The Golden Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Having the ceremony, reception, and guest rooms all just steps apart made our wedding easy and fun. We had about 80 guests, most from out of town, and everyone commented on how great the staff and experience were. Our guests also loved being in downtown Golden, with its shops, restaurants, and pretty views. It's my husband's hometown, so it meant a lot to show it off, and the location was lovely for wedding photos. We live in Alaska and planned our New Year's Eve 2024 wedding from afar. Eliza answered all my questions promptly by phone and email, eased my anxieties, and helped make the wedding we wanted happen. Dustin was just as wonderful and made us feel like VIPs. Every person we met, from the front desk to the hospitality and setup teams, was kind, attentive, and clearly cared about the day. The whole experience was joyful and seamless. It's been nearly a year, so I'm claiming my year to write this just as wedding etiquette gives you a year to send a gift. My husband and I still glow when we think about it. The Golden Hotel deserves all the praise, and I think everyone should get married there! 🥂🩷

We woke up without hot water, and it stayed that way for the rest of the day. The hotel was also renovating, something we weren't told before booking, and the boiler had gone out, leaving the breakfast dining area so cold that staff were giving guests blankets. This happened just as Golden had its first snow of the 2026 season, and it makes me wonder how difficult a full winter storm or blizzard would be here. When we arrived, the elevator wasn't working and our room was on the third floor. No one offered to help with our luggage. Had the renovations been disclosed, we would have appreciated the chance to book somewhere else. Before booking in winter, I'd ask about the renovation status and essential services. Cold showers and missing basic accommodations made our stay at the Golden Hotel in Golden, Colorado very disappointing.

The parking lot was a mess, with a temporary kitchen trailer serving the restaurant at the top, so food had to be taken across the lot and through the hotel. The lower garage area was an active construction site. The route from the garage toward the river wasn't blocked off, but it led straight to a fenced job site full of hazards, with no way through to the river or main street. Nobody told us the whole hotel was a construction site, and there was no river access. For the price of one king bed, another hotel could have given us a whole suite. This was absolutely terrible; we would have been better off at a motel 6. Save your money and stay elsewhere!

The Santa event was fantastic, and it was completely free. There were Santa photos, hot cocoa, cookies, and coloring activities. The staff were friendly and helpful even though most people there weren't hotel guests. I'd definitely attend again, 10/10.