
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Best for families and groups who want on-site entertainment, a water park, spa, and a resort feel without leaving the property.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is a large, family-friendly resort and convention property outside Denver with its own water park and extensive meeting space; this guide is for families, groups, and convention planners who want a self-contained resort experience. Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is a large upscale downtown convention hotel steps from the 16th Street Mall and close to the Colorado Convention Center; this guide is for business travelers and visitors who want central access to downtown Denver.
Updated · about 30 minutes' drive (roughly 30 km) apart

Best for families and groups who want on-site entertainment, a water park, spa, and a resort feel without leaving the property.

Best for guests who need a central downtown location near the Colorado Convention Center, 16th Street Mall, and downtown attractions.
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center wins when you want a self-contained resort stay: on-site water park, an on-site spa (Relâche Spa), family activities, and hundreds of thousands of square feet of event space make it ideal for mixed leisure + meeting groups.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel wins if your priority is downtown access: it’s steps from 16th Street Mall and within walking distance of theaters, museums, and the Colorado Convention Center, so it’s better for attendees who need quick access to city venues and nightlife.
Bottom line: choose Gaylord Rockies for a resort-style, all-ages program with water-park amenities and on-property activities; choose the Sheraton for downtown convenience, short walks to convention venues, and city-side dining and entertainment.
| Category | Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center | Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort-convention property with family activities and a water park | Large upscale downtown convention hotel near 16th Street Mall |
| Location | Aurora / Denver-area resort off E‑470, roughly 10 miles from DEN | Central Denver address (1550 Court Place), steps from 16th Street Mall and close to Colorado Convention Center |
| Size (rooms) | 1,387 guestrooms + 114 suites (resort listing) | 1,238 guestrooms |
| Meeting & event space | More than 500,000 sq ft of flexible meeting, exhibit and pre-function space | 133,000 sq ft of conference space and 52 meeting rooms |
| Pools / signature amenity | Arapahoe Springs Water Park: indoor pool, heated outdoor pool, slides, whirlpools, seasonal lazy river; guest access included with resort fee | One outdoor pool; rooftop garden and pool cabanas (surcharge) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues including Old Hickory Steakhouse, Garden + Grain Seasonal Kitchen, Copper Table, pubs, coffee shop, and poolside bar | Three restaurants, one coffee shop/cafe, and three bars/lounges; room service (limited hours) |
| Spa & wellness | Relâche Spa with 17 treatment rooms, signature Rocky Mountain Rain Shower, men's/women's lounges | Not published |
| Accessibility & family policies | Family-focused; pets allowed with fee; minimum check-in age 21; resort fee covers pool and Wi‑Fi access | All-ages property; children 12 and younger stay free using existing bedding; some accessible rooms and meeting spaces listed |
| Parking & transport | Self-parking and valet (fees); free shuttle from 61st & Peña RTD A-Line station; no complimentary direct airport shuttle | Self parking and valet (surcharge); close to downtown transit and attractions |
Gaylord Rockies sits off E‑470 in Aurora with easy highway access and convenient links to DEN, but it’s not walkable to downtown Denver attractions.
Choose Gaylord Rockies when proximity to the airport and a self-contained resort campus matter more than walking access to downtown.
Sheraton Denver Downtown sits in the heart of downtown Denver, a short walk from the 16th Street Mall and within easy reach of the Colorado Convention Center.
Pick the Sheraton for downtown convenience, easy walking access to convention venues, and quick trips to city attractions.
Gaylord Rockies has a large room inventory with multiple room and suite types geared to families and group travelers.
Gaylord Rockies offers more family-friendly layouts and a higher suite count tailored to groups and multi-person stays.
Sheraton Denver Downtown provides large downtown-room inventory and a mix of city-view rooms and suites for business and leisure travelers.
Choose Sheraton if you want roomy downtown accommodations with convenient access to meetings and city life.
Gaylord Rockies offers a broad range of dining outlets from a steakhouse to casual poolside and grab-and-go options.
Gaylord Rockies covers formal, casual, family and poolside dining without leaving property.
Sheraton Denver Downtown has several on-site dining and bar options suitable for business travelers and quick downtown meals.
Sheraton provides solid downtown dining choices and convenient in-hotel bars for business groups and evening plans.
Gaylord Rockies’ defining amenity is Arapahoe Springs Water Park — a roughly three-acre, guest-exclusive water park.
If a water-park experience and multiple pool choices are a priority, Gaylord Rockies is the clear pick.
Sheraton Denver Downtown offers a single outdoor pool and rooftop garden but no on-property water park.
Sheraton’s pool suits short leisure dips or fitness swims, but not full resort water-park recreation.
Gaylord Rockies combines a full-service spa and fitness facilities with late-night bars and on-site entertainment.
Gaylord Rockies supports both relaxation (spa) and family-friendly evening activity on property.
Sheraton Denver Downtown supports business travelers with a 24-hour fitness center and downtown nightlife nearby.
Pick Sheraton for city nightlife access and round-the-clock fitness; spa services are not published for this property.

Gaylord Rockies — on-site Arapahoe Springs Water Park, family rooms and many kid-friendly activities.

Sheraton Denver Downtown — steps from 16th Street Mall and close to the Colorado Convention Center.

Gaylord Rockies — Relâche Spa with 17 treatment rooms and dedicated lounges.

Sheraton Denver Downtown — central address with short walks to dining, theaters, and convention venues.
Gaylord Rockies — it has Arapahoe Springs Water Park, family-oriented room layouts, and on-site activities geared to kids and families.
Sheraton Denver Downtown if you need immediate walking access to downtown meetings and the Colorado Convention Center; Gaylord Rockies is better when you want a large, self-contained convention campus outside downtown.
Access to Arapahoe Springs Water Park is included for registered overnight guests via the resort fee; check current fee details when booking.
Not published — the supplier listing notes fitness facilities but does not publish a full-service spa.
Explore how Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·