The Best Luxury Hotels in Denver Colorado for 2023

Photo: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa  

Looking for somewhere luxurious to stay in Denver? To help you find the best accommodations in the ‘Mile High City’, travel expert James Ross shares his list of the top luxury hotels in Denver Colorado

Updated Feb 5, 2023 / Commissions may be earned from our affiliate partner links

Home to 700,000 people and nicknamed the ‘Mile High City’ because of its setting, exactly one mile or 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver has long been known for its cowboy culture, it’s many cultural events and attractions, and its proximity to Colorado’s ritzy ski towns.

Over the past decade, however, the city’s economy has steadily grown and Denver has invested in revitalizing its historic downtown core and surrounding neighbourhoods. This reimagining has included buildings like Union Station and many of the historic downtown neighborhoods like Larimer Square, LoDo, the 16th Street Mall, the Arts District, and the Golden Triangle, bringing a new buzz and energy to the city.

The Denver hotel scene is also revitalized, full of panoramic rooftop bars and exquisite restaurants. While shiny new hotels have sprung up, the historic properties remain, combining nostalgic charm with updated, modern luxuries.

To help you make the most of your stay in Colorado’s largest city, here’s our list of some of the best Luxury Hotels in Denver.

The Top Luxury Hotels in Denver Colorado

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa

Timeless elegance and modern amenities best describe The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Since its opening in 1892, this ‘grand dame’ of Colorado hotels has worked hard to keep the character of its cultural and historic roots while continuing to modernize.

At the heart of the boutique hotel is the atrium lobby, soaring eight stories above the ground floor and crowned by a beautifully detailed stained-glass skylight. Dramatic Florentine arches surround the atrium, and intricate wrought iron panels decorate six stories of balconies.

Even visitors who are not staying at the hotel are drawn to the historic sandstone building. Do not miss the traditional afternoon tea served in the atrium, featuring specialty teas, sandwiches, and desserts. Devonshire cream is shipped directly from England and a harpist plays music softly in the background as you are transported into a more civilized, relaxed world.

Located on a lower floor, the quiet spa provides the ultimate soothing experience. The hotel features 241 distinct guestrooms and suites, including the new Signature Inclusive rooms, and boasts six unique restaurants and bars. The historic Brown Palace Hotel and Spa constantly falls at the top of the Luxury Hotels in Denver lists… including this one!

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa.

Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

If it is your first visit to the Mile High City, then Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel certainly offers up one of the best locations for luxury hotels in Denver. It is easy to get to when driving into the city, provides convenient parking and top downtown attractions are close from here on foot or by taking the free tram.

A recent $80 million transformation brings a lobby with town-square energy, world-class culinary experiences, over 133,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, and 1,238 redesigned guestrooms. Best of all, downtown Denver is at your fingertips with direct access to the 16th Street Mall, a mile-long pedestrian promenade brimming with shopping, dining, nightlife, and entertainment.

Nearby attractions beckon: catch a game at Coors Field, view an exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, or enjoy a family trip to the Denver Zoo. After a day of outdoor adventure or a night of culture, settle in to enjoy the heated outdoor rooftop pool or 5,000-sq ft Sheraton Fitness Center. Stop into the Yard House restaurant with its robust menu featuring sizzling steaks and fresh-caught fish.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel Denver

Nestled in the center of the city’s theater district, the Four Seasons Hotel Denver impresses with a sleek, tranquil lobby full of natural light and giant floral arrangements. Modern luxury and a stellar location in the heart of the Mile High City puts this cosmopolitan hotel at the top of the list for 5-star luxury hotels in Denver.

Comprised of a 45-storey tower containing 239 guest rooms, including 21 suites, this Denver hotel is a marvel of contemporary architecture and design, a sleek tower with commanding views of the surrounding city and Rocky Mountains in the distance. Explore the independent boutiques and restaurants of historic Larimer Square only steps away, while the Denver Centre for Performing Arts is one block east, and the 16th Street Mall’s shops and restaurants are two blocks north.

