Lodging help downtown, Please!

Question

Just how scary is it to stay at a hotel downtown? Coming to Denver for a few days to see the Padres/Rockies and am thinking of staying at the Days Inn on Colfax because it's inexpensive and so close to everything, but the reviews all talk about what a rough, scary neighborhood it is. We'll Uber to the game, but during the day we'd like to go to the Capitol, museums, botanic garden, etc., preferably by walking or public transit. (But is downtown really all that walkable? After looking at Google Maps, I'm realizing that what looks like a 15 min walk on the map is actually 45 minutes...maybe not so walkable after all? Perhaps we'd be better off staying in the suburbs and driving around downtown? Which brings up the issue of parking...)

Not likely to leave our room in the evening except to find dinner somewhere. Are the bad reviews overblown, or would we be taking our life in our hands by staying there? We live in Southern California so we're not strangers to the big city, but I also don't want to weave my way through cordons of homeless and druggies. Any suggestions for a better area to stay in for under $150/night? TIA!

Answer

Denver is a great place to visit, but the specific area you’re asking about — the Days Inn on East Colfax — is genuinely not a good choice for most travelers. You are not overreacting to the reviews. The immediate blocks around that hotel are known for open drug activity, homelessness, petty crime, and a generally uncomfortable street environment, especially at night and early morning. It’s not “life-threatening,” but it is unpleasant, not ideal for walking, and definitely not what most visitors want for a relaxed vacation.

The good news: you absolutely do not need to stay in a rough area to stay within budget, and downtown Denver itself is walkable — it just depends on where you stay. I’ll break down the realities of the area, safer alternatives, walkability, transit, parking, and then give you specific hotel suggestions under $150/night.

Why the Days Inn on Colfax gets such bad reviews

East Colfax (especially near the Capitol and Cheesman Park stretch) has long been one of Denver’s roughest corridors.
There is significant visible homelessness, drug use, and loitering in that area.
The hotel itself has a reputation for safety issues and noise.
After dark, the surrounding blocks can feel unsafe for solo or inexperienced urban walkers.

Is downtown Denver walkable?

Yes — the right parts of downtown are extremely walkable. Areas like LoDo (Lower Downtown), Union Station, the Central Business District, and the Convention Center area are safe, lively, and packed with restaurants. Google Maps “walking time” can feel exaggerated because Denver’s blocks are long, but in practice you can get around easily.

If you stay in a walkable district, you won’t need a car. You can rely on:

RTD light rail (great for stadiums, downtown, RiNo)
Free MallRide bus on 16th Street
Uber/Lyft for quicker trips

Should you stay in the suburbs instead?

You can — but parking in downtown Denver can run $30–$50/day at some garages, and traffic can be annoying before Rockies games. For a short vacation, it’s almost always easier and more fun to stay downtown (just not on Colfax).

Where to stay instead (safe, walkable, budget friendly)

These areas give you the city experience without the Colfax problems and are well under $150/night during non-peak dates (weeknights are cheapest):

Cherry Creek / Cherry Creek South — very safe, upscale, excellent dining. Sometimes expensive, but deals exist on older hotels.
Central Business District (CBD) — near 16th Street Mall, walkable, well-lit, tons of hotels and restaurants.
LoDo (around Union Station) — best transit access, restaurants galore, very walkable (but pricier — still check deals).
Colorado Convention Center area — good prices, lots of mid-range hotels, well-connected to transit and easy walk to downtown sights.
Highlands / Jefferson Park (just across I-25) — residential, charming, usually safe, short Uber ride to the ballpark.

Hotel recommendations under ~$150/night (depending on date)

Holiday Inn Express Downtown — safe, clean, walking distance to 16th Street and easy for transit.
Hampton Inn & Suites — Downtown Convention Center — usually priced well; excellent central location.

Hyatt Place Denver Downtown

Hilton Garden Inn Denver Downtown — reliable, walkable, often discounted.
Clarion Hotel Denver Central — cheaper, not downtown walkable, but offers shuttle + free parking (good if you bring a car).
Tru by Hilton near Union Station — modern, safe, sometimes low prices on weeknights.

If you want the best combination of safety + walkability + value:

Convention Center / 16th Street Mall area is your sweet spot.
You can walk safely to restaurants, museums, and take the light rail to Coors Field.
You’ll avoid the rougher parts of Colfax completely.

How to get to your sightseeing from these better areas

Capitol + Civic Center + museums — take the 16th Street MallRide to Civic Center Station and walk 5–10 minutes.
Botanic Gardens — Uber/Lyft or take RTD bus 15/15L (but avoid the Colfax stops near the Days Inn — from downtown it’s fine).
Coors Field — light rail to Union Station or simple Uber.

Bottom line:

The negative reviews of the Days Inn on Colfax reflect the reality of that neighborhood — it is not where most visitors should stay. Denver is a large, modern, walkable city, but you need to choose the right pocket. Staying downtown in LoDo, near the Convention Center, or on the 16th Street Mall will give you a safe, easy, enjoyable visit well within your budget.