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If youโre looking for where to stay in Grand Junction, youโre already on the right track to a great trip. There are just so many fun things to do in Grand Junction.
As a Colorado local, Iโm here to help! From wine country to the downtown historic district, to golf courses, and other scenic areas, thereโs something for everyone in Grand Junction!
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Best Places to Stay in Grand Junction, CO
Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Grand Junction? Here are my top picks:ย
- ๐ Best Overall Hotel โ Tru By Hilton Grand Junction Downtown
- ๐ Best Luxury Hotel โ Hotel Maverick
- ๐ช Best for Families โ Home2 Suites By Hilton Grand Junction Northwest
- ๐ Best for Business โ SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Junction Downtown
- ๐จ Best Boutique โ Castle Creek Manor
- ๐ท Best Near Wine Country โ Wine Country Inn Palisade
- ๐ต Best Budget โ Clarion Inn Grand Junction
Ok, letโs do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Grand Junction:ย
5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Grand Junction
Grand Junction may be the main city in the area, but there are smaller towns like Fruita and Palisade nearby. Whether youโre vacationing or on a road trip, there are hotels in Grand Junction and the surrounding region that are perfect for you!
Downtown Grand Junction
๐ Best Area For Historic Grand Junction | โจ Best Downtown Grand Junction Hotels: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Junction Downtown โข Tru By Hilton Grand Junction Downtown โข Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
If youโre planning to go to the Colorado National Monument and other area attractions, youโll want to stay in historic downtown Grand Junction. This area is also close to Colorado Mesa University, so itโs a good home base if youโre visiting the college. The historic district has plenty of restaurants, bars, and a walkable main street.ย
Pros of Staying in Downtown Grand Junction Neighborhood:
- Easy to walk to restaurants & shops
- Close to I-70
- Close to the Colorado & Gunnison Rivers
Con of Staying in Downtown Grand Junction Neighborhood:
- Hotels can be pricey
๐ Downtown Grand Junction Mini Guide ๐
Best Area to Stay for Historic Grand Junction
Google Map
โจ Best Hotels โ SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Junction Downtown โข Tru By Hilton Grand Junction Downtown โข Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
๐ Apartments โ Browse Top Rentals in Grand Junction
๐ฝ๏ธ Where to Eat โ Main Street Bagels ($), Las Marias ($$), The Rockslide Brew Pub ($$)
๐ธ Where to Drink โ The Goat & Clover Tavern, Tacoparty, Ramblebine Brewing Company
๐๏ธ Top Attractions โ The Avalon Theatre, Museum of the West, Enstrom Candies
Grand Junction Regional Airport Area
๐ Best Area For Business Travelers | โจ Best Airport Area Hotels: Courtyard Grand Junction โข La Quinta by Wyndham โข Clarion Inn Grand Junction
There are several hotels in Grand Junction that are near the airport, which makes traveling to town that much easier! The Wyndham Grand Junction and the Courtyard by Marriott Grand Junction are both convenient after a flight (or the night before). Theyโre also near I-70, making them convenient on road trips or if you need to get about town.
Pros of Staying in the Airport Area Neighborhood:
- Easy for travelย
- Close to I-70
Con of Staying in the Airport Area Neighborhood:
- Less ambience than downtown
๐ Airport Area Mini Guide ๐
Best Area to Stay for Business Travelers
Google Map
โจ Best Hotels โ Courtyard Grand Junction โข La Quinta by Wyndham โข Clarion Inn Grand Junction
๐ Apartments โ Browse Top Rentals in Grand Junction
๐ฝ๏ธ Where to Eat โ Spoons Bistro & Bakery ($$), Citrolaโs Italian Restaurant ($$), Graff Dairy ($)
๐ธ Where to Drink โ Bookcliff Bar, Enzoโs Ristorante Italiano, Aztecas Family Mexican Restaurantย
๐๏ธ Top Attractions โ Grand Junction Motor Speedway, Grand Valley OHV Recreation Area, Bookcliff Country Club
West Grand Junction
๐ Best Area For Suburban Amenities | โจ Best West Grand Junction Hotels: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites โขย Home2 Suites By Hilton Grand Junction Northwest โข Candlewood Suites Grand Junction
West Grand Junction is near a lot of big box retailers and grocery stores โ perfect if you need to stock up on road trip supplies or camping gear!