Head northwest to trendy LoDo (downtown) with its brewpubs, revered Tattered Cover bookstore and landmark Coors Field. Half a mile west is bustling Union Station for a 35-minute ride to Denver International Airport. After exploring, head back to the hotel for a relaxing treatment at ‘Spa’, indulge in a hydrotherapy session or one of the spa’s signature massages, or lounge for awhile at the lushly landscaped outdoor rooftop pool. Epicurean travellers can take refuge at the lobby-level lounge, one of the trendiest cocktail bars in the area.

The Edge Restaurant and Bar boasts a cool, modern interior, accented by dark marble and contemporary art, and more than 250 Wine Spectator award-winning bottles to pair with grilled steaks and seafood for dinner. Cap off the evening by walking across the street for a show at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Four Seasons Hotel Denver

The Ritz-Carlton, Denver

Inspired by both the beauty of the landscape and the energy of the city, The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, welcomes guests with its own interpretation of modern luxury. Slightly off the beaten path on the north side of downtown, this is another one of the downtown Denver hotels that is perfectly central.

It’s only a few blocks in any direction to reach the 16th Street Mall, Denver’s financial district, or Coors Field, while funky Larimer Square and LoDo, the Lower Downtown with Union Station and brand-name shopping, are only a couple of blocks away. Meals are served in Elway‘s, owned by former Bronco star John Elway, a modern take on the traditional steak house.

A dramatic, yellow-glass sunburst chandelier hangs above the main stairs; paintings are by local artists; the spa sells Colorado body products and sports clothing; even their candles are scented with their own orchid and sandalwood aroma. There is no pool on-site, but guests have full access to the TruFit Fitness Center, including the pool, in the building next door.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit The Ritz-Carlton, Denver

Kimpton Hotel Born

If your desire is one of the downtown Denver hotels, it doesn’t get more convenient than the Hotel Born. This elegant 200-room Kimpton hotel is located in the hot Union Station neighborhood just steps away from the A-line train to the airport.

Anchoring Denver’s revitalized LoDo neighborhood and Colorado’s transportation hub, Kimpton Hotel Born serves as Union Station’s most authentic urban refuge. With every architectural and culinary detail crafted to convey an elegant vibe, the hotel welcomes guests into a community of creativity, comfort, and, ultimately, revitalization.

Settle into the furnishings of this, one of the most opulent of the Luxury Hotels in Denver, inspired by a modern alpine aesthetic. Socialize at an outdoor happy hour that blends into dinner at two of the city’s best chef-driven restaurants. Highlights of Union Station’s new LEED silver certified luxury hotel include floor-to-ceiling windows in each room and a curated, entirely original art collection. Also on-site is Tavernetta. Expect fresh pasta, an all-Italian wine list, and enticing small plates.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Kimpton Hotel Born

Hotel Teatro

A gorgeous historic building, a prime location, and a superb restaurant and bar make Hotel Teatro one of the best luxury boutique hotel options in Denver. Hotel Teatro provides guests with a recently renovated, modern experience juxtaposed in an historic setting dating to 1911, when it operated as the headquarters for the Denver Tramway.

The property exterior and lobby maintain the historic feel, the grand wall-to-ceiling marble work in the hotel lobby and the dramatic marble staircase have been preserved, while the rooms are very modern. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is located right across the street, hence the name, ‘Teatro’, which is Italian for theater. And the hotel fully embraces the proximity by offering theater-night packages and one-of-a-kind theater decor.

Original costumes, including a costume Annette Bening wore for the Denver Theatre Company, are on proud display on the walls. The rooms are also decorated with a little theater flair, including old production posters and photographs from performances. ]

The Nickel, Hotel Teatro’s on-site restaurant, has good barrel-aged cocktails and a fantastic charcuterie menu. It is warm and comfortable, with vintage whiskey barrels on display. The Study is a calm, sophisticated bar on the hotel’s main floor, with tall ceilings, bookshelves, a fireplace, and leather couches which make the space feel both cozy and private.

If a charming boutique hotel and a theatre experience are what you are looking for, Teatro should top your list of Downtown Denver Hotels!

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Hotel Teatro

Halcyon – a hotel in Cherry Creek

Located in the heart of the Cherry Creek shopping district, Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek is just outside downtown Denver. This contemporary urban hotel was conceived to make you feel like you were visiting your very chic friend’s house in the mountains – warm and welcoming.

