tonianyc

Hi all,

We just booked a flight in and out of Denver, with accomodations at
a downtown hotel. Thing is, we did not realize how far d owntown is from the airport (almost an hour drive) and costly as far as cab fare, so we are thinking of changing the location.

Keep in mind we're basically looking to relax for a few days,
do some light shopping, and
take a day or two to see Boulder and Rocky Moutnain National Park
(with a tour grouop - no car rental).

So my question is, should we be basing ourselves somewhere other than downtown (to save on cost) if there is no actual need for me to be downtown for what I want to do?

Also, if any budget (under $100) accomdations can be recommended, that would be appreicated. Thanks!

martym

The airport is more like a half hour drive from downtown (non-rush hour). But taxis are expensive--about $60 the last time I took one. You could take the Super Shuttle from the airport to downtown or to another area for much less than cab fare.

If you want to stay somewhere where there is shopping, you will have to go quite a way from the airport in any case. Besides downtown, which doesn't have the best shopping IMHO, the Cherry Creek area (a few miles south east of downtown) is a prime shopping/restaurant area--though I doubt you can find budget accommodations there. There are also hotels where the old airport used to be and the area (called Stapleton) is being developed with some retail and restaurant areas.

Another option would be to stay at a hotel along the light rail line (which runs from downtown to the south and southeast)--then you could take the light rail into downtown.

kate7ann

Well, if your plan is to see Boulder & RMNP it would make more sense to stay in Boulder. Boulder is only about an hour from the airport as long as it's not rush hour. Never heard of any RMNP tour companies, but I'd assume they exist. Boulder has much better restaurants (fewer chains), and a more interesting culture (i.e. diversity)than downtown. Couple restaurant suggestions in Boulder: the Med - excellent happy hour tapas, and the Boulder Cafe - also excellent during happy hour, Sherpa's - good local Nepalese restaurant, Dushanbe Tea House - the building was built in Tibet, taken apart and rebuilt in Boulder.

patandhank

As Martym said, downtown is about 1/2 hour away. There is Supper Shuttle and also the SkyRide (like a Greyhound bus) which takes you right to Market Street Station. Just do a google search under Skyride Denver and you'll see it. I take the Skyride all the time. Without a rental car, staying in downtown Denver is nice because you can do a lot of walking to various restaurants (there's a free shuttle up and down the pedestrian mall) and do the shopping you want. You didn't say when you were going. Remember that the Democratic Convention is in Denver last part of August and rates are high and probably booked. But if I had my pick, I'd stay downtown.

fmpden

The skyride is $9 and runs hourly and takes about an hour to an hour fifteen to get to downtown. Makes a number of stops along the way. The Supershuttle is $19 to most downtown hotels. Other than RMNP everything else including Boulder is reachable via public transportation. For what you are suggesting you don't have many options. The hotels around the airport are typical airport hotels catering to frequent travels, conferences and meeting. And there is really very little between the airport and downtown. The are a number of nice hotels south along the I-25 corridor which service the Denver Tech Center but doubt if the savings would be that great. Downtown is the place to be.

GypsyMaiden

My vote:

Boulder or Nederland. Try a neat Bed and Breakfast. Relax, and enjoy.

tovarich

I think you would be better off by hiring a rental car.When we were visiting Denver in 2002 we stayed at the Ramada inn downtown,a short walk from the centre of town.Paul

Gretchen

You need a car, for heavens' sake. It is a half hour drive into town. The airport area is DESOLATE (still!). there is nothing there to draw you.
What would you be doing to get to Boulder or RMNP without a car.
Lots to do in Denver, or drive to Vail, or the Park, etc. But a car is an easy fix.
Look on Hotwire, and then bid on Priceline.

jette

Rental cars a very cheap these days. I just booked a trip to Colorado in Sept and the car rental is half what it was 2 years ago.


Unless you plan to use Denver as a base to explore areas west like Vail/Glenwood Springs/Aspen I wonder is there is any reason to pick Denver? If you're going up to RMNP, Boulder is a much better choice, IMO.