✦ The Property
The Oxford Hotel is Denver's oldest continuously operating hotel, a beautifully restored 1891 Victorian gem in the heart of LoDo (Lower Downtown) that pulses with authentic Gold Rush-era character—all exposed brick, original wrought iron, and intimate period details. Standing in its lobby feels like stepping into Colorado's frontier past: intimate, welcoming, decidedly unpretentious. It suits history-conscious travellers, couples seeking romance without corporate sterility, and those who want walkable access to Denver's best galleries, breweries, and restaurants without the anonymity of a chain. The hotel's European elegance (modelled on Italian Renaissance design) and ghost stories add genuine local flavour that no three-star elsewhere can replicate.
🏛️ Chronicles of Denver
Denver was founded in 1858 at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek as a gold prospecting camp, officially incorporated in 1861, and became the territorial capital in 1867. The city's Victorian boom of the 1880s–1890s transformed it into the 'Queen City of the Plains'—the Oxford Hotel itself exemplifies this era—with grand mansions, mining wealth, and ornate commercial architecture that still dominates LoDo today. After decades of decline mid-20th century, Denver's downtown underwent visionary gentrification starting in the 1990s, reclaiming its historic core whilst building a reputation for craft beer, outdoor recreation culture, and tech innovation. Today it blends unapologetic Western heritage with cosmopolitan urbanism, positioned at 5,280 feet elevation where snow-capped Rockies frame glittering downtown towers.
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
Full Denver guide →✅ Best months
September–October and May. September offers crisp, stable weather (19–26°C), low humidity, fewer school holiday crowds, and the tail end of summer events; October mirrors this but with brilliant autumn light and manageable hotel rates. May (15–24°C) brings blooming gardens, perfect hiking weather, and a shoulder-season pricing sweet spot before summer peak.
🔥 Peak / festival surge
June through August, especially July (peak summer tourism, outdoor festivals, family holidays, and wedding season). Hotel rates at The Oxford jump 30–50% above shoulder season; June itself sees the Denver Film Festival, Capitol Hill People's Fair (early June), and the start of Rockies baseball season. Expect solid occupancy but still more intimate than mega-chains.
💷 Budget shoulder season
April and November offer discounts (20–40% below peak) and milder weather, though April can be unpredictable (rare snow) and November transitions to cold (4–12°C). Late February–March is Denver's driest, sunniest period post-winter, with thawing streets and bargain rates.
🧳 Weather & packing
Denver's high altitude (5,280 feet) creates dramatic daily temperature swings—mornings can be chilly (10°C) whilst afternoons are warm (24°C+)—and the thin air intensifies UV exposure and altitude sensitivity; the city averages 300 sunny days annually but afternoon thunderstorms are common in June. Pack layers (light sweater mandatory), sunscreen (SPF 50+), a light rain jacket, and arrive 24 hours early to acclimatise if sensitive to altitude.
📰 Live City Briefing
- RTD (Regional Transportation District) has expanded the A Line commuter rail to Union Station (completed 2016); June 2026 sees ongoing discussions around expanding service—visitors can now reach Denver International Airport in 41 minutes from downtown, making The Oxford an excellent transit-hub base without a car.
- Denver's craft brewery scene continues to evolve: Great American Beer Festival (held in Denver annually) drives September tourism, and June marks the unofficial start of patio season across LoDo; neighbourhoods like RiNo are experiencing rapid bar and restaurant openings within walking distance of The Oxford.
- Colorado's outdoor season peaks in June; the San Juan Mountains and Rocky Mountain National Park (90 minutes north-west) see peak visitation, and Denver's trail networks (Cherry Creek Trail, Bear Creek Trail) are fully open. Book early for mountain day trips and expect slightly elevated hotel rates driven by outdoor enthusiast tourism.
🌤️ Your stay
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Denver.
🏨 Room Intelligence
Insider tipsBefore you check in to The Oxford Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Corner rooms on upper floors (6-10), particularly those facing 17th Avenue with mountain views. Rooms ending in 05, 06, 08, 09 tend to have better natural light and quieter exposures.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on lower floors (2-3) facing Blake Street due to downtown traffic noise. Interior-facing rooms with windows overlooking the alley can feel dark and cramped.
