Sometimes the best getaway doesn't require leaving town. And after spending a weekend at The Maven Hotel, we're convinced we need to plan more Denver staycations.

We were invited for a hosted stay at The Maven, a boutique hotel in the heart of Dairy Block in downtown Denver. We already love spending time in LoDo, but staying overnight gave us an excuse to slow down, explore a little more + enjoy the neighborhood without worrying about getting home.

Our plans? Cocktails, dinner at Lucky Bird, a family-owned winery, some local shopping, a little bingo + coffee the next morning.

And the best part? Almost everything was just steps from our room.

One of the first things we loved about The Maven was how much personality it has.

This isn't your typical downtown hotel. From the artwork to the creative, modern design, The Maven feels like an extension of Dairy Block itself. There's color, character + plenty to explore before you even leave the building.

The hotel features 172 individually styled, loft-inspired rooms with local artwork, thoughtful furnishings + modern amenities. Depending on the room, you'll find details like high ceilings, city views, balconies or soaking tubs.

We especially loved how connected the hotel felt to everything happening downstairs. You can head out for a drink, wander through the shops or grab something to eat, then be back in your room in minutes.

Another major plus? The Maven is dog-friendly. The hotel offers pet amenities like dog beds, bowls + treats, which makes it an especially appealing option for anyone who doesn't want to leave their pups behind.

We had plenty of options for eating and drinking, and we were determined to make the most of them.

First up: Westbound & Down. We kicked things off with drinks at this Colorado-born brewery inside Dairy Block. It's a great place to grab a beer, settle in + ease into the evening.

From there, we made our way to Denver Milk Market, the lively food hall with multiple places to eat and drink under one roof.

For dinner, we went with Lucky Bird, a fried chicken spot inside the market. We also spent time playing games and enjoying the energy of the space, which made dinner feel like more than just a quick stop for food.

Another stop we really enjoyed was Blanchard Family Wines.

Blanchard is a family-owned winery founded by brothers James + Mark Blanchard, with roots in Sonoma County, California. Their Denver tasting room brings a little wine-country experience right into Dairy Block.

We were hosted for a tasting, and the team walked us through the different pours, sharing more about the wines and the winery along the way.

What we appreciated was how approachable the experience felt. You don't need to know everything about wine to enjoy yourself here. You can ask questions, learn a little + discover something you might not have ordered otherwise.

The tasting room also serves Colorado wines, so it's a fun opportunity to explore both the Blanchard family's wines and what local producers are making.

Of course, we couldn't leave without a coffee stop.

We headed to Amp Artisan Coffee, a small coffee shop inside Free Market, for a little morning pick-me-up.

We ordered the Smashing Pumpkin Latte, made with house-made pumpkin spice syrup and topped with a roasted marshmallow.

Yes, a roasted marshmallow on your latte.

One of the things we love about Dairy Block is that you can spend an afternoon here without needing much of a plan.

Between meals and drinks, we spent some time exploring the local shops throughout Dairy Block and found a couple of spots we especially loved.

Finn's Studio was one of our stops. The gallery and shop focuses on pop art and vintage finds, with a colorful, playful feel that's fun to browse even when you're not shopping for anything specific.

We also checked out OnlyPlants, a plant shop filled with greenery, planters + pieces for bringing a little more life into your space.

We love finding local shops like these. They give Dairy Block so much of its personality + make wandering around just as fun as stopping in for food or drinks.

And because our stay happened during spooky season, we also joined in on Scream Queens Bingo.

It was a fun addition to the weekend and another reminder to look at what's happening around Dairy Block beyond the usual restaurant reservations.

The Maven is a great reminder that you don't have to leave Denver to feel like you've gotten away.

Between the hotel's personality, dog-friendly accommodations + everything happening throughout Dairy Block, there's plenty to build a full weekend around.

Whether you're planning a date night that turns into an overnight stay, hosting out-of-town friends or simply looking for a reason to explore downtown, The Maven makes a strong case for staying local.

📍 The Maven Hotel | 1850 Wazee Street, Denver

Our stay was hosted by The Maven Hotel. All opinions and experiences are our own.