include
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...-cherry-creek/
and
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...-cherry-creek/

STay in Denver on Monday night, find somewhere in Estes Park or nearby for Tuesday and go to the airport Wednesday.
Be sure to allow 2 hours INSIDE the terminal in Denver to get to your plane.

I would actually leave Denver on Monday after the game and drive to Estes Park. Looks like it's a 1:10pm start time so you'd be out of there by 4 or so? With any luck you could be in Estes Park by 6:30 or so - it's normally a 1.5 hour drive but traffic will be heavier at that time.

Sunset is around 8:30 so you'd still be able to take in some views that evening. I just think you're better off waking up in Estes Park and heading to RMNP right away after breakfast. Bear Lake Road is going to be under construction and that will affect your ability to get around that area of the park. From the park website:

"From May 29, through October 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Bear Lake Road, approximately one mile west of Moraine Park Visitor Center to Bear Lake, will be accessible by free shuttle bus only, seven days a week. Private vehicles will be allowed both directions prior to 9:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. Visitors in private vehicles, who make the 9:00 a.m. cutoff time, will be allowed to travel eastbound throughout the day."

Full details at: http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...nstruction.htm

The day you're planning on going to the park (May 29) is the first day of those restrictions, so it would be in your best interest to get into the park and onto Bear Lake Road before 9am, preferably drive all the way to the end of the road right away. Then you could take your time and stop at various places along the road (heading east) for the rest of the morning. If you arrive after 9am, you'll be restricted to park shuttles, which are fine if you have some time to kill but aren't ideal for your one day visit.

Not sure what Marriott has for properties in Estes Park - if there are none, choose the next closest one to the town so you don't have far to drive in the morning.

You will have to watch to make sure that Trail Ridge Road is open. The target for opening is always Memorial day weekend and it generally does. But a late snow storm could change everything. We have had a low winter snow pack and so far a very early spring which means that the road should be open that weekend.

Another vote for the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek, it's very nice.

The Residence Inn on Champa in downtown Denver consistently gets top reviews and would be convenient to Coors Field:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...r-city-center/

I know everyone is hot for Cherry Creek BUT if going to a ball game stay in the downtown area. It is complicated to get to Coors Field from Cherry Creek and parking around the baseball area is expense and limited. If you stay in downtown Denver you can walk to the ball park. There is a lot more action in and around the LoDo area, the Highlands, ball park, than Cherry Creek. I am one of the long time locals who has never developed the fascination for Cherry Creek that others exhibit. If you are coming to Denver, stay in Denver.

Cherry Creek IS in Denver city/county.

And, Cherry Creek North is quite active at night, and is more an adult scene than LoDo which can get wild and has had some problems with random street assaults. Parking downtown could be complicated, but if you are there reasonably early, there are parking lots. Also, driving downtown from Cherry Creek is a simple trip on Speer Blvd.

The OP needs a Marriott property.

There is a Marriott City Center,
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...t-city-center/

I assume the OP has a car?