At the Kitchen Counter doubling as front desk, a bevy of friendly hosts are baristas, bartenders, bell hops and concierges, greeting you with a glass of wine or latte and snacks, and a place to hang out, like a friend’s kitchen. This casual yet genteel atmosphere carries over to the attractive living room designed for conversation and relaxation. The hotel includes two street-level upscale restaurants, a rooftop pool deck with food and beverage service and a friendly bar.

Cherry Creek North is a 16-block neighbourhood of upscale shops, restaurants, and galleries. Two blocks south is indoor Cherry Creek Mall with 160 specialty stores, 18 restaurants and a cinema. The Cherry Creek Bike Path runs to downtown Denver.

Perhaps the coolest extra at Halcyon is the Gear Garage. Located on the main floor, the room is filled with hand-picked seasonal gear, from bikes, skateboards, and even a Vespa to fat bikes, snowboards, and skis in winter. From adventure wear and yoga mats to cruisers and Piaggo scooters, all the gear is available for complimentary use for hotel guests.

No longer do you need to drag all your gear to Denver to have fun. Guests can grab a bike to visit downtown or reserve gear for a day trip to the mountains. If urban chic is what you seek, the Halcyon should top your list of Denver Hotels.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Halcyon – a hotel in Cherry Creek

The Jacquard, Autograph Collection

The Jacquard is another of the 5-star hotels in Denver that gives you the perfect home base for exploring all Cherry Creek’s charmingly independent boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. This stylish, high-end hotel in the heart of Denver’s shopping district manages to feel cool and polished without being stuffy, which puts it high on any list of luxury hotels in Denver.

Its location allows visitors to indulge in the best of downtown Denver, less than a 15-minute drive away, or easily escape to the Rocky Mountains just beyond the city. The Jacquard is part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, and pays homage to French inventor Joseph Marie Jacquard, who automated the looming process and brought fashion to the masses.

Glass walls make for swanky rooms, and the hotel hints at its fashion roots with carpeting that weaves together bold patterns. At the Jacquard’s signature restaurant, Narrative, you can share freshly reimagined local favorites. Soak up the sunny rooftop patio culture at Kisbee on the Roof or lounge beside the rooftop pool while enjoying panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains.

From the hotel you can walk, run, or bike along the Cherry Creek Trail, which stretches 11 miles from downtown Denver to the Cherry Creek Reservoir. The hotel offers easy access to Denver International Airport, less than 25 miles away.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit The Jacquard, Autograph Collection

JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek

If family-friendly is what you are searching for in the best luxury hotels in Denver, the JW Marriott is reliably luxurious and close to the bustling shopping district of Cherry Creek. Facilities include spacious, well-appointed rooms, featuring large picture windows for breath-taking views of the Rocky Mountains.

The spacious rooms feel like cabanas, with writing desks, a seating area, and more than 400 sq ft of living space. Bold oranges and teals brighten up the decor. Larger-than-normal guest rooms and kid-friendly servers at the onsite restaurant make this a good option for families.

In the tradition of Central and South American convivial dining culture, Toro Latin Kitchen and Lounge features a ceviche bar, small plates, and family-style entrees, plus, hand-muddled cocktails and local beer and wine.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center

If you are looking to find a place to stay somewhere just outside the city with a stunning location on the edge of the Front Range, your research of the perfect Luxury Hotels in Denver should take you to the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. This large 4-star resort offers a welcome reprieve from the typical mountain resort stay.

The hotel, located in Aurora, showcases the state’s alpine charm through every detail of its design, and offers a convenient location just over eight miles from Denver International Airport. Your family will love Arapahoe Springs comprising an indoor and outdoor pool, a water park featuring a lazy river, exciting water slides, and private cabanas. Catch a game and cheer on your favorite team in Mountain Pass restaurant or enjoy a casual meal pool side at Arapahoe Spring Bar & Grill.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center

______________________

Travel expert James Ross writes about destinations and travel adventures for various international publications. You can see more of his work at www.thejamesross.ca.