4* Kimpton Monaco Denver

Urban Cowboy is a small, adults-only boutique hotel in Capitol Hill, set inside a wonderfully characterful Victorian mansion just off Colfax. The location works particularly well for an LGBTQ+ weekend: X Bar is only a few blocks away, other queer venues are easy to reach, and the surrounding streets are packed with cafés, restaurants and neighbourhood bars. That means you can spend much of the weekend on foot rather than constantly heading back Downtown. The rooms are individually designed and decidedly romantic, with bold interiors and copper soaking tubs, while the Public House downstairs is a popular spot for cocktails and pizza even if you’re not staying at the hotel. GayMapper tip: a great choice for couples who want something intimate, memorable and genuinely close to the gay scene.

Kimpton Monaco is one of the nicer choices if you want to stay Downtown but would rather avoid the corporate-conference-hotel feel. The interiors are colourful and contemporary, the atmosphere is relaxed, and Kimpton’s nightly social hour gives the lobby a genuinely sociable feel in the early evening. The Champa Street location puts 16th Street, restaurants and Downtown sights within easy walking distance, while Union Station and LoDo are also straightforward to reach. That works particularly well if you want to move between different neighbourhoods rather than base the whole trip around Capitol Hill. The gay bars are a short journey away, but you’ll have plenty of places for dinner or a first drink closer to the hotel. GayMapper tip: a good couple’s choice if you want something stylish and friendly in the centre without paying purely for five-star trimmings.

The Curtis Denver – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel doesn’t take itself terribly seriously, which is rather refreshing. Different floors have their own pop-culture themes and the whole place is colourful, playful and much less beige than the average Downtown chain hotel. It’s particularly well placed for the Theater District and Convention Center, with 16th Street, Larimer Square and plenty of central restaurants nearby. Union Station is also within walking distance, making airport arrivals on the A Line relatively painless. You’ll travel across town for most of Denver’s LGBTQ+ nightlife, so location isn’t the gay-specific selling point here. The appeal is having a fun hotel in a very convenient part of the city. GayMapper tip: one for travellers who like a bit of personality but still want to walk out of the hotel and immediately be in central Denver.

The gay friendly ART Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton is a particularly good fit if museums and neighbourhood exploring appeal more than staying amongst Downtown office towers. It sits in Denver’s Golden Triangle, almost opposite the Denver Art Museum and close to the State Capitol, galleries and several good restaurants. As the name rather gives away, art is central to the hotel itself too, with a substantial contemporary collection running through the public spaces. FIRE’s terrace is also a pleasant place for a drink when the weather cooperates. Capitol Hill begins just beyond the Golden Triangle, so the Colfax gay bars are walkable if you don’t mind a bit of a stroll, while Downtown is equally easy to reach in the other direction. GayMapper tip: a good choice for an LGBTQ+ city break where culture, neighbourhood restaurants and nightlife all feature rather than just the bars.

The Source puts you right in RiNo, one of Denver’s best neighbourhoods for street art, breweries, galleries, live music and a more local night out. The hotel is built around a converted iron foundry and Market Hall, so there are restaurants, bars and food outlets right downstairs rather than the usual anonymous hotel lobby setup. Long-running LGBTQ+ club Tracks is also within easy walking distance, which is a definite bonus if a night there is on your plans. Getting around is easy too. 38th & Blake station is nearby, with direct trains to both Union Station and Denver Airport, while the rest of RiNo is easy to explore on foot. GayMapper tip: a particularly good fit if you want queer nightlife, good food and Denver’s more creative, independent side all close together.

The Renaissance earns its place for the building as much as the location. It occupies the beautifully restored former Colorado National Bank, complete with huge vaulted ceilings, historic murals and old bank-vault details — considerably more interesting than your average Marriott. You’re right in Downtown, with 16th Street around the corner and LoDo, Union Station, Coors Field and plenty of bars and restaurants all accessible on foot. That makes evenings easy even when you aren’t heading specifically to the gay scene. Capitol Hill is further east, so expect to use a rideshare or public transport for X Bar, Charlie’s and the other Colfax venues. GayMapper tip: a strong central choice if you like historic buildings but still want the convenience and predictability of a full-service hotel.