By Craig Tansley
THE HOTEL JEROME
If you want your Aspen luxury served up in 1880s fashion – go no further than the Hotel Jerome. Described as the "crown jewel" of Aspen and earning itself a place on the National Register Of Historical Places, the hotel reeks of yesteryear charm – from its western saloon bar (the J-Bar), a favourite of Hollywood stars John Wayne and Gary Cooper, to its enormous suites with their strict adherence to retro decor. But this is not like your grandma's house, or a dusty museum, the Hotel Jerome features live music most nights. It's as hip as it is historic. Little wonder Hunter S Thompson used it as a de facto office. Rooms from $927 a night.
See hoteljerome.aubergeresorts.com.
The spa at the St Regis Aspen was voted the number one spa in the world.
THE LITTLE NELL
Sure, when celebrities come to town, they invariably spend time at the Little Nell. It's the coolest hotel in the whole of Colorado – Aspen's only five-star, five-diamond property and its only hotel with ski-in, ski-out access to Aspen Mountain. Its signature restaurant, Element 47, has a wine cellar with more than 10,000 bottles of wine, one of which costs over $68,500. But don't let that put you off … there's always been a down-homey element about the place (believe it or not). The rooms are comfortable without being over-the-top, and for every guest in a mink coat there's five in ski jackets covered in snow. Its outdoor bar/ restaurant, the Ajax Tavern, is the place to be seen on any sunny afternoon. Rooms from $722 a night.
See thelittlenell.com.
The stunning rooftop hot tubs at The Residences at the Little Nell.Credit: Jeremy Swanson
THE LIMELIGHT HOTEL
It's sold as "Aspen's most approachable hotel" and it's the Limelight Hotel's casual approach to luxury that makes it such a favourite with guests. While its rooms are huge and stylishly decorated, you're far more likely to remember its easy-going staff and the fact there's always something going on downstairs at the bar. There's free live music from 4-7pm Thursdays to Mondays during winter and there's a four-hour happy hour every day of the week … and people are even allowed to bring their dogs in. But then there's an Adventure Concierge too (where do you find one of those in Australia?). You're also just a two minute stroll from town. Rooms from $348 a night.
See limelighthotel.com.
The Hotel Jerome reeks of the charm of yesteryear.
ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT
Aspen's most under-rated accommodation option – and the best place to stay to escape the crowds in town. Located on 16 hectares of land on the edge of Aspen's historic – and prestigious - West End district, the property is dissected by the Roaring Fork River and by walking trails that look out across to the mountains that surround you on every side. There's a health club, three dining options and a mellower après ski bar than those you'll find in town. It's also home to the prestigious Aspen Institute which has featured keynote speakers the calibre of the Dalai Lamai and Bill Clinton. Rooms from $274 a night.
See aspenmeadows.com.
THE RESIDENCES AT THE LITTLE NELL
The Residences are the place to stay if you really want to feel like you own this simple little silver mining town. Looking out across the slopes of Aspen Mountain and down on the folk imbibing champagne at Ajax Tavern, The Residences are private apartments with living spaces that vary between a gigantic 185 and 370 square metres in area. Staff are on call 24 hours, your own ski concierge will take your skis to the gondola and you'll have access to rooftop hot tubs and a lap pool with the best views of any building in Aspen. You'll also have a complimentary Audi A8 to use. Rooms from $1237 a night.
See littlenellresidencesaspen.com.
THE ST REGIS ASPEN
It says something about a hotel's day spa that it almost steals all the glory of the hotel it's housed in – but this isn't just any old day spa, St Regis's Remede Spa was voted the number one spa in the world by Travel & Leisure. It features a waterfall in its changing room and massage and beauty treatments unique to the hotel – there's nowhere better to relax after a hard day on the slopes. But the St Regis also features an outdoor pool and three outdoor hot tubs just below Aspen Mountain. When you're done soothing your muscles, grab a signature cocktail from the Splash Pool Lounge and eat some of Colorado's best Italian fare at Trecento Quindici Decano. Rooms from $411 a night.
See stregisaspen.com.
The writer was a guest of Aspen Snowmass Skiing Company and Travelplan Ski.
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