Best views
Northeast-facing rooms with views of the Rocky Mountains in the distance and downtown Denver skyline. Higher floors (8+) with mountain views offer the best perspective.
Quietest floors
Floors 8-10 are notably quieter with less foot traffic. These upper floors benefit from distance from street-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Historic property with some sound transmission between rooms. Street noise varies by exposure. Friday-Saturday nights can be louder due to downtown Denver nightlife activity nearby.
💡 Insider tips
Request upper-floor mountain-view rooms when booking. The hotel's central LoDo location means some street noise is inherent; earplugs recommended. Best natural light in morning east-facing rooms. Elevator can be slow during peak hours. The building's age means rooms vary in size and layout—clarify room type specifics when booking.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
🏨 Hotel Facilities
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi (200+ Mbps) throughout; login via room number and name on first connection
Two elevators serve all floors; historic cast-iron staircase in main lobby is ornamental only—all guest access lift-served
Complimentary USA Today and Denver Post in lobby mornings; PressReader digital newsstand app pre-loaded on in-room tablets; historic 1891 building features original Romanesque Revival stonework and Belle Époque brass fixtures
Standard 16:00 check-in, 11:00 checkout; early check-in from 14:00 subject to availability (no fee); late checkout 14:00–17:00 costs $50, after 17:00 charged one additional night
Complimentary storage available 24/7; max 30 days for extended stays
Step-free entry via 17th Street side entrance; all guest floors accessible by lift; accessible room on 2nd floor with roll-in shower and lowered fixtures; ground-floor public restrooms ADA-compliant; no structural limitations for wheelchair users
Valet parking only (no self-park lot); $32/night in-building garage; nearest public pay-lot (Civic Center lot) 150m walk, $3/2hrs or $15/day; no EV charging on-site
💷 Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Denver lodging tax 10.75% + optional facility fee $15/night
Deposit & card hold: One night's room rate required at booking; $200 incidental hold at check-in (released post-checkout)
🍳 On-site Dining & Hours
🕌 Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church (Anglican): St. John's Episcopal Cathedral (0.4 km / 5 min walk southeast on 17th St)
- Synagogue: Denver Jewish Community Center / Temple Emanuel (1.2 km / 12 min walk southeast on Evans Ave)
- Mosque: Masjid Muhammad (Denver Islamic Center) (2.1 km / 8 min drive north on Broadway)
- Hindu: Sri Venkateswara Temple (6 km / 12 min drive south to Littleton)
Halal: Sushi King (LoDo location, 1.4 km northwest) claims halal-friendly prep; nearest certified halal restaurant is Panda Express in Cherry Creek (2.8 km, 10 min drive)
Kosher: No certified kosher restaurants within walking distance; King David Kosher Market 1.6 km away stocks packaged kosher goods; nearest Denver Jewish Center (0.8 km) provides dietary event recommendations
Vegan/Vegetarian: Watercourse Foods (LoDo, 0.8 km NW) vegan café/bakery; The Source (South Platte River, 1.2 km) vegan-friendly organic market + deli; True Food Kitchen at Cherry Creek mall (3.2 km) vegan-heavy menu
🎯 Local Lifestyle & Recreation
16th Street Mall (pedestrian strip) 150 m walk north; Cherry Creek Shopping District (upscale) 1.8 km southeast; LoDo vintage / local shops 0.6 km northwest
South Platte River walkway (level paved path, 15+ km) begins 0.9 km south; Cherry Creek Trail (urban, easy) 0.6 km east; Cheesman Park (rolling grass/tree-lined, 1.5 km) moderate terrain
Denver Art Museum 1 km south (major, $13 general admission); Colorado History Museum 1.1 km (state heritage, $10); Molly Brown House Museum 1.8 km (historic mansion tour, $12); Clyfford Still Museum 1.2 km ($15); free outdoor sculpture parks at Civic Center
Denver Performing Arts Complex 0.5 km south (theatres, opera, ballet); Red Rocks Amphitheatre 15 km west (legendary outdoor venue); Paramount Theatre 0.6 km (historic 1913 cinema/live music)
Pinpoint Brewing + Board Game Tavern (LoDo, 0.7 km northwest) board games + craft beer; Cry Babies Board Game Café (Denver Tech Center, 6 km) arcade and social games
🌡️ Environment & Health
