Aspen’s most coveted address, The Little Nell offers a front-row seat to the town’s famously chic ski scene.

The home of the Aspen Institute, this 98 all-suite resort and conference center has long been a favorite place to stay, particularly in the summer months, because of its peaceful location in the West End. Although completely renovated in 2009, the Meadows retains its original multicolor, flat-roofed look, created in 1950 by renowned Bauhaus architect Herbert Bayer. Rooms still feel fresh, with modern and spare décor (although a lack of air conditioners units means they can get hot. The hotel is adding ACs to every room by end of summer 2021). The resort has tennis courts, a large fitness center and, roaming the grounds, a roster of institute attendees ranging from foreign dignitaries to newspaper magnates. Rooms with the best views are in the 100- and 200-numbered buildings. The resort also offers a free shuttle to and from town and the slopes.

The Old West makes a stylish comeback at Aspen’s Hotel Jerome.

While the Limelight offers hotel rooms in addition to their larger condo suites, the apartment-style accommodations are the hit with families in search of space - without the pricetag of the Residences at the Little Nell or the St. Regis. The decor is simple and unfussy, with the modern conveniences of free wifi, iPod docks and flatscreen televisions as well as comfortable sofas, well-stocked kitchens or kitchenettes and, in some rooms, balconies for watching the sun set at the end of a day of skiing or hiking. With roomy layouts and multiple connecting room options, the Limelight is popular with parents but also with the family pets, who appreciate the lodge’s dog-friendly policies. The best accommodations are the six terrace rooms, which have outdoor patios and great views. Also noteworthy is the buzzy apres scene, featuring live music both during the winter and the summer, as is the outdoor pool and two hot tubs.

Sitting on the other side of the Gondola from the Little Nell hotel, the Little Nell Residences are fabulous accommodations for families. The two- to four-bedroom apartments are fractionally owned but some do come into a rental pool, and they are among the most comfortable family ski residences anywhere.

The residences were refreshed most recently in June 2023 by Rottet Studio and were styled to include more modern touches, including warm fabrics and sleek furnishings. Apartments are large and comfortable with ample closets, full laundry rooms and great rooms for gathering and enjoying the views of Aspen mountain. From the apartment balconies you can feel a part of the scene around the gondola and the tables outside at Ajax without even leaving your room.

There’s an owner’s lounge off of the lobby, as well as a fitness center and rooftop pool and hot tub with great views of the mountain. There’s also a barbecue area on the roof that can be rented by guests who want to have friends for a grill night. Important to note that guests staying at the Little Nell’s main lodge do not have access to the amenities at the Residences; however, guests of the Residences have full access to the facilities at the main lodge.

Located at the base of Aspen Mountain between the Silver Queen Gondola and Lift 1-A, the five-floor, 160-room property provides all the amenities and services associated with St. Regis hotels around the country. With three restaurants on property, an outdoor heated pool, and full spa, the hotel serves as a well-located retreat just a short walk away from the buzzy Aspen scene. The Aspen edition is decorated in a fine Western alpine style, with fur throws draped across the Ralph Lauren beds and a river-rock fireplace in the lobby. With the June 2012 completion of its $40 million renovation, and another big renovation in 2023, the St. Regis has truly become one of the area’s top hotels.

The best views are from the mountain-facing Grand Deluxe rooms on the second floor – ask for one with a balcony – and all suites come with butler service, sofa beds and connecting configurations to create space for families.

Most exciting is the 15,000-square-foot Remède Spa, with a complimentary oxygen room for high-altitude hangovers or just general acclimating. A treatment here is a must, regardless of where you’re staying and those brave enough will want to take a dip in the cold plunge. The hotel’s east wing is given over to twenty-five two- and three-bedroom fractional residences, which are individually sold but rentable subject to availability. They have their own private entrance, elevator and concierge service.

Not to miss is the hotel's adorable, fluffy and very friendly Bernese Mountain dog, Kitty, who lives on property, along with their daily champagne sabering ritual for all guests.

Downtown Aspen sits an easy twenty-minute drive from Snowmass. But most of the families who check into this hotel rarely find a reason to leave. Adults have ski-in/ski-out access to the largest of the Four Mountains (also the best for snowboarders, FYI), while kids can easily hop next door to Aspen’s highly praised Treehouse Kids program and ski school. Sure, some families check into the hotels in town and shuttle their kids here every morning. But parents who want convenience– not to mention the peace-of-mind of skiing the same mountain as their ski-school kids – wouldn’t dream of staying elsewhere.

The resort understands its popularity with families and offers accommodations that work well for groups. Spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom residences offer full kitchens, living and dining areas, washer/dryers and cozy fireplaces. While the décor has the expected Viceroy styling – sleek and modern – it is less trendy than other properties I’ve seen within the brand and feels more appropriate for shacking up with the kids. Bathrooms are large, with rainhead showers and soaking tubs, Wifi is free and housekeeping even sets up humidifiers in each room at turndown to help combat dry mountain air.

Another perk to the resort is its 7,000-square-foot spa, a place that almost outweighs the appeal of the slopes. From the candlelit relaxation room to the hydrotherapy tubs and the excellent masseuses, the spa truly feels like a sanctuary. While the staff is happy to provide a fully holistic experience, they also offer champagne upon arrival, a festive alternative to traditional herbal teas and a signal that guests are here to enjoy themselves.

After the lifts close, the scene moves to the pool and the lobby bar. Kids splash around while groups of adults sip cocktails in the hot tubs. At night, the Viceroy can arrange private chefs to cook for family’s in the suites’ designer kitchens, but more fun is to hire a babysitter and sneak downstairs to for a romantic meal at 8 K. While plenty of options exist a taxi ride away, it’s easy to stay here – great food, a nice crowd and an elevator ride away from a comfortable sleep before doing it again tomorrow.