Where to stay? What to do?Well, don’t worry. We’ve sent our travel experts into the depths of vacation land for you. They’ve traveled the roads, ate the food, played with the locals and found the little things that make a vacation unforgettable. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it so you could have the inside view to your next vacation.
Travel experts share their secrets to conquering Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado:
Travel Expert Gena Bair on Aspen
What to know when booking your Aspen vacation rental in the summer:
- Aspen’s rich cultural events make it a popular summer destination.
- There are events every weekend throughout the summer.
- Aspen is a major destination for group retreats so I recommend booking early.
Lodging Highlight – The Hotel Jerome
- I am a history buff so this hotel holds everything for me. Throughout the Hotel there are articles from the turn of the century and time-sensitive maps hung on the walls.
- Every room is decorated differently to give you that “1885 feel” while also giving you the amenities of this century with flat panel wide screen televisions and wireless internet in every room.
- Hotel Jerome has the oldest elevator this side of the Mississippi. Hotel Jerome was established in 1889 and served as the town’s Post office.
“Local secrets” and activities you must experience when staying in Aspen in the summer:
- The Aspen Musical Festival is a must to experience and there is literally something going on almost every day from June 19 to Aug. 17.
- The Aspen Golf Course is a must. The views from hole No. 7 is to die for. The PGA staff is among the best in the nation.
- After hitting the Golf course make your way over to the Aspen Club and Spa for a body treatment. They have a very qualified and professional staff. Ask for Erin or Kim and they will set you up with one of the best therapists in any resort in the west.
When dining in Aspen, you must eat at:
- For breakfast: The Wienerstube Restaurant has great breakfast with a Bavarian flare. Great food and friendly staff.
- For Lunch: Boogies has the best burgers in Aspen. They are very family friendly with a great kids menu.
- For dinner: A must is the Wild Fig. My favorite item on the menu is a Chicken and Mushroom Pie.
What to know when booking your Aspen vacation rental in the winter:
- Aspen retains its visitors and books quickly each ski season. Once you’ve been bitten by the Aspen bug, it is hard to ski anywhere else.
- Aspen has very limited ski-in/ski-out lodging options. There is a free shuttle that runs throughout the town, but book early if you want to be close to the slopes, especially during peak season.
- If you are coming with a larger group or have children, I suggest staying in Buttermilk. The ski school is right out the back door of the Inn at Aspen. The Buttermilk hill is very kid friendly and the staff is very accommodating.
AspenLodging Highlight – The Sky Hotel:
- The Sky is its own little piece of heaven in Aspen as a ski-in/ski-out property. It has a retro theme that flows wonderfully through out the property.
- With the most popular bar in all of aspen, the 39 Degrees Lounge is poolside. There are gorgeous blue glass fire pits and a feeling of nostalgia in the air the second you step through the door.
- Every room has a fully stocked honor bar, including all of Aspen's necessities including but not limited to Kama sutra cards and coming soon-fuzzy handcuffs. They also offer a refillable canister of air to help with altitude sickness or just to re charge you once you reach the peak.
“Local secrets” and activities you must experience when staying in Aspen in the winter:
- If you are in the mood to get your groove on, glide on over to The Fly Bar. It’s like you are boarding a retro rocket to the moon and the cocktail waitresses are all dolled up in those tight little “stewardess” outfits from the 50s.
- Shopping in Aspen is like walking down Madison Avenue in New York, without the skyscrapers. Every kind of high-end shop you can imagine lines the walk ways of the Aspen Mall.
- There is one grocery store and right next to it is the liquor store. Like many ski towns in the west, you have to buy all liquor and high octane beverage in a package store.
When dining in Aspen in winter you must eat at:
- Poppycock’s for breakfast. It’s located inside the Aspen Square Inn. Everything you need to get you revved up and ready for the hill.
- For lunch, La Cantina has the best Chimayo Chile Calamari that’s lightly battered in Chimayo chili powder and tossed with a cilantro lime vinaigrette and salsa fresca. YUMO!
- Dinner at Little Annies is a stable and is one of the oldest eating establishments in Aspen. If you want a great steak, eat here.
Travel Expert Heather Gardner on Aspen during summer and winter
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Look at their events calendar first. If a festival is in town, lodging will be scarce.
- Book lodging within walking distance of downtown if you want the best nightlife.
- Most accommodations will demand high dollar, and this is not always reflective of updated d�cor. In Aspen it’s all location, location, location.
- If I was travelling with my husband, I would definitely stay in Aspen. With my family, I’d stay in Snowmass or The Inn at Aspen in Buttermilk.
Great Lodging Accommodations in Aspen:
- Aspen Square Condominium Hotel, It’s a fantastic location with great customer service. It’s best for small parties of two people.
- Hotel Jerome, for historical hotel buffs. It has the oldest working elevator west of the Mississippi. Its original architecture is very classy.
- The Sky. If a hotel can be sexy – this is it. It has a unique boutique style and is pet friendly.
“Local Secrets” and activities you must experience when staying in Aspen:
Summer
- Aspen Mountain Yoga Hike. This program combines yoga and hiking at the top of Aspen Mountain.
