6abc

Hi leaving for Colorado on May 19 and leaving on May 26. We have decided with the help of another post here to plant ourselves in Denver for the 6 days and travel out from here. Staying in Denver to be at a lower altitude and then traveling during the day to higher altitudes.

I have tried Homeaway and VRBO not much left at a reasonable price at this point. Any suggestions on a moderate but clean and quiet place to stay in or around Denver. It doesn't have to be in the city proper.

And since we have an early flight home on Saturday May 26 would it be best for the night before to stay closer to the airport and if so what would one recommend.

Thanks

tomfuller

Consider driving to or taking the train to Glenwood Springs.
Glenwood Springs is less than 200' higher elevation compared to Denver. It is only 41 miles from Aspen. You would enjoy the world's largest hot spring fed pool. http://www.hotspringspool.com/
My theory: After flying to a high elevation city, go to your hotel. Do nothing strenuous until you have slept for 6-7 hours.
You should be acclimated the day after flying.

wtm003

I like tomfuller's suggestion. In addition to Aspen, Redstone is a cute little town to visit. Avalanche Ranch near Redstone, has cabins & recently added hot springs pools that are open to the public. I haven't stayed there in years so I can't give a recommendation but the new pools look inviting.

In Glenwood we usually stay at the Courtyard. It is a newer hotel & a short drive to the hot spring pool.

Nelson

Maybe if you asked about Glenwood then you'll get some Denver responses?

Tomsd

Denver is nice but it is a city. Get thee away - to Boulder, Glenwood Springs, Colorado Springs, wherever. You might acclimate the first day in Denver but then get out and see the real Colorado.

Michelle_M

Denver doesn't have much in the way of vacation rentals. Where are you planning to head on your day trips? If you are going west, then check out Bialey or Conifer, both towns in the foothills just west of Dener proper. There are some vacation rentals near CO springs if you are heading south.

Any of the hotels on Pena Blvd should be fine for a night stay before your departure. We have stayed at a couple different ones and they were all serviceable.

If you are worried about altitude sickness, please drink plenty of water!

fmpden

First off, you cannot accumulate overnight. The standard is about 1000 per day. So if coming from sea level, it would take five days to adjust. Bailey and Conifer are dinky towns in the foothills at a higher elevations with few if any hotels. And the location would be difficult for day trips. Glenwood Springs is three hours west of Denver and would be a good central point to day trip out of. An hour to the wine country, same for Vail, a little more for Breckenridge. You have the Denver Hotel, and the Colorado HOtel which are old, Victorian hotels which are interesting.

Nothing wrong with staying in the Denver metro area as there is a lot to see and do in Denver. If primarily day trip then I would suggest trying on the west side to put you closer to the mountains and miss some of the Denver trip. There is a variety of Hilton to Motel 8 along I-70 on the west side.

6abc

Thanks again everyone. Maybe we will book on the West side of Denver for our first night and then see how we do and play it by ear from then on. We plan to head west instead of going down south are.

Gretchen

Oh, my. I really think you will eat up your time driving. I'm sorry you are so concerned about the altitude. I think Fmpden is correct about not acclimating particularly well doing that.
Maybe for a more interesting start than just staying on the west side for a night, bid on a downtown hotel on Priceline and really enjoy seeing Denver--it's a great place. Art Museum (WONDERFUL American Indian exhibits), eat at Pallettes at the museum, botanical gardens, natural history museum, nice dining.
Spend a day or so, then go to Aspen or Glennwood Springs and day trip from there.
Or as you sort of planned in the other thread, head toward RMNP--maybe stopping in Boulder on the way or for a day.

PeaceOut

I agree with Gretchen's idea.

Staying near the airport, or on the west side, or Conifer (bad idea), just would put you in 'netherland'-- where you're not in Denver and not in the mountains.

Driving I-70 in and out of Denver everyday doesn't make sense. And I wonder if going up and down in altitude each day would be a good idea. Might just mess up your system. Not to mention all the extra pollution from your daily drives.

I would stay in Denver proper for two or three nights, like downtown or Cherry Creek. Then choose one place to stay for two or three nights. Aspen is our favorite.

Then decide about staying nearer the airport for your last night, depending on how early the flight and how far away you are staying.

Hope that makes sense.

6abc

PeaceOut and Gretchen sound good to me. I will work on this today and tomorrow and see what I come up with. Once I get some ideas I will run it by you if that is OK.

Off to work will work on it later today.