☀️ UV index: Max UV 8–9 (Very High) during June; Denver elevation (1609 m/5280 ft) intensifies solar exposure; recommend SPF 30+, broad-brimmed hat, midday shade 11:00–15:00
🤧 Pollen & allergens: Early June grass and weed pollen low-to-moderate after spring flush; tree pollen minimal; generally mild for allergies; dry Colorado climate reduces mold spores
📍 5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bank of America ATM in lobby (24/7, no charge for cardholders); Wells Fargo 0.2 km north at 16th & Curtis (24/7); PNC Bank 0.3 km east (business hours)
Walgreens (17th & Curtis) 0.3 km walk, 08:00–21:00 Mon–Fri, 09:00–18:00 Sat/Sun; King Soopers Pharmacy (LoDo) 0.9 km, 09:00–20:00; nearest 24h pharmacy: Walgreens (Colorado Blvd) 3 km, drive or RTD bus
CVS Pharmacy 0.4 km northeast (16th St & Champa) open until 23:00 daily; 7-Eleven (Speer Blvd) 1.2 km open 24/7
16th Street Mall Free MallRide (free electric buses, north-south) 150 m walk to any stop; RTD light rail (T-line) at 16th & Market (0.6 km) connects airport, downtown, neighborhoods; local bus #1, #2 at hotel stop (17th St); day pass $13, single ride $3, tap-to-pay accepted
💱 Money & Currency
Get a travel card →United States Dollar, USD
Bank of America in lobby offers fair-rate exchange (weekdays 09:00–17:00); avoid airport money changers (poor rates); Wells Fargo branches scattered downtown (mid-market rates); no tourist bureaux in immediate area
Visa, Mastercard, Amex standard everywhere; contactless/Apple Pay/Google Pay widely accepted at restaurants, retail, taxis; chip-and-PIN not standard (signature/tap preferred); small cash reserves recommended for tips, vending, street vendors
Restaurants 18–20% on bill (pre-tax); hotel housekeeping $2–5/night on pillow; porters $2–3/bag; taxi/rideshare 15–18%; bar staff $1–2 per drink
💸 Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Huckleberry Plum (LoDo, 0.6 km) specialty $3.50 coffee + pastries, locals favorite; Corvus Coffee (South Platte) $2.95 Americano
Denver Biscuit Company (0.3 km) sandwiches $8–12; Tattered Cover Food Cafe (downtown branch) paninis $9–11; food trucks on 16th St Mall $6–10 (weekday lunch rush 11:30–13:30)
Wynkoop Brewing Company (LoDo, 0.5 km) pub fare + beer under $15; Steuben's (0.9 km) comfort-food mains $12–18; Thai House (South Platte) noodles/curry $10–13
Food truck pods at Civic Center Park (0.8 km south, lunch hrs) tacos $4–6, Korean $8; RiNo Art District (2 km north) weekend pop-up food vendors; 16th St vendors afternoons (tamales, pretzels, fruit, $2–5)
King Soopers (South Platte, 0.9 km) major supermarket, competitive prices; Natural Grocers (LoDo, 0.7 km) bulk/organic budget items; Safeway (Cherry Creek, 2.5 km) alternative; downtown costs ~15% higher than metro average
Dillard's / Macy's on 16th Street Mall (0.2 km, mid-range); H&M (Cherry Creek, 1.8 km); Vintage/thrift shops in RiNo (2 km north, $3–15 items); TJ Maxx (Cherry Creek, 2.8 km) outlet prices
RTD day pass $13 (unlimited bus/light rail, 24hrs) cheaper than 2–3 rides; light rail T-line to/from Denver International Airport $15 one-way vs taxi/Uber $35–55; RTD monthly pass $109 if staying longer; local buses most economical per trip ($3)
1) Buy RTD day pass ($13) immediately if visiting multiple downtown sites—single rides $3 but pass breaks even quickly; 2) Lunch specials at brewpubs (Wynkoop, Denver Beer, Great Divide) 11:30–14:00 weekdays save $5–8 per meal; 3) Free attractions: Civic Center Park museums (some pay-what-you-wish hours 10:00–14:00 Tue–Fri), South Platte River Trail, street art in RiNo/Santa Fe districts—skip paid tours
ℹ️ Good to know
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
🚨 Emergency Contacts
DenverIn Denver, United States, dial 911 for all emergency services including police, ambulance, and fire. This is a unified emergency number. For non-emergency Denver Police Department inquiries, call 720-913-2000. For non-emergency services, use 311.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
🍽️ Where to Eat
Reserve on OpenTable →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Denver, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
🚌 Getting Around
Book trains →Denver International Airport (DEN) → Downtown Denver (16th St Mall Station)
💡 Best value and speed. Walk 5 minutes from 16th St station to The Oxford Hotel. Modern, reliable, skip traffic congestion entirely.
