Where to Stay in Colorado Springs (Best Places & Areas)
👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Colorado Springs | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ
No matter your interests or itinerary, there are a ton of options for where to stay in Colorado Springs. Are you traveling to see the breathtaking mountains and red rock formations? Spend time at historic and cultural sites? Visit someone at the Air Force Academy? Or perhaps travel for business?
As a Colorado local, I have the inside scoop on where to stay in Colorado Springs. There are several areas of Colorado Springs, so choosing the best area, neighborhood, and hotel is going to depend on what you’d like to be near.
In this article, we’re going to look at the best places to stay for every visitor. And while you’re here, check out my picks for the 28 Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs.
Let’s dive in!
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Best Places to Stay in Colorado Springs

Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Colorado Springs? Here are my top picks:
- 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – The Broadmoor
- ✨ Best Luxury Hotel – Garden of the Gods Club & Resort
- 👪 Best for Families – Great Wolf Lodge
- 👔 Best for Business – Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs Airport
- 🛎️ Best Boutique – Kinship Landing
- ☀️ Best Near Garden of the Gods – Cheyenne Mountain Resort
- 💵 Best Budget – Comfort Inn North Colorado Springs
Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Colorado Springs:
7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Colorado Springs
When you’re trying to decide where to stay in Colorado Springs, it’s going to depend a lot on what you’re planning on doing. Check out this Colorado Springs map for reference. Some of the most popular neighborhoods to stay in are Garden of the Gods, Downtown, Air Force Academy area, Manitou Springs, Southeast Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, and Monument.
Let’s break it down further:
Garden of the Gods

👉 Best Area For Sightseeing | ✨ Best Garden of the Gods Hotels: Garden of the Gods Club & Resort • The Broadmoor • Cheyenne Mountain Resort
Garden of the Gods is a gorgeous Colorado Springs attraction, but it’s also near several other sights to see. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is nearby, and you’ll have beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains. If you’re headed to the area as a tourist, this is where you want to stay in Colorado Springs.
The Broadmoor Hotel is one of the best-known luxury hotels in Colorado Springs and has its own hiking trail to a beautiful waterfall.
Pros of Staying in Garden of the Gods Neighborhood:
- Beautiful scenery
- Near lots of unique Colorado Springs attractions
- Great for tourists
Con of Staying in Garden of the Gods Neighborhood:
- You’ll need a car to get around
- Not close to downtown
📚 Garden of the Gods Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Sightseeing
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Garden of the Gods Club & Resort • The Broadmoor • Cheyenne Mountain Resort
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Where to Eat – Tavern ($$$), Ristorante Del Lago ($$$), Sacred Ground Cafe ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Hotel Bar at The Broadmoor, Golden Bee, Bristol Brewing Company
🎟️ Top Attractions – Garden of the Gods, The Broadmoor Seven Falls, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Downtown

👉 Best Area For Museums | ✨ Best Downtown Hotels: Kinship Landing • Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown • The Mining Exchange
There are plenty of creative and cultural things to do in the Colorado Springs city center. Downtown is a designated Creative District in the state of Colorado, so there is lots of public art on display. Several museums, including the Pioneers Museum and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, are nearby and there are lots of shops and restaurants.
Kinship Landing is a beautiful boutique hotel, and Hyatt Place includes an indoor swimming pool and free hot breakfast, which adds to the value of your stay there.
Pros of Staying in the Downtown Neighborhood:
- Shops and restaurants within walking distance
- Near parks, museums, and live music venues
Con of Staying in the Downtown Neighborhood:
- Seeing iconic Colorado Springs sights will require a car
📚 Downtown Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Museums
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Kinship Landing • Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown • The Mining Exchange
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Where to Eat – The Rabbit Hole ($$), Streetcar 520 ($$), Odyssey Gastropub ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – The Archives Underground Libations, Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, Shame & Regret
🎟️ Top Attractions – U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, Downtown Art Walk
Air Force Academy

