This luxurious resort is more like a country inn with all the amenities of a boutique hotel. Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, Little Nell is the only hotel in the area that offers “ski in/ski out” capability. It is a member of the very prestigious Relais and Chateaux group of hotels and has received numerous awards including the Mobil Five Star Award for 2007, AAA’s Five Diamond Award for 2007, and was on the Condé Nast Traveler 2006 Gold List.
Almost 100 rooms and suites offer spectacular views of Aspen Mountain or the community of Aspen. Most rooms include a gas log fireplace, oversized beds with down comforters, large closets with storage area, high-speed internet access, two-line phones, LCD TV, VCR/DVD and privacy TV headsets. All rooms have marble bathrooms featuring a soaking tub, separate shower and double sinks. You’ll also find a built-in bar/refrigerator, garment steamer, in-room safe, and humidifiers in the rooms. When making reservations for a premium town view or a premium mountain side, request the top floor which has vaulted ceilings and balconies.
In addition to standard and deluxe guest rooms, Little Nell has several suites ranging in size from 800 square feet to the Paepcke Suite with 2,500 square feet. This suite has a private entrance and a terrace overlooking the Gondola Plaza. It features a living area, separate TV viewing area, dining room, office and a gas log fireplace. The master bedroom includes a king size bed, fireplace, sitting area and a walk-in closet. A separate hallway can connect the master bedroom to a second and third bedroom. All of their suites have marble bathrooms and some suites also feature a wet bar, private decks, additional bedrooms, or Jacuzzis.
There are several dining options at Little Nell. The Tavern is open for lunch and après ski in winter. Montagna, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is a popular hot spot for locals. In-room dining is available 24 hours a day and you can enjoy complimentary coffee and tea in the Living Room by the fireplace every morning. Meals can also be served in the Living Room and, in winter, it’s a great place to watch skiers enjoying the slopes. Their comfortable Bar is a place to enjoy a drink all year long, but during the winter they feature an après ski fresh seafood bar and fondue. The culinary staff will also provide dishes for specific dietary needs and prepare tasty fare for picnics and other events.
Little Nell has an extensive wine list and a master sommelier who is one of a select few master sommeliers who passed their exams on the very first try. Accolades include the Wine Spectator 2006 Grand Award Winner. Several wine classes paired with superb cheeses are scheduled for early 2007.
Imagine your wedding being held at over 11,000 feet on the side of Aspen Mountain. A special wedding deck with terraced lawn seating for almost 300 guests is carved into the side of the mountain. Magnificent Rocky Mountain vistas can be enjoyed from this deck or from other venues which can handle guests numbering from 20 to 150. Some sites are outdoors and there are also unique rooms inside the property for special events. Their catering staff will work with you to select a menu for your celebration.
There is a swimming pool and Jacuzzi located in the courtyard and facing Aspen Mountain. In winter, the pool is heated to 102 degrees and in summer, food and drinks are served poolside. The health center includes a fitness room along with women’s and men’s changing rooms and steam rooms. There are three private massage rooms and in-room massages are offered. Personal trainers are also available. The hotel concierge staff will assist you with various services available on and off the property.
If you’re a skier you’ll especially enjoy the ski concierge staff. They’re convenient to the Gondola and will help you with everything from lift tickets to equipment suggestions. Ask about the “Fast Tracks” program if you’re an early riser. This is a group of eight guests who can enjoy an early morning run on near-empty slopes in fresh powder or freshly groomed slopes with the Ski and Snowboard School staff on Aspen Mountain. A local company provides a thrilling powder skiing tour on the backside of Aspen Mountain for advanced skiers. It’s available only by snow cat and the hotel ski staff can arrange this for you.
Your pets are welcome to join you at the Little Nell. They must remain on a leash at all times. Dog walking and sitting is available along with special treats, personalized ID tags, and recommendations for pet friendly hiking trails.
A business center is located on the property with printers and internet access. In addition, specific members of the hotel’s IT staff are there to help you with your computer needs. (Please visit thelittlenell.com for more information about this resort.)
There’s plenty to do once you leave the Little Nell property. In the winter, après ski is almost as important as the skiing itself. In this rugged, but somehow elegant town, you’ll easily find interesting bars and restaurants to enjoy every night. Then, there are the cigar bars, microbreweries and clubs to dance the night away. Ask the concierge staff for their suggestions and also check out the local newspapers.
For those who don’t ski, there’s still plenty to do near Aspen in the wintertime. You’ll find ice-skating, winter fly-fishing and sleigh rides available. At the Aspen Recreation Center you can enjoy an indoor climbing wall, Olympic sized pool, waterslide and lazy river, or, venture outdoors to their Nordic track. (Visit aspenrecreation.com for more information.)
Shopping in Aspen is a great experience – just make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes (boots in winter!) while you browse through its unique shops and interesting art galleries. Prada, Fendi and Chanel all have shops here and you’ll find many stores featuring authentic western wear and locally hand-crafted jewelry. Prices are not inexpensive so you may prefer to do more browsing than buying. You’ll also find many bars and eateries to sustain you as you wander through town.
As the winter snows melt, other activities replace skiing and other winter sports. There is golfing, hiking and cycling, fishing, kayaking, white water rafting and summer camps for the kids plus a myriad of other things to see and do. Scenic gondola and lift rides show an entirely different view from that of Aspen in winter.