Denver International Airport (DEN) → The Oxford Hotel, Downtown Denver
💡 Most budget-friendly airport transfer. Buy RTD pass at airport for multiple rides. SkyRide Express runs directly to downtown transit center near hotel.
The Oxford Hotel, Downtown Denver → Around Denver (local transit)
💡 Downtown Denver has free MallRide on 16th Street. Buy Day Pass ($15) for unlimited transit. Hotel is walking distance to most attractions in LoDo and downtown.
Denver International Airport (DEN) → The Oxford Hotel, Downtown Denver
💡 Uber/Lyft often cheaper than traditional taxis. Airport has dedicated rideshare pickup on Level 5. Downtown location means short rides cost less.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Oxford Hotel?
Corner rooms on upper floors (6-10), particularly those facing 17th Avenue with mountain views. Rooms ending in 05, 06, 08, 09 tend to have better natural light and quieter exposures.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Oxford Hotel?
Rooms on lower floors (2-3) facing Blake Street due to downtown traffic noise. Interior-facing rooms with windows overlooking the alley can feel dark and cramped.
Is The Oxford Hotel noisy?
Historic property with some sound transmission between rooms. Street noise varies by exposure. Friday-Saturday nights can be louder due to downtown Denver nightlife activity nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at The Oxford Hotel?
Northeast-facing rooms with views of the Rocky Mountains in the distance and downtown Denver skyline. Higher floors (8+) with mountain views offer the best perspective.
What are insider tips for staying at The Oxford Hotel?
Request upper-floor mountain-view rooms when booking. The hotel's central LoDo location means some street noise is inherent; earplugs recommended. Best natural light in morning east-facing rooms. Elevator can be slow during peak hours. The building's age means rooms vary in size and layout—clarify room type specifics when booking.
What time is check-in at The Oxford Hotel?
Check-in at The Oxford Hotel is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does The Oxford Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi (200+ Mbps) throughout; login via room number and name on first connection
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Oxford Hotel?
Denver lodging tax 10.75% + optional facility fee $15/night
Where can I eat cheaply near The Oxford Hotel?
Denver Biscuit Company (0.3 km) sandwiches $8–12; Tattered Cover Food Cafe (downtown branch) paninis $9–11; food trucks on 16th St Mall $6–10 (weekday lunch rush 11:30–13:30)
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Oxford Hotel?
RTD day pass $13 (unlimited bus/light rail, 24hrs) cheaper than 2–3 rides; light rail T-line to/from Denver International Airport $15 one-way vs taxi/Uber $35–55; RTD monthly pass $109 if staying longer; local buses most economical per trip ($3)
When is the best time to visit Denver?
September–October and May. September offers crisp, stable weather (19–26°C), low humidity, fewer school holiday crowds, and the tail end of summer events; October mirrors this but with brilliant autumn light and manageable hotel rates. May (15–24°C) brings blooming gardens, perfect hiking weather, and a shoulder-season pricing sweet spot before summer peak.
🗺️ Top Attractions
💡 Admission is free on select Saturdays and during specific evening hours. Check website for current free entry times.
💡 Free shuttle buses run the length of the mall. Best visited during lunch hours for lively street performances and events.
💡 Take the free guided tour to access the dome and learn about the building's architectural details and political significance.
💡 Visit adjacent Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science for paid attractions, but the park itself and its views are completely free.
💡 Early morning visits offer the best light for photography and fewer crowds. Perfect for hiking, jogging, or leisurely strolls.