Aspen Boutique Hotels

The Little Nell

Aspen town's only ski-in, ski-out option, sitting at the base of Ajax Mountain, The Little Nell is arguably the first hotel anyone thinks of when they think of Aspen.

Outdoor hot tub and heated pool? - Check.
Truffle fries at Ajax Tavern? - Check.
5 Stars, 5 Diamond? - Check.

Its size, with 78 Rooms, 14 Suites and 26 Residences, might disqualify it from the "Aspen boutique hotels" category. But I'd keep it firmly there, at the top, simply because of the way it feels to stay here. The attention to detail and luxury lends it a feeling of intimacy that you'd expect from a much smaller property.

Every room at the Little Nell has a fireplace, and they have the largest entry level room in Aspen, at 600sf. There are plenty of options to connect two or three rooms together, and they'll guarantee connecting rooms at the time of booking (at least, when you book through a Fora Advisor!)

Across the way from where you catch the gondola up to Ajax are the Little Nell Residences. All 26 of these rooms are designed by an in-house team, so there is consistency in their look and feel (and flawlessness, frankly). There are options for two, three and four-bedroom residences, and an additional eight hotel rooms in the same building, for anyone traveling with the occupants of a residence but who want a bit of privacy.

Another benefit of staying at The Little Nell: you've got AspenX right next door, where your Fora Advisor can set up a consultation for all of your rental needs (delivered wherever you want them), as well as arrange year-round specialty excursions, such as ski or hiking guides, or a visit to the AspenX Beach Club.

The Hotel Jerome

This Auberge Resorts Collection, 5 Star Hotel, is my personal pick for where to stay in Aspen. I'd return here over and over again. I wish I was there right now. Every corner of The Hotel Jerome has been meticulously thought out. The property is fantasia, straight out of Architectural Digest; for the design vibe, think Regency England meets 1800's Western Silver Mining Town. Or just think, The Hotel Jerome is sheer perfection.

The rooms and suites range from spacious to expansive, starting at 525 square-feet, with either King beds or two Queens; all boast twice-daily housekeeping. Separate showers and tubs are featured in the bathrooms, with beautiful bath salts offered, inviting you for a soak after a long day on the slopes. The rooms feel like Ralph Lauren himself designed them (he did not - that was TAL Studio, who also did Auberge's Goldener Hirsch property). Hotel Jerome feels like the "boutique-iest" of all of the Aspen boutique hotels on this list.

In contrast to the rooms, Hotel Jerome's 3 Bedroom residences are light, bright and airy, yet somehow still maintain the signature feel of the hotel, with one-of-a-kind touches throughout the rooms. These are perfect for large group stays.

If you can drag yourself out of the room (harder said than done), make your way to the heated pool and hot tubs, or visit the Yarrow Spa where, if you arrive 30 minutes prior to your treatment, all hotel guests can enjoy a complimentary signature Grounding Botanical Foot Soak, personalized to their wellness goals. And then hit the town to explore - Hotel Jerome is located in the heart of Aspen, with every restaurant and shop you could possibly want to visit just a few minutes walk away.

At the hotel itself, you can start the morning at Felix Roasting Co. with a coffee or a pastry that has to be seen to be believed. It's a hard choice - one of those pastries, or breakfast at Prospect Restaurant (a personal pick: elk sausage shakshuka). Or save Prospect for dinner, with outdoor seating in the summer. J Bar features the prettiest cocktails you've ever seen, and the Living Room is the place in Aspen to grab an Espresso Martini and see and be seen. Unless, of course, you're lucky enough to snag entry to Bad Harriet, an underground speakeasy whose cocktails are true alchemy. Even the drink list is special, and they offer "The Soirée," a multi-course progressive collection of cocktails.

And, if you actually remember that you came to Aspen to ski, and not just lounge around Hotel Jerome, they offer the high-end ski outfitter Gorsuch on property, who can act as a concierge for all of your rental needs while in town. Hotel Jerome also offers complimentary shuttles to all four mountains in Aspen, and will store skis, snowboards and all gear for you overnight. There is a long list of experiences that the hotel can assist with, year-round, to help you enjoy the best of all that Aspen has to offer. Eleven out of ten times, it's Hotel Jerome for me.

The Limelight (Aspen)

Ok, so it’s Hotel Jerome 11/10 times for me, unless I’m in Aspen with my family. In that case, I’m headed straight to the Limelight, where the fun and relaxed feel lends itself perfectly to the unpredictability that accompanies family travel. This is the perfect Aspen boutique hotel for traveling with kids (and is also fabulous without them!). At the Limelight, I am not a bit worried that my children would be disruptive. The lobby, while beautifully designed, also feels built for fun and conviviality. The hotel is even dog-friendly! There is weekly live music, the pizza is out of this world, and the drinks are a chef’s kiss. I love the Limelight’s easy, warm sensibility for a more laid-back Aspen experience.

The room decor is simple, yet elevated, with touches like SMEG mini fridges and bathrobes. Seating areas and kitchenettes are featured in all room tiers, except for the most basic (a.k.a. the Standard). Some rooms have an occupancy of up to 5 people, and connecting rooms can be guaranteed at the time of booking, via your favorite Fora Advisor.

