Denver is one of the most beautiful cities in the West to visit, but finding affordable hotels in downtown Denver can be a challenge. The popularity of this tourist destination means that accommodations can be competitive, but luckily there are plenty of cheap options available if you’re trying to save some money.
Below you’ll find five of the best cheap hotels in downtown Denver to stay while you visit, along with some other affordable hotels in Denver that have great amenities. Whether you’re looking for a room with a view or just need something that’s friendly to your pets or kids, Denver is sure to have something to offer.
What Cheap Hotels in Denver Have Nice Views?
One major reason that people come to Denver is for the lovely vistas of the surrounding mountainside. This major city dates back all the way to the times of America’s Wild West and its oldest block of buildings dates back to the 1800s, but if you visit these days you’re more likely to see a much more modern view of things.
There are several affordable hotels located near or in downtown Denver that are well-known for their incredible views of the surrounding area. Here are just a couple of them you should consider trying out:
- Warwick Denver Hotel: While it’s considered a luxury hotel, the Warwick still manages to have affordable rooms with a great view of the surrounding city. Possibly the best feature of this hotel is its spectacular rooftop bar and pool, which offer some of the best panoramic views of Denver any local hotel has to offer.
- The ART Hotel: Easily recognized by its glittering, mirrored exterior, the ART Hotel in Denver is one of the more beautiful buildings in Denver’s downtown area. Along with its vistas, this hotel is well-known for its carefully curated modern decor. It also has the FIRE Terrace, a rooftop bar and restaurant perfect for enjoying the sights.
- Hyatt Place Denver: Putting you within a stone’s throw of the Theater District, the Colorado Convention Center, and tons of local shopping, the upper levels of the Hyatt Place in Denver’s downtown are also a great place to sit back and enjoy the view of the surrounding cityscape.
If you’re looking for an affordable hotel downtown but also want to enjoy some of the best views that Denver has to offer, the hotels above are a great place to start planning your trip!
Which Cheap Hotels in Denver Are Good for Families?
Bringing your kids to Denver with you? You’ll want to look for hotel accommodations that have something to offer everybody in your traveling party, not just the adults. Here are some of the best affordable hotels in Denver that have good amenities for kids:
- Hostel Fish: While you might not necessarily associate hostels with kids, Hostel Fish is one of the nicest hostels in Denver and bills itself as family-friendly. With tons of charging stations, free WiFi, and regular events such as movie night, Hostel Fish is a safe and fun place to introduce your family to downtown Denver.
- Westin Denver Downtown: The Westin in downtown Denver is located near several major Denver attractions, such as the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art. This makes it a great hub to visit Denver’s most family-friendly activities.
- The Curtis Doubletree: This boutique hotel is a haven for kids since it has pop culture themed rooms that range from the Ghostbusters to video games. Even if you go with the more affordable standard rooms, this vibrant hotel is perfectly situated close to the 16th Street Mall and other popular downtown Denver attractions.
When you’re traveling with family, it’s important to keep everybody’s comfort and happiness in mind. Choosing a family-friendly hotel can help you ensure that all members of your traveling party have a good time. Taking children to a large city like Denver with you can make travel more complicated, so it’s nice to have hotel options that make it a little easier.
What's the Best Time of Year to Travel to Denver?
The best times of year to travel in Denver are in mid-spring and mid-fall, or April through May and September through October. Summer is arguably the most expensive time to travel in Denver, with most hotels charging more expensive summer rates than in the off-season. (Source: U.S. News and World Report)
If you want to visit Denver for its world-renowned ski resorts, winter is a good time of year to visit too. Since skiing near Denver is available almost year-round other than the very hottest parts of the summer, there is actually a drop-off in tourism during the winter months due to holiday gatherings and colder weather.
Ultimately, the best time of year to travel to Denver is whenever you get the opportunity to go. Some travelers may enjoy the hustle and bustle of the busier summer months as well as the many activities that occur during the peak tourist season, while others may prefer the more laid-back ambiance of the sparse off-season crowds.
The 5 Best Cheap Hotels in Downtown Denver
Still looking for more affordable accommodations near or in downtown Denver? We’ve got you covered. Here are five of the best cheap hotels in downtown Denver other than the ones already listed above.
