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The capital of Colorado, Denver has a lot going for it. The big, bustling city is full of creativity, great restaurants and nightlife. There is always something to see and do – and ALWAYS somewhere to drink in the Mile High City (named for something other than what you’re thinking about).
With 300 days of sunshine a year, whether or not you’re in town to party, or visiting to soak up a little of the arty culture, you need to know the best place to stay in Denver for your big trip.
Don’t worry yourself spending hours online trying to research the best place in the city to suit your needs – we’ve done all of the work for you!
Check out our list of the best hostels in Denver and you’ll have your accommodation sorted in no time.
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Denver
- Overall Best Hostel in Denver – Ember Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Denver – 11th Avenue Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Denver – Hostel Fish
Welcome to the ultimate guide to the best hostels in Denver, Colorado
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Best Hostels in Denver
These hostels are some of the very best places to stay in Denver.
Ember Hostel – Overall Best Hostel in Denver
This really is the overall best hostel in Denver for backpackers. We mean, they’ve got a hot tub, what more could you want? But seriously, this is a cool Denver hostel with a fun vibe to match. The hostel is actually a real life mansion that has been converted into dorms and private rooms, with a shared kitchen and massive communal space. Staying here is like living in a reality TV show, but it’s real. The shared bathrooms are marble and wood, and the dorm beds feel very private and clean.
11th Avenue Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Denver
As a solo traveller, you’re probably looking for a top Denver hostel that has a nice, friendly atmosphere as well as somewhere where you feel safe. Well look no further, this hostel is the best hostel for solo travellers in Denver because of it unbelievably friendly and helpful staff and a warm atmosphere. It’s also close to the city’s vibrant nightlife, so you can head out with your new hostel mates for a night out, but still feel safe on the walk home.
Hostel Fish – Best Party Hostel in Denver
Looking for the best party hostel in Denver? Well, you’ve found it. There isn’t much not to like if you are in the city to party. There’s beer pong, a beer terrace and a bar selling beer… pretty much everything is to do with beer.
If you can tear yourself away from the hostel bar, they offer a free pub crawl around the drinking establishments in the surrounding streets. This place is actually a top hostel in Denver not just for partying, but also because its dorms are clean and comfortable too.
Stuart St BNB – Best Cheap Hostel in Denver
If you’re looking for a laid back, no frills, cool Denver hostel then this place is a great choice. Located a little outside the city, but still in easy reach of the city sights, staying here isn’t about partying but saving money.
The owner isn’t around a lot of the time, and there are those typical laminated signs all over the place telling you what to do and what not to do, but it’s cheap, safe and clean. Don’t forget about the free brekkie too!
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View on OspreyBest Budget Hotels in Denver
For when you’ve had enough of sleeping in a room with other people who snore, if you want to starfish in the middle of a big double bed for yourself, or maybe you just want to stay in a room with a little more privacy, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our list of the best budget hotels in Denver and find your ideal place to stay.
Comfort Inn Central
What more could you want from one of the best budget hotels in Denver? They have a big outdoor pool, a hearty free breakfast and huge bedrooms. You get a lot for your money with this place. Ok, so it might be a little old and tatty around the edges… but it IS clean and really convenient. The staff are nice, and they will help you arrange a taxi to the airport and direct you to nearby restaurants. Both important.
Off Broadway BnB
A little bit like a hotel, a little bit like a hostel, we can’t help but like this top Denver Hotel. Choose to stay in one of the best budget hotels in Denver and treat yourself to a huge comfy bed, en suite bathroom and a massive American style breakfast in the morning. No simple cup of tea and a slice of toast here – think stacks of pancakes, bacon, juices and eggs. There are lots of restaurants and bars in the surrounding area too, so you can just carry on the eating into the night.
Radisson Hotel Denver
As IF this top Denver hotel in wouldn’t be on our list of the best budget hotels in Denver! It’s a great all round choice and would suit a lot of different types of travel needs. Ok, so it might be a little more expensive than others in town, but with the price comes a massive breakfast buffet (BUFFET!) as well as a city shuttle and a gym! There’s even an outdoor pool to use which is great for unwinding in and cooling down on hot days.
Quality Inn
You know that when a hotel has the word quality in its name that it must ooze quality, right? Right…? Well this top budget hotel in Denver might not be the Ritz, but it is rather nice. They have a wide selection of room types on offer, most of them pretty big and all of ’em are comfy and clean. Don’t worry about getting stuck for somewhere to eat – there are a whole load of restaurants and shops nearby to keep you busy.
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Denver Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Denver
Did you find the perfect, coolest, best budget hostel in Denver for you? There really is a top hostel in Denver to suit everyone’s needs which means you can spend your time planning your trip and not worrying about where you are going to stay.
And the round up of best budget hotels in Denver should have you covered if you want to stay somewhere with a bit more privacy and service.
But, if you find it hard to make a decision and even after you have read the best budget hostels list your head is still in a spin, it’s ok. There’s always our best overall hostel in Denver – Ember Hostel, which should be perfect for your stay.
Now you’ve got your accommodation sorted – you’d better start packing!
FAQ about Hostels in Denver
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Denver.
How much does a hostel cost in Denver?
Depending on your budget and the room, hostels on average start from $41 to $45. You kinda get what you pay for with hostels, so it’s important to know your budget before you book.
What are the best hostels in Denver for couples?
Ember Hostel is the top-rated hostel for couples in Denver. It’s clean, has a hot tub, and is close to downtown.
What are the best hostels in Denver near the airport?
The Denver International Airport is quite far from the city centre, so it is usually better to find the best place in the area. I highly recommend Hostel Fish, the best party hostel in Denver and just a 25-minute drive from the airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Denver
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in USA and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Denver.
Planning an epic trip all across USA or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Denver has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
Heading just down the road to Boulder or prefer to stay out of the big city, check the great Boulder hostels out too.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Denver for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Denver covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Denver if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Denver before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for USA to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
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