Finding a decent place to crash in Fort Collins shouldn't feel like a high-stakes gamble. Honestly, the Northern Colorado hotel market is getting weirdly expensive, especially with the University (CSU) drawing in massive crowds for every football game and graduation ceremony. If you've been looking at options, the La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Fort Collins probably popped up. It’s that purple-and-gold staple right off the highway. It isn't a five-star resort. It doesn't have a rooftop bar with artisanal bitters. But for a lot of people, it’s exactly the right move.
Location is basically the whole story here.
Positioned right at the intersection of I-25 and Highway 14 (Mulberry Street), this spot is the gateway to the city. You’re about five miles from Old Town. That’s a ten-minute drive, maybe twelve if the trains are acting up—and in Fort Collins, the trains always act up.
Is the La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Fort Collins Actually Renovated?
This is where things get a bit nuanced. People often assume every "Wyndham" property has the same cookie-cutter interior, but that’s just not how hotel franchises work. This specific location has undergone updates to keep pace with the newer builds popping up near the Harmony Road corridor. You’ll find the "Del Sol" design elements in many rooms—think cleaner lines, better lighting, and more outlets for your devices.
Still, it’s an older building. You can feel it in the hallways.
The walls have that solid, older-construction feel, which is actually a blessing if you have a noisy neighbor. But let’s be real: if you are looking for ultra-modern minimalism, this might feel a little "retro" to you. The bedding is consistent with the La Quinta brand—bright whites and decent thread counts—but don't expect a pillow menu. It’s reliable. That’s the word I’d use. Reliable.
The Pet Policy Situation
If you’re traveling with a dog, you already know the struggle. Fort Collins is an incredibly dog-friendly town (seriously, there are more labs than people at some breweries), and the La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Fort Collins is one of the more accessible options for pet owners.
They do charge a fee now.
A few years back, most La Quintas were "pets stay free," but Wyndham changed the game. Now, it’s usually around $25 per night, capped at a certain amount per stay. It’s still cheaper than a kennel. Plus, there are decent patches of grass around the property. Just watch out for the I-25 traffic noise when you're out there at 6:00 AM.
What the Breakfast Spread Really Looks Like
Look, nobody is winning a Michelin star for hotel waffles. But the "Bright Side Breakfast" is included, and when you’re trying to save a buck in an expensive college town, that matters.
Expect the hits:
- Make-your-own waffles (the classic Texas shape, usually).
- Hard-boiled eggs or sometimes those puck-shaped omelets.
- Cereal, muffins, and yogurt.
- Coffee that is... functional. It’ll get you through the morning.
If you want real food, you’re better off driving three minutes down the road to a local spot like The Silver Grill Cafe in Old Town, but for a quick fuel-up before hiking Horsetooth Reservoir? The hotel lobby works fine.
Why the Location Near I-25 Matters (And Why It Doesn't)
Being right on the interstate is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you can jump on the highway and be in Loveland or Windsor in fifteen minutes. You can head north to Cheyenne in forty. It’s perfect for business travelers who aren't trying to navigate the stop-and-go traffic of College Avenue.
The downside? The noise.
If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room on the west side of the building. The east side faces the highway. While the windows are decent, you’ll still hear that low hum of semi-trucks at 3:00 AM. Fort Collins is a major distribution hub, so that road never truly sleeps.
Comparing the Cost: Is It Actually a Deal?
Fort Collins has a "hotel season."
If you visit in February, you can snag a room at the La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Fort Collins for a steal. It’s quiet. The air is crisp. Everything is easy. But if you try to book during a CSU home game weekend or the Tour de Fat bike festival? Prices triple.
I’ve seen rates jump from $90 to $250 in a single weekend.
At $90, this hotel is an absolute home run. It beats the sketchy motels further down Mulberry by a mile. At $250? You’re starting to pay the "availability tax." At that price point, you’re dangerously close to what the Elizabeth Hotel or the Marriott costs, and those are much higher-end experiences. Always check the local events calendar before you book. If there's a graduation happening, everywhere is going to be expensive, and La Quinta stays popular because it's a known quantity.
Business Amenities and the "Work from Hotel" Vibe
The Wi-Fi is surprisingly stable.
I've sat in the lobby and seen people running Zoom calls without the dreaded "connection unstable" pop-up. There’s a small business center, which is basically just a desk and a printer, but it works if you need to print a boarding pass or a hiking permit.
The rooms have desks, but they aren't exactly ergonomic masterpieces. They’re fine for an hour of emails, but I wouldn't want to write a novel at one. The pool is an indoor situation. It’s small. It’s great for kids who need to burn off energy after eight hours in a car, but it’s not a "lap pool" by any stretch of the imagination.
Misconceptions About the Area
Some people see "Mulberry Street" on the map and worry it's a bit gritty.
Fort Collins is, by and large, a very safe city. The area around the I-25 interchange is mostly commercial—gas stations, some fast food, and other hotels. You’ll see a few people lingering near the gas stations, but it’s mostly just travelers and locals going about their business. You aren't in a secluded forest, but you aren't in a high-crime zone either. It’s just... a busy intersection.
One thing people get wrong: they think they can walk to Old Town from here.
Don't do that.
Mulberry is a major arterial road. It’s loud, and the walk is several miles through industrial and residential zones. Take an Uber. It’ll cost you ten bucks and save you forty minutes of walking past car dealerships and tire shops.
Expert Tips for a Better Stay
- Join the Wyndham Rewards program. Even if you hate loyalty programs, this one is actually decent. You earn points fairly fast, and because Wyndham owns everything from Days Inn to high-end resorts, you can actually use the points elsewhere.
- Request a high floor. The ground floor is convenient for luggage, but the second and third floors feel a bit more private and stay slightly quieter.
- Check your AC unit. Like most mid-range hotels, these rooms use PTAC units (the ones under the window). When you first get in, crank it up or down to make sure it’s not making a rattling sound. If it is, ask for a room change immediately before you unpack.
- Explore the "Back Way" to Downtown. Instead of taking Mulberry all the way, take Riverside Avenue. It’s a prettier drive and cuts through some of the older parts of town, leading you right into the heart of the brewery district.
The Verdict: Who is this for?
The La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Fort Collins isn't trying to be the coolest hotel in Colorado. It’s trying to be the place where you get a clean bed, a hot shower, and a quick breakfast before you head out to explore the Poudre Canyon or Rocky Mountain National Park.
It's for:
- Parents visiting students at CSU who don't want to spend $400 a night.
- Road trippers heading up to Wyoming or down to Denver.
- People traveling with pets who need a reliable, no-fuss environment.
- Budget-conscious travelers who want a name-brand guarantee.
It’s not for people on a romantic anniversary getaway or travelers who need 24-hour room service and a spa.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning a trip, your first move should be checking the CSU calendar. If it’s a "blackout" date (like homecoming), book as early as humanly possible. Prices in Fort Collins do not "drop" last minute during peak season; they only go up or sell out entirely.
Second, verify the current pool status. Since it's an indoor facility, they occasionally close it for maintenance. A quick five-minute call to the front desk can save you from having disappointed kids when you arrive.
Finally, if you're arriving late at night, be aware that food options right at that exit start to slim down after 10:00 PM. Grab a bite in Loveland or further south if you're coming up I-25, or plan on hitting the 24-hour convenience stores nearby. Fort Collins is a "early to bed, early to rise" kind of town, and the Mulberry exit reflects that.