Hilton Denver City Center Review: Girl’s Trip

Friendships, the deep and true ones, have a way of defying time. Susan and I met decades ago when we were both new girls in a tiny Kentucky town, drawn together by the fact that our boyfriends were friends. Fast forward 4 decades later and we are still as close as ever, even though we don’t see each other often (enough).  A weekend at the Hilton Downtown Denver capped by a concert at Red Rocks Ampitheatre seemed like a great way to create yet another memory.

Hilton Denver City Center is in a prime location in the heart of downtown Denver.  It is easily accessible by train from the airport and to some of Denver’s top attractions.  We felt very safe staying there and walking to nearby activities and restaurants.

Rooms and Amenities

Our king suite at the Hilton Denver City Center was spacious, with a separate living room and kitchenette. The bedding is fresh but the living room decor is a bit dated and darkly lit – very 1980s.   Rooms come equipped with flat-screen TVs, plush beds, and workout stations upon request.  Workout rooms can include a Peleton and/or free weights.

Read more:

• Fun Things to Do in Downtown Denver with Kids
• Fun Day Trips From Denver for Epic Colorado Adventures
• Free Things to Do in Denver in the Winter
• 7 Best Girls Trip Locations for the Ultimate BFF Getaway
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Two Presidential suites are available – one with a pool table and one with a conference table. Each has gorgeous views, a butler pantry and a large attached bedroom.

The staff is highly attentive to safety, especially for women traveling alone. If a female guest books a single-occupancy room, the staff ensures she is not placed near a stairwell. Access to the elevator requires a key, and there are no rooms on the first floor.

The fitness center is stacked with modern, new equipment and open 24-hours. There is no pool but there is a fantastic bar, restaurant and Starbucks on site. Susan, a daily 4-shot espresso drinker and early riser, relished that her coffee could be charged to the room, when she went down at 0 dark-thirty and forgot her phone.

Prospect’s Urban Kitchen & Bar

Denver is known for its foodie scene, and hotel restaurants usually don’t make the cut—but Prospects Urban Bar and Grill is the exception. Whether I’m staying at the hotel or not, I’d happily dine at Prospects anytime.  Chef Ed is a gem. Hailing from Hawaii’s finest hotels, he mixes his Korean heritage and Hawaiian upbringing into the menu. Susan’s favorite dish was Chef’s Korean Tacos – a mixture of tender marinated steak with slaw, pickled red onions and a tangy-sweet vinaigrette (with just the right amount of heat!) My favorite was the Buddha Bowl, packed with fresh veggies and I topped it with a gorgeous salmon filet.

The blackboard specials are seasonal and exceptional, and use locally grown, organic food.  We loved the Heirloom Tomato Salad “lei” with avocado, sweet drop peppers and bacon. The Palisades’ peaches were also in season and specials included homemade peach ice cream and two peach mixed drinks.  Bartender Frank, who has been mixing cocktails at the hotel for 39 years, blended us a taste of each. The Revenant, a lavender-infused cocktail was gorgeous but I preferred the smoothness of the Bourbon Peach Smash.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Hilton Gold Members get a $30 daily credit that can be used in the market, restaurant, on-site Starbucks or room service.  The credit does not accrue.

Parking at Hilton Denver City Center

Valet is $64/24 hours, which I think is steep. But disclaimer: I hate to pay for parking – at any price.  The value for me, however, was that I rented an electric vehicle and the valet went with me to the parking garage across the street so that I could charge it.  They would also alert me when it was time to move it.  It’s also worth mentioning that the valet team is beyond helpful.  They always greeted me and asked what they could help me with, which my friend and I appreciated.

Airport-Hotel Train Transport

Although we chose a car, Denver natives recommend the train to and from the airport to downtown. It’s an easy commute, and the train station is less than a mile from the hotel. If you don’t want the hassle of a car, and plan to stay close to the downtown action, this is a great option.

Things to Do in Denver Near Hilton Downtown Denver

We walked all over downtown.  Even at night (early evening).

Staying at the Hilton Denver City Center puts you right in the middle of downtown action. All of the following attractions are nearby:

• 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian-friendly strip filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
• Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, is less than a mile away, making it easy to catch a game.
• Denver Art Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum. Note: if museums are your thing, pick up a Denver Media Passport.
• Civic Center Park is a nearby green space perfect for a midday stroll or picnic.
• Union Station, a historic landmark that’s been transformed into a trendy hub filled with boutiques, cafes, and bars.
• Larimer Square offers historic charm and boutique shopping.
• Red Rocks.  Our reunion was based on attending a concert at Red Rocks, an easy 20 minute drive from the hotel. Red Rocks is more than just a concert venue—it’s part of the stunning Colorado landscape and an unforgettable experience. The natural acoustics, breathtaking views, and singing along to John Fogerty were the perfect backdrop for our BFF weekend. There is no train or public transport to the venue, however there are buses that transport rockers from downtown.  We rented a car so that we could also visit Red Rocks during the day (it is gorgeous and has a lot of hiking trails). We also arrived early to tailgate before the concert that night.