Where to Stay in Aurora, CO (5 Best Places & Areas)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Aurora

Because Aurora is one of the largest Denver suburbs, consider your itinerary when looking at hotels in Aurora. DIA is near northern Aurora, while things to do in Denver are closer to northwest Aurora.

Heather Gardens is a great spot if you want to be close to Cherry Creek Reservoir. Meanwhile, southeast Aurora is near other parks like the Aurora Reservoir.

Denver International Airport

👉 Best Area For Denver Airport Access | ✨ Best Denver Airport Hotels: The Westin • Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center • Woolley’s Classic Suites

Part of Aurora is very close to Denver International Airport. If traveling, this is a convenient area to stay on the day you arrive or depart from the city. I especially recommend The Westin, which is located right next to the airport terminals.

For more insight, see our guide to Denver hotels. You’ll find a range of options at every price point, along with nearby amenities. 

Pros of Staying near Denver International Airport:

• Denver airport access 
• Close to lots of chain restaurants and gas stations
• Many hotels offer free shuttle service to the airport

Cons of Staying near Denver International Airport:

• Not close to Denver-area attractions or nightlife

Northwest Aurora

👉 Best Area For Visiting Denver | ✨ Best Northwest Aurora Hotels: Embassy Suites by Hilton • Drury Plaza Hotel • Renaissance Hotel & Conference Center

This is a good spot to stay if you’d like to explore Aurora attractions, as well as Denver neighborhoods. Northwest Aurora is just a short drive to downtown, but hotels in Aurora can be less expensive than those in the city. For example, rates at Embassy Suites by Hilton are a great value.

The Stanley Marketplace is also a great spot to check out. The warehouse used to be an aviation center. Today, you’ll find a makerspace, shops, bars, and some of the best Denver-area restaurants inside. 

Pros of Staying in Northwest Aurora:

• Close to Denver attractions
• Close to great restaurants and bars
• Hotels in Aurora can be cheaper than in Denver

Cons of Staying in Northwest Aurora:

• Hotels can be pricier than other parts of Aurora

Southeast Aurora

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Activities | ✨ Best Southeast Aurora Hotels: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott • SpringHill Suites • The Parker Hotel

Southeast Aurora has lots of open space. The Aurora Reservoir is nearby, and it’s one of the best lakes near Denver. You’ll also be close to Bally’s Arapahoe Park Horse Track and the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. 

A lot of the area is suburban, with quiet homes and streets. If you’re looking for hotels in Aurora that aren’t near busy areas, SpringHill Suites and others in southeast Aurora are a great choice.

Pros of Staying in Southeast Aurora:

• Quiet neighborhoods 
• Close to outdoor activities
• Close to several golf courses

Cons of Staying in Southeast Aurora:

• You’ll need a rental car to get around
• Not much nightlife

Anschutz Medical Campus

👉 Best Area For Medical Appointments | ✨ Best Medical Center Hotels: Holiday Inn Express & Suites • SpringHill Suites • Hyatt Regency

The Anschutz Medical Campus is the largest in the region, and people travel from quite a distance for appointments and treatments. Fortunately, there are several hotels like Holiday Inn Express & Suites near the medical center. Many of them include continental breakfasts, so you have one less thing to think about. 

This area of Aurora isn’t necessarily picturesque or big on nightlife. But freeway access to and from DIA makes travel to medical appointments easier. If you want something other than chain restaurants, the Stanley Marketplace is a short drive away. 

Pros of Staying near Anschutz Medical Center:

• Close to the largest academic medical center in the Rocky Mountain region
• Freeway access to the Denver airport 
• Close to chain restaurants

Cons of Staying near Anschutz Medical Center:

• Busy, built-up area without much ambiance
• Not a vacation vibe

Heather Gardens

👉 Best Area For Parks & Golf | ✨ Best Heather Gardens Hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites • DoubleTree by Hilton • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

Heather Gardens is close to Cherry Creek State Park, where visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, swimming, boating, and fishing. The park is also home to some of the best camping near Denver. 

Hotels like Hampton Inn & Suites are also close to several other parks with lots of open space, as well as a handful of golf courses in the area.

Pros of Staying in Heather Gardens:

• Close to open space
• Close to restaurants and bars

Cons of Staying in Heather Gardens:

• Few upscale or boutique hotels, mostly chains

Tips for Staying in Aurora

Rent a Car

If you’re staying in the medical center area, you may be able to walk to the hospital and restaurants without a car. However, Aurora is a big place and overall, you’ll want wheels to explore the local attractions. 

Discover Cars is a great rental car resource because the site looks at rental cars from a variety of agencies and finds you the best deal. 

Spend a Day in Denver

Aurora is very close to Denver, so you’ll definitely want to spend some time exploring the city’s attractions. In fact, you could easily plan a Denver itinerary, then return to your Aurora hotel each night because the distance is so close! 

Drink Water

Here’s one of my key Colorado travel tips: stay hydrated. The altitude, combined with a day of exploring, means you’ll want to carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go. You may also want to bring along lotion and lip balm. The state’s dry air can take a toll on your skin as well.

Pack for a Variety of Weather

Even if you’re traveling during the best time to visit Denver, wearing layers is important. Regardless of the time of the year, you’re likely to add and remove jackets, hats, gloves, and other clothes throughout the day. 

It’s helpful to bring a day pack if you plan to be out exploring for several hours at a time. You can keep layers, a water bottle, and other essentials close at hand. For more advice on what to pack, check out Abigail’s packing list for Colorado.

Always Wear Sunscreen

One of the Colorado facts that locals love to brag about is that our state sees 300+ days of sun each year! This means you’ll want to apply sunscreen every day. 

In fact, even on days it’s cloudy, it’s possible to get a nasty sunburn. Be sure to use plenty of sunscreen and reapply it often.

FAQs

Is Aurora urban or suburban?

Aurora is a suburban area just next to Denver. Much of the city features suburban homes. There are also stores, restaurants, parks, and schools, with lots of other suburban amenities as well. 

Aurora is a great lodging option to be close to the airport, or if you don’t want to stay in Denver where hotels can be pricier. 

Is Aurora a walkable city?

Aurora is not a walkable city. It’s one of the largest cities in Colorado, and a sprawling suburb of Denver. 

There are parts of Northwest Aurora near Town Center where it is possible to walk to restaurants and other spots. But if you plan to visit Aurora, you’ll find it easiest to get around by renting a car.

What is the best area in Aurora?

Heather Ridge is one of the best areas in Aurora. Crime is low and it’s one of the safest areas near Denver. Restaurants, coffee shops, movie theaters, and other entertainment options are nearby. It’s also close to Cherry Creek State Park and other outdoor spaces. 

What county is Aurora located in?

Aurora sprawls across three counties — Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas. An overwhelming number of Aurora residents live in Arapahoe County, with smaller numbers of people in Adams and Douglas counties. 

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As one of the biggest cities in Colorado, Aurora can be overwhelming. But you can narrow down your choices based on what you plan to do here. Plan your trip further with our complete Colorado itinerary!