4* Sheraton Denver Downtown

Grand Hyatt works well if you want an upscale Downtown base without getting too precious about it. You’re close to 16th Street, restaurants and shopping, with the rest of central Denver easy to explore on foot or by public transport. The hotel is large, but there are a couple of touches that make it less anonymous than that sounds — particularly the rooftop jogging track and tennis/pickleball court, plus Rocky Mountain views from some of the higher rooms. Recent guest ratings are also consistently strong. You won’t be walking out of the lobby straight into Denver’s gay scene, although Capitol Hill and Colfax are close enough that heading there for the evening is easy. GayMapper tip: a comfortable step up if you want Downtown convenience and plenty of space, but your Denver plans extend well beyond the nightlife.

Hyatt Place is the straightforward, good-value choice when you want to be properly central and would rather spend your money exploring Denver than upgrading your hotel room. You’re only a couple of blocks from the Convention Center and 16th Street, with the Denver Art Museum, Performing Arts Complex and plenty of Downtown restaurants comfortably walkable. The rooms are also noticeably roomier than many city-centre hotels and breakfast is included, which can make a difference on a longer stay. The trade-off is nightlife: Denver’s LGBTQ+ venues are scattered rather than concentrated Downtown, so you’ll generally be walking, taking public transport or ordering a rideshare when you head out. GayMapper tip: an easy, dependable base for a first Denver trip when sightseeing and value matter more than having the gay bars outside the door.

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.

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.

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.