Where to spend night and have restaurant, shopping convenience. (Denver: broker, hotels)

[62mike]

We are flying into Denver the end of June on our way to Yellowstone and around. Rather than stay in Denver I have read it would be cheaper and nicer to drive from the airport to Boulder for our first night. We will arrive around 11AM so will have plenty of time to stop along the way and get settled for the evening.

Is there anywhere that is family friendly that has reasonable hotels and perhaps restaurants and shopping that is within walking distance to the hotel?

We don't mind driving somewhere but it is fun to be able to walk out of the hotel and have a variety of eating places and maybe some little shops to check out.

Any suggestions for us?

Thanks.

[Neditate]

Not necessarily cheaper. Not knowing your budget or what "reasonable" means to you, I'll give it a shot.
You'll want to stay downtown near the Pearl Street Mall area. http://www.boulderdowntown.com/
There are a few hotels nearby. Closest is The Hotel Boulderado, a lovely Victorian hotel just a block off the mall. Boulder Hotel, Hotels in Boulder Colorado, Historic Colorado Hotels - Hotel Boulderado
A few others to check out:
Bradley Boulder Inn http://thebradleyboulder.com/
Boulder Creek Quality Inn & Suites www.qualityinnboulder.com
Boulder University Inn www.boulderuniversityinn.com
On the expensive/luxury end is the St. Julien Boulder Hotels, Colorado Luxury Vacations in Downtown Boulder

[62mike]

Originally Posted by Neditate

Not necessarily cheaper. Not knowing your budget or what "reasonable" means to you, I'll give it a shot.
You'll want to stay downtown near the Pearl Street Mall area. Downtown Boulder Inc | Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District
There are a few hotels nearby. Closest is The Hotel Boulderado, a lovely Victorian hotel just a block off the mall. Boulder Hotel, Hotels in Boulder Colorado, Historic Colorado Hotels - Hotel Boulderado
A few others to check out:
Bradley Boulder Inn The Bradley Boulder Inn, Boulder Colorado Bed and Breakfast
Boulder Creek Quality Inn & Suites www.qualityinnboulder.com
Boulder University Inn www.boulderuniversityinn.com
On the expensive/luxury end is the St. Julien Boulder Hotels, Colorado Luxury Vacations in Downtown Boulder

I guess reasonable is quite varied, lol. When on family vacations we are Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn happy folks and those price lines. We will normally try and maybe stay at a special hotel or historic but tend to spend our money more on the extras like horse back riding, train rides, etc. A lot of snacking and eating at various shops and restaurants.

I will check out the Pearl Street Mall area for sure it seems like I read somewhere it was rated one of the highest areas for its restaurants.

[Idlewile]

Neditate gives a good summary. If you don't have to be IN Boulder and want to spend less (Hampton, La Quinta, etc.) check Expedia for Louisville and Broomfield (both right outside Boulder), 3 star motels.

[Katarina Witt]

I have no idea of the rates at this place, but it's on the eastern edge of Boulder, may be less expensive.

Boulder-Days Inn

It's a standard moderate type motel with a neat Polish-American restaurant next to it.

[firecrow]

If you want the Boulder experience, with everything in walking distance you should stay near Pearl St. If I were in your position I'd consider the Quality Inn, it's in a nice quiet area (never stayed there though). Hotels in Boulder are either expensive, or there will be something wrong.

For instance, whatever you do, do NOT stay at the Boulder University Inn, this is cheap for a reason. Good location BUT -- Dirty rooms, thin walls, lots of college students and if you're on the bottom floor you will not get any sleep due to people walking overhead. I stayed there, the stress is not worth the savings IMO. I've heard that the Broker Inn is also one to avoid for similar reasons.

In surrounding communities (Louisville, Broomfield etc) you can find something nice and cheap, but then it won't be very enjoyable unless you drive to Boulder. You might consider a slightly longer drive from the airport, and stay in Fort Collins instead (apprx. near US 287 and Mulberry) which has a very nice downtown area with good restaurants and shops, everything in walking distance, and probably more affordable.

[davebarnes]

Park your car in a Walmart parking lot.
Sleep in your car.
Eat at the restaurant inside the Walmart. The Walmart I drive by all the time has Subway. Gourmet food.
Convenient shopping.

[brown_dog_us]

Walmart? Boulder? Do you want people to start protesting the forum!!!