Aspen has lodging of every type from small lodges to luxury hotels. The best include:
Hotel Jerome: Re-opened several years ago, after a major rehab, this historic hotel is back as the best in Aspen. The lobby and restaurant have been redone and a new Living Room, serving food and drinks, added with a great blend of historic as well as contemporary style. The best word to describe the overall look is “stunning”! The J- Bar or Jerome Bar is still there as the iconic Western saloon which has been there since the hotel opened in the 1880’s. You will have a very good lunch or dinner experience in the redone Prospect restaurant; try the the meatloaf on a cold, snowy day in Aspen or the salmon on the summer dinner menu. The restaurant has been totally updated and is a far cry from the Jerome restaurant of 30 years ago when it looked straight out of the wild, wild west. Their new speakeasy across the courtyard, Bad Harriet, is a great new addition. In late 2021, they opened a new coffee shop off the lobby, Felix Roasting Co. It is now an Auberge Resort and is located at 330 E. Main St.
I recently did a tour of the hotel organized through the Aspen Historical Society. I really enjoyed seeing some of the original architectural details and to learn how the hotel has been the center of Aspen life since it opened in 1889.
Hearthstone House: The Hearthstone House, which is built in a prairie or mission/craftsman style, has been a popular lodge for over 50 years. I used to stay here in the past during the summers. I always loved the living room on the second floor with great mountain views. The location is outstanding from which to walk and explore downtown.
Limelight Hotel: At 355 S. Monarch St., this upscale boutique hotel reopened at the end of November, 2021 after undergoing an eight-month renovation that spruced up the lounge, lobby and bar areas, as well as all of the 126 guest rooms. It is very attractive and the location is perfect to be able to explore downtown Aspen.
Opened in 2023 is the boutique MOLLIE Hotel. It is located at 111 S. Garmisch St. at the corner of W. Main St. It has 68 contemporary rooms, with some having balconies overlooking the mountains. The rooms area very nicely appointed and they have a lovely cafe and bar in the lobby. It was designed by the local firm CCY Architects. “Inspired by the Bauhaus movement and Aspen’s profound connection to this design ethos, the hotel’s design is rooted in simplicity and utility, where function governs form.”
I would definitely make sure to book a room on the eastside of the building and not on the westside which faces W. Main St. The noise could be loud if you are along the street. The staff was very friendly!!
The Little Nell Hotel: A top luxury hotel in town, next to the gondola, was recently redone by Chicago designer Holly Hunt Ltd. It is a great place for a drink by the fire or a meal if you can’t stay there.
The Viceroy Snowmass Luxury Hotel and Resort: For those wanting a Snowmass Village hotel, this is a newer hotel and resort in the new Base Village. 130 Wood Road.
Opened in December, 2018 is the Limelight Hotel Snowmass. This is a contemporary property with 99 contemporary rooms plus eleven private condos under development. It has a five-story climbing wall and a large lounge area with bar/restaurant.
The Westin Snowmass & Wildwood Hotel were both sold in December 2020. The Westin underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation into a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, called the Viewline Resort Snowmass at 100 Elbert Lane. The Wildwood Snowmass, also an Autograph Collection Hotel, underwent an extensive renovation. It is a smaller and hip boutique property at 40 Elbert Lane. Both hotels reopened in December 2021. Last Chair is a new casual restaurant at the Wildwood which is near the recently opened Stark’s Alpine Grill at the Viewline. The Viewline also has a lobby bar.
There are also many condo and home rentals in Aspen and in Snowmass. The Residences at Snowmass Club has beautiful two, three, four and five bedroom condos attached to the Club which offers great restaurants, golf, tennis, a cross country ski center and a full health club with, pools, classes and a spa. You have access to free shuttle to Snowmass and Aspen, All units were updated to a contemporary mountain design in 2023.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort. This is an upscale, luxury resort with spa and several great dining options. 315 E. Dean St.
The Little Red Ski Haus is a charming inn with 13 rooms/suites, located at 118 E. Cooper.
Opened in late August, 2019, the new W Hotel is a hip, contemporary hotel at the base of Ajax. It has a bar and restaurant on the second floor, the Living Room with an outdoor patio is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I enjoyed lunch with local friends on the third day it was open. On the roof is WET Deck, a rooftop bar, pool and hot tub with incredible views of the mountains and downtown Aspen. Soon to open downstairs, is 39°, an underground cocktail bar.
Located in Aspen’s historic West End and home to the famed Aspen Institute, the Aspen Meadows Resort, a Salamander Collection hotel, is an excellent place to stay if you want a quiet location or are attending a conference at the Institute or a concert at the Aspen Music Festival. The buildings were designed by one of Bauhaus’s most influential architects Herbert Bayer. It’s West End Social, formerly Plato’s Restaurant, is one of my favorite spots in town and has stunning views. You should make sure to explore the architecture, the art inside the buildings and the sculptures on the grounds. 845 Meadows. Rd.
I first stayed at The Gant in the early 1990s and later looked at buying a unit there. At 610 S W End St., this is a condominum resort offering rentals in one to four-bedroom units. There are three levels of units to choose from, ranging from standard, deluxe and premier. They also provide services and amenities including daily housekeeping, valet parking, concierge and bell service plus complimentary airport and in-town transportation.