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Colorado is a big state, so start by choosing what type of trip you want. Do you want the bustling city of Denver? A world-class ski resort in the Rocky Mountains? The less-crowded quiet of Southern Colorado?
I’m a Colorado local who has traveled all over the state. In this guide, I’ll help you decide exactly where to stay in Colorado during your trip.
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Best Places to Stay in Colorado
Just want the a quick answer on the best places to stay in Colorado? Here are my top picks:
- 🏙️ Best in Denver – The Maven
- ⛰️ Best in Boulder – St. Julien Hotel & Spa
- 🚞 Best in Colorado Springs – The Broadmoor
- 🏔️ Best in Aspen – The Little Nell
- 🏘️ Best in Vail Valley – Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
- 🏂 Best in Breckenridge – The Bivvi Hostel
Ok, let’s do a deep dive into these top areas and lodging options:
8 Best Areas to Vacation & Stay in Colorado
You’ll find fun things to do in Colorado everywhere in the state. Whether you want skiing in the mountains, the quieter scenery of Northern Colorado, Denver’s museums, or the culture in Boulder, you’ll find lots to keep you busy.
I broke this list down into the eight areas of Colorado that people are most interested in visiting. If you’d like to do several things, like visit Denver and ski in the mountains, then your best bet is to stay at least one night in each place so you have time to enjoy each area.
Denver
👉 Best Area For City Fun | ✨ Best Denver Hotels: The Maven • The Oxford Hotel • The Crawford
Undoubtedly, Denver is one of the best cities in Colorado. It’s full of museums, sports teams, parks, and a whole lot of unique things to do!
The city is big enough that you’ll likely want to rent a car with Discover Cars, especially if you want to visit nearby sights like Red Rocks or hiking trails in the foothills.
Check out our complete guide to where to stay in Denver to find your perfect stay.
Pros of Staying in Denver:
- Lots of great restaurants, bars, and breweries
- Several pro sports team stadiums
- Many museums and theaters
Con of Staying in Denver:
- Hotels can be pricey
📚 Denver Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for City Fun
Google Map
✨ Best Denver Hotels – The Maven • The Oxford Hotel • The Crawford
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Denver
🍽️ Where to Eat – Mercantile Dining & Provision ($$$), Cherry Cricket ($$), City O’ City ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Terminal Bar, My Brother’s Bar, Denver Beer Co
🎟️ Top Attractions– Meow Wolf Convergence Station, Red Rocks, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo
📚 Denver Guides – Denver Neighborhoods,Denver Hikes,Denver Ski Resorts
Boulder
👉 Best Area For College Town Vibes | ✨ Best Boulder Hotels: Hotel Boulderado • St. Julien Hotel & Spa • Basecamp Boulder
If you’re looking for beautiful hiking trails, horseback riding, rock climbing, and mountain biking spots, then Boulder is a great option. It may be the best city to stay in Colorado for outdoor enthusiasts.
However, it’s also home to the largest college in Colorado, meaning plenty of college football games, along with great music and a Shakespeare Festival every summer.
If you’re new to Boulder, then you’ll want to stay near Pearl Street for all the action. The Pearl Street Mall is an outdoor mall where you can browse shops, find spots to eat, and get a drink or a cup of coffee.
Boulder is about a half-hour drive from Denver. Get planning your trip to Boulder with our complete guide to where to stay in Boulder.
Pros of Staying in Boulder:
- Funky, college town vibe
- Lots of great bars & restaurants
- Lots of hiking & nearby nature
Con of Staying in Boulder:
- Can be expensive
📚 Boulder Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for College Town Vibes
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Hotel Boulderado • St. Julien Hotel & Spa • Basecamp Boulder
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Boulder
🍽️ Where to Eat – Frasca Food & Wine ($$$$), SALT ($$), The Sink ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – The Bitter Bar, Taco Junky & Tequila Bar, Avery Brewing Company
🎟️ Top Boulder Attractions– Pearl Street Mall, CU Boulder campus, Chautauqua Park
📚 Boulder Guides – Boulder Hikes,Boulder Day Trips
Colorado Springs
👉 Best Area For Pikes Peak Access | ✨ Best Colorado Springs Hotels: The Broadmoor • Garden of the Gods Club & Resort • Great Wolf Lodge
Colorado Springs is the best spot to stay if you want to visit Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Manitou Springs. The city is located on the east side of the Rocky Mountains and about an hour south of Denver – close enough that you can make this your home base and still see all that Denver has to offer but at a way lower price point.
Another benefit to staying in a hotel in Colorado Springs is that there are lots of hiking trails and outdoor activities in the area. If you’re looking for a city with easy access to the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs may be your best area to stay in Colorado.
For more tips, see my detailed guide to where to stay in Colorado Springs.
