Where to Stay in Lakewood, CO (4 Best Places, By a Local)

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Lakewood

Lakewood is a sprawling city located west of Denver along the foothills. Arvada lies north of Lakewood, Golden is to the west, and Littleton is to the south. 

You’ll find that hotels in Lakewood are concentrated in four unique areas. The Daniels / Union Square and Denver West neighborhoods make up the northwest portion of Lakewood. Belmar is in central Lakewood, and Academy Park is directly south. Each region has distinct benefits, including accessibility, attractions, and amenities.

Daniels / Union Square

👉 Best Area For Denver Access | ✨ Best Daniels / Union Square Hotels: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Denver West/Federal Center • Hampton Inn Denver West Federal Center • Home2 Suites by Hilton Denver West / Federal Center

The adjacent Daniels and Union Square neighborhoods are the best Lakewood areas to stay in if you’ll be commuting to Denver. You can drive downtown via U.S. Route 6 in just 15 minutes. No other Denver suburb provides a more direct highway. Plus, I find that U.S. Route 6 is far less congested than I-25 and I-70, other major Denver expressways. 

Alternatively, you can take advantage of the Federal Center light rail station. Round-trip fare costs a fraction of downtown parking, and you won’t have to deal with traffic. 

The light rail also provides direct access to the Colorado Convention Center and Denver International Airport, which is great for business travelers. I suggest staying at the Hampton Inn Denver West Federal Center if you’re visiting Lakewood for work. Hampton Inn has a business center, desks in all rooms, reliable WiFi, and free shuttle service to the Denver Federal Center. 

However, I think Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Denver West/Federal Center is the best overall Lakewood hotel. Fairfield Inn offers similar amenities for business travelers. Plus, it has a presentation room, spacious common areas, an indoor pool and hot tub, and on-site laundry facilities.

Pros of Staying in Daniels / Union Square Neighborhoods:

• Convenient transportation with or without a car  
• Large selection of quality Lakewood hotels 
• Restaurants and convenience stores nearby 

Cons of Staying in Daniels / Union Square Neighborhoods:

• Lacks charm 
• Potential for noise (next to U.S. Route 6 and Centura St. Anthony Hospital) 

Denver West

👉 Best Area For Mountains Access | ✨ Best Denver West Hotels: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver West/Golden • Residence Inn by Marriott Denver Golden/Red Rocks • Hampton Inn Denver-West/Golden

Denver West is the best area to stay if you want to visit major attractions in the Rocky Mountains. No other Lakewood region has as convenient access to I-70. Via this highway, you can reach major Colorado ski resorts and other great Denver day trips.

I suggest staying at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver West/Golden if these mountain experiences interest you. It’s one of the best hotels in Lakewood. You’ll love the recent updates to its outdoor swimming pool, fire pit, and fitness center. Modern furnishings add to the spacious suites, which comfortably suit a family of 5. 

For budget travelers, I highly recommend booking Hampton Inn Denver-West/Golden. On average, a night costs 30% less than similar hotels in Lakewood! Yet, you won’t have to sacrifice comfort or safety, unlike some cheap hotels. Plus, you can easily save on dining out. Breakfast is complimentary, and there’s a refrigerator and microwave in each room. 

Pros of Staying in Denver West Neighborhood:

• Convenient access to I-70 and the Rocky Mountains 
• Great variety of Lakewood hotels, including budget stays 
• Eateries and shopping close by 

Cons of Staying in Denver West Neighborhood:

• Can be noisy given proximity to I-70 
• More crowded than other Lakewood areas 

Academy Park

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Activities | ✨ Best Academy Park Hotels: Best Western Denver Southwest • Holiday Inn Denver Lakewood, an IHG Hotel • Residence Inn Denver Southwest/Lakewood

Academy Park is in southern Lakewood and just 10 minutes from my favorite music venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater. The vibes and views are simply unmatched, no matter where you sit. I recommend staying at Holiday Inn Denver Lakewood if you’re visiting for a show. It offers free shuttles to Red Rocks, a major perk because parking can be challenging during events! 

However, just seeing Red Rocks Amphitheater is one of the top things to do in Denver. Stand on stage, snap photos of its rock formations, and check out a nearby hike. Red Rocks Park has some of the best trails near Denver including Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Trails. You’ll love the stunning panoramas of the foothills on this moderate 3-mile loop! 

In general, Academy Park is a great choice for outdoor activities. Bear Creek Lake Park is less than 10 minutes away. I especially recommend paddle boarding here, as Big Soda Lake is calm and free of motorboats. Chatfield State Park is 15 minutes south and one of my favorite biking areas. It has 12 miles of paved trails, so you’ll find an ideal route no matter your skill level! 

Dinosaur Ridge is also nearby, famed for its fossilized dinosaur tracks. This fascinating attraction inspired the Best Western Denver Southwest interior. My extended family stayed here recently and loved its unique lobby and common areas. They’re decorated with dozens of dinosaur fossil replicas — a Stegosaurus skeleton even covers an entire wall!  

Pros of Staying in Academy Park Neighborhood:

• Near Red Rocks and several outdoor attractions 
• Quality selection of hotels in Lakewood
• Restaurants and conveniences close by 

Cons of Staying in Academy Park Neighborhood:

• This Lakewood region is the farthest from downtown Denver 
• Can be noisy given its proximity to U.S. Highway 285

Belmar

👉 Best Area For Urban Amenities | ✨ Best Belmar Hotels: Hyatt House Denver Lakewood Belmar

Hands down, Hyatt House Denver Lakewood Belmar has the best location among hotels in Lakewood. The other Lakewood regions are concentrated and sometimes walkable. But Belmar is far more pedestrian-friendly with wide sidewalks along slow-moving side streets — a big safety benefit for families! 

I also love the charming aesthetic of Belmar’s open-air shopping complex. Bistro lights hang year-round. You can browse local boutiques and big box stores like Target and Best Buy. There’s also a Whole Foods and stellar restaurants for every preferred atmosphere, cuisine, and budget. 

The wide selection of retailers and conveniences means you never have to travel far. But this Lakewood hotel is also a great home base for further exploring. 

The Lakewood-Wadsworth light rail station is just 2 miles north. Use it to easily and affordably reach Denver International Airport and downtown attractions. Hyatt House is also much cheaper than the top Denver hotels. On average, a night is half the cost!  

Pros of Staying in Belmar Neighborhood:

• Charming and walkable 
• Has a wide selection of restaurants and retailers
• Conveniently near a light rail station 

Cons of Staying in Belmar Neighborhood:

• Only one quality hotel option 
• Parking is limited and costly 

Tips for Staying in Lakewood

Trade Charm for Affordability

In general, Lakewood has a suburban feel. Attractions are sprawled out and most restaurants, retailers, and even hotels are chains. 

It may not be as charming as some Denver neighborhoods, but you trade that for affordability. Hotels in Lakewood are often half the price of places to stay in Denver! 

Visit My Go-To Restaurants and Bars

Yes, there are tons of chain restaurants in this suburb. But there are also stellar local eateries. Check out Lady Nomada in Belmar, one of my favorite places to visit in Lakewood. Its airy, tropical atmosphere will whisk you away to Baja, Mexico! 

I also love Greenfields Pool & Sports Bar. It’s one of my go-to dives with affordable drinks and plenty of entertainment. Stop in to watch the games, catch live music, and play a game of pool. It’s almost guaranteed you won’t have to wait for a table. 

📚 Related Reading: 57 Best Denver Restaurants in 2023 (According to Locals)

Consider Renting a Car

The light rail is one of the best ways to get around Denver. Stations are located near the Daniels / Union Station neighborhoods and Belmar regions. It’s affordable, but I find this mode of transportation to be somewhat limiting and often more time-consuming than driving. 

I suggest renting a vehicle if you want to explore further and at your own pace. Book with Discover Cars to easily compare agency reviews and rental rates! You won’t find a better deal anywhere else.  

Get Outside

Lakewood has more green spaces than most Colorado cities, and Bear Creek Lake Park is my personal favorite. It has a greater range of outdoor activities than any other Lakewood park. Enjoy paddle sports, swimming, mountain biking, hiking, and more! Your entire family will find something to enjoy, and visiting is super affordable at just $10 per vehicle. 

Take One of My Favorite Day Trips

Pack up the car and spend a day in the mountains! Lakewood is just a half hour from Idaho Springs attractions like the Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel. It’s one of the best places to learn about the state’s fascinating gold rush era. Your guide will lead you through the 5-story historic mill and even teach you to pan for gold! 

Georgetown is another one of my favorite day trips from Denver. It’s home to the Georgetown Loop Railroad, one of the most scenic train rides in Colorado. I cannot recommend it enough, especially in the autumn. The train winds through dense and vibrant aspen groves which few leaf-peeping destinations can rival! 

FAQs About Where to Stay in Lakewood

What is the best area to stay in Lakewood for first-timers?

The best area to stay in Lakewood for first-timers is Academy Park, in my opinion. It’s near several key Lakewood attractions and mountain parks, including those in nearby Golden and Morrison. 

You can also access Red Rocks Amphitheatre from Academy Park in just 10 minutes. I highly recommend attending a concert there, or simply seeing the venue and going on a hike. Red Rocks Park trails have some of the most dramatic views of the foothills. 

What are the safest areas to stay in Lakewood?

The safest areas to stay in Lakewood are Academy Park and the Daniels / Union Square area, in my opinion. I recommend these areas to families, business travelers, and any type of visitor. These neighborhoods have a suburban feel with less foot traffic than other parts of Lakewood. Violent crime and property crime are unlikely. 

***

Thanks for reading my guide! To further plan your trip, see my article on Colorado mountain towns next.