There are 6 suites in the hotel, one of which is, in my opinion, Aspen’s best kept secret (until I just blew it). The Penthouse Suite at the Limelight Aspen is the best value in town, with two bedrooms, three beds, a kitchen, a dining area, a gorgeous living room with a fireplace, and a balcony with views for days and a fire pit.

Like The Little Nell and Hotel Jerome, ski storage is available. Hotel guests can pre-book shuttles to and from Snowmass, Buttermilk and Highlands. Or if you prefer to drive yourself somewhere, you can reserve the hotel’s Audi e-tron SUV to take for a two hour, complimentary test drive! There’s a Therabody menu, with products such as the Theragun Pro, available for complementary use. And of course, a heated pool and several hot tubs to get you ready for whatever adventures lie in store the next day.

MOLLIE Aspen

Rounding out the list is the newest entry to Aspen’s boutique hotel category, the MOLLIE. Teak wood tones, neutral creams and leather tans abound in the lobby, where you can sit by the fire and enjoy all that the Bar & Lounge has to offer. The service here is truly impeccable, and the staff are beyond accommodating.

The neutral, chic aesthetic carries into the 68 rooms at the MOLLIE. All of which are decorated in contrast to the sleek, all-black bathrooms, containing rainfall showers, and evoke a minimalist Japanese style. My favorite room is the Aspen Mountain King, which although is somewhat intimate at 340 square feet, has the bed facing a giant plate glass window, which offers a stunning mountain view. In addition to the Aspen Mountain rooms (some of which have terraces), there are also Smuggler rooms, Park View rooms and suites. But part of what sets MOLLIE apart from the pack is their “Cozy and Snug” room class, which makes a luxury stay at an Aspen boutique hotel possible at every price point. Nestled below ground level, with lightwells instead of windows, these rooms are perfect for Aspen visitors who want to stay in the heart of town, at an amazing property, but maybe want to spend a bit less money - and a bit less time in their room.

MOLLIE’s heated spa pool is on the rooftop, which has unobstructed, expansive 180 degree views of Aspen mountain. You’d never guess you’re smack in the middle of town while you’re soaking and snacking up there. The hotel is pet-friendly, the staff is human-friendly, and some of the rooms are even wallet-friendly - what more could you ask for!

Day Trips:

Snowshoeing w Naturalist Guides: If you're not a skier but want to experience the beauty of all the mountains have to offer, consider an ACES snowshoeing tour. The guides from the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies have so much knowledge to share on the origins of the mountains, the topography of the region, how it has been affected by climate change, and what you can do to help.

Arctic Coaster and Tubing: More for the non-skiers in the crowd, or for anyone who wants to take a morning off from the slopes for some good old-fashioned fun.

Hike from Aspen to Crested Butte: There are so many amazing hikes to be had in and around Aspen in the warmer months, but this one takes the cake. While the driving distance between Aspen and Crested Butte is over 100 miles, the West Maroon Mountain Pass hike between them is only around 11 miles (and takes you up to 12,500 feet). Recommended with a guide.

Zip-lining, fishing and mountaintop yoga are more of the amazing activities available in Aspen's spring, summer and fall months. Reach out to your Fora Advisor today to get planning!

Drink: Upstairs @ Kemo Sabe

This location is the first, flagship outpost of the Western wear brand, and no trip to Aspen is complete without a stop in Kemo Sabe. If you want to spare your purse and still get the full Aspen experience, stop by for a drink at their upstairs bar. Just cut yourself off before you buy a custom hat AND new cowboy boots.

Drink: J Bar @ Hotel Jerome

The prettiest cocktails you've ever seen (they make a mean Paper Plane). “Cowboys and miners once rode their horses through its doors, 10th Mountain Division soldiers gathered here over pints after a day of training on the slopes, and the late Hunter S. Thompson turned it into his de facto office when he was running for sheriff.”

Drink: Bad Harriet

An underground speakeasy whose cocktails are true alchemy. Even the drink list is special, and they offer "The Soirée," a multi-course progressive collection of cocktails.

Drink: The Sterling

Late night bottle service and a country-music-only DJ might sound like a weird combo, but in Aspen, it works. (They have other kinds of DJs too).

Eat: Pine Creek Cookhouse

The ultimate IYKYK place to eat near Aspen is somehow low key, laid back and totally authentic (oh, and delicious). But you can’t get here by car in the winter - it’s only accessible by snowshoe, ski or horse-drawn carriage. Nestled at the base of the Elk Mountains, the menu at Pine Creek Cookhouse highlights local and organic ingredients - think stream fresh fish and wild game. And vistas for days.

Eat: Matsuhisa

Everyone tells you to go here because it’s that good. Coursed, family-style dishes that fuse Japanese and Peruvian flavors, by famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

Eat: Meat & Cheese

Straightforward food that is anything but simple. Using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients, Meat & Cheese describes their food as “a celebration of food as prepared in home kitchens everywhere.” The “boards” are amazing - the Chicken Board is where it’s at, for me.

Eat: French Alpine Bistro

It’s what it sounds like: fondue, truffles, duck salad, escargots, moules, crepes and caviar, but set in a candle-lit hideaway that feels like someone’s home, with a lifetime of their treasures on display on the walls. Both the food and the atmosphere are well worth the visit.