Airport Hotels
Denver is often called the Gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Visitors en route to the mountain ski and hiking areas usually fly into Denver International Airport. However, since the drive to the mountain can take between two and three hours, many visitors stay at Denver airport hotels at the start or at the end of the trip. Many Denver airport hotels have budget rates, which include breakfast. These include the Hilton Garden Inn and the Comfort Inn. Some are slightly more expensive, such as the Denver Airport Doubletree Hotel and the Hyatt Denver Airport. However, these hotels often include full-service fitness centers.
Downtown Hotels
As evidenced by the 2008 Democratic Convention, Denver is a popular convention city. As such, it has the requisite number of large, convention-oriented hotels. These include the Denver Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Sheraton Denver Hotel and the Denver Warwick Hotel, all within walking distance of the 16th Street Mall, the Denver Convention Center, the LoDo District and other Denver attractions. These hotels have full-service fitness centers, as well as a number of in-hotel restaurants. Since there are so many large hotels in the downtown Denver area, many compete with each other by offering special packages, which may include a tour of the city or an evening at a jazz club or restaurant.
Historic Hotels
Denver's historic hotels are the pride of the city. Most were built in the late 1800s or the early 1900s and have a story to tell. The Brown Palace, which is the grand dame of Denver hotels, opened in 1892 and boasted the first atrium lobby in the United States. The Oxford Hotel was opened in 1891 and was one of the first Denver hotels to have steam heat and electric lighting. Hotel Teatro is housed in the building that was once the home of the 1911 Denver Tramway building. It was also the first home of John Evans, who was Colorado's second territorial governor.
Budget Hotels
Students, backpackers and people on a tight budget can cheap lodging in hotels such as the 11th Avenue Hotel and the Town and Country Hotel. The city also has an abundance of small motels. However, the cheaper lodging venues are on the outskirts of the city and will require a car of public transportation.
Article Written By Lisa Mercer
In 1999, Lisa Mercer’s fitness, travel and skiing expertise inspired a writing career. Her books include "Open Your Heart with Winter Fitness" and "101 Women's Fitness Tips." Her articles have appeared in "Aspen Magazine," "HerSports," "32 Degrees," "Pregnancy Magazine" and "Wired." Mercer has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the City College of New York.
