Black Hawk hotels

The Ameristar Casino Resort Spa is the first place I visited and I can easily see why it’s considered one of the best hotels in Black Hawk. I’ve spent some time at the blackjack table here and the service is excellent.

I love how the interior is just as rustic as the hotel itself. Stonework and carved wood adorn the walls and furnishings. Guestrooms like the Mountain Pine Suites might as well be out in the middle of the woods: the panoramic views of the Rockies, fireplace, and generous living space make it feel like a real mountain retreat.

The Ara Spa is a supremely relaxing spot. The steam room and hot tub in the relaxation room are perfect places to unwind before or after a massage. If you’re visiting in the summer, I’d swap the spa for live music and drinks at the casino’s Richman Beer Garden.

When it comes to having an incredible experience on and off the casino floor, Monarch Casino Resort Spa is one of the best hotels in Black Hawk to book. You’ll feel like a high roller in the spacious suites with dreamy spa baths for two. Even the standard guestrooms have luxurious amenities like pillow-top bedding and comfortable lounge seating.

Monarch is also one of the best hotels in Black Hawk for non-gamblers, with the on-site spa ranked among the finest in the country. More than 30,000 square feet of spa space includes a light therapy lounge, an aqua lounge, a rooftop infinity pool, and a fitness centre with mountain views.

Whether an all-day spa session or a quick workout is on the itinerary, Monarch’s dining options offer an equally indulgent experience. Fine dining and juicy steaks are always on the menu at Monarch Chophouse, while Bistro Mariposa has fusion fare covered.

Although Century Casino & Hotel is technically in Central City, it neighbours the best hotels in Black Hawk, which are just a mile away. This is one of the best casinos in the area, offering table games, slots, and video poker. It also has a skybridge that conveniently connects the hotel to Central City’s historic area.

I like that Century Casino also separates most of its dining options from the gaming area. The quiet Mid City Grill is on a lower level, while the Retro Deli and Tavern is perfect for grabbing a quick bite.

The casino floor is as lively as the guestrooms are relaxing. I’d go for one of the two full suites if you can, especially since they feature fireplaces or hot tubs. The mini-suites lack these amenities, but they do have a separate lounge and sleeping areas to give them a cosy, at-home feel.

Only 12 miles from Black Hawk, the Argo Inn and Suites is a great alternative if the best hotels in Black Hawk are fully booked. This property in Idaho Springs has two types of guestrooms to choose from. I think that the Standard and Deluxe rooms are better suited for guests who merely need a welcoming place to sleep.

The four luxury rooms, meanwhile, come with full kitchens and dining areas, ideal for those who like to spend more time in their suite unwinding. No matter which room I choose, I’m most likely to be found sitting in one of the handcrafted wooden deck chairs set up along Clear Creek.

It takes zero convincing for me to stay at the Argo Inn and Suites. It’s set right down the street from Beau Jo’s pizza parlour, the Tommyknocker Brewery, and the Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel, all of which I highly recommend visiting.

The Club Hotel is one of the best hotels in Black Hawk and the surrounding area for history buffs. Located in the historic area of nearby Idaho Springs, this site was a private home and gentlemen’s club in the 1880s before becoming a hotel in 1985.

The hotel is nearly as old as Idaho Springs itself, opening up not long after the Pikes Peak Gold Rush descended. Today the hotel is much more modern, with Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs in every suite and guestroom. Yet, even with updated rooms, there’s still a lovely sense of yesteryear.

Locally sourced soaps in the bathrooms and coffee in the living areas celebrate the small town’s artisans. With restaurants, breweries, and attractions right outside the Club Hotel’s lobby, this Idaho Springs spot is a great place to stay when visiting nearby Black Hawk.

The best hotels in Black Hawk fill up quickly, so a stay at the nearby Silver Lake Lodge is a fitting substitute. Tucked away near St. Mary’s Glacier west of Black Hawk, this bed and breakfast is known for its relaxing ambience.

Think of it as a peaceful mountain getaway, without being too far from the buzz of Black Hawk’s casinos. The shared common area has a game room and arcade, perfect for having fun with friends (or new acquaintances) while staying warm indoors. Nearly all of the guestrooms here have either mountain or valley views.

The winter snow doesn’t stop guests from heading out onto the terrace and taking in the views with a cup of fresh coffee. Some suites also have private balconies, where you can enjoy the scenery in blissful solitude.

When the best hotels to stay in Black Hawk are booked up, properties like this secluded log cabin are excellent options. The cabin is a short drive from the centre of Black Hawk, offering a tranquil retreat for guests who love the outdoors.

It’s tough to pick just one spot to relax in this cabin. The full kitchen has a centre bar for conversation and cocktails. The covered patio offers relief from the sun and snow, while the open balcony lets the mountain weather set the mood. There’s also a fire pit outside for all-season marshmallow roasting.

I love that there’s a loft above the living area – it provides an extra space to unwind when the living room’s fireplace gets a little too warm.

Set approximately 17 miles from Black Hawk, the Comfort Suites in Evergreen is surprisingly lavish. Unlike most Comfort Suites I’ve stayed in, the lodge-style aesthetic at this all-suite hotel is fantastic.

One of the best hotels in Black Hawk and the surrounding area, you can stand on the sundeck or sit in the hot tub and drink in the mountain views for hours here. In the cooler months, the indoor spa, sauna, and heated swimming pool are the perfect places to relax.

Though honestly, as great as these shared amenities are, it’s tough to leave the rooms at all. Private balconies and patios grant amazing views of the Colorado foothills – blackout curtains are normally a perk, but I keep them wide open here to soak up the scenery. With a fireplace and hot tub in select suites, there are few cosier spots to stay than this Comfort Suites.

Located on the western edge of Golden, The Eddy Taproom & Hotel is within easy reach of Black Hawk. I love that the designers acknowledged this former site of the Rocky Mountain Fire Brick Works by creating a refined craftsman aesthetic.

Each guestroom here shows an obvious appreciation for detail and design. Most suites feature photographs of Golden’s industrial past, though all of them offer modern amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and HD TVs.

As an alternative to the best hotels in Black Hawk, The Eddy is ideal for socialising. It doesn’t have a casino, but it does have a rooftop patio with fire pits. Bringing a drink up from the taproom makes mingling easy. When hunger strikes, I make a beeline for the hotel’s food truck, which serves great barbeque and milkshakes.

As its name suggests, The Golden Hotel has a location that shines. Set in Golden’s historic district right along Clear Creek, the best rooms at the Golden Hotel are the Creekside Suites. Not only do they offer views of the Rocky Mountains and Clear Creek, but they also come with a gas fireplace and jetted bath.

I love the water bottle filling stations dotted throughout the hotel. No need to purchase water before driving to Black Hawk; simply fill up and go for free. Another great amenity is the availability of a pack ‘n’ play travel cot. I can’t tell you how many times my wife and I have had difficulty staying in hotels with toddlers when no pack ‘n’ play was available.

​​​​​​​With the Golden History Museum and Mines Museum of Earth Science within walking distance, The Golden Hotel offers a prime Black Hawk alternative.