Top 15 Hotels in Colorado to Reserve in 2023

Colorado's enticing mix of urban sophistication and natural beauty attracts a diverse array of travelers. Accommodations in Denver and surrounding areas reflect this variety, featuring extravagant resorts, boutique hotels, sleek motor lodges, and even camping options competing for your attention. Whether you're exploring the city or the mountains, here are 15 premier hotels to consider in Colorado.

Surf Hotel

You might be surprised to find a surf culture in landlocked Colorado, but the Arkansas River in Buena Vista boasts some rideable waves, thanks to "water flowing rapidly over a change in elevation," as noted by National Geographic. Nestled near two popular surf spots in this quaint town is the charming Surf Hotel. Each room's design elegantly fuses classic European elements with a Rocky Mountain flair—imagine stone fireplaces paired with polished hardwood floors and sleek brass accents; chic, modern black rocking chairs reminiscent of Americana. The riverview rooms feature cozy balconies ideal for savoring your morning coffee while watching the action unfold. If you miss out on one, no worries—the hotel’s restaurant and bar offer equally stunning views.

Gravity Haus

Described as "a community for the modern adventurer," Gravity Haus is a unique blend of a design-focused hotel, a membership club, and a hub for outdoor activities. Other locations have emerged in Winter Park, Steamboat Springs, and Breckenridge, but Gravity Haus Vail boasts the best spot, right in the heart of Vail Village close to Gondola One.

This charming hotel offers impressive amenities, including ski and board storage, outdoor and indoor hot tubs, an extensive gym filled with Peloton bikes, and a somewhat upscale bar-restaurant. Its 22 rooms are refreshingly modern in a town often adorned with Alpine luxury, featuring family-friendly layouts with separate bunk rooms. Plus, with eco-friendly, chemical-free linens, blankets, and mattresses, you can rest easy knowing you're sleeping on sustainable materials.

The Ramble Hotel

The Ramble Hotel’s exceptional location in the River North Arts District makes it a must-book destination, but it’s also one of the city’s most beautiful and unique hotels. Its 50 rooms draw inspiration from 17th-century French salons, showcasing jewel-toned walls, luxurious velvet seating, chandeliers, and elegant powder room mirrors.
While exploring the vibrant shops, restaurants, and bars of RiNo is a must, the hotel’s own dining and drinking options are equally impressive. Guests are just steps away from James Beard finalist Dana Rodriguez’s pan-Latin dim sum restaurant Super Mega Bien, and the renowned NYC bar Death & Co has a presence right in the lobby.

The ART, a hotel

For art enthusiasts, checking into the ART is an obvious choice. Situated just steps away from the Denver Art Museum and Clyfford Still Museum, the hotel itself showcases gallery-worthy art, featuring works by Edward Ruscha, Sol LeWitt, and Clark Richert. The artistic experience begins even before entering, with its sleek, almost fluid architectural design and a stunning 22,000-piece light installation in the valet area by Leo Villareal.

Make sure to stop by the front desk to grab a book that details the hotel’s art collection and embark on a self-guided tour through the art displays in the lobby, guest rooms, restaurants, and public spaces. Don't forget to take a drink break at the hotel’s fourth-floor restaurant, Fire, which offers some of the best views of the city from its spacious patio.

Halcyon

The Cherry Creek hotel, Halcyon, understands that you likely didn’t travel to Colorado just to stay indoors. Fortunately, this luxury hotel makes it simple to enjoy the great outdoors with its Gear Garage, where you can borrow equipment. This convenient service eliminates the hassle of transporting bulky gear on a flight, offering items like snowshoes, fly fishing rods, hamboards (think surfing on wheels), GoPros, and even tandem bicycles.
After your adventures, unwind in one of the 154 guest rooms while spinning a record on your vinyl player and indulging in Jonathan Adler bath products. Alternatively, step out to explore Cherry Creek’s vibrant shopping district and restaurants—Halcyon is right at the center of it all.

St. Julien Hotel & Spa

St. Julien is committed to being environmentally responsible while catering to travelers, featuring an in-house sustainability director who collaborates with a dedicated team to establish and meet ecological goals. This "Green Team" manages up to 20,000 pounds of compost monthly, maintains a rooftop bee colony, and strives to reduce waste across the hotel.
Yet, the luxurious hotel doesn’t compromise on comfort for the sake of sustainability. The 201 newly refurbished rooms are ideally located just off the Pearl Street Mall, surrounded by shops and restaurants, while also being close enough to the mountains to offer stunning views. Looking for some relaxation? The expansive 10,000-square-foot spa provides treatments that incorporate herbs from the hotel’s own garden.

Kinship Landing

Kinship Landing, a fresh addition to downtown Colorado Springs, caters to a wide range of travelers. Want to experience camping without sacrificing comfort? Set up a tent on the camp deck and enjoy access to a private bathroom. Traveling with a low-key group? Reserve the group bunkroom, featuring eight twin bed pods. For a more luxurious experience, choose one of the property’s four king suites, which include an in-room soaking tub, electric fireplace, and a private balcony.
If you’re eager to meet new people, this is the spot for you. The expansive 25,000-square-foot area is designed to encourage conversations and connections, featuring a bar-restaurant, event space, an outdoor seating area, and a friendly local staff ready to offer insider tips on local attractions. In addition to promoting community through local ingredients, art, and vendors, Kinship Landing emphasizes sustainability, employing passive heating and cooling methods and using natural materials.

Spoke & Vine

This western Colorado town already boasted fantastic vineyards, an exceptional restaurant in Pêche, and breathtaking scenery. What it lacked was a trendy place to stay, which was filled in 2019 with the debut of Spoke & Vine, a newly renovated motel dating back to 1955.

