St. Regis Resort, Aspen

Colorado
United States

The Experience

A few years after its $37-million facelift, the classic Alpine resort at the base of Aspen Mountain is looking more than ever like the grande dame of the ski world. The building itself is an Aspen icon, but it's the quiet luxury and attention to detail that set this hotel apart. Because it's the epicenter of such enormous events as the Aspen Food and Wine Festival—the ski town's social event of the season—its unflappable staff are accustomed to handling huge crowds and unusual requests with aplomb.

The Rooms

There's nothing tremendously original about the rooms—their nonthreatening decor is a pleasant mix of natural colors and rich red bedspreads. The best thing about even the smallest rooms--which still run to 400 square feet—is the mountain view. To get a (gas) fireplace, you'll have to ask. The Alpine rooms gain you admittance to the Alpine lounge—the St. Regis place for free food and drink—and get you a butler, but rooms and suites are no more special than those on regular floors.

The Service

If the service at the St. Regis didn't come with a healthy dose of Western informality, it would be almost embarrassing. A ski butler meets you on arrival and takes care of your skis. Your boots are warmed every morning. On the hotel's club floor, the Aspen Floor, butlers lurk around every corner waiting to help. They'd probably even carry you to the slopes if you asked.

The Highlights

As with any thoughtful hotel, it's the little things that count. New features include a poolside hot chocolate bar and a free fitness program (go snowshoeing up Aspen mountain, take a hatha yoga class), and at turndown, a housekeeper places a humidifier next to your bed to combat the effects of the dry mountain air. Knowing that even lodgers who don expensive bunny suits and drink hot chocolate all day need a little après ski treatment, the hotel began stocking rooms with its exclusive Laboratoire Remède amenities in June. They're hallmarks of the 15,000-square-foot, 15-room Remède spa (champagne, truffles and oxygen treatments await you in the relaxation room). And when you get the urge to go for a drive, the property's two red Lexus SC 430 convertibles are free for any guest to borrow.

 

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