This area is near a mall and feels less like a destination part of town. However, there are trusty chain restaurants and stores nearby, and reliable hotels like the Holiday Inn. There are also several hotels with suites and kitchenettes that are great for families.
Pros of Staying in the West Grand Junction Neighborhood:
- Lots of big stores like Target, Cabelaโs, and Home Depot
- Near the Mesa Mall
- Near grocery stores
Cons of Staying in West Grand Junction Neighborhood:
- Not as quaint as historic downtown Grand Junction
- Fewer trendy restaurants and bars
๐ West Grand Junction Mini Guide ๐
Best Area to Stay for Suburban Amenities
Google Map
โจ Best Hotels โ Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites โขย Home2 Suites By Hilton Grand Junction Northwest โข Candlewood Suites Grand Junction
๐ Apartments โ Browse Top Rentals in Grand Junction
๐ฝ๏ธ Where to Eat โ Buffalo Wild Wings ($$), Ginger Oriental Restaurant ($$), Noodles and Company ($)
๐ธ Where to Drink โ Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews, Bostonโs Restaurant & Sports Bar
๐๏ธ Top Attractions โ Mesa Mall, Axeology, Bananas Fun Park
Palisade
๐ Best Area For Wine Country | โจ Best Palisade Hotels: Wine Country Inn โข Dreamcatcher Bed and Breakfast โข Spoke and Vine Motel
Full of orchards and vineyards, Palisade makes for a lovely weekend trip to Colorado Wine Country. Youโll find plenty of wineries, many with a tasting room, upscale lodging, and outdoor activities nearby.ย
Pros of Staying in Palisade Neighborhood:
- Close to wineries and orchards
- Scenic
- Quiet neighborhoods
Con of Staying in Palisade Neighborhood:
- Fewer grocery stores and other shops than in Grand Junction
๐ Palisade Mini Guide ๐
Best Area to Stay for Wine Country
Google Map
โจ Best Hotels โ Wine Country Inn โข Dreamcatcher Bed and Breakfast โข Spoke and Vine Motel
๐ Apartments โ Browse Top Rentals in Palisade
๐ฝ๏ธ Where to Eat โ Pรชche. Restaurant ($$$), 357 Bar And Grill ($$), Diorioโs of Palisade ($$)
๐ธ Where to Drink โ BookCliff Vineyards Palisade Tasting Room, Talbottโs Cider Company, Talon Wines at the Meadery
๐๏ธ Top Attractions โ Varaison Vineyards & Winery, Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area, Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range
Fruita
๐ Best Area For A Quieter Stay | โจ Best Fruita Hotels: Balanced Rock Inn โข Comfort Inn & Suites โขLa Quinta by Wyndham Fruita
Fruita is northwest of Grand Junction, and itโs one of the first towns you come to after crossing the border from Utah. Itโs a quieter area thatโs great for families. Places like the Comfort Inn & Suites Grand Junction make it easy for families to make their own meals and for larger groups to all stay together.ย
Pros of Staying in Fruita Neighborhood:
- Quieter than Grand Junction
- Family-friendly
Cons of Staying in Fruita Neighborhood:
- Youโll need a rental car to get around
- Fewer choices for accommodations & restaurants
๐ Fruita Mini Guide ๐
Best Area to Stay for A Quieter Stay
Google Map
โจ Best Hotels โ Balanced Rock Inn โข Comfort Inn & Suites โข La Quinta by Wyndham Fruita
๐ Apartments โ Browse Top Rentals in Fruita
๐ฝ๏ธ Where to Eat โ Mikeโs Famous Chicken ($$), Pabloโs Pizza ($$), Karma Kitchen ($$)
๐ธ Where to Drink โ Suds Brothers Brewery, Copper Club Brewing Company, Strayhorn Grill
๐๏ธ Top Attractions โ Dinosaur Journey Museum, Colorado Riverfront Trail, Devilโs Canyon Trail System
Tips for Staying in Grand Junction, CO
Youโll Want a Car to Get Around
Grand Junction does have public transportation. However, if you want to do any hiking, biking, and exploring nearby, itโs going to be much easier to get around with your own vehicle.ย
๐ Need a car? By comparing rates, including any extra fees, Discover Cars finds you the best price for a rental car.ย
Visit Grand Junction in the Fall
The temperatures in July and August are often in the 90s, but Grand Junction begins to cool down in September. Youโll avoid the summer crowds in places like the Colorado National Monument and on popular mountain biking and hiking trails. And, perhaps most importantly, Grand Mesa is a beautiful place to see fall colors!
