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Where To Stay In Fort Collins Colorado – Wondering where to stay in Fort Collins, Colorado? Fort Collins attracts a wide variety of visitors to the area, so where you stay will depend on what’s on your itinerary and what you’re looking for for a vacation.
I am a native of Colorado and am here to share with you the different options for where you should stay in Fort Collins. Whether you’re headed to college, exploring natural areas, or strolling the quaint streets of Old Town Fort Collins, I’ll help you find the right place.
Where To Stay In Fort Collins Colorado
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Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Fort Collins? Here are my top picks:
If you’re visiting the city as a tourist or as a student at Colorado State University, you’ll want to stay in downtown Fort Collins. If you plan hiking or other activities during your visit, or if you simply want to escape the hustle and bustle of the historic district, consider one of the other parts of the city.
👉 Best area for tourism | ✨ Best Hotels in Old Town Fort Collins: The Armstrong Hotel • The Elizabeth Hotel • Remington Flats
If you’re visiting Fort Collins on vacation or visiting Colorado State University, Old Town Fort Collins is your best bet. This area is believed to be one of the inspirations for Disneyland on Main Street USA. There are many restaurants, shops, bars, Old Town Square, and more things to do within walking distance of the Old Town Fort Collins Hotel.
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Hotel Armstrong is a fun place to stay for a taste of history, but with amenities. The Elizabeth Hotel Autograph Collection is another beautiful hotel in downtown Fort Collins with upscale accommodations and fun extras like in-room record players.
You’ll be close to Colorado State University if you live in the city, so it’s a good base whether you’re visiting a student or checking out a college.
👉 Related Reading: Check out my list of the Top 25 Things to Do in Fort Collins to help you plan your trip!
👉 Best Areas for Cheap Hotels | ✨ Best North Fort Collins Hotels: Fort Collins Inn • Quality Inn & Suites Wellington • 626 Country Club Road
Fort Collins, Colorado Is America’s Most Satisfied City
If you want to avoid the more expensive hotels in Fort Collins, you’ll find the most affordable places to stay in the North End. Like most hotels in the area, you get what you pay for, and the motels and hotels available tend to have lower ratings and less fancy amenities. However, there are some nicer (and more expensive) private homes to rent near the country club.
The northern Fort Collins area is less populated than the city and you’ll feel a more rural feel. You’ll also be close to the Wyoming border if you want to check out another state while you’re there.
👉 Best area for business travelers | ✨ Best Hotels in South Fort Collins: Candlewood Suites Fort Collins • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites • Home2 Suites by Hilton
Hotels in Fort Collins, south of Old Town, offer several extended-stay options with rooms and suites. South Fort Collins has more of a suburban feel, so it makes sense that it would also have hotels that mimic the feel of home, with longer stays. South Fort Collins has several parks, a reservoir, and several lakes that make it a scenic area to visit.
Find Fort Collins, Co Hotels Downtown Hotels In Fort Collins Hotel Search By Hotel & Travel Index: Travel Weekly
👉Best area for rural feel. ✨ Best Hotels in East Fort Collins: Best Western Kiva Inn • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fort Collins • Comfort Inn Fort Collins North
East Fort Collins is located near several open spaces and designated natural areas. This means that the area has a secluded rural feel. You’ll also get an amazing view of the mountains to the west. You’ll be close to the CSU Environmental Learning Center and the Jessup Farms Artisan Village, where you’ll find small businesses, food and gifts.
👉 Best area for Horsetooth Reservoir | ✨ Best Hotels in West Fort Collins: Best Western University Inn • Hilton Fort Collins
West Fort Collins has a great place for outdoor adventures both on and off the water – Horsetooth Reservoir. In the summer, visitors can paddle board, kayak, fish, and more on Reservoir Lake. There are hikes year-round, and in winter, outdoor enthusiasts can snowshoe or cross-country ski. Lowry State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space are located near the reservoir, with more open areas to explore.
Hotel Quality Inn & Suites University Fort Collins, Co 3* (united States)
Most hotels back into downtown Fort Collins, and if you want to be right on the reservoir, consider camping. However, it is not far from the reservoir to the hotel.
🚐 Pro Tip: If you really want to experience the Colorado outdoors, try RV camping outdoors and have an incredible view right outside your door! Check out the full Outdoor Abigail review for more details.
If you’re looking to save money on hotels and activities in Fort Collins, look no further than Old Town. Hotels in the Old Town area will be nicer and closer to Fort Collins attractions, but you’ll save money by leaving downtown. Additionally, an extended stay hotel in Colorado will usually provide you with space in a small kitchen to store and prepare your meals.
Depending on your plans, you may want to rent a car. It takes just over an hour to get to Fort Collins from Denver International Airport, so taking an Uber or Lyft can get expensive. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can take a shared shuttle from the airport.
Things To Do In Fort Collins: Why This Town Is Colorado’s Next Big Hit
If you stay at one of the Downtown Fort Collins hotels, you’ll be within walking distance of restaurants, attractions, shopping and more. However, if you want to hike, boat, or enjoy a day at Horsetooth Reservoir, you’ll probably want your own car. Discover Cars is a great place to start if you are looking for a rental in Fort Collins.
The high altitude and many outdoor activities in Colorado can lead to dehydration very quickly if you’re not careful. Make sure you drink plenty of water and carry a water bottle (or more) wherever you go. This advice applies to any place you visit in Colorado.
Another consideration when spending a lot of time outside is making sure you are properly protected from the sun. You’ll definitely want a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Wear sun protection even on cloudy days, as Colorado’s weather changes quickly. Cloud cover can lift you up and leave you exposed to the sun…and then five minutes later, you’ll find yourself wearing your sweatpants again.
Motel 6 Fort Collins, Co, Fort Collins
Because the weather changes so quickly in Colorado, one moment you can feel like you’re cold and the next you’re shedding layers of sweat. Bring a few layers that are easy to put on and take off, as well as a backpack to store them when you don’t need them.
Knowing what to pack for Colorado is a great way to prepare for your trip. Our Colorado packing guide is a great reference point to make sure you pack all the essentials for Fort Collins.
👉 More guides to where to stay in Colorado: Where to Stay in Denver, Where to Stay in Boulder, Where to Stay in Colorado Springs
Fort Collins is worth visiting because the city has a laid-back college town vibe that makes living in Fort Collins feel like a real, relaxing vacation. There are plenty of outdoor activities, a thriving craft beer scene, and a lovely old town.
The Elizabeth Hotel In Fort Collins, Colorado (hotel Review)
Spend the day in Fort Collins with breakfast and coffee in Old Town, perusing the shops and people watching. You can then go hiking or whitewater rafting on the Cache la Pudre River before spending the day at Horsetooth Reservoir. Finish with dinner at Ginger & Baker or drinks at the Union Bar Soda Fountain.
There’s plenty to do in Fort Collins at night, including Totally 80’s Pizza and Museum, the Union Bar Soda Fountain, Washington’s live music venue, and the Holiday Twin Drive-In Theater.
Whether you want to experience Fort Collins’ famous craft breweries, visit a student or check out campus, or spend the day hiking and exploring the outdoors, there is a place to stay in Fort Collins that is perfect for you. Correct. If you’re looking to spend some time outdoors, check out our seasonal list of the Best Hiking Trails in Fort Collins.
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New Owners Take Over Armstrong Hotel
Laura is a freelance writer in Colorado. She has written for such publications and websites as BabyCenter, Colorado Parent Magazine, and Denver Parent. He enjoys hiking, rowing, camping and snowboarding and has run exactly one marathon. He currently resides in Littleton, Colorado with his wife and four children. they like to explore the country and stuff