The bright and cozy rooms focus on practicality rather than luxury, but since you’re here for the wine, Spoke & Vine makes it effortless to indulge. Your experience begins with a glass of Grand Valley wine at check-in, continues at the locally stocked motel bar, and really picks up with on-site bike rentals—complete with baskets for carrying your liquid treasures—as you ride from winery to winery throughout town.

The Little Nell

The Little Nell may be a splurge, but then again, nearly everything in Aspen comes with a price tag. This hotel goes the extra mile, heating your ski boots overnight so they’re warm and ready for the slopes in the morning. The 92-room boutique establishment provides ski-in/ski-out access to Aspen Mountain, ensuring breathtaking views.
The rooms, heavily inspired by hygge, are stunning, featuring heated marble floors, a gas log fireplace, a minibar stocked with complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic beverages, and the kind of bedding and pillows you’ll wish you could take home. Need a refreshment? Ajax Tavern, one of the hotel’s two dining options, is renowned for its sunny patio and après-ski atmosphere.

Leland House

Situated in downtown Durango, Leland House is perfect for remote workers and adventurers looking to stay for an extended period. Originally built in 1927 as an apartment complex, it has since been transformed into a boutique hotel featuring 11 bike-themed suites, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options.

Leland House owns the adjacent Lola’s Place, a historic residence that has been beautifully converted into a coffee shop and outdoor bar, featuring four food trucks in the backyard. The area also boasts a variety of restaurants, breweries, bars, coffee shops, and art boutiques.

The Broadmoor

This expansive 784-room resort, styled in pink stucco and reminiscent of Italian Renaissance architecture, was designed by the same firm responsible for New York City's Grand Central Station. Nestled by a lake at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, the Broadmoor is often hailed as one of the most legendary hotels in the American West. It has a rich and occasionally eccentric history; its original owner was known for his unusual habits, such as acquiring elephants, seals, and flamingos, which he allowed to roam the grounds.

Inside, you'll find a celebration of luxury: European antiques, sparkling crystal chandeliers, marble staircases, intricately hand-painted ceilings, and an extensive collection of U.S. Western art throughout the resort. Amenities include two Arnold Palmer-approved golf courses, a full-service spa featuring over 40 treatment rooms, several swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a movie theater, and 17 bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.

The Broadmoor also features three off-site cabin options: the Ranch at Emerald Valley, Cloud Camp, and Fly Fishing Camp.

A-Frame Club

Nestled within a forest just a five-minute shuttle ride from the Winter Park ski gondola, you'll find 31 charming, two-story A-frame cabins. The ground floors feature kitchenettes, a ski gear storage area, a bathroom with heated floors, and a cozy living room complete with a Malm fireplace; upstairs, the lofts boast a king-size bed, a desk, and a relaxing soaking tub.

The atmosphere is distinctly ‘70s ski—think quirky rugs and vintage promotional posters for the 1976 Winter Olympics, which were originally slated for Colorado but eventually relocated to Austria.

Make sure to check out the Saloon, the French-inspired bar and restaurant at A-Frame Club. Open to the public, it boasts a patio that makes it a favored hangout for après-ski gatherings.

The Elizabeth Hotel

Upon entering The Elizabeth Hotel, one of the first features that catches your eye is its unique library. Instead of books, it’s a music library: Guests can borrow an array of keyboards, rare guitars, amplifiers, along with record players and vinyl records to enjoy in their rooms.

Fort Collins is celebrated for its makers culture, showcasing everything from artisanal hot sauce creators to a school that teaches you how to craft your own shoes using upcycled materials. This culture is reflected at the hotel: in the music venue that hosts both local and national talent, and in the guest rooms, each adorned with a distinctive piece of local art. Just steps away is Old Town Fort Collins, bustling with galleries, breweries, theaters, and performance spaces.

Crawford Hotel

For train enthusiasts, the Crawford Hotel is arguably the ultimate accommodation. Located in the upper floors of the historic Union Station train depot, the guest rooms were originally offices for railroad executives before being transformed into distinctive lodgings in 2014. Each of the 112 rooms has its own unique size and layout—some boast exposed brick walls and wooden beams from the station’s attic, while others feature 16-foot windows overlooking the train platform (which might not be ideal for light sleepers due to the sounds of arriving trains).

The reception area doubles as the Great Hall of the train station. In addition to ticket windows for national Amtrak services and local RTD light rail, you’ll find two excellent bars (the Terminal Bar on the ground floor and the upscale Cooper Lounge on the mezzanine), locally owned shops like Tattered Cover Bookstore, and a variety of restaurants ranging from the oyster haven Snooze to a beloved local brunch chain.

Eleven Taylor River Lodge

Few retreats in Colorado offer the same level of awe as Eleven Taylor River Lodge. Nestled 30 minutes from the nearest town, beside a babbling river in a dense forest of evergreens, this lodge serves as a remarkable base camp for all kinds of adventures.

The eight cabins here are each named after a fishing fly. Among the six private queen-bed cabins, three feature an extra loft with two twin beds, while two family homes include two king suites and a bunk room. Guests can come together in the main lounge for shared meals or escape to the bar or entertainment cabin, equipped with pool and foosball tables, dartboards, and board games. Additional amenities include a tepee lounge, a barbecue area, and a bathhouse with a saltwater lap pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna.

Knowledgeable staff guides are available to help guests maximize their experience, leading various excursions such as fly fishing on the nearby Gunnison River or the on-site stocked trout pond, as well as hiking, biking, and rock climbing, all included in the stay's price.

This article was initially published in 2022 and has been updated with new information. Jessie Beck contributed to the reporting.