3 Best Hostels in Denver – Swanky Retro Mansion, Jaccuzzi and Live Music, anyone?

Let’s journey to the capital of Colorado and discover the absolute best hostels in Denver – are you ready?

As always, we’ll be honest here: there aren’t a great deal of hostels to choose from in this city. Yet we still managed to find 3 choices worth staying in and adding to this guide.

Your shortcut:

1. Ember Hostel – top pick for solo travelers
2. Hostel Fish – perfect for backpackers
3. 11th Avenue Hostel – ideal for older travelers

Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.

Whether you’re venturing this state to indulge in legalised cannabis, or enjoy 19th-century buildings, this guide is for you.

This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…

• are tired of crappy hostels!
• want a social Hostel to actually meet people
• are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience

Compare all of the best hostels in the USA here. There is also a 5 star hostel in Colorado called The Bivvi Hostel, Breckenridge.

Quickly: If you were hoping to stay at Mile High Hostel Denver (aka Mile High House), we’re afraid it has now closed its doors.

Quick Introduction to Denver

Average price for a bed: Hostels in Denver cost 20€ – 35€ per night for a bed in a dorm room. A private room starts from 59€ up to 120€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.

Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelz.com, Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.

Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.

🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:

• How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
• 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
• How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide

The 3 Best Hostels in Denver

Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Denver, United States of America.

1. Ember Hostel
   
2. Hostel Fish
3. 11th Avenue Hostel
   

We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.

Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type

🦸 Solo Traveler:	Ember Hostel
🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler:	Hostel Fish
🎒 For Backpackers:	Hostel Fish
👩‍❤️‍👨Couple Hostel:	Ember Hostel
👨‍👩‍👦 Family Hostel:	11th Avenue Hostel
👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads:	11th Avenue Hostel
🧘 Cozy Hostel:	Ember Hostel

1. Ember Hostel

Imagine this for a second…

…warming by a fire after a dip in the outside jacuzzi of a 9000 square foot Mansion.

Uh huh, right?

We could probably say no more and that would be enough to book a stay with Ember Hostel.

Yet it doesn’t stop there as there is so much more to show you.

This swanky retro hostel will fill your photo album in seconds. Just look at the beautiful boutique design!

Read: 28 handpicked boutique hostels

It would be silly to go through each room one by one. Just believe us when we say that all rooms – private and shared – are luxurious, sparkling clean and seriously hip.

What we will say is that each ensuite comes with a rain shower and free towels. Amazing.

Though it may be tempting to hide behind your privacy curtain; don’t.

Instead, get sociable and enjoy:

• 12-person jacuzzi
• Outdoor terrace
• Communal kitchen (free tea/coffee)
• Outdoor fire pit & indoor fireplace
• Super fast, reliable free Wifi

If you enjoy organised activities, you’re in luck!

To add to the unique vibe of this place, cute ideas such as Sunday morning cartoons and S’mores by the fire are on the menu.

Otherwise, get cosy at one of the movie nights or enjoy a wilder evening at the Thursday night pub crawl.

The service here is excellent.

Location: Up on Cap Hill, just a 15-minute stroll from the impressive State Capitol. Grab a free city map before heading off to explore from this centrally located hostel.

This is one of the best hostels in Denver for

• Solo travellers
• Couples

Book Ember Hostel here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

2. Hostel Fish

To avoid trying to put a better spin on it. The team at Hostel Fish say it perfectly…

“We believe that a hostel of backpackers, by backpackers, and for backpackers, shall be a fun, safe, spotless, high-end joint that is Classy as F…(ish!)”

And! This place used to be a brothel.

All travellers that love to chat and enjoy live music will fit right in.

Come on then, let’s have a closer look at what to expect:

• Downstairs restaurant & music venue
• Happy Hour everyday w/ FREE drink
• Communal tours & pub crawls
• Wifi throughout building
• Free iPad use

Note: noise can be heard from downstairs – ask for a free pair of ear plugs if you fancy an early night.

The friendly staff here love to divulge knowledge and have a general chit-chat with guests. So don’t be shy and pick their brains!

What are the cons? Sorry guys, no free breakfast or free parking.

Make sure you also inquire about the upcoming activities, there are many.

From yoga and walking tours, to open mic and Motown night – there is plenty of fun to be had.

Not sure whether you want to share a room or have some privacy?

All room options are available. Go for a 10-bed mixed or opt for a 6-bed female.

Tip: book a private queen room on the top floor to move away from the downstairs noise.

Just look at the photos. Privacy curtain, storage and ready-made bed. Nice, huh?

