
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Best for families and large groups who want resort amenities (Arapahoe Springs Water Park, multiple restaurants) and on-site meeting space.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is a large, family-friendly Aurora resort with an on-site water park and convention space; read this if you want a self-contained resort stay near DEN or are traveling with kids or a conference group. The Crawford Hotel is a luxury Union Station hotel in downtown Denver; read this if you want walkable access to trains, restaurants, and downtown attractions in a smaller, upscale property.
Updated · about a 30-minute drive apart (Gaylord Rockies is in Aurora; The Crawford is at Union Station in downtown Denver)

Best for families and large groups who want resort amenities (Arapahoe Springs Water Park, multiple restaurants) and on-site meeting space.

Best for travelers who want a luxury downtown base steps from Union Station, transit, dining, and Denver nightlife.
When Gaylord Rockies wins: choose Gaylord Rockies if you want a self-contained resort experience — especially for families, groups, or conference attendees — with a large water park, many dining outlets, and extensive event space.
When The Crawford wins: choose The Crawford Hotel if you want to be in LoDo, steps from Union Station and downtown attractions, with a compact luxury hotel and easy rail access to the airport and the city.
Bottom line: Gaylord Rockies is a purpose-built resort and convention campus best for multi-day stays where on-site amenities matter; The Crawford is a downtown luxury hotel that wins for location and walkability to Denver’s transit and attractions.
| Category | Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center | The Crawford Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large resort-convention campus, family-focused and activity-driven | Luxury boutique-style hotel in a historic Union Station setting |
| Location | Aurora, off E‑470 — resort area several miles from downtown Denver | LoDo, steps from Union Station and downtown Denver attractions |
| Size | Over 1,300 guest rooms and 114 suites; hundreds of thousands sq ft of event space | 112 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages — family-friendly with kid-focused amenities | All ages — luxury downtown hotel (not adults-only) |
| Pools / signature water feature | Arapahoe Springs Water Park (indoor + heated outdoor pools, slides, seasonal lazy river) — guest access included via resort fee | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site outlets (steakhouse, American, pub, sports bar, poolside bar, grab-and-go, coffee shop) | Four restaurants/cafes and 2 bars/lounges; daily complimentary reception |
| Spa & fitness | Relâche Spa (17 treatment rooms) plus Relâche Fitness Center (24-hour gym) | Full-service spa, hair salon, and 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Known for | On-site water park and massive convention/event capacity | Prime Union Station location and individually decorated rooms |
| Airport access | Near Denver International Airport by car or via RTD A‑Line + hotel shuttle | Preferred airport Denver Intl. (DEN); direct transit access via Union Station |
Gaylord Rockies sits in Aurora off E‑470, marketed as Denver-area but physically outside downtown.
Choose Gaylord Rockies if proximity to DEN and a self-contained resort campus matter more than downtown walkability.
The Crawford Hotel occupies a prominent location inside Denver’s Union Station in LoDo.
Choose The Crawford if you want central access to Denver’s transit hub and downtown attractions.
Gaylord Rockies offers a large mix of rooms and suites designed for families and groups.
Gaylord Rockies is best when you need flexible room types for families or large groups.
The Crawford has 112 individually decorated guestrooms and a range of loft and suite options.
The Crawford suits travelers who want boutique luxury rooms in a downtown setting.
Gaylord Rockies emphasizes a wide variety of on-site dining to keep guests on property.
For dining variety without leaving the property, Gaylord Rockies offers more choices.
The Crawford provides several in‑house restaurants and bars anchored by its Union Station location.
The Crawford delivers strong dining and easy access to many downtown restaurants outside the hotel.
Gaylord Rockies’ signature amenity is the Arapahoe Springs Water Park.
If a water-park experience matters (families or pool time), Gaylord Rockies is the clear choice.
The Crawford’s listing does not publish an on-site swimming pool.
If you need pool or water-park access, rely on Gaylord Rockies; The Crawford focuses on downtown convenience and spa services.
Gaylord Rockies mixes a full-service spa with casual resort nightlife and late-night bars.
Gaylord Rockies pairs a sizable spa and fitness offering with late-night resort bars suited to guests staying on site.
The Crawford provides full-service spa treatments and 24-hour fitness in a downtown setting where nightlife is steps away.
If you prefer hotel spa services combined with immediate access to city nightlife, The Crawford is the better fit.

Gaylord Rockies — water park, family dining, game rooms and family-sized room configurations.

The Crawford — steps from Union Station, transit, restaurants and nightlife in LoDo.

Gaylord Rockies — hundreds of thousands of sq ft of meeting and exhibit space and dozens of meeting rooms.

The Crawford — individually decorated rooms, downtown location and boutique luxury service.
Gaylord Rockies — it has the Arapahoe Springs Water Park, family-friendly dining and activities aimed at children.
The Crawford — it’s inside Union Station in LoDo, within walking distance of many downtown attractions and transit lines.
Yes. Gaylord Rockies has Relâche Spa (17 treatment rooms) and The Crawford offers a full-service spa and salon.
No. The Crawford is not adults-only, and neither property is beachfront (Denver/Aurora is landlocked).
Explore how Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·