My favorite part of a ski vacation was always sipping a soothing cocktail in the warmth of the lodge while those silly skiers took tumbles in the cold snow. Now I don't have to head to the mountains to get that warming feeling, I can snow plow downtown to Aspen where the drinks are hot, but the atmosphere; mounted Lucite deer heads, a snow white dining room, Aspen birch and original barn wood and a bar around a blