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Staying in Aspen doesn't come cheap, especially during the height of ski or summer seasons. Luxury hotels charge rates that rival tariffs in midtown Manhattan, and the prices for less fancy digs fall in line with rates for business-class rooms in big city hotels. Except for special deals, finding a hotel room for $100 or less during high season is a near impossibility. Since skiing here developed around a real town, few Aspen hotels offer ski-in and ski-out facilities. Most require a short walk or a shuttle ride in a hotel courtesy car to reach the Aspen Mountain slopes. While some of the town's hotels are classics, most are newer or recently renovated. For those with cars, hotel parking can be an issue. The luxury properties charge dearly for covered valet parking, with no self-parking options available. It's the cheaper, more outlying properties that feature free or low cost parking. Most hotels allow pets, but at an additional cost. When booking a room in Aspen, look online for special deals. Individual hotel Web pages or sites such as www.stayaspensnowmass.com often offer last minute deals or special lodging and lift ticket packages.
St. Moritz Lodge & Condominiums
Neighborhood: Aspen Mountain Price Range: Budget Here's a place with a little bit of something for everyone. The 25-unit property offers one- and two-bedroom condos at reasonable prices. There are lodge rooms for those who need less space and even smaller private hostel rooms with shared bath for seeking cheaper quarters. If you're on a really limited budget, they even offer European-style hostel bunks with bathrooms down the hallway. Services include continental breakfasts during winter and summer seasons, apres ski parties, a pool, whirlpool, steam room, flat screen TVs and laundry facilites. Internet and parking don't cost extra. It's a bit away from things, but RFTA buses pass just two blocks away.
Hotel Durant
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Moderate Located two blocks from downtown, the family owned and operated Durant offers comfortable lodging that's a bit removed from the hustle and bustle. A half century ago, Americans associated skiing with the European Alps, so it became fashionable for ski resort properties to feature a faux-alpine style. The Durant follows this tradition with what they say is an authentic Bavarian flavor. There are only 19 rooms, which are simple and comfortable. Some feature balconies. There's no swimming pool, but the hotel does offer a hot tub outside and a fireplace in the lobby. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and parking is free. Rooms come with robes and cable TV, a continental breakfast is served in the morning and cookies in the afternoon. During ski season, they host a complimentary wine and cheese apres ski party.
Steve Mundinger, Aspen Mountain LodgeThe Aspen Mountain Lodge
Neighborhood: Aspen Mountain Price Range: Moderate This is one of the town's lesser known gems. The Aspen Mountain Lodge's 38 rooms range from lesser cost garden level quarters that are comfortably simple to fancier upper floor rooms, many of which can be had with balconies. Each features a wet bar, small refrigerator, TV, CD player, coffee maker, bathrobes and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Parking comes free. A massive river rock fireplace centers the lobby, and outside, there's a heated pool and hot tub. Mornings bring a light breakfast buffet, and during ski season, an afternoon apres ski party. It's not the fanciest place in town, but it's a comfortable alternative for those not blessed with AIG bonuses.
Tyrolean Lodge
Neighborhood: Aspen Mountain Price Range: Budget Almost qualifying as a budget property, the Tyrolean Lodge features 16 rooms on a Main Street location. The slopes of Aspen Mountain lie a bit of a walk away, but the price savings found here makes it worth it. Outside, the 1970s-era lodge sports a European look. Rooms are spacious with lower and mid-level quarters feature two queens and a twin bed offering mattress space for five. Upper floor rooms are larger, offer similar bed arrangements and feature wood-burning fireplaces. Quarters are all nonsmoking and most offer small kitchenettes, with mini-refrigerators and microwave ovens. Internet comes free, as does the parking.