Pros of Staying in Colorado Springs:
- Many hotels & restaurants are cheaper than Denver and Boulder
- Close to Pikes Peak
- Lots of outdoor activities in Colorado Springs
Con of Staying in Colorado Springs:
- Not as urban and bustling as Denver
📚 Colorado Springs Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Pikes Peak Access
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – The Broadmoor • Garden of the Gods Club & Resort • Great Wolf Lodge
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Where to Eat – Ephemera ($$$$), Ambli Global Cuisine ($$$), Cowboy Star Restaurant And Butcher Shop ($$$)
🍸 Where to Drink – The Archives Underground Libations, Cork & Cask, Shame & Regret
🎟️ Top Attractions – Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, The Broadmoor Seven Falls, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
📚 Colorado Springs Guides – Colorado Springs Hikes,Colorado Springs Day Trips
Northern Colorado
👉 Best Area For Laid Back Nature | ✨ Best Northern Colorado Hotels: Boulder Brook on Fall River • The Elizabeth Hotel • The Armstrong Hotel
Northern Colorado has a very different feel than the metro areas of Denver and Boulder. The mountains look different here, and the vibe is less urban and more relaxed. Two big colleges, Colorado State University in Fort Collins and the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, also bring plenty of students to the area.
Estes Park, a town just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, is a big Northern Colorado draw and a great place to make your home base while you explore the park. It’s full of wildlife sightings, hiking trails, and forested wilderness. Steamboat Springs, also in Northern Colorado, makes for a great Colorado mountain getaway.
Pros of Staying in Northern Colorado:
- Lots of spots most tourists don’t visit
- Close to Rocky Mountain National Park
- Small college towns
Con of Staying in Northern Colorado:
- Many Colorado landmarks are farther south
📚 Northern Colorado Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Laid Back Nature
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Boulder Brook on Fall River • The Elizabeth Hotel • The Armstrong Hotel
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Northern Colorado
🍽️ Where to Eat – Bird & Jim ($$$), Ginger and Baker ($$$), Waltzing Kangaroo ($)
🍸 Where to Drink – Wheel Bar, Social, Road 34
🎟️ Top Attractions – Rocky Mountain National Park, Historic Downtown Ft. Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir
📚 Related Guides: Where to Stay in Fort Collins
Central Mountain Towns
👉 Best Area For Skiing | ✨ Best Mountain Hotels: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek • The Lodge at Breckenridge • The Arrabelle at Vail Square
Many of Colorado’s central mountain ski towns are just a short drive off I-70.
Staying in this area can be pricey, so if you’re traveling with a large group or family, it’s probably best to spend the money on a roomy hotel suite or cabin. This will help you save a little if breakfast is included or if there’s a kitchenette. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple and really want to save, look for hostels.
Check out our guides to staying in these popular Colorado mountain towns:
- Where to Stay in Breckenridge, Colorado
- Where to Stay in Frisco, Colorado
- Where to Stay in Keystone, Colorado
- Where to Stay in Leadville, Colorado
Pros of Staying in Central Mountain Towns:
- Close to skiing
- Close to outdoor activities in summer
- Many have spas and upscale shopping
Con of Staying in Central Mountain Towns:
- Mountain resort town hotels can be pricey
📚 Central Mountain Towns Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Skiing
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Park Hyatt Beaver Creek • The Lodge at Breckenridge • The Arrabelle at Vail Square
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Vail
🍽️ Where to Eat – Drunken Goat ($$$), Northside Kitchen ($$), Breckenridge Brewery & Pub ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – TBar, High Rockies Whiskey and Wine Bar, Outer Range Brewing Company
🎟️ Top Attractions – Skiing, Ice Skating, Spas
📚 Mountain Town Guides – Things to Do in Vail,Where to Stay in Vail,Things to Do in Breckenridge,Things to Do in Frisco,Things to Do in Buena Vista,Things to Do in Leadville
Western Slope
👉 Best Area For Hot Springs | ✨ Best Western Slope Hotels: The Little Nell • Glenwood Hot Springs Resort • Castle Creek Manor
The Western Slope of Colorado encompasses many different areas, from Maroon Bells and the upscale Aspen ski resorts to the iconic Glenwood hot springs and the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.
You’ll find plenty of family fun and outdoor activities here, plus some of Colorado’s best hot springs in Aspen and Glenwood Springs.
Pros of Staying on the Western Slope:
- Fewer crowds
- Lots of outdoor activities
Con of Staying on the Western Slope:
- Towns are far apart
📚 Western Slope Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Hot Springs
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – The Little Nell • Glenwood Hot Springs Resort • Castle Creek Manor
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Aspen
🍽️ Where to Eat – Element 47 ($$$), Slope & Hatch ($$), 626 On Rood ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar, Doc Holliday’s Saloon and Restaurant, Palisade Brewing Co
🎟️ Top Attractions – Skiing, Hot Springs, Hiking
Southern Colorado
👉 Best Area For Historic Adventures | ✨ Best Southern Colorado Hotels: New Sheridan Hotel • The Strater Hotel • Fireside Cabins
From Mesa Verde National Park to Durango and the various mining and ghost towns in Southern Colorado, you’ll get a whole lot of history in the southern Colorado area. Pagosa Springs is a great spot to pamper yourself and soak in the hot springs, and skiing in Telluride, Wolf Creek, and Purgatory can’t be beat.
