Although most hotels and motels in the Denver area do not have seasonal rates (as you'll find in many other parts of Colorado), hotels that cater to business travelers, such as the Brown Palace and the Warwick , often offer substantial weekend discounts, sometimes as much as 50% off the regular rates. Rates listed below do not include the 13.55% accommodations tax.
The lodging industry is still trying to catch up with the construction of Denver International Airport several years ago, and you'll find that many of the major chains and franchises have built or are in the process of constructing facilities near the new airport. Among those now open are Courtyard by Marriott at DIA, 6901 Tower Rd., Denver, CO 80249 (tel. 800/321-2211 or 303/371-0300), with rates of $69 to $149 for a double; Fairfield Inn-DIA, 6851 Tower Rd., Denver, CO 80249 (tel. 800/228-2800 or 303/576-9640), which charges $79 to $109 for a double; and Hampton Inn DIA, 6290 Tower Rd., Denver CO 80249 (tel. 800/426-7866 or 303/371-0200), with a rate of $100 for a double.
Reliable chain hotels in the downtown area include: Comfort Inn, 401 17th St., Denver, CO 80202 (tel. 800/228-5150 or 303/296-0400), with a convenient location and rates of $149 double and $189 to $289 suite; Embassy Suites, 1881 Curtis St. (tel. 800/733-3366 or 303/297-8888), with suites for $129 to $159 on weekend nights and $175 to $250 during the week; La Quinta Inn Downtown, 3500 Park Ave. W. (at I-25 exit 213), Denver, CO 80216 (tel. 800/531-5900 or 303/458-1222), charging $90 to $100 for a double; and Red Lion Hotel at Invesco Field, 1975 Bryant St. (at I-25 exit 210B), Denver, CO 80204 (tel. 800/388-5381 or 303/433-8331), with rates of $79 to $129 double. A budget option is the Ramada Continental Hotel, 2601 Zuni St. (at I-25 exit 212B for Speer Blvd.), Denver, CO 80211 (tel. 800/2RAMADA or 303/433-6677), which charges $79 for a double.
Outside downtown, chain lodgings include: Hampton Inn, 4685 Quebec St., Denver, CO 80216 (tel. 800/HAMPTON or 303/388-8100), with a double rate of $59 to $84; and Motel 6, 480 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80226 (tel. 800/466-8356 or 303/232-4924), charging $44 to $54 double. Among the four Best Westerns in the metro area is Best Western Denver Stapleton, 3535 Quebec St., Denver, CO 80207 (tel. 800/328-2268 or 303/333-7711), which has double rates from $69 to $89.
These official, or "rack," rates do not take into consideration any discounts, such as those offered to members of AAA or AARP. Be sure to ask if you qualify for a reduced rate. Because a chain hotel's national reservation service may not be able to offer discounts, your best bet may be to call the hotel directly.
--Hotels in downtown Denver, "the central business district of the Rocky Mountain West," generally cater to businesspeople, with high-tech amenities and locations convenient to the Convention Center or the financial district. These properties are more than adequate for leisure travelers, and especially enticing on weekends when they lower their rates.
Bed-and-Breakfasts--Those seeking an alternative to a hotel or motel might consider one of Denver's many bed-and-breakfast inns. Often located in historic 19th-century homes, bed-and-breakfasts offer a more personalized lodging experience than you could expect in all but the very best hotels, because you rarely find more than 10 rooms in a B&B, and you are, literally, a guest in someone's home.
Hotel Monaco -- Kids get a kick out of the colorful decor, the complimentary goldfish, and the house mascot, a Jack Russell terrier named Lily Sopris.
Loews Denver Hotel -- Kids get a teddy bear and coloring books when they arrive; the Tuscany Restaurant has a special children's menu.
For a complete listing of Frommer's-reviewed accommodations, visit our online hotels index.
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