The Best Cheap Hotels in Denver, Colorado

Looking for a cheap hotel in Denver with a boutique flair? La Quinta Inn and Suites eschews several shades of beige for lime-green furniture, statement lighting and regal purple walls to create a more contemporary feel. Add a large indoor pool and hot tub, a well-equipped fitness center, a convenience store in the lobby and a complimentary breakfast, and this budget-friendly option just off Pena Boulevard seems like a smart choice.

First-time Denver visitors, sports fans and families can’t beat this hotel’s dream location. A stroll away from Mile High Stadium and Denver Aquarium, this Marriott is in the Denver Highlands neighborhood where peaceful parks and Victorian homes sit alongside innovative restaurants, craft breweries and independent art galleries. Kids will especially love the Little Man Ice Cream store, built inside a 28ft (8.5m) milk can just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Those looking to stay in Denver for work can get on with business without distraction at the MainStay Suites. The property is just south of Mile High Stadium, close to the Colorado Convention Center and the University of Colorado, while the downtown restaurants and shops are also within easy reach. There’s a business center, an on-site meeting room, laundry service and free parking at the hotel, while all rooms have full kitchens for some hearty home cooking after long days.

If you’re not going anywhere in a hurry, space to stretch out makes all the difference. This cheerily decorated all-suite hotel in Denver is close to the University of Denver and hospitals, including the National Jewish Health and the Swedish Hospital. Roomy suites have fully stocked kitchens, smart TVs and living areas, and the hotel also offers a seasonal outdoor pool, picnic area, convenience store and piping-hot coffee in the lobby.

Forget identikit chain hotels – the Holiday Chalet oozes history and charisma. Built in 1896, the Victorian brick property has three lavish suites and seven snug rooms. However, those wanting five-star luxe should book the Albert Suite with its chandelier, velvet drapes, claw-foot bath and Tiffany-designed window. If you can drag yourself away, you’re just steps from the museums, music venues and nightlife of the artsy Capitol Hill district, described by former resident Jack Kerouac in his classic novel On the Road (1957).

Get back to nature in minutes from this cheap hotel in Denver West. About 11mi (18km) east of downtown, it’s just 20 minutes from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge Park, a peaceful 16,000-acre (6,475ha) expanse of prairie, wetland and woodlands. Follow the self-guided wildlife drive to spot bison, deer, hawks, coyotes and prairie dogs, or stretch your legs on 10mi (16km) of hiking trails. Relax afterward in the hot tub and indoor heated pool at the hotel, or head out for dinner in the delightful suburb of Wheat Ridge.

Fifteen minutes from the Denver airport, Sleep Inn and Suites takes the stress out of traveling with plenty of parking, a complimentary shuttle to the terminal and even a free hot breakfast to send you on your way. Those with a little more time can tee off at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club or birdwatch at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Park, both less than a 15-minute drive away.