The 12 Best Places to Stay in Colorado: Cities, Hotels & More

Image courtesy of Madeline Hotel & Residences

From the sprawling metropolis of Denver to the remote ski towns of the Rocky Mountains, the best places to stay in Colorado are located throughout every corner of the state.

And whether you’re looking for a snowy retreat to hit the slopes or a charming urban adventure in America’s Midwest, a Fora Advisor can help you plan every detail of your travel to Colorado. 

Wondering where to stay for skiing? An advisor can hook you up at the top boutique hotel in Aspen. Eager to know the best time to visit Colorado for summiting the Rockies? An advisor can help with that, too. Plus, when you book a room through an advisor at one of the best places to stay in Colorado, they can grant you access to awesome hotel perks like free room upgrades, spa tickets and more.

The best places to stay in Colorado, from Denver to Telluride & beyond

Image courtesy of Madeline Hotel & Residences

Colorado is a great state to explore if you enjoy a mix of the outdoors and trendy urban locales. In no particular order, here are the best places to stay in Colorado, and when applicable, our favorite hotels and resorts.

1. Denver: where to stay in Colorado for variety

Colorado’s capital and largest city, Denver boasts a lot of urban allure, particularly in hip neighborhoods like LoDo and LoHi, while still offering access to Colorado’s vast natural scenery. 

If you’re looking for the best dining, dancing and shopping in Colorado — or at least the most options — you’re going to find it in Denver. And yet, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Rocky Mountain National Park are both only a day trip away from the city.

The best places to stay in Denver: Kimpton Hotel Monaco, The Ritz-Carlton Denver & Life House, Lower Highlands

Many of Colorado’s best places to stay are in Denver, so limiting our list to a handful is a bit of a disservice. A Fora travel advisor can give you the full lowdown on where to stay in Denver, but there are a few properties that stand out. Both the Kimpton Hotel Monaco and The Ritz-Carlton Denver offer luxurious rooms near the center of the city, perfect for a home base while you eat, drink and explore the city. 

Further north, you’ll find another one of our favorite boutique hotels in Denver, the Life House, Lower Highlands. The experience here is more intimate than the former two, but just as lavish and conveniently placed.

2. Colorado Springs: an urban retreat surrounded by mountains and forest

Colorado Springs offers a low-key urban experience compared to Denver, but its real draw is the surrounding forests and mountains, perfect for outdoorsy excursions. Nearby Pikes Peak will be of particular interest to those looking for a breath of fresh air with a beautiful, natural backdrop. 

Biking, hiking, fishing and horseback riding are just a few of the options available in Colorado Springs.

3. Rocky Mountain National Park: the best place to stay in Colorado for hiking

Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s dream, with over 300 miles of trails running through the park’s mountains. Outside of camping, you can’t actually stay in the park, but many of the best places to stay in Colorado are nearby in Denver.

A word of caution: beginners should be wary here, as the park’s trails are fairly treacherous for the inexperienced, especially in winter when the trails tend to ice over.

4. Boulder: small city vibes near Rocky Mountain National Park

Boulder is a pleasant college town sandwiched between Rocky Mountain National Park and Denver. It’s one of the best places to stay in Colorado if you’re looking for a quiet vacation away from the big city, but not so far that you can’t visit the capital for a day trip. 

5. Aspen & Snowmass Village: two of the best places to stay in Colorado for winter sports

Widely regarded as one of the top ski towns in the Midwest, Aspen is a resort-friendly city in central Colorado. Snowsports dominate here (check out our Aspen winter itinerary), but there’s plenty to do in warmer months, too, with a mix of upscale and more casual retail as well as nice restaurants and bars to enjoy.

Just outside Aspen, you’ll find Snowmass Village, which also hosts a handful of high-end ski resorts and slopes in a more intimate setting.

The best places to stay in Aspen or Snowmass: The Little Nell, Viceroy Snowmass or The St. Regis Aspen

The Little Nell, Viceroy Snowmass and The St. Regis top the list of the best and most unique places to stay in Colorado’s Aspen area. Connect with a Fora Advisor for the inside scoop on where to stay, like the best Colorado resorts for families, or the best things to do in Aspen.

6. Vail & Beaver Creek: where to stay in Colorado for luxury ski resorts

Image courtesy of Sonnenalp Vail

Like Aspen, Vail and Beaver Creek boast premium opportunities for skiing. Fewer peaks lend these small resort towns a more exclusive atmosphere that works just as well for an intimate couple’s trip as it does for a Colorado bachelorette party. 

