If you are looking for an affordable hotel near Denver, Colorado, I have a suggestion for you. Best Western Plus Gateway Inn and Suites is a Denver alternative that won’t break the bank. The Best Western Plus hotel is located in Aurora, Colorado, about 20 minutes from downtown Denver. It’s conveniently located about 20 minutes from Denver International Airport, depending on traffic.
We’ve stayed in boutique hotels in downtown Denver by Union Station, as well as hotels by the upscale Cherry Creek neighborhood. But why pay expensive hotel prices if you are looking to stay near Denver International Airport, or traveling with kids and simply want an indoor swimming pool?
The 4-story Best Western Gateway Inn & Suites was renovated in 2020. The 82-room BW Plus hotel is easily accessible from I-70 freeway, yet close to a shopping center, restaurants and a Sam’s Club gas station with the cheapest gas we’ve found in Colorado.
Did I mention that we are on a cross-country road trip? Our adventure began in Oregon and took us to Mountain Home, Idaho, Jackson, Wyoming, Winter Park and Aurora, Colorado. All but one of these pit stops included overnight stays in wallet-friendly Best Western hotels.
In Aurora, we splurged on a Best Western Plus hotel for our Denver area stay. While a tad more expensive than standard BW hotels, I like a hotel with amenities and larger guest rooms. We noticed that the Aurora, Colorado hotel lobby was also more spacious than our last hotel.
With its expansive lobby, I could have spent more time at this hotel. One of the amenities of a Best Western Plus hotel is the quality coffee and enhanced breakfast. I’m told that all Best Western Plus hotels in the United States will soon be receiving cappuccino makers, too.
Of the 82 hotel rooms, 40 are king suites. The majority of the rooms hold 2 queen beds. If a king suite is important to you, I recommend booking early, as I’m told these rooms sell out at the Best Western Gateway Inn & Suites.
We had originally rented a standard king hotel room for $106.02, not including tax. We were upgraded to a king suite, room #419 for our 2-night stay. We enjoy room discounts as Best Western diamond level members, as well as perks such as bottled waters and snacks.
Our room included a microwave oven, in-room mini fridge, desk, sofa, chair and in-room safe. We were not traveling with our dog on this trip. However, some rooms at this Best Western Plus hotel are pet-friendly. On our visit, the nightly pet fee was $20. Look for dog treats at the front desk.
Request a west-facing room, offering mountain views and awesome sunsets. Room rates at this Best Western Plus hotel range from $119 to $175 and $190, depending on the season. You can also compare rates to see if you can score a better deal at Hotels.com or Expedia.
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Best Western Plus Gateway amenities
If you are on a Western United States road trip, you’ll appreciate that this Aurora, Colorado hotel has a coin-operated laundry room. Other amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub. There is also a small fitness room. If you are staying at Gateway Inn & Suites for an extended stay, or simply like to keep up with your fitness routine, access to Prestige Fitness is included with your stay. The fitness chain is located less than a block from the Aurora hotel.
Breakfast, served from 6:30 – 9:30 a.m., features a pancake machine, sausage, eggs, potatoes and a yogurt machine with fresh fruit. Coffee, juice and dried cereals are also available.
The Best Western Gateway Inn & Suites is within walking distance to Guadalajara Family Mexican Restaurant, as well as a Thai restaurant and Helga’s Haus & Bier Garden. I’m told this last restaurant is a dining institution in Aurora, Colorado.
Oregon-based Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown stayed at Best Western Plus Gateway Inn and Suites on her own dime. Text and all photography by the author. As always, all opinions are her own.
