4* Renaissance Denver Downtown

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.

Sheraton remains our Denver favourite largely because the location gets the balance right. You’re firmly Downtown, but at the Capitol Hill end of the centre, so the gay bars around Colfax are considerably easier to reach than from hotels further towards Union Station. There’s plenty happening immediately around the hotel too, with 16th Street, restaurants and shopping outside and light rail nearby. The Sheraton itself underwent a major transformation and now feels much more contemporary than its old big-convention-hotel reputation might suggest. The year-round heated rooftop pool is a nice bonus, especially with Denver’s ridiculous number of sunny days. You can walk to parts of the LGBTQ+ scene and still have Downtown sightseeing on the doorstep. GayMapper tip: still our best all-rounder if you want central Denver during the day and easy access to Capitol Hill at night.

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.

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.

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.

Ember is a particularly good Denver option for solo travellers who want somewhere sociable without being miles away from the LGBTQ+ scene. It occupies a handsome old mansion in Capitol Hill, with cafés, restaurants and neighbourhood bars around you and the Colfax gay venues within walking distance. This is definitely a hostel rather than a budget hotel — most accommodation is in shared dorms — but the atmosphere is considerably more polished than the word hostel might suggest. There are comfortable communal rooms, a garden and hot tub, and recent guests give the staff especially strong ratings. Downtown is easily reached by bus or on foot, while staying here lets you experience a more residential side of central Denver rather than disappearing into the convention-hotel district. GayMapper tip: probably the best choice on the list for sociable solo travellers who want both low prices and relatively easy access to Denver’s gay scene.