
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Best for families, groups, and guests who want resort amenities (water park, full spa) alongside convention facilities.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is a large family- and convention-oriented resort with its own on-site water park and full spa; read this if you want a resort stay near Denver with activities for kids and big-event space. The Westin Denver International Airport is an airport-connected upscale hotel built for terminal convenience; read this if you prioritize fastest access to DEN and straightforward business/airport services.
Updated · about 6.3 miles (roughly 10 km) apart

Best for families, groups, and guests who want resort amenities (water park, full spa) alongside convention facilities.

Best for travelers who need immediate access to Denver International Airport, business travelers, or anyone valuing airport-side convenience.
When Gaylord Rockies wins: Choose Gaylord Rockies if you want an on-property resort experience — indoor/outdoor pools, a three-acre Arapahoe Springs Water Park reserved for registered guests, a full-service Relâche Spa, and a wide range of restaurants and bars. It’s better for families, leisure stays, and large meetings or weddings.
When The Westin Denver International Airport wins: Choose The Westin if your priority is being connected to DEN and minimizing ground travel time. The Westin provides direct airport connection, sizable conference facilities, a 24-hour fitness center, an indoor pool and hot tub, and straightforward services for business and quick overnight stays.
Bottom line: Gaylord Rockies is a destination property built around resort amenities and massive event space; The Westin is a practical, upscale airport hotel optimized for convenience and business travel. Pick Gaylord for an activity-filled stay or events, pick The Westin for airport proximity and efficient business travel.
| Category | Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center | The Westin Denver International Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort-meets-convention campus with family attractions and event spaces | Airport-connected upscale hotel focused on convenience and business travel |
| Location | Aurora off E‑470, marketed as Denver-area; roughly 10 miles from DEN | Connected to Denver International Airport (on-site / airport-linked) |
| Size (rooms) | Around 1,387 guest rooms plus 114 suites (large convention inventory) | 519 air-conditioned rooms |
| Audience / age policy | All ages; family-focused with kids' water-park access | |
| Pools / signature amenity | Arapahoe Springs Water Park: roughly three acres, indoor pool, heated outdoor pool, slides, whirlpools, seasonal lazy river; guest access reserved for registered overnight guests | Indoor pool and a hot tub (on-site pool hoist listed); no on-site water park |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets including Old Hickory Steakhouse, Garden + Grain, Copper Table, pub and sports-bar options, poolside bar and grab-and-go marketplace | Grill & Vine restaurant, a coffee shop/cafe, 2 bars/lounges, 24-hour room service available |
| Spa & wellness | Relâche Spa with 17 treatment rooms, signature Rocky Mountain Rain Shower, men’s/women’s lounges | Not published |
| Meetings & events | Extensive convention space (over 500,000 sq ft; 70+ meeting rooms; multiple ballrooms and wedding venues) | Large conference center with about 36,170 sq ft (24 meeting rooms) |
| Airport access | Shuttle from 61st & Peña station (free shuttle connects from train); no complimentary direct airport shuttle noted | Connected to airport; train-station pickup/pick-up services available (surcharge for some services) |
| Parking & transport | Self-parking and valet (published fees); rental car options on-site; cashless property policies | Self parking and valet (surcharges), train-station drop-off/pickup services (surcharge); covered parking listed |
Gaylord Rockies sits off E‑470 in Aurora and is marketed as a Denver-area resort about 10 miles from DEN.
Gaylord Rockies is near the airport but feels like a standalone resort; expect a short drive or combined train + shuttle trip to DEN.
The Westin Denver International Airport is connected to the airport, prioritizing terminal convenience.
Choose The Westin when you want immediate, airport-level access and to minimize travel to/from flights.
Gaylord Rockies provides a very large room inventory with a wide range of room types and suites tailored for families and groups.
Expect family-friendly layouts and plenty of suite/upgrade options across a large room inventory.
The Westin has an upscale, airport-focused room inventory designed for business and transit travelers.
The Westin’s rooms focus on functional comfort and convenience for airport and business guests.
Gaylord Rockies offers multiple on-site restaurants and bars that cover upscale dinners, casual family meals, and poolside service.
Gaylord provides broad dining choices suitable for families, special dinners, and large groups without leaving property.
The Westin provides fewer on-site dining outlets but covers the basics for airport and business travelers.
The Westin is convenient for meals around flight times but has a smaller restaurant lineup than Gaylord Rockies.
Gaylord Rockies’ Arapahoe Springs Water Park is the property’s defining amenity, designed for registered overnight guests.
If an on-property water park or extended pool time matters to your group, Gaylord Rockies is the clear choice.
The Westin offers standard hotel leisure amenities including a 24-hour health club, an indoor pool and a hot tub.
The Westin’s pool facilities work well for exercise or a brief swim between flights but don’t replace a resort water park.
Gaylord Rockies mixes a full-service spa and extensive leisure programming with late-night bars for evening plans.
Gaylord combines full spa services and late-night bar options — good for relaxation and evening socializing on-site.
The Westin focuses on fitness and straightforward services with 24-hour business and fitness facilities.
The Westin supports fitness and short-stay relaxation but may not match Gaylord’s full spa offerings.

Gaylord Rockies — on-site Arapahoe Springs Water Park, family pools, game room and family-oriented dining.

The Westin — connected to Denver International Airport for minimal ground travel and easier flight-day logistics.

Gaylord Rockies — hundreds of thousands of square feet of meeting and event space and dozens of breakout rooms.

The Westin — 24-hour business center, conference space, and airport-side access make it efficient for short business trips.
The Westin is connected to Denver International Airport. Gaylord Rockies is nearby in Aurora (roughly a 10–16 minute drive from DEN).
Yes — Gaylord Rockies has the Arapahoe Springs Water Park and family-focused amenities that make it a stronger choice for kids and families.
The supplier listing for The Westin does not publish a full-service spa; if a spa is important, confirm directly with the hotel before booking.
Gaylord Rockies has a much larger meetings footprint (over 500,000 sq ft and 70+ meeting rooms) while The Westin offers a significant but smaller conference center (about 36,170 sq ft and 24 meeting rooms).
Explore how Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·