While Vail is best known as a luxe ski destination, there are plenty of things to do in Vail in warmer seasons, too. Either way, these two locales are some of the best places to stay in Colorado for winter fun.

The best places to stay in Vail or Beaver Creek: Four Seasons Resort Vail, Grand Hyatt Vail or Sonnenalp Hotel

Wondering where to stay in Vail or Beaver Creek? Ask a Fora Advisor for personalized advice — but the Four Seasons Resort Vail, Grand Hyatt Vail and Sonnenalp Hotel easily rank among the best places to stay in Colorado. Each offers posh accommodations and excellent access to the slopes.

Don’t forget: advisors can help you plan every step of your Colorado vacation while offering exciting perks along the way. Plus, booking with an advisor generally costs the same as booking alone.

7. Durango: one of the best places to stay in Colorado for low-key vibes & history

Found near the New Mexico border, Durango is a small city with a charming downtown to explore and plenty of natural highlights nearby. The historically rich town was founded in the late 1800s as part of the US’s westward expansion efforts. 

Most notably, Durango is the jumping-off point for Mesa Verde National Park, which lies about 45 minutes to the west.

8. Mesa Verde National Park: where to stay in Colorado for a secluded escape into nature

For those who want to ditch civilization, Mesa Verde National Park is more remote than Rocky Mountain park, but the hiking options here are just as plentiful and gorgeous. 

Over 1,000 species inhabit these mountains, many of which don’t exist anywhere else, so Mesa Verde is a true escape into nature. Likewise, staying in Mesa Verde can be challenging. However, a Colorado travel advisor can still help you book nearby accommodations in places like Durango, which is one of the best places to stay in Colorado in its own right.

9. Breckenridge: Colorado’s prettiest mountain town

The halfway point between Aspen and Denver, Breckenridge still manages to stand out as one of the best ski towns in the United States. The resorts here are a little more down-to-Earth, but there are luxury options as well. 

What makes Breckenridge one of the best places to stay in Colorado? Its secluded, yet accessible location. Here, you’ll skip the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities — but they’re never so far away that you can’t make a day trip out of an urban excursion.

10. Steamboat Springs: the quaintest ski town in Colorado

Just south of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, part of the greater region that encompasses northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, you’ll find Steamboat Springs. 

Also known as “the Boat,” Steamboat Springs is a slow-vibe ski resort town much like Breckenridge. However, the Yampa River, which bisects the town, offers plenty of fishing, kayaking and rowing opportunities in summer.

11. Crested Butte: the best place to stay in Colorado to see wildflower blooms

Crested Butte’s motto as “the last great Colorado ski town” might cause some tension with Aspen, Vail and a host of other world-renowned ski destinations — though, the slopes here are family- (and beginner- ) friendly. 

But what really makes Crested Butte one of the best places to stay in Colorado is its summer wildflower blooms. Seas of yellow, purple and pink contrast beautifully with verdant hills and fields.

The best place to stay in Crested Butte: The Eleven Experience

The Eleven Experience, close to Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (aka the GMUG region), is a quaint, lake-side lodge and the preeminent place to stay for mountain biking enthusiasts.

Speak with a Fora travel advisor to learn more about Eleven Experience (plus cool perks).

12. Telluride: the best place to stay in Colorado for winter sports & summer festivals

Image courtesy of Madeline Hotel & Residences

Telluride is a scenic town in southwestern Colorado best known for its skiing resorts and a slate of summer festivals. The town balances the ritzy aesthetic of Aspen and Vail with the low-key vibes of Steamboat Springs and Crested Butte, so there’s something here for every type of traveler.

Of all the things to do in Telluride in winter, skiing still reigns supreme, but the varying elevations in the surrounding area make hiking and mountain biking enjoyable activities, even in the colder months. 

The best places to stay in Telluride: Lumière with Inspirato, Madeline Hotel & Residences or Dunton Town House

If you’re wondering where to stay in Telluride, Lumière with Inspirato, Madeline Hotel & Residences and Dunton Town House are the top spots.

Find the best places in Colorado by booking with a Fora Advisor

Your best bet for finding the best places in Colorado is to chat with a Fora Advisor. From building a perfectly tailored itinerary (like our Aspen summer guide) to landing you amazing hotel perks and upgrades, advisors know how to make your travel to Colorado a next-level experience.

Interested in traveling outside of Colorado? Your Fora Advisor can also book accommodations in the most unique places to stay in Utah. Or maybe you’re looking for somewhere sunny and warm? Ask about the best areas to stay in Puerto Rico, instead.

In any case, your advisor will make sure you have the trip of a lifetime.