👉 Best Area For Air Force Proximity | ✨ Best Air Force Academy Hotels: Great Wolf Lodge • The Lodge at Flying Horse • Drury Inn & Suites
Whether you’re visiting a cadet or just checking out the area on its own, there are several great places to stay near the Air Force Academy. Located on the northern side of Colorado Springs, the communities of Northgate and Briargate are near the academy and feature some great hotels, although there is limited public transportation here and you’ll need a car rental.
In particular, Great Wolf Lodge has so much fun, with a waterpark, a climbing area, and other attractions, that you may have trouble convincing the kids to leave the premises. Drury Inn & Suites has an indoor swimming pool and a free hot breakfast each morning, making it easier to get on your way.
Pros of Staying in the Air Force Academy Neighborhood:
- Close to the academy
- Lots of hotels with family-friendly amenities
Con of Staying in Air Force Academy Neighborhood:
- Need a car to get around
- 15 min from sights like Garden of the Gods and downtown
📚 Air Force Academy Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Air Force Academy Proximity
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Great Wolf Lodge • The Lodge at Flying Horse • Drury Inn & Suites
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Where to Eat – Falcon Club ($$), Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen ($$), Ted’s Montana Grill ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Barnwood, The Parkway Tavern, Falcon’s Bar & Grill
🎟️ Top Attractions – The Air Force Academy, Western Museum of Mining & Industry, Hiking
Manitou Springs

👉 Best Area For Pikes Peak Access | ✨ Best Manitou Springs Hotels: Cliff House at Pikes Peak • Red Wing Motel • Villa Motel at Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is a quaint little historic town and a great place to stay in Colorado Springs for vacation vibes. The downtown area has plenty of ice cream shops, cafes, and souvenir stores, so you’ll be able to spend lazy days checking out what makes this area tick.
Manitou Springs is also the starting point for getting to Pikes Peak, so if that’s on your itinerary, then this makes a great base camp.
Pros of Staying in Manitou Springs:
- Quaint downtown with shops & restaurants
- Several interesting attractions in the city
- Starting point for getting to Pikes Peak
Con of Staying in Manitou Springs Neighborhood:
- Not many upscale amenities if you’re looking for a resort feel
📚 Manitou Springs Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Pikes Peak Access
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Cliff House at Pikes Peak • Red Wing Motel • Villa Motel at Manitou Springs
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Where to Eat – Adam’s Mountain Cafe ($$), Border Burger Bar ($$), Swirl ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Townhouse Sports Grill, Royal Tavern, Kinfolks
🎟️ Top Attractions – Pikes Peak, Manitou Incline, Cave of the Winds
Southeast Colorado Springs

👉 Best Area For Business Travelers | ✨ Best Southeast Colorado Springs Hotels: Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Colorado Springs-Airport • TownePlace Suites by Marriott Colorado Springs South
Southeast Colorado Springs is near the Colorado Springs airport, so it’s a great spot if you’re in town on business, especially if you’ll be arriving late or leaving early on a flight. Most hotels in this area feature free transportation to and from the airport but you may want a car if you plan to do some sightseeing.
Pros of Staying in Southeast Colorado Springs Neighborhood:
- Close to the airport
- Plenty of food and bars in the area
- Free airport transportation
Con of Staying in Southeast Colorado Springs Neighborhood:
- Farther from sights and attractions
📚 Southeast Colorado Springs Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Business Travelers
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Colorado Springs-Airport • TownePlace Suites by Marriott Colorado Springs South
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Where to Eat – The Airplane Restaurant ($$), JB’s Burger Kitchen & Bar ($$), Sura Korean Restaurant ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Bristol Brewing Company, Farside Lounge, Legends Rock Bar
🎟️ Top Attractions – National Museum of World War II Aviation, Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain State Park
📚 Related Reading: 11 Best 14ers in Colorado
Old Colorado City

