Downtown Colorado Springs is blessed with many full-service hotels. Without exception, they’re great places to get a drink or dinner, stay for a night or a week or just experience the color, clamor and fun of downtown. Here are four of our favorites, each unique in its own way.
THE MINING EXCHANGE
The original Colorado Springs Mining Exchange opened in 1894 as a business center for dozens of Cripple Creek and Victor mining companies to sell shares to finance their exploration activities. In its peak year it hosted more than $34 million in transactions. For many years, it was the largest mining stock exchange in the world, leading to the construction of the Mining Exchange Building in 1902. After the mining boom ended, the building housed attorneys, investment bankers and other professionals. It had fallen into disrepair by the early 20th century until it was recreated as a luxury hotel in 2012. It’s now a beautiful haven for modern travelers to celebrate the romantic past with 128 newly designed guestrooms, meeting and events space, and a spa. There are also two new food and beverage concepts: blk mgk, a high craft full-service coffee bar, and Golden Hour, the hotel’s newly conceived lobby bar. Located in the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs, it offers 19th century elegance and 21st century comfort.
SPRINGHILL SUITES DOWNTOWN
SpringHill Suites in Downtown Colorado Springs opened its doors in 2023, offering all the conveniences associated with modern hotels–and then some. Here are a few: free high-speed internet, pool, fitness center, parking, meeting event space, mobility accessible rooms, storage space, valet and same-day dry cleaning. The hotel is completely smoke-free, and you can bring two dogs per room. There’s free coffee in the lobby, and best of all is Lumen8, a rooftop bar-restaurant with great views of Pikes Peak and Downtown Colorado Springs. It has become a favorite with locals, guests and visitors to enjoy food, drinks and companionship that Lumen8’s atmosphere encourages.
KINSHIP LANDING
Kinship Landing is a different kind of downtown hotel. It’s not part of a national chain, it doesn’t specifically cater to business travelers and it doesn’t conform to the nationally dominant architectural template of newly constructed downtown hotels. In other words, it’s not a constrained rectangular tower on a small footprint.
Located on multiple lots on South Nevada Avenue, the hotel has a spacious yard, an enclosed greenhouse and a first-floor high-ceiling bar and restaurant. It targets a younger clientele, one oriented to experiences rather than business deals.
“Consider us your personal insider guide to exploring the real gems of Colorado Springs,” the hotel’s website advises guests. “Whether it’s hiking, rock climbing or fishing you’re after, or you want a taste of the food, arts and culture that are literally steps away from our hotel in downtown Colorado Springs — we’ll connect you to an authentic way to experience our city. Seriously, our favorite thing to do is helping people have an amazing time, and we’ll gladly point you in the right direction. And don’t forget, a curated bar menu showcasing the best of our local craft cocktails, beer, and coffee community is there for you from sunrise to late night.”
THE ANTLERS HOTEL
The Antlers Hotel has a storied past, beginning in 1883, a dozen years after the incorporation of Colorado Springs. Erected by the city’s founder, General William Palmer, the hotel had 75 rooms, a hydraulic elevator, a billiards room, a music room, a barber shop, a Turkish Bath and a children’s playroom. It was the pride of the city until it burned to the ground in 1898. Undaunted, Palmer rebuilt it in 1901, this time in Italian Renaissance style, featuring 200 rooms and every modern convenience. The new hotel endured until 1964, when it was torn down and replaced with today’s periodically updated tower. It is still the dominant building in the city’s skyline and by far the largest hotel, with 273 rooms, including 22 suites. The Antlers Hotel is dog-friendly (50 lbs. max), and offers free WiFi, a business center, indoor and outdoor pools, an adjacent parking structure and multiple bars and restaurants.
Why did Palmer call it The Antlers? Because he displayed his sporting trophies there. Do any remain? Nope.