Drink Lots of Water
Grand Junction isnโt quite as high as Denver, but at just over 4,500 feet above sea level, the elevation is pretty serious! That, combined with the cityโs semi-arid climate, means youโll want to stay hydrated. Bring a refillable water bottle wherever you go, especially if youโre planning on hiking or biking.
Wear Sunscreen
The elevation and usually sunny weather also mean youโll want plenty of sunscreen! This face sunscreen is great for sensitive skin. Also, donโt be fooled by chilly days โ it may not feel like you need sunscreen when itโs cold or cloudy, but you can still get burned.ย
Take Safety Precautions
Although Grand Junctionโs crime rate is higher than the national average, most of those crimes do not involve tourists. However, itโs important to still take safety precautions when you travel. Keep hotel doors locked. Keep vehicles locked and parked in a well-lit or protected spot. Donโt leave valuables unattended. Be aware of your surroundings at night, and try to walk places in a group.
Bring Layers
The Colorado National Monument is more than 2,000 feet higher than the city of Grand Junction, meaning the weather can be a lot colder up there! In general, Colorado is known for quickly changing weather. You may find yourself putting on and taking off a jacket or sweatshirt several times throughout the day. Bring plenty of layers, even in winter, to cope with changing temperatures.ย
Donโt Forget Other Essentials
Check out Abigailโs list of all the things youโll need for a trip to Colorado! There are a few things in this guide that people tend to forget, so itโs helpful to refer back to it as you pack.
Ask About Wine Shipping
If you find a new favorite wine (or several!) after a day of tasting in Grand Junction or Palisade, many of the wineries will ship bottles to you at home. Hereโs a list of wineries and their shipping info, although itโs best to check with them in person as well. This is a much easier option than trying to bring wine home in your checked bag!
FAQs About Where to Stay in Grand Junction
What is the best area to stay in Grand Junction?
The best area to stay in Grand Junction is in the Grand Junction downtown historic area. There are restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance. Some of the cityโs museums are nearby, as are Mesa University and the Two Rivers Convention Center.
What are the best hotels near Downtown Grand Junction?ย
The best hotels near downtown Grand Junction include the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Junction Downtown. The Tru By Hilton Grand Junction Downtown and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott are great choices, too. These hotels are conveniently located just off the freeway and are near Main Street attractions.ย ย
What are the best cheap hotels in Grand Junction?ย
The best cheap hotels in Grand Junction include the Clarion Inn Grand Junction and the La Quinta Inn.
However, sometimes a hotel like the Holiday Inn Express or the Hilton Grand Junction can actually be cheaper overall. If youโre traveling with a family, a hotel with a free continental breakfast will save you on food costs. A Grand Junction hotel with a suite and kitchen, like the Fairfield Inn & Suites Grand Junction, can also save you money on eating out for meals.
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If youโre looking for a spot in Colorado that gives you a completely different perspective than the Front Range, Grand Junction is the place! There are lots of opportunities to get outdoors and see the amazing natural wonders of Colorado. There are also great restaurants, cute shops, and excellent wineries.
Whether youโre headed to town for business or fun, hopefully, this post has given you plenty of insight on where to stay!