Quick Picks
Best historic: Hotel Colorado. Best for hot springs: Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge. Best value: Hotel Denver. Best chain: Residence Inn. Budget base: Affordable options make Glenwood ideal for Aspen/Vail day trips.
Glenwood Springs makes a smart base for exploring western Colorado. Hotels here cost a fraction of Aspen prices—often 50-70% less—while putting you within easy day-trip range of Aspen (40 miles), Vail (60 miles), and the Maroon Bells. Add the hot springs and you have a compelling home base.
Most hotels cluster downtown along Grand Avenue, within walking distance of restaurants and the hot springs. A few chain options sit near I-70 for convenience.
Historic Hotels
Hotel Colorado: The grand dame, built in 1893. Teddy Roosevelt stayed here. The architecture is Italian Renaissance Revival, the lobby is stunning, and the history is palpable. Rooms vary—some have been updated more than others. The courtyard and spa add modern amenities to historic bones.
Hotel Denver: Another historic option, smaller and more affordable than Hotel Colorado. Art deco details, rooftop hot tub, and Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company on-site. Walking distance to everything. Good value for the location and character.
Hot Springs Access
Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge: The obvious choice if hot springs are your priority. Direct access to the world's largest hot springs pool—just walk out and jump in. Unlimited pool access during your stay. Rooms are standard hotel quality; you're paying for the location and pool privileges.
Spa of the Rockies: Part of the Hot Springs complex. Suites with spa access, more upscale than the main lodge. If you want the hot springs plus a more refined stay, this is the upgrade.
Chain Hotels
Residence Inn: Best of the chains. Extended-stay format with kitchens, which helps for longer trips or families. Pool and breakfast included. Near I-70 but still convenient to downtown.
Hampton Inn: Reliable Hampton quality. Free breakfast, pool, easy I-70 access. Not exciting, but consistently comfortable.
Best Western Antlers: Solid mid-range option. Pool, hot tub, free breakfast. Walking distance to downtown. Better location than most chains.
Budget Options
Starlight Lodge: Basic but clean motel near downtown. If you're just sleeping between adventures, this works. Save money for restaurants and activities.
Silver Spruce Motel: Another budget motel option. Simple rooms, friendly service, easy parking. What more do you need?
Lodging Strategy
Use Glenwood as a base: The value play is staying in Glenwood and day-tripping to Aspen and Vail. You'll save hundreds per night compared to lodging in either resort town. The drives are scenic and manageable—40 minutes to Aspen, an hour to Vail.
Book early for ski season: Even Glenwood fills up during peak winter weeks. Rates rise too, though still far below resort prices.
Summer is shoulder season: Outside of holiday weekends, summer rates are reasonable. The hot springs and Hanging Lake make summer visits worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper than Aspen?
Significantly. A $600/night Aspen hotel room might be $150-200 in Glenwood Springs. The savings add up fast on multi-night stays.
Is it worth staying at the Hot Springs Lodge?
If hot springs are your main draw, yes. Unlimited pool access and the convenience of walking out to soak make it worthwhile. If you're primarily hiking or day-tripping, other hotels work fine.
Best hotel for families?
Residence Inn for the space and kitchen. Hot Springs Lodge for the pool access—kids love unlimited soaking. Hotel Colorado for the historic experience that older kids might appreciate.
Can I walk to restaurants from hotels?
Yes, from downtown hotels. Hotel Colorado, Hotel Denver, Hot Springs Lodge, and Best Western Antlers are all walking distance to Grand Avenue restaurants. Chain hotels near I-70 require driving.