5 Best places to stay in Aspen

Just steps from the Silver Queen gondola, Aspen’s only ski-in, ski-out hotel is the quintessential place to stay in Aspen if you want to be in the centre of it all. Popular with Aspen A-listers, ‘The Nell’ lives up to its five-star, five-diamond status with impeccable service (the staff will know your name from the moment you check in), plush amenities, and a sleek contemporary mountain style.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, Element 47, serves up sophisticated seasonal dishes and boasts a phenomenal 20,000-bottle wine collection. The slope-side Ajax Tavern, which draws a lively après-ski crowd in winter, and is a lovely spot for alfresco summer drinks.

The outdoor heated pool and hot tub are surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking Aspen Mountain – just the place to unwind after a day skiing, or summer activities including hiking, fly-fishing and off-road tours.

America’s answer to Zermatt, Aspen is the most expensive ski resort in the country – which makes this central yet affordable B&B-style hotel a real gem. Located within walking distance of the Silver Queen Gondola, it’s one of the few remaining old-time ski lodges in Aspen (dating back to 1954).

Its rooms are spacious and light; many feature the original 1950s furniture, while others have lovely mountain views. The solar-heated outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room are just the ticket for easing tired ski muscles, while the games room (pool table, foosball, piano) is ideal for kids and groups.

The hotel hosts regular live music acts in its cosy lounge.

Housed in a beautiful red brick building on Main Street, this classy, central hotel has been an Aspen landmark since 1889.  Jerome entices guests with its Victorian-era antique charm, boasting a hand-carved grand staircase, soaring glass atrium, and cosy saloon-style bar.

Starting at 525 square feet, Jerome’s bedrooms are some of the largest in Aspen, featuring leather beds, chrome chandeliers, and minibars stocked with Aspen products. There’s a small – but sublime – spa in the hotel’s basement, offering botanical treatments and post-ski massages.

In winter, a hotel shuttle whisks skiers to and from the slopes (five blocks away) in minutes, while in summer, skiing is replaced by hiking, biking, horse riding, and climbing. The hotel can arrange all of these activities, and more, upon request.

Built in 1919 as a miners’ lodge, this boutique B&B is located two blocks from Crested Butte’s main street, Elk Avenue. Guests hop on the free shuttle to the ski hill, six minutes’ drive away.

The bedrooms are on the small side, but the beds are comfy, and some have superb views of the surrounding Elk Mountains. Ghost Room #11 is named after the hotel’s resident (and friendly) ghost.

Breakfasts are a highlight – blueberry pancakes one morning, Mexican bean casserole the next. There’s also a well-stocked games room, library, indoor hot tub and in-house masseuse. The owners, Mike and Amy Nolan, are avid skiers and happy to share tips on where to find the best snow.

Opened winter 2018, this is one of Snowmass’ newest hotels, boasting the same fun, laid-back luxury that has made the Limelight Hotels in Aspen and Ketchum so popular.

The hotel is the ultimate play-park, featuring its own five-story-high climbing wall, plus a kids’ room packed full of toys and games, with the village ice skating rink just outside the front door. Parents’ post-ski R&R comes in the form of two outdoor spa pools.

The hotel offers a range of ‘Limelight adventures’, including a behind-the-scenes look at how the Ski Patrol close the mountain every evening.

The ski-in, ski-out location is excellent: right by the Elk Camp gondola, in the heart of the Snowmass base village. The hotel offers daily shuttles to nearby Aspen, Highlands and Buttermilk.