Top Denver Hotels For Families
JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek
150 Clayton Lane
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 316-2700
www.marriott.com
A stone's throw from the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and the Cherry Creek Bike Path, this AAA Four-Diamond property rolls out the red carpet for families with a complimentary coloring book and scavenger hunt for kids at check-in. Ask for the Passport to Savings card with discounts at kid-centric shops in the Cherry Creek area. Pint-sized robes and G-rated DVDs, games and books are on hand for families during their stay. Kids ages 8 and under eat for free until 2 p.m. if they wear their pajamas to on-site Second Home Restaurant. Parents, beware of the sugar high: the Kids Brunch Menu features a pancake and waffle bar with M&M and gummi bear toppings!
Four Seasons Denver
1111 14th Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 389-3000
www.fourseasons.com/denver
Kitty corner from the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the Four Seasons Denver is the place to stay if you're in town for family-friendly musical theatre. At check-in, young children can choose a doll, action figure, game or book from the "red toy wagon," and the kitchen typically sends a special chocolate treat up to the room. If you're traveling with an infant, you'll receive complimentary baby shampoo, lotion and washcloth. A heated pool and Jacuzzi on the third-floor terrace is open year-round. During Family Sundays at EDGE, the on-site restaurant, kids can eat in a toy-stocked dining room with movies playing, while you dine on gourmet comfort food -- grown-ups only.
Loews Denver Hotel
4150 E. Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80246
(303) 782-9300
www.loewshotels.com/en/Denver-Hotel
There isn't a pool at this Cherry Creek property, but families traveling with children get chocolate chip cookies and milk sent up to the room. Young guests receive a welcome toy, such as a stuffed animal, and teens get iTunes gift cards (be sure to give reservations staff your kids' ages so gifts will be waiting). The family pet is welcome at Loews, too, with doggie beds and poop bags, catnip or kitty litter… even a gourmet room-service menu just for four-legged friends.
Grand Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 295-1234
http://granddenver.hyatt.com
The AAA Four-Diamond Grand Hyatt Denver gets high marks for its prime location a half block from the 16th Street Mall (and its free trolley ride - fun for young kids). Hyatt also partners with Babies Travel Lite to have baby gear - from diapers to formula to sunscreen - conveniently delivered to your room (for a fee). But the real draw for families is the highrise's indoor pool, open in the wee hours of the morning until just before midnight - a boon to road-weary parents who just want to chill in a lounge chair with a to-go cup of Starbucks while the kids frolic with pool toys.
Homewood Suites
Hilton Denver International Airport
4210 Airport Way
Denver, CO 80239
(303) 371-4555
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com
If you need to bunk near the airport before an early morning flight, this Homewood Suites property does the job, especially with its spacious one- and two-bedroom accommodations. Have the kids expend energy the night prior on the basketball court or in the small indoor pool; the next morning, fuel up with complimentary breakfast: fluffy scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, sweet pastries and make-your-own waffles - every kid's dream.
Freelance writer Kara Williams makes her home in the Colorado Rockies and blogs about travel at TheVacationGals.com.
