5 Things To Love About The Source Hotel In Denver’s RINO Neighborhood

The challenge of traveling to any city is deciding amongst the myriad of hotels that are scattered throughout its many neighborhoods. How does one decide?

There are many ways to narrow it down, but finding a new(ish) hotel in a new(ish) neighborhood is always a solid platform. There, you can discover new areas and new opportunities that many locals may not even know about.

In Denver, we recently checked in to The Source Hotel in the River North neighborhood. Opened in 2018, it’s one of the newer hotels in a neighborhood that always seems to be changing. Here’s what I liked about it:

An Inside Look at a Developing Neighborhood

Travelers visiting Denver for the first time might be tempted to stay in “LoDo,” or the main city center, for its location in the heart of everything. Fair enough. But a stay at The Source Hotel offers something different, a look at one of the city’s newest developing neighborhoods.

Known as “RINO,” or River North, it was once a purely industrial area, with big warehouses and empty lots. A visit today showcases its still-in-progress transition, or “rebirth,” with large residential complexes, food halls, and breweries bringing life to its streets.

While this area of the city has less green space and parks than other parts of Denver, it does have a nice riverside trail for walking or riding, and it’s just a short, 5-minute ride from the city center (Coors Field, etc). It’s a great place for true city lovers who appreciate an industrial vibe and enjoy seeing how older parts of the city can be repurposed and given new life.

Simple But Unique Rooms

That industrial vibe is embraced to the fullest by The Source Hotel. The rooms are very simple, with barely an art piece on the wall (most rooms have magazines hanging on a rack in lieu of any art), basic desk chairs, and, aside from a coffee maker and mini bar, an absense of amenities.

But that’s the no-frills vibe it’s going for, staying true to its neighborhood surroundings. Some rooms, however, offer unique twists, such as the garage-door windows shown in the photo above.

When booking, be sure to call the hotel to see if such a room might be available. Ask for a city view room, which showcases the city skyline. Mountain view rooms do face the Rockies, but it’s a very distant view.

It’s Attached to a Local Food Hall

One of the coolest things about The Source Hotel is that it’s attached to a food hall, known as The Source. Before things get confusing, let’s explain:

Back in the early days of RINO’s redevelopment, The Source food hall was one of the first large-scale openings that signaled something new was in the air. Opened in 2013, it featured a collection of local purveyors, including restaurants, shops, and even a brewery (Crooked Stave). It instantly became a hit with locals looking for a hip, foodie hangout.

As the area around it continued to develop, a hotel was built attached to the food hall in 2018, named The Source Hotel. Though they were opened many years apart, the two are integrally joined today. Travelers staying at The Source reap the benefits, with a variety of purveyors just steps from your door, including Safta, an Israeli restaurant that is extremely popular with locals for brunch.

Want more local food? Just a ten minute walk from The Source is another food hall worth checking out, called Zeppelin Station.

The Rooftop Vibe and Views

High atop The Source hotel, a wonderful view of Denver’s city skyline awaits. The Woods Restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating, and you can also catch the view from the hotel pool, spa, and gym.

For a city that’s short on rooftop bars, the rooftop of The Source Hotel is a wonderful perk for guests. Whether you’re looking to get warmed up at happy hour or simply relax in the hot tub after a long flight, having a bird’s eye view of the city makes whatever you’re doing a unique, special experience.

Partnership with New Belgium Brewery

Ever have a dream where you check into a hotel and the clerk immediately hands you a beer? Well, welcome to The Source Hotel, where a partnership with New Belgium Brewery (from nearby Fort Collins) means beer is literally served (free of charge) at check in.

Adjacent to the lobby, you’ll see the brewing tanks, and upstairs at The Woods restaurant, the barrels where they age the beer. Head on up to try some of the latest creations. Want more local beer? Wander across the street to Great Divide Barrel Bar, or a few blocks down to the RINO Beer Garden.