Pros of Staying in Southern Colorado:
- Lots of outdoor activities
- Lots of historic sites
- Beautiful scenery
Con of Staying in Southern Colorado:
- A far drive from Denver and more populated spots
📚 Southern Colorado Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Historic Adventures
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – New Sheridan Hotel • The Strater Hotel • Fireside Cabins
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Durango
🍽️ Where to Eat – La Marmotte ($$$), 636 Main Ave ($$), Kip’s Grill ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – El Moro Spirits and Tavern, Pagosa Bar, Telluride Brewing Co
🎟️ Top Attractions – Skiing, Hot Springs, Mesa Verde National Park
Quirky Small Towns
👉 Best Area For Unusual Adventures | ✨ Best Quirky Small Town Hotels: Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort • Bross Hotel B & B • The Delaware Hotel
Colorado is full of funky, artsy, outdoorsy small towns that don’t get the love that the areas with fancy ski resorts do. You can vacation here and find things to do that many people who visit Colorado never discover. You can also avoid the crowds of the bigger towns!
For ideas on cool Colorado small towns to visit, check out Abigail’s list of the 13 best small towns in Colorado.
Pros of Staying in Quirky Small Towns:
- Off-the-beaten path activities
- Fewer crowds
- Less expensive restaurants, bars, and entertainment
Con of Staying in Quirky Small Towns:
- Fewer conveniences
- Possibly a much longer drive to the airport and other sites
📚 Quirky Small Towns Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Unusual Adventures
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort • Bross Hotel B & B • The Delaware Hotel
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Creede
🍽️ Where to Eat – Simple Eatery ($$), Quincys Steak & Spirits ($), Tommyknocker Tavern
🍸 Where to Drink – The Slammer, The Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon, Kip’s Grill
🎟️ Top Attractions – Rafting, Hiking, Antiquing
Tips for Staying in Colorado
Plan Your Colorado Trip in Advance
Colorado has a variety of activities and places to visit. However, many of these things are a far distance from each other.
If you want to see the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park but also stop in Denver to explore, that’s a six-hour-plus drive. If you’re planning to drive from Denver to ski in the central mountain towns off I-70, traffic on weekends can also be a big issue.
Set realistic expectations for what you will see and how long it will take you to get there. If you’re visiting in late fall, winter, or spring, check the weather for storms as well – those will definitely affect your travel!
Take Time to Acclimate
You’ll already be a mile above sea level when you land in Denver. It’s likely that many things you want to do here will take you to even higher altitudes.
If you’re planning to ski, hike, or try other outdoor activities, then give yourself a day or so to acclimate to Colorado’s elevation first. Do some easy sightseeing and check out historic main streets, or explore a museum before tackling a long hike or skiing.
Hydrate!
One easy way to help acclimate is to drink plenty of water. Bring a water bottle along while sightseeing, and definitely bring at least one and possibly several when you hike, mountain bike, or exercise.
If you plan to get out in the mountains and do some hiking, try the Grayl filtration water bottle.
Don’t Forget Sunscreen
Colorado gets at least some sun on most days of the year, and it’s easy to burn here. Bring a good sunscreen and reapply it frequently.
Pack Smart for Colorado
Bringing everything you need on your Colorado trip (without bogging yourself down) is an art. Abigail has a helpful Colorado packing list, which includes 22 things that many people forget when they’re visiting Colorado.
Know the 420 Laws
We’re a green state…and not just in an eco-friendly way! If you’re planning on smoking pot while visiting Colorado, then make sure you read up on the laws of Colorado marijuana usebeforehand.
Don’t Stay by the Airport
If you’re looking for a spot to stay the night before you fly out, or you’re getting in late and want a nearby spot to crash, then the hotels near DIA are a great choice.
But if you’re looking for where to stay near Denver or other Colorado attractions, then don’t stay near the airport. It’s a half-hour drive from DIA to downtown Denver, and even farther to the mountains.
FAQs About Where to Stay in Colorado
What is the most beautiful place to stay in Colorado?
Telluride is the most beautiful place to stay in Colorado. Telluride is situated in a box canyon in southern Colorado and is known for both gorgeous mountain views and for the historic buildings that line Main Street. See our guide to things to do in Telluride for more.
Which part of Colorado should I visit?
You should visit Denver on a trip to Colorado. The capital city has a variety of museums, performing arts centers, stores, and well-regarded restaurants, all set against a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Rocky Mountain National Park is about a ninety-minute drive from Denver, and is another must-see destination.
Is Denver or Colorado Springs better for vacation?
Denver is better for a vacation if this is your first time traveling to Colorado. There are many things to do in Denver and it’s just a short drive to hiking and sightseeing in the mountains. Although it is cheaper to stay in Colorado Springs, it’s best to spend the money and stay in Denver.
When should I visit Colorado?
You should visit Colorado from March to May or September to October. Those months are considered the off-season, and you’ll find cheaper rates and fewer crowds.
How many days do you need to visit Colorado?
You’ll need one week to visit Colorado if you want to spend time in Denver,Boulder,Colorado Springs, and Rocky Mountain National Park. If you want to explore southern Colorado, including the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park or the breathtaking town of Telluride, you’ll need at least 10 days.
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As a local, I love every single one of these areas for different reasons and I think they’re all worth a visit. Enjoy your stay and welcome!