Where to Stay When Attending the Criterion: Hotel Options Within Walking Distance and a Short Drive

The Criterion Theatre sits in downtown Oklahoma City's Film Row district, a neighborhood that has undergone significant renovation but remains sparse on overnight lodging. Anyone booking a hotel for a show or event at the Criterion faces a practical choice: stay within the immediate downtown core and walk, or accept a short drive from adjacent neighborhoods where more inventory and competitive rates exist.

This guide covers six hotels within reasonable proximity, identifies which neighborhoods they occupy, and explains the trade-offs between convenience and value.

The Walking-Distance Option: Downtown Core

The Skirvin Hotel occupies a full block at North Robinson and East Main Street, roughly six blocks north of the Criterion. The walk takes about twelve minutes on flat, well-lit streets through Film Row and past the Bricktown Canal district. The Skirvin is the only full-service hotel in immediate downtown with on-site parking, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Room rates typically run $120 to $180 per night depending on day of week and season, with rates climbing during OU or OSU events and Thunder games. The hotel appeals to visitors who prioritize proximity and don't mind paying a premium for the convenience of leaving a show and walking upstairs.

Parking at the Skirvin is self-pay (roughly $15 per night as of 2024) and accessed through an underground garage. No validation is offered to room guests, a cost that should factor into the total expense comparison.

Mid-Range Hotels with Short Drives: Bricktown and Adjacent Areas

Bricktown, immediately south and east of the Criterion, contains three hotels within two miles.

The Residence Inn Oklahoma City Downtown at South Reno and East Sheridan Avenue sits one mile south, about a four-minute drive. This extended-stay focused property offers studios and one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, appealing to visitors staying multiple nights. Rates range from $110 to $150 nightly. Free parking is included and located on-site. The trade-off: the walk from Bricktown to the Criterion crosses the I-235 freeway overpass, making the return trip on foot unpleasant after an evening event.

The Courtyard Oklahoma City Downtown and the Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown are both located along South Reno Avenue in the Bricktown entertainment district proper, putting them 0.6 and 0.8 miles from the Criterion respectively. Both offer parking included in their rates. Courtyard pricing runs $100 to $140, while Aloft runs slightly higher at $120 to $155. Both are acceptable for visitors willing to drive or use a rideshare service rather than walk, and both place guests within Bricktown's bar and restaurant corridor if evening entertainment beyond the Criterion is part of the plan.

Budget-Conscious Option: Near Interstate 40

The Best Western Plus Oklahoma City sits about two miles north of the Criterion, near Interstate 40 and North Meridian Avenue. This hotel competes primarily on price, with rates typically $70 to $100 per night, and includes free parking and a basic continental breakfast. Guests must drive to the Criterion. The property is functional but outside the downtown walk-around district, making it suitable only for visitors who plan to drive to their event and return directly to the hotel.

North Side Hotels: Reasonable Prices with Longer Drives

Beyond downtown, two further properties merit mention for cost-conscious visitors willing to drive 2 to 3 miles:

The Motel 6 Oklahoma City North (North Meridian, near I-44) and the Red Roof Inn Oklahoma City (North I-35 Service Road) both offer nightly rates in the $60 to $85 range, significantly undercutting downtown properties. Both include free parking and basic amenities. Travel time to the Criterion is 8 to 12 minutes by car depending on traffic and the specific location within north Oklahoma City. Neither location offers walkable access to dining or entertainment, making them suitable only for visitors prioritizing cost and comfortable with driving.

Practical Considerations for Your Choice

Walking range: Only the Skirvin delivers true walking convenience to the Criterion. The twelve-minute walk is manageable on a clear evening, though Oklahoma City sidewalk coverage is inconsistent in places; streetlighting improves in the Film Row and Bricktown areas near the theater.

Parking at the venue: The Criterion has no attached parking. Street parking is free after 6 p.m. in most downtown zones, and several public parking lots operate within two blocks. The Parking Authority of Oklahoma City manages most municipal lots; rates are typically $2 to $5 for evening events.

Rideshare efficiency: Bricktown hotels are close enough that rideshare costs to the Criterion typically run $6 to $9 each way, plus driver tip. Over the course of a two-night stay, this cost approaches or exceeds the nightly rate difference between a Bricktown hotel and a budget motel, making mid-range downtown properties mathematically competitive for couples or groups splitting the cost.

Event-specific rates: The Skirvin and Bricktown hotels often offer package deals tied to Thunder games, OU performances, and special events at the Criterion. Check directly with the hotel for event pricing rather than relying on aggregator sites.

Seasonal variation: Summer and off-season rates (roughly June through August, December) drop 15 to 25 percent across all downtown properties. September through November and January through May are the most expensive periods, coinciding with Thunder season and school-year tourism.

Decide first whether you need to walk or are comfortable driving. If walking matters, the Skirvin is your only practical option despite the premium. If driving is acceptable, the Bricktown Residence Inn offers the best value for multinight stays, while the Courtyard and Aloft balance price and downtown location. Budget properties north of I-40 make sense only for visitors making a same-day round trip with minimal interest in exploring the neighborhood.