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Tyrolean Lodge
Annabelle Inn
Neighborhood: Aspen Mountain Price Range: Moderate The Annabelle Inn falls somewhere between a hotel and a bed and breakfast. It offers 35 rooms, each with its own themed decor, but unlike a B&B, you don't have to stomp through the owner's living room to reach your quarters. Instead of numbers, rooms here bear individual names. Each offers a flat screen TV and high-speed Internet access. Some come with balconies and gas-log fireplaces. The inn features a pair of outdoor hot tubs, the top one offering views of Aspen and Red Mountains. On a clear evening, it's a pleasant place to soak while watching the sun set and moon rise. A buffet breakfast is served in the lobby, plus coffee, tea and fresh cookies are available during summer and winter afternoons. Parking is free.
St. Regis Resort
Neighborhood: Aspen Mountain Price Range: Expensive What is now the St. Regis began life in 1992 as a Ritz-Carlton. Five years later it became the first member of the St. Regis brand outside of New York City. The hotel offers 179 rooms in a quiet corner of Aspen. It's a short walk to downtown and the Silver Queen Gondola. Service is good and the staff friendly. Dark wood and carpets in the common areas give the hotel a more formal feeling, but it's not as stuffy as it was back in its Ritz-Carlton days. Animal statues and landscape paintings give the place a national park-meets-Central Park aura. The standard rooms seem a bit smaller than at the other luxury properties. In summer months, the hotel frequently hosts business gatherings, which can overwhelm its facilities with badge-wearing attendees.
The Little Nell
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Expensive This has long been Aspen's top five-star hotel. Its location next to the ski gondola makes it the town's only ski-in/ski-out hotel. It offers 92 rooms on three floors. The hotel was renovated in late 2009, and the decor is modern. Every room comes with robes and slippers, heated marble bathroom floors, a gas fireplace, Blu-Ray DVD and stereo CD player with iPod dock, and of course, a very expensive minibar. What it doesn't have is in-room coffee. Many of its quarters sport balconies, which are lovely in summer, but pretty much worthless in winter. A third-floor mountain view room is best, but really, unless you plan to spend a lot of time indoors, it really doesn't warrant the extra price. Of course, if cost was an issue, you wouldn't stay at the Nell.
Hotel Jerome
Neighborhood: Aspen Mountain Price Range: Expensive The Jerome is an Aspen classic. It was built in 1889 as the ritziest hotel in the Rockies. Over the past century plus, it's had its ups and downs. Today, it remains one of the town's top luxury retreats and the only one displaying a 19th-century antique flare. Each of its 94 rooms has its own style and decor, with no two alike. They are generally spacious and include down comforters, feather pillows, oversize bathtubs, separate showers, double-sink vanities, two-line telephones, flat-screen TVs and, of course, an expensive minibar. The hotel's latest renovation was in 1982 and it's starting to show its age with worn carpet and furnishings seen in some rooms. But it is a classic so a bit of wear is to be expected. Of Aspen's top luxury properties, it lies the farthest from the slopes, but hotel drivers stand ready to cart you and your gear to the gondola.
Sky Hotel
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Moderate Located next door to the Little Nell, the Sky offers the same closeness to the slopes, but at a more comfortable price point. They use "hip" and "swank" to describe their decor, and it fits. The hotel's 90 rooms are painted sunny yellow with zebra and leopard-printed robes provided for guests. Sign up in advance for the Kimpton InTouch rewards program and Wi-Fi Internet access comes complimentary, although the parking remains pricey. In the evening, free wine is poured during what they call "altitude adjustment hour." If further adjustment is needed, the hotel's 39 Degrees lounge is a prime spot for apres ski or evening cocktails. The clientele here is younger and more lively, giving the hotel a fun feel.
Limelight Lodge
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Moderate Located in downtown Aspen, the Limelight is a completely redone blending of several formerly separate properties. It offers 126 rooms ranging from studios with kitchenettes to one- and two-bedroom suites. There's an outdoor pool and two hot tubs for your soaking pleasure. Internet comes free, pets are allowed for a fee and covered self-parking costs $15 a night. Rooms increase in frills and price with each floor. Look for the nicest rooms up top and the best values down low.
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