Location: It’s the best hostel in Downtown Denver, no doubt about it. Everything you could want and need is within a 15-minute walk.

This is one of the best hostels in Denver for

• Backpackers
• Female solo travellers

Book Hostel Fish here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

3. 11th Avenue Hostel

At 11th Avenue Hostel it’s possible to stay close to the action without a crazy price tag attached.

This no-frills, community driven accommodation is a good option for older travellers to make themselves at home.

We actually really like the room options, so let’s start with that:

• 4 and 6-bed female-only dorms
• 4 and 6-bed male-only dorms
• Economy twin & double
• Double room (ensuite)
• Double room (shared bathroom)
• Economy quadruple room

Once you’re settled in, kick off your shoes and have a look around.

There’s a nice outdoor and indoor communal space to relax. It’s where you’ll find other travellers, too.

“We believe in providing everything you need, but nothing you don’t”

Have a look at the events board and see what you fancy.

Common activities include tours and the odd pub crawl. Bear in mind they are based on occupancy and interest.

Otherwise, we’d recommend staying here if you prefer dumping your bags and exploring the nearby sights.

Good to know: a 16.41% tax is not included in the price.

Location: Within 3 blocks of most major museums, and a quick ride to the zoo and science museum. Great food, drinks and day hikes are all reachable by foot, too.

This is one of the best hostels in Denver for

• Older travellers
• Adults

Book 11th Avenue Hostel here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

What about the cheapest hostels in Denver?

Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Denver.

1. Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Denver
2. add your dates
3. Order the listings by price

Simple as that.

Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.

Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.

Best Hostels in Denver for Solo Travellers?

What is seriously the best hostel in Denver for solo-travellers?

That’s an easy one: Ember Hostel.

It’s a wonderful choice for sociable solo travellers as well as female solo travellers. The rooms are both sociable and great for getting some space. All you need to do is draw the curtain!

Join the crowd by the Jacuzzi, or find a cosy hidden space in one of the many common areas. Being so close to downtown it’s an ideal hostel for exploring on foot and meeting locals.

Book Ember Hostel here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Party Hostels in Denver

Let’s say this quickly and painlessly: there is no official party hostel in Denver.

But never fear dear reader, for we have a great option for you instead.

Book your stay with our #1 Ember Hostel and be guaranteed some good memories.

It’s a great place for meeting people, whether it be in the jacuzzi or by the outside firepit.

Drinks are welcome on-site and it’s just a 15-minute stroll to some nearby pubs. Sorted.

Book Ember Hostel here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Unique Hostel in Denver

Ok, let’s not pretend that some of you may be venturing to Colorado to explore the marijuana dispensaries.

Yes, that’s right: Cannabis is legal in Colorado and Denver.

Stout House BNB is a marijuana friendly household that offers tons of smoking paraphernalia and complimentary papers, pipes and lighters.

This could be described as a stoner heaven.

Note: Stout House is separated in to #1, #2 and #3 on Airbnb so make sure you choose the preferred room.

Alongside smoking, there’s all of this to look forward to:

• Courtyard w/ fire pit
• Full size pool table
• 2 cats
• 1000s of vinyls
• DJ booth & sound system

Book Stout House BNB here

Any Discounts?

You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.

It is completely free to join!

How to book?

The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.

We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.

Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld

We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Denver best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.

The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.

Download the Hostelworld App here

Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!

Our Favorite Hostels in Denver put on a map + sights

Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best hostels Denver on a map.

Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.

We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:

• Denver Botanic Gardens
• Denver Art Museum
• Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
• Molly Brown House Museum
• Downtown Denver
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science
• Coors field

Flights to Denver?

We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.

FAQ

Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.

More guides

Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Denver and some of the best Colorado hostels.

Here are all our US Hostel Guides:

• best hostels in the USA
• best hostels in New York City, Manhattan and Brooklyn
• best hostels in California
• best hostels in Washington DC
• best hostels in Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Honolulu and Oahu
• best hostels in Los Angeles
• best hostels in San Diego
• best hostels in San Francisco
• best hostels in Hollywood
• best hostels in Key West
• best hostels in Seattle
• best hostels in Boston
• best hostels in Chicago
• best hostels in New Orleans
• best hostels in Portland
• best hostels in Houston
• best hostels in Dallas
• best hostels in Miami
• best hostels in Las Vegas
• best hostels in Boulder
• best hostels in Anchorage

Party hostels in the US:

• coolest party hostels in the US
• coolest party hostels in Miami
• coolest party hostels in San Francisco

You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.

We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.

Over to you

Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!

Your question will help us to improve this Denver guide.

Last note: Our commitment

This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.

Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks

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