Aspen has always been a popular destination for celebrities and the rich. But, even with all the luxury resorts and chalets in the area, The Little Nell is still a great place to call home. The boutique hotel, which has 92 rooms, is located at the Aspen Mountain’s base. It is also the town’s only property that allows ski-in/out. The hotel is also the only one to have both a 5-star and five-star rating. This was evident during our recent winter vacation.
The hotel is an outstanding example of first-class hospitality, design, amenities, and design.
Aspen COVID-19 requirements. Aspen Skiing Company has implemented vaccination requirements at various places. The Little Nell guests must have their vaccinations up to date by November 25 for dining at Element 47 or Ajax Tavern as well as at The Wine Bar.
Unrivalled: With its first-class amenities, design, and hospitality, this hotel is unique. It manages to be intimate, yet enjoyable, making it as popular as the majestic mountains above.
From a mining community to a posh paradise:
It was once a silver-mining outpost in the middle of the 1800s that flourished before it went bust many decades later. It was a hard-working town that fell apart and whose population declined to the point where two smart businessmen tried to capitalise on the fledgling American ski market.
Aspen became a major hub of art, music and literature over the past few decades. This charming town, surrounded by sun-soaked hills for miles, has been a popular destination for movie stars as well as socialites and corporate C.E.Os.
Just ask any longtime local and you’re bound to hear a story about sitting next to Jack Nicholson at the bar, Mariah Carey shopping at the local Louis Vuitton, or spotting Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell stroll down the street.
Catering to the glitterati are a string of luxury shops that rival Madison Avenue: Gucci, Christian Dior, Prada, Moncler, Fendi, and Ralph Lauren. Chanel salopettes? Check. Fendi printed skis? Check.
In addition to upscale shopping, a delightful culinary scene and robust nightlife, Aspen boasts its very own ballet, opera house, symphony and contemporary art museum.
For those interested in outdoor adventure, the Rocky Mountain destination city is a hive of activity for every season: skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, biking, hiking, fly fishing and climbing.
No matter if you are visiting for culture, skiing, eating, or recreation, all Aspenites agree there is no better hotel than The Little Nell. The concierge can arrange almost everything through the first-class service.
The Little Nell is your only option for accommodation:
Nestled in the heart of town, The Little Nell is tucked away at the base of Aspen Mountain (also known as Ajax), surrounded by upscale shops, art galleries, and tony après-ski hotspots. Four Mountain Sports, across the street from The Little Nell, offers equipment rental. All of town can also be reached by walking.
Guests arrive at the lodge’s unassuming covered porte-cochère where a team of eager bellhops help with valet and luggage. As a member of the concierge team, a friendly staff member checks your in and greets you as soon as you step inside.
It is well known for its exceptional service, which is discreet, friendly and genuine.
The concierge makes every activity from skiing to dinner reservations magically easy – an no request is too small or large to accommodate. Do you want to be seated on the grooming snowcat that runs down the mountain? You got it. You can join Ski Patrol for their final run before closing down the mountain. Sure. You’re looking for drunken pizza in Aspen’s late-night spot? You’re also covered.
Aspen ranks alongside Davos, Courchevel, St. Mortiz and Charmonix as one of the most luxurious and famous ski areas in the globe
Amenities:
The Little Nell pays attention to every detail. You will find basic amenities such as 24-hour room service, turndown, dry cleaning on the same day, emergency physicians available, oxygen rental in case you are suffering from altitude sickness, personal shopping, packing, unpacking, and delivery of daily newspapers to your door every morning.
Free airport pick-up and transportation throughout the city are provided for guests. You can also take a complimentary shuttle to Aspen Snowmass and Aspen Highlands. These destinations are approximately 20 minutes away.
The ‘Ski Concierge,’ The Little Nell’s most beloved amenity, stores and heats your ski boots over night. This office is located on the 2nd floor and opens onto Ajax Mountain, where you can find the Silver Queen Gondola just steps away. They are available to assist with any of your snowboard and ski needs, including organizing lessons and equipment rental. The staff is also available to assist you in the sometimes embarrassing task of taking your boots off at night.
In summer guests may ride road bikes in freedom or relax on the patio while sipping drinks and snacking.
Four-legged guests will be welcomed with style in pet-friendly rooms.The Puppy Jet Lag Kit’ includes a Little Nell leash, homemade peanut butter treats and a puppy treat kit. Gourmet canine foods such as salmon, chicken breast, and wagyu beef are available in a specialty pet-menu.
The Little Nell is the perfect place to enjoy apres-ski
The Little Nell is famously the most luxurious of Aspen’s resorts which makes sense that it’s become the stomping ground of the very well-healed ‘see-and-be-seen’ après ski crowd.
