Aspen Has Great Lodging Options For Those On A Budget Or Those Looking For Absolute Luxury

ASPEN, Colo. (Spring/Summer 2008) – Aspen is not the place where you will find any common lodging. From the historical mining town to what we have in Aspen today, whether you are staying in one of the luxury resorts or a ski haus, you will be satisfied and find historical ties to Aspen’s past. 

Aspen accommodations aim to please and surprise all guests. The following is just a selection of the many options available to those looking to explore Aspen. For reservations or information, visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com or call 1.800.670.0788 or 970.925.9000.
 
LAST MINUTE SPECIALS. By clicking on the “Last Minute Specials” feature on www.stayaspensnowmass.com, visitors may score incredible last-minute lodging deals throughout Aspen.

Lay in Luxury
• St. Regis Resort, Aspen and St. Regis Residence Club, Aspen. St. Regis Resort is one of Aspen’s finest hotels. The 179 guestrooms and suites are designed with beautiful, contemporary alpine décor. St. Regis Residence Club, Aspen, a fractional residence club occupying the east wing of the resort, features 25 two- and three-bedroom residence, which are available for rental when not occupied by owners (stregis.com/aspen; 970.920.3300).

• The Little Nell. Situated at the base of Aspen Mountain, The Little Nell is Aspen's only ski-in, ski-out property and only five-star Mobil and five-diamond AAA-rated hotel. The Little Nell, affiliated with the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group, blends the virtues of a small country inn with the personalized services and amenities of a grand hotel (www.thelittlenell.com / 970-920-4600)

• Hotel Jerome. Built in 1889 at the height of the silver boom and restored to its original Victorian splendor in 1985, the Hotel Jerome is famous for its history, clientele and elegance. The Jerome is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places (www.hoteljerome.com; 970.920.1000).

• ResortQuest Exclusive Vacation Properties. Pamper yourself in the privacy of your own home away from home in anything from two-bedroom town homes with ski-in, ski-out access to seven-bedroom log estates. Whether preparing the pantry prior to arrival to securing meal or activity reservations, the ResortQuest sales staff doubles as your personal concierge (www.evpaspen.com; 866.EVP.3800).

• Five Star Destinations. With an extensive choice of luxury rental properties, you are bound to find exactly what you are looking for including an extensive hospitality offering (www.5stardestinations.com; 970.925.6638).

Design Hotels
One of the latest hotel trends is design hotels, and Aspen is one of the only mountain towns with two “design hotels,” including what may be the original design hotel and one of the newest.

• SKY Hotel. This hip, boutique hotel is nestled at the foot of Aspen Mountain and is part of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Newly renovated in November 2007, 39 Degrees bar, and 90 stylish guest rooms and suites, meeting facilities, pool and Jacuzzi, is the place to be and be seen while staying in stylish luxury (www.theskyhotel.com; 970.925.6760).

• Aspen Meadows.  Designed by renowned Bauhaus architect Herbert Bayer in 1950, the Aspen Meadows is a 98-room, all suite resort and conference center located in Aspen’s residential West End featuring two restaurants, a bar and lounge, health club and tennis courts in addition to 30,000 square feet of meeting space. Home to the Aspen Institute, an international, non-profit organization. The Aspen Meadows recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation, featuring a grand new reception area, additional meeting space and Plato’s, a new restaurant.  The latest addition was the 22,000-square-foot Doerr-Hosier Center opened in January 2007.  Equipped as a meeting space or special event venue, the Center features an installation by famed sculptor Andy Goldsworthy (www.aspenmeadowsresort.com; 970.925.4240).

Quaint Budet Hotels & Lodges
• The Snow Queen Lodge. The Aspen Historical Society calls the Snow Queen Victorian B&B Lodge, built in 1886, “The Jewel of Aspen.” This historic B&B is the oldest Victorian lodge in town and is within easy walking distance to Aspen Mountain (www.snowqueenlodge.com; 970.925.8455).

• Gems of Aspen. A collection of 11 family-owned, historic lodges, the Gems of Aspen offer a unique lodging experience (www.gemsofaspen.com ; 866.770.8358).

• Annabelle Inn. This family-owned, 35-room lodge was completely renovated and renamed in 2005. Enjoy the freshly baked cookies each afternoon in front of the lobby fireplace or the courtyard firepit. This is also a great location for weddings, family reunions or meetings in the state-of-the-art conference space  (www.annabelleinn.com; 970.925.3822).

• Mountain House Lodge. This bed and breakfast lodge in Aspen combines modern amenities with old-fashioned hospitality and is located just minutes from the ski lifts and downtown Aspen  (www.mountainhouselodge.com, 866.920.2550).

• Hotel Lenado. This luxurious, architecturally distinctive and friendly B&B has all the amenities, including a delicious full breakfast and intimate, wood-detailed bar (www.hotellenado.com; 970.925.6246). 

• Chalet Lisl. This small, quaint inn with studios and one-bedrooms in Aspen’s quiet West End, provides a free shuttle to the Music Tent (www.chaletlisl.com; 970.925.3520).

• Little Red Ski Haus. One of the Gems of Aspen and built by a miner in 1888 and newly renovated in 2002, this Aspen original B&B has attracted loyal guests from around the world for over half a century (www.littleredskihaus.net; 970.925.3333).

On The Wild Side  - Huts and Camping
• 10th Mountain Division Hut System. For an ideal overnight or longer stay for the more adventurous visitor, the 10th Mountain Division manages a system of 29 backcountry huts in the Colorado Rocky Mountains—many with easy access to Aspen, most accessible by four-wheel drive, mountain bikes or hiking. Huts are equipped with fireplaces, cooking materials and water. Visitors bring bedding and food (www.huts.org; 970.925.5775).

• Camping. Sundown doesn’t mean you have to head inside. Sleep under the stars at one of the seven drive-in campgrounds around Aspen including Silver Bell, Difficult and Lincoln Creek. There are official campsites in many of the most popular backcountry areas, and places where designated sites are mandatory will be marked. Check with the Forest Service Aspen Ranger District for more information about sites and regulations (970.925.3445).

Lodging Changes: Many Aspen lodges and old-school skier chalets have completed renovations or are currently in the process of major face-lifts. Visitors can look forward to new hotels and additions to their favorite existing hotels:
New Lodges Coming Soon
• Limelight Lodge: New 126 room moderately priced hotel being constructed on the site of the original Limelight Lodge and Snowflake Inn. Opening by late fall 2008  www.limelightlodge.com

Fractional Residences
• Dancing Bear Residences: Luxury Fractional ownerships opening Summer 2008 www.dancingbearaspen.com

• Opening in fall 2008, The Residences at The Little Nell will be located at the base of Aspen Mountain opposite the Silver Queen Gondola and will offer luxurious three- and four-bedroom apartments on a fractional ownership basis, with a rooftop pool and spa and the excellent service expected from The Little Nell. Italian restaurant Il Mulino New York will open in the Residences in fall 2008 (www.thelittlenell.com; www.rlnaspen.com; 970.920-7272).

• Innsbruck. The Innsbruck is a multi-million dollar development and renovation of ten one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom fractional ownership residences. New mountain décor, stone and granite countertops and alderwood cabinetry make for a beautiful updated decor. Amenities of the new fractional residences include a new swimming pool and hot tub, members’ lounge, fitness facilities, concierge and bell and transportation services (233 West Main Street; 970.920.0121; www.theinnsbruck.com).

For more information, visit the Aspen Chamber Resort Association at www.aspenchamber.org, or call 1.888.290.1324 or 970.925.1940.

Contact:  Maureen Poschman; maureen@promoinc.net / 970.925.8480