👉 Best Area For Historic Charm | ✨ Best Old Colorado City Hotels: Holden House 1902 Bed & Breakfast • Old Town GuestHouse B&B • Carriage House
Old Colorado City is a small historic area in El Paso County, just outside of Colorado Springs. It has plenty of cute boutiques, bars, bistros, and a sizable number of art galleries. Old Colorado City was a main industrial hub in the late 1800s, and as such was a quintessential Wild West Town.
It’s a charming place to situate yourself while you explore the Colorado Springs area, and you’ll have a blast diving into the history.
Pros of Staying in Old Colorado City Neighborhood:
- Quaint, walkable streets
- Lots of B&Bs and vacation homes to stay in
Cons of Staying in Old Colorado City Neighborhood:
- Not many hotels
- Need a car to get around
📚 Old Colorado City Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Historic Charm
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Holden House 1902 Bed & Breakfast • Old Town GuestHouse B&B • Carriage House
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Where to Eat – Jake and Telly’s Greek Taverna ($$), Paravicini’s Italian Bistro ($$), Mason Jar ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Alchemy, Upstairs Wine Bar, The Fifty-Niner
🎟️ Top Attractions – Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Garden of the Gods, Hiking
Monument
👉 Best Area For Getting to Denver | ✨ Best Monument Hotels: Rogers Inn The Pines • Monument Retreat • Fairfield Inn and Suites
Monument is north of Colorado Springs, along I-25 on the way to Denver. This makes it a great choice if you’d like to visit both cities, although it’s much closer to Colorado Springs. In fact, it’s about 50 miles from Denver and only 20 miles from Colorado Springs.
Nearby Palmer Lake and the Pike National Forest provide plenty of space for outdoor activities. If you want to get out of the city feel and crowds, Monument may just be your place.
Pros of Staying in Monument Neighborhood:
- Quiet
- Lots of outdoor activities nearby
Con of Staying in Monument Neighborhood:
- 20-minute drive to Colorado Springs
📚 Monument Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Getting to Denver
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Rogers Inn The Pines • Monument Retreat • Fairfield Inn and Suites
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Where to Eat – The Bistro on 2nd ($$$), La Casa Fiesta Restaurant ($$), Rosie’s Diner ($)
🍸 Where to Drink – Back East Bar & Grill, Trails End Taproom, Don Tequila Mexican Grill & Cantina
🎟️ Top Attractions – Palmer Lake, Air Force Academy, Hiking
📚 Related Reading: 8 Best Train Rides in Colorado (By a Local)
Tips for Staying in Colorado Springs
Rent a Car

While there are some cities in Colorado that you can visit and not need your own wheels, if you want to do any exploring in Colorado Springs then you’ll want a rental car.
The exception to this is if you’re traveling to town for business. Hotels in Colorado Springs near the airport usually offer free airport shuttle transportation and you can find places to eat and drink at your hotel or nearby.
🚗 Pro Tip: Discover Cars is a great place to look for a Colorado Springs rental car.
Drink Lots of Water
You’ll want to drink lots of water while you’re in Colorado Springs, or anywhere in the state. Staying hydrated will help your body to better deal with the challenges of higher altitudes. Also, if you’re out exploring, you’ll likely be using a lot of energy and will need to make sure you stay hydrated for that reason as well.
Always Wear Sunscreen
The high altitude can also do a number on your skin. Make sure you apply sunscreen liberally and often. This is another one of those things it’s easy to forget in the winter months but the reflection from the snow makes it even more important to protect yourself.
Sunscreen for sensitive skin like La Roche-Posay Sunscreen Milk works great for the face, with a sport sunscreen for arms and legs.
Spend a Day Acclimating
Don’t plan to summit Pikes Peak the day after you get to Colorado Springs. Spend a day or two doing some easy sightseeing – strolling the cute historic streets or visiting a Colorado Springs museum. Let your body adjust for a bit before tackling more strenuous outdoor activities.
Plan Your Trip

From Colorado Springs area hikes to cultural sites and taking tea at an actual castle, there’s a lot to do in Colorado Springs. Check out my picks for the 28 best things to do in Colorado Springs.
Be Prepared
Not sure what to pack for a trip to Colorado? Check out this Colorado packing list, which includes the items many people frequently forget or wish they had thought of when they’re visiting.
📚 Related Reading: 22 Fun Day Trips from Colorado Springs
FAQs About Where to Stay in Colorado Springs
Is downtown Colorado Springs safe?
Downtown Colorado Springs is safe. You’ll find many people out and about, both during the day and at night, headed to restaurants, bars, museums, and shops.
Is downtown Colorado Springs walkable?
Downtown Colorado Springs is walkable. Visitors who stay in the area will find restaurants, bars, shops, parks, and other attractions that are all within an easy stroll. The area is a designated Creative District, which means there is a lot of public artwork that can be viewed on a pleasant walk through the area as well.
What is the best part of Colorado Springs to stay?
The Garden of the Gods neighborhood is the best part of Colorado Springs to stay in. Visitors will be close to the park, as well as to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Old Colorado City, and other sights that are unique to Colorado Springs.
Can you stay on Pikes Peak?
You can stay on Pikes Peak. You can stay closer to the top of the peak if you plan to camp. There is also a hostel-like bunkhouse and tent cabins at Barr Camp on the way up to the summit. If you’re looking for a comfortable hotel and more upscale amenities, the Cliff House at Pikes Peak is at the foot of the mountain.
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Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay in Colorado Springs! Check out my guide to where to stay in Colorado for more Colorado trip planning advice.
Thank you for so much useful info. My husband and I are looking to summer in the COS area next June to Sept. We are active seniors…he likes golf, I love theater and live performances. We look forward to visiting your beautiful state!