1. Hilton Denver City Center
1701 California Street, Denver, Colorado, 80202
This beautiful hotel has a sterling reputation for being clean and convenient to Denver’s attractions, with friendly staff and a perfect location to access the 16th Street Mall. The Hilton Denver City Center features many useful amenities for business travelers and tourists alike. The Hilton has nice add-ons such as the following:
- Fitness center
- Indoor pool
- Lounge area with a bar, a Starbucks, and a restaurant
- Free WiFi access with no sign-up
If you’re looking for a hotel that is within walking distance of many major Denver attractions that also has all the comforts of home you’ll need to crash at the end of your sightseeing day the Hilton Denver is a convenient and affordable choice.
2. Homewood Suites
550 15th Street, Denver, Colorado, 80202
Homewood Suites is another Hilton hotel, and this one is good at anticipating any travel needs you may have before you even know what they are.
This hotel has a good reputation for receiving road-wearing travelers even if they show up a few hours ahead of schedule, so if you’re looking for hospitality, this is the place. Here are some of Homewood’s other notable features:
- Rotating hot breakfast
- Spacious rooms with a mountain view
- Saltwater pool
- Kitchenette amenities
Like the other downtown Denver hotels on this list, one of the biggest advantages of Homewood Suites is how close it is to the attractions of downtown Denver. Relax around your hotel room on one of Homewood’s king-sized beds or hit the streets to see the best of what the Mile-High City has to offer.
3. Ember Hostel
857 Grant Street, Denver, Colorado, 80203
Rated the Best Hostel in the USA and Second Best Hostel in North America in 2020 by the magazine HostelWorld, Ember Hostel is unlike any of the other Denver hotels on this list. Ember offers a more home-style aesthetic for your visit to Colorado that will give you more of a boutique experience than a business convention vibe.
These are some of the amenities you can look forward to if you book a room with Ember:
- Both communal and private rooms
- Patio with fire pit and hot tub
- Privacy curtain bunks with soft pillow-top bedding and king-sized pillows
- Individual tile showers with rainfall shower heads
- Guest kitchen and laundry
- Daily housekeeping services
Hostels don’t offer up the traditional hotel experience, but in many ways they can be a better option for staying in large cities like Denver if you want a centralized location for sightseeing but you don’t want to pay high prices for a highrise hotel. The emphasis on privacy at Ember allows guests to pick and choose when they want to socialize with other travelers.
Note: This hostel requires all guests to be at least 21 years of age, so it isn’t a good option if you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel. See the section earlier in this guide for family-friendly accommodations instead if you plan on bringing kids to downtown Denver with you.
4. Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Downtown
1845 Sherman Street, Denver Colorado 80202
Whether you’re visiting Coors Field or the Colorado Convention Center, the Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Denver provides easy access to it all. This hotel features large rooms that emphasize comfort and a modern, minimalist design aesthetic as well as a host of friendly amenities. These are some of the best amenities you can expect at the Hampton Inn:
- Free breakfast
- Pet-friendly suites
- Business center and meeting rooms
- Indoor pool and fitness center
While this hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, it’s within easy walking distance of some of Denver’s best restaurants and bars. If you’re looking for an affordable hotel room in Denver that’s still in the center of all the action, the Hampton Inn is a hotel to consider.
5. Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown
1715 Tremont Place, Denver, Colorado 80202
The Holiday Inn Express is one of the more spartan offerings on this list when it comes to downtown hotels, but it has an affordable price range to reflect the relative lack of amenities. While this older hotel has no restaurant and bar, it is very close to a free shuttle service that can take you to many of the places in downtown Denver you’d wish to visit.
Here are a few additional features of the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Denver:
- Excellent views of downtown area
- Polite and knowledgable staff
- Convenient location to parking garage facilities
- Free hot breakfast
If your main concern with locating a hotel in downtown Denver is that it’s affordable and convenient to the city, then the Holiday Inn is one of the cheapest hotels in the area that still has enough comforts of home to bring you back for multiple visits.
Denver Has Plenty of Hotels to Choose From
No matter what your taste in hotels is like, downtown Denver offers several options that won’t completely break your budget. Whether you’re looking for convenient proximity to Denver’s many attractions or you just want to take in some of the best views in the city, this guide is a good jumping-off point for planning your trip!