Aspen’s best people watchers will be able to enjoy the understated elegance and charm of this newly renovated wine bar. Enjoy hot toddies with your friends and a plate of truffle fries. An ensemble of women in fur jackets, leather pants, and spiced carrot hummus share their joy over Krug. Bogner, Moncler and Canada Goose ski gear is worn by the women. Leather leggings are also on hand.
Aspen’s new bar, Chair 9, was formerly known as Chair 9. It offers a relaxed atmosphere and comfortable seating for up to 8 guests. The relaxed atmosphere is complemented by DJs playing vinyl records.
The Little Nell is an après ski hot spot and one of the best people-watching spots in town. Surprised at how active every hotel location was even after the lifts had closed for the day, I found it surprising. The lobby bar, called The Living Room, was busy with groups of friends enjoying a bold red or sparking rosé at low tables and around the fireplace.
The crowd is made up of the world’s elite. But, at The Little Nell, you don’t have to judge a book by it cover. Because individuality is something that these people cherish. The charity circuit of Palm Beach is what they are referring to as much as the band at Coachella, or the DJ from Ibiza. Bogner and Moncler ski gear, Canada Goose and Obermeyer leather leggings, as well as hand-knitted wool sweaters are what they’re sporting.
Once you’re in your room, the luxury never ends. Whether you go for a ‘Town side’, ‘Mountain side’ or a suite, all of the rooms feature neutral hues, luxurious fabrics, gas log fireplaces, deep soaking tubs with all-natural “First Tracks” June Jacobs spa products and custom-designed furniture that ensures for a calming and restorative ambiance; they’re ‘a little bit comfortable chic, a little bit private art collection’, as the hotel describes.
You can be sure that your room service provider will provide everything you need, from baby items like strollers, cribs and Playstations to food for your hungry stomachs.
Design Dream: The bedrooms and suites are decorated in neutral colors and luxurious fabrics.
For ultimate relaxation, these rooms offer gas log fireplaces with deep soak tubs.
A room with a view. The boutique hotel has 92 rooms and is located at the base the Aspen Mountain. It offers ski-in/out access to all the slopes.
Aspen’s crown jewel, The Little Nell. This is Aspen’s only hotel that has both five-star and five-diamond star ratings.
Your stay at the Little Nell is guaranteed to be enjoyable. Enjoy a fun day on the slopes. After your adventure, turn over your equipment at the ski concierge located at the base. Next, you can head to AJAX Tavern which boasts a sunny terrace and a chic, low-key bar. Flop into plush red booths and enjoy their famous onion soup gratinée ($19) or wagyu cheeseburger ($27).
Socializing with your friends is possible on the slopes or at the AJAX Tavern’s terrace.
Low-key yet stylish: Flop into the comfy booths at the AJAX restaurant bar and warm up with friends over some onion soup gratinée or a wagyu cheeseburger
See and be seen: The Little Nell is an après ski hot spot and one of the best people-watching spots in town
Element 47, the hotel’s finest dining option, is where you can find fine cuisine. You can start your day by enjoying coffee, Emma farms winter vegetable scramble (23 USD) and Emma farms-wagyu lasadas (27 USD) while reading the Aspen Daily News.
Dinner is a feast of delicious dishes from local farms, such as Rosen Farms lamb and kampachi crudo. Three course prix fixe costs $125, add wine pairing for $150, or go full Aspen with bottles of Dom Pérignon.
Enjoy wine and food at Element 47, the chic hotel restaurant
The Element 47 restaurant is the perfect place to start and finish your day. It uses only the best local products. Breakfast specialties include winter vegetable scramble ($23) or Emma farms wagyu enchiladas ($27) whilst dinner is a three course prix fixe affair which costs $125
The Little Nell team went above and beyond to make our stay even more special. They offered a private wine tasting event in their cellar. We were led across the parking lot to the The Red Light Lounge. The intimate, red-lit wine cellar of 20,000 bottles is a great way to mark a special occasion. It has an almost naughty vibe.
Let your personal extremely well-versed sommelier pull some of the world’s most sought after wines straight off the shelves (depending on your budget of course) whilst you nibble on selection of house-cured meats and local cheeses. You can immortalize the experience by adding your name to the famous walls, where it will be right next to many very well-known names.
It’s a must: Have a wine tasting party in their famous red cellar to commemorate a special occasion
Fun! Fun!
You can also find other eateries in the area:
French Alpine Bistro
Karin Derly (Austrian-born restaurateur) said, “It’s one of the most small towns in the world.” As proprietress of The French Alpine Bistro, Derly sought to recreate the cozy atmosphere of Alpine chalets to her romantic candle-lit hideaway in the center of town.
