Casual Western Charm Merges With Style and Luxury in Aspen

Alluring adrenaline adventures await from every view in Aspen

As we are day dreaming of new and reminiscing past travel adventures, few places have the appeal of affluence and low-key relaxed lifestyle. Quaint small-town casual ambiance with views of the beckoning ski slopes from all streets lure visitors to Aspen, promising unforgettable thrills, incredible shopping, people watching and dining experiences. 

Looking back at our last chance ski trip to Aspen, right before COVID-19 unexpectedly closed down all the ski resorts, I feel privileged to finally have explored this highly rated resort town. For years I wanted to go skiing here while visiting the playground of the beautiful and wealthy.

Being a resort and hotel designer, I had the chance to finally visit the best hotels:

The legendary historic “Grand Old Broad”, Hotel Jerome, by Auberge Resorts Collection, is a must for anyone who wants a rich immersive experience filled with layers of mystery and intrigue. An icon with a storied past, it has been a social hub since its opening in 1889 at the height of the town’s silver boom. An extraordinary treasure chest, filled with historic gems, it was renovated with exceptional flair by TAL in 2012.

The lobby Living Room exudes a fascination of a bygone past, merged almost invisibly with transitional and modern artifacts. A memorable place for social chance encounters or quiet admiration. The lobby bar is filled with a more casual ambiance, where your eyes will wander. Both are favorites for Aspenites and visitors. The restaurant Prospect is a fresh antidote, with a contemporary freshness, contemporary casual with elegant lightness and a mouthwatering menu. J-Bar has a robust lively casual buzz.

The guestrooms carry over the historic theme of comfort, layered with richness of details. Overall an intriguing experience, which should not be missed once we are able to travel again.

At the foot of the ski slope, Little Nell is the only 5-star hotel with direct ski-in, ski-out access. Built near a former silver mine, named after a certain “lady of the night”, Little Nell was built in 1989, but renovated in 2009 with a contemporary design of light wood, blue, tan and grey to complement the relaxed nature of Aspen. The lobby is rather small, with an adjacent Element 47 bar and modern restaurant. According to local shop keepers the best place in Aspen for lunch is Ajax Tavern’s sun-soaked patio, a skiers and non-skiers watering hole for lunch and après-ski gatherings. A perfect people watching venue. Try the mouthwatering truffle fries, no matter what else on the menu inspires you, but do share it with someone special. After the ski season’s extra early closure in 2019, the hotel public areas will be renovated, with a more casual mountain ambiance to replace the modern contemporary design.

Take the Silver Queen Gondola up to the Sundeck Restaurant with breathtaking views from the top of the mountain and over Aspen. A great place for lunch, whether you are a skier or non-skier. Although cafeteria style, the dishes are fresh and creative, as the restaurant is operated by Little Nell. I had the best shrimp patay dish ever, even though I lived in Bangkok for a while. All food looked delicious!

Next to Little Nell, the W Hotel features a dramatic, small theatrical tiered lobby and is most known for the rooftop Wet Deck with pool, hot tubs and a bar with fire pits offering mountain views over the ski slopes. The Double Queen guestrooms offer an innovative layout concept with tiered queen beds, offering movie theater-style tv-viewing.  

Toro Kitchen & Lounge restaurant at Viceroy Snowmass has a cozy nterior exuding classic mountain warmth, with several fire places and interesting accessories. The remaining hotel areas and guestrooms did not quite live up to my expectations. 

When it comes to retail, Aspen has almost everything, from international high-end fashion brand stores to the more unexpected encounters. Kemo Sabe is a fascinating western store, with a vast collection of cowboy hats, boots and western accessories, displayed on old fashioned wooden shelves and pegs, with custom gear for anyone wanting to style exceptional gear. With over 50 years of family tradition and love of European mountains,

Gorsuch are purveyors of uniquely authentic European style clothing, ski wear and home accessories. With 3 stores and a café, Gorsuch will make an imprint on your mind - and probably credit card as well - and will make you long for a trip to Switzerland soon. The Gorsuch family has along background in Aspen and Vail with Renie Gorsuch being a past member of the US Women’s ski team during the 1960 Winter Olympics.  They are experts in the best of ski equipment. 

“Aspen does not disappoint”