- The free Naturalist Hike. Naturalists lead 45-minute walks along Richmond Ridge and teach about native trees, birds and animals.
- Ride the Silver Queen Gondola up Aspen Mountain. Pack a picnic or dine at The Sundeck then check out the climbing wall, Eurobungy and trampoline.
- Let your kids play in the Mill Street fountain at Mill Street and Hyman Avenue.
Winter
- Have a spa treatment at The Remede Spa at the St Regis Hotel. It’s costly, but gives you all-day full spa access and over the top treatments.
- Go ice skating at the Silver Circle Ice Rink (outdoor rink).
- Take a scenic snowmobile tour to Maroon Bells. Call T-Lazy-7 Snowmobiles.
When dining in Aspen, you must eat at:
- For breakfast try the Hickory House or Poppycock’s for a heavy meal or go to the Paradise Bakery for something lighter.
- For Lunch: Ajax Tavern or J-Bar at the Jerome Hotel. On the mountain, try the Sundeck.
- Apr�s Ski Scene: 39 degrees at The Sky Hotel.
- For Dinner:Jimmy’s. This upscale restaurant has killer macaroni and cheese. Try Kinichi for amazing Japanese/Asian influenced cuisine. I tasted most of the menu and it’s all delicious. You must order the “Rock Candy Shrimp.” For great family fun, try Boogies Diner, an authentic 50s style diner complete with a soda fountain.
Travel Expert Andrea Lemon on Aspen
What to know when booking your Aspen vacation rental in the summer:
- Aspen was founded as an old mining town when silver was the craze in Colorado.
- Aspen has year-round activities. The summer festivals are really popular in and the Jazz Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Colorado.
- I recommend going to Aspen at least once. The feel of Aspen to me not at all like it was portrayed to me in the movies. People were very nice and friendly and very down to earth. I really recommend going to Aspen and checking it out.
AspenLodging Highlight – Fifth Avenue:
- Fifth Avenue is a wonderful property with absolutely stunning views of Aspen.
- The Gold-rated units are a little pricy but worth it for their comfort and amenities.
“Local secrets” and activities you must experience when staying in Aspen in the summer:
- Check out Aspen’s whitewater rafting and ducky (inflatable kayak) company. They offer amazing half- or full-day excursions on the Roaring Fork River in Aspen, the Glenwood Canyon and the Colorado River.
- Definitely take a trip to the amazing Maroon Bells, which are twin peaks reaching more than 14,000 feet into the sky. The wildflowers are absolutely amazing also.
- Ride the Silver Queen Gondola to get amazing views and cooler temperatures. You can also dine on the Sundeck and on-mountain Adventure. Some of the activities include climbing walls, Eurobungy trampoline, yoga hikes, guided nature tours, free music concerts and kids activities.
When dining in Aspen, you must eat at:
- For breakfast: Try The Hickory House. This is definitely a local favorite for breakfast. They offer one of Colorado’s best southern-style breakfasts.
- For lunch: Montagna is a wonderful restaurant for lunch. It’s in Little Nell’s dining room. They offer more home-style and farmhouse cuisine.
- For dinner: Be sure to check out Jimmy’s. And make sure you get a side order of the macaroni and cheese. It is amazing.
What to know when booking your Aspen vacation rental in the winter:
- The Winter X-Games are held every January in Snowmass. If you are not interested in seeing the X-Games, you will want to avoid that week. Book early, however, if you want to see the games as the area gets packed during that time.
- Aspen is definitely known for its social scene in the winter. You will want to keep your eyes peeled for celebrities. The Tavern at the Little Nell is the best people-watching place slopeside or you might want to try Bonnie’s on the mountain.
- Make reservations with the Mountain Resort to get the first tracks of the day on freshly groomed runs or untouched powder.
A great Aspen lodging accommodation is The Aspen Square Hotel:
- The Aspen Square Hotel is about a block away from the gondola in Aspen. It’s also in the heart of Aspen, so it makes going out for dinner very quite easy.
- The service at the Aspen Square Hotel is amazing. You will be treated absolutely wonderfully. There’s an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, a new fitness center and free inside parking.
- The Aspen Square Hotel has studios and one- and two-bedroom condos. They all have complete kitchens, wood burning fireplaces and a very comfortable living room area.
“Local secrets” and activities you must experience when staying in Aspen in the winter:
- There are four mountains all within about 10 minutes of each other. Buttermilk is a good resort to learn to ski or snowboard. Snowmass is very long and with a lot of Intermediate runs. Ajax (also known as Aspen Mountain) has no beginner runs and Aspen Highlands is a wonderful mountain with a mixture of runs.
- You will want to try the Cross Country Skiing adventures and Snowmobiling. There are tours that will take you to the Maroon Bells via snowmobiling.
- For an early morning adventure that you won’t forget, try hot air ballooning.
When dining in Aspen you must eat at:
- For breakfast: Try The Hickory House. This is definitely one of the local favorites for Breakfast. They offer one of Colorado’s best southern-style breakfasts.
- For lunch: D19 is a great Italian restaurant. They serve a wonderful baked Roman artichoke.
- For dinner: Kenichi is an absolutely amazing restaurant with wonderful sushi.