A mélange of old-world antiques and sheepskin covered seats creates an intimate backdrop at The Bistro for world-class chefs to serve gooey fondue alongside a spectacular wine menu. Other popular menu items are the Argentine sea bass with provençal vegetable ragout & lemon butter sauce ($59), the truffle gnocchi-flette ($46) and of course you have to try a buckwheat crêpe from Brittany ($26).
In one word, Derly describes the ambiance as ‘gemütlich’ – German for warmth, friendliness, and comfort. Aerin Lauder, a tastemaker from Austria, calls it her ‘favorite spot in town’. From the authentic trinklets Derly and her father look for each year in Austrian wine shops to the evident passion shown by long-standing employees, the female-led restaurant is truly authentic.
Must visit: Austrian-born local restaurateur, Karin Derly created the cozy atmosphere of Alpine chalets at her romantic candle-lit restaurant French Alpine Bistro in the center of town
Alpine chic: A mélange of old-world antiques and sheepskin covered seats creates an intimate backdrop at The Bistro for world-class chefs to serve gooey fondue alongside a spectacular wine menu
CHICA Aspen
Enjoy a warm meal at CHICA after a long day in the mountains. This new offering by 50 Eggs Hospitality Group, which has other restaurants in Las Vegas as well as Miami’s CHICA, is a Latin American-inspired restaurant. Led by celebrity chef Lorena Garcia, CHICA Aspen, which just opened its doors in December 2021, is a fun and vibrant place to share plates of Peruvian corvina ceviche ($22), wagyu quesa-birria empanada ($22), lobster mac & cheese (MP) and meyer lemon chicken ($32) whilst working your way through their imaginative cocktail menu.
Lively! Lively!
Delicious: Get plates of Peruvian corvina and wagyu qusa-birria empanada, but make sure to leave some room for the real deal, a flaming choc skull
7908:
At 7908, Aspen’s legendary nightclub, you can eat, drink, and dance. The place has style, with a cool décor and very fun atmosphere (the dinner buzz turns to full party mode once the dancefloor quickly packs out), but it has substance too.
Celebrity chef Byron Gomez has created a spectacular menu featuring dishes like halibut with white wine miso ($58) or fried chicken thighs in chili honey sauce ($38).
Meanwhile sommelier, Jonathan Pullis (one of only 250 Master Sommelier’s world wide) will ensure your culinary experience is truly elevated. You will be dancing on the floor and drinking tequila out of a shotski. Matt Corbin is the Spirits Director and has designed a unique, delicious craft cocktail menu. Espresso martini on tap, anyone?
Time to party! At 7908, Aspen’s legendary nightclub, you can eat, drink, and dance.
Exquisite: Celebrity chef Byron Gomez has created a menu masterpiece with dishes of halibut and white wine miso sauce and fried chicken thighs in chili honey glaze whilst Spirits Director Matt Corbin who has created an incredibly innovative, and delicious, craft cocktail offering
Enjoy an afternoon filled with culture at the Aspen Art Museum. The Andy Warhol – Lifetimes show is on view until March 27th 2022. More than 200 Warhols’ works are featured in this major retrospective. They span his entire life. While you will recognize some of Warhol’s iconic pieces, there are many lesser-known facts about his life and work.
The new AAM building, designed by Shigeru Ban (a renowned Japanese architect), is serene and displays art on three floors. Enjoy a glass or organic wine while looking out over the stunning 360-degree views of the snowcapped mountains from the bar on the top floor.
Culture destination: The Aspen Art Museum currently has the Andy Warhol: Lifetimes exhibit until March 27, 2022
Warhol wonder: The major retrospective features more than 200 of the famous American artist’s s works spanning his whole career. After the show, head to the bar on the top floor to enjoy organic wine while taking in the breathtaking views over the snowcapped mountains.
It would be remiss not to mention the many outdoor wonders that the Rocky Mountains offer. Aspen offers a wide range of recreation activities, including skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling as well as biking, hiking, fishing, climbing, flying, cycling, ski touring, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. You can make the most of your Aspen experience, regardless of season. Make The Little Nell your home while you’re there.
Fairytale: Aspen has been called by the locals “the smallest large town in all of the world”.
American Dream: Aspen was once a sprawling silver mine that boomed and then crashed before it became an upscale ski resort. In the 1940s, two businessmen saw the potential in this fledgling American industry.
Alluring: Aspen became a place of art, literature, and music over the years.
Winter playground: These sun-soaked slopes are a popular destination for movie stars, socialites and all manner of corporate C.E.O.