Hyatt Place Peña Station/Denver Airport

While brand hotels can oftentimes seem bland and without character, the Hyatt Place Peña Station embraces its Colorado location nearly everywhere you turn from local art to its restaurant menu. Read on for the scoop on another hotel option at the Denver Airport.

The lobby of Hyatt Place Peña Station is warm, inviting and filled with local art. Photo credit: Hyatt Place Pena Station/Denver Airport

In November 2019, the Hyatt Place Peña Station/Denver Airport joined the hotel options near DIA. That reminds me of when the 11.-1-mile Peña Boulevard opened in 1993, and the corridor to Denver International Airport was essentially deserted, with mounds of dirt, few parking structures, and the occasional hotel.

Today, this freeway, the primary access into the airport, is lined with dozens of hotel options including Woolley’s Classic Suites, the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention, and the Westin Denver Airport. Yet with Denver International Airport as the fifth busiest airport in the United States, more hotels are needed to serve its more than 64 million passengers, many of whom are here to enjoy Colorado. With the Light Rail joining the DIA corridor to downtown Denver, these hotels serve yet another purpose to tourists.

How to Get To & From Hyatt Place Peña Station

Since I had an early morning flight to Oregon, I opted for a stay at Hyatt Place Peña Station prior to my departure. Located just 10 miles west the Denver International Airport (DEN) and 20 miles from downtown.

How to get here is simple. Guests at this hotel can opt to drive here, or take the nearest A-Line RTD Light Rail stop at 61st and Peña Station, a four-minute walk from the hotel. This public transportation delivers guests to and from the airport in just 8 minutes, giving them bragging rights as the only hotel directly on the A-Line. Heading downtown? The A-Line takes less than 30 minutes to/from downtown Denver’s Union Station.  (Be sure to check out the Crawford Hotel at Union Station!)

My commute from west Metro Denver was about 30 minutes, and overnight outdoor self-parking for guests is complimentary. The outdoor parking is also conveniently located within minutes of the hotel’s lobby. Extended stay parking is available for an additional fee.

In addition, this Denver Airport Hyatt offers an on-demand 24-hour complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. Scheduled departures are also offered every 20 minutes. Check with the hotel for details. 

Check-In at Hyatt Place Peña Station / Denver Airport

Integrated art includes a luggage wall behind the reception desk at Hyatt Place Pena Station. Photo: Diana Rowe

My complimentary parking spot was less than a minute walk to the lobby entrance. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I stepped into the lobby, I felt comfortable and warm (Colorado in February was freezing temps).

Worth mentioning is their resident pup, Denver, who is super friendly and well behaved, and enjoys greeting guests.

The front desk staff greeted me immediately, although I did have a short wait until they completed check-in for another guest. This gave me time to glance around at all the decor and art-work in the social spaces. I noted the luggage wall behind the front desk. Immediately behind me (and across from the reception desk) was a sitting area with more artwork — and view master to “see” what exactly was in the TVs above the lobby desk.

The flickering fireplace offered relaxed seating and a nod to Colorado with a large-as-life buffalo artwork. The fireplace also acted as a divider to the breakfast room and restaurant bar area. Toward the back and to the left is the entrance to meeting rooms.

All areas are tastefully decorated in Colorado-centric decor with nods to its airport location and include dozens of unique and curated artwork, in partnership with NINE dot Arts.

A Full-service Starbucks is to the right behind the sitting area. The business center was also to the right, quietly tucked away in a private room. The pool and fitness room was to the left of the reception. (Read more on dining and amenities below.)

Families should take note of the exceptional welcome kids will receive. At check-in, children are invited to choose a trinket from the lobby Radio Flyer Wagon, and even more fun, they receive a kid-friendly hotel key on a personal lanyard. On weekends, kids will love the Pajama Pancake Party.

Check-in proceeded uneventfully, and I stepped onto the elevator just beyond the front desk.

Accommodations at Hyatt Place Peña Station / Denver Airport

While many travelers avoid brands, when it comes to my bedding and sleep comfort, I am a fan of Hyatt Place’s rooms and comfortable bedding and beds. Literally, once I stretch out on the mattress, I am lulled to sleep, which is one of the reasons I remain loyal to some brands. This Hyatt Place delivered on my expectations on king-size room accommodations (pictured above).

Hyatt Place Pena Station offers the usual larger guestrooms (total of 226), including separate spaces and a sofa-sleeper. Pictured below is their two-queen bedroom, and as you can see decorated and set up the same.

The interior design felt like Colorado, with warm, colors, dark and light woods, and leather chaired-work space. Since my introduction to the artwork in the lobby, I definitely took the time to look at the art in my room. My view was of the park-n-ride for the A-Line Light Rail with the mountains to the distance, but even with car traffic mulling about below my window, my room was soundproof. 

The workspace offers plenty of electrical plug-ins and USB options for charging or working.  And as always the big question for business travelers is if there is a charge for WiFi. Yes, it’s complimentary throughout the hotel and guestrooms, and my signal was strong no matter where I logged on.

Dining Options at the Hyatt Place Pena Station

The breakfast bar is available daily and is free to Hyatt’s loyalty members. It’s the usual buffet with eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, oatmeal, and bread. A full-service Starbucks is also located in the lobby. 

After checking in, I made my way to the lobby bar-restaurant to relax and enjoy its mountain views and both indoor and outdoor space.

At the recommendation of the server, I ordered  P & S Flatbread, prosciutto, mozzarella & parmesan, basil, pesto, tomatoes, lemon-dressed arugula! Seriously that pesto with a drizzle of honey — yummy! The menu featured local food and beers, wine and spirits. Room service was also offered.

For those who prefer grab-n-go, the Market serves prepared meals anytime and is also located on the lobby floor.

Although not during my stay, during warmer months, the Hyatt will offer creative dining including local food trucks.

Free-Flowing Social Spaces

I mentioned this above, but it’s worth mentioning again. The main floor features so many nooks and crannies to lounge either in a group or privately. 

In addition to the seating options pictured above, the coolest option, especially for families, is the Entertainment area. Stocked with board games, a Sony Play Station, and a library with digital options to keep everyone happily entertained.

Other On-Site Amenities

In addition, Hyatt Place offers an indoor heated pool and a Fitness Center with my dream exercise bike, the Pelton and other cardio equipment.

There’s a lot to love about the Hyatt Place Pena Station, including its convenient location and access to Denver Aiport and Downtown Denver. Whether you’re traveling on business, romantic getaway, or on a family vacation, I think this Hyatt Place offers the perfect setting for everyone.

Disclaimer: Thank you to the Hyatt Place Pena Station for providing accommodations for the purposes of a review; opinions expressed are my own. Photo credits: Hyatt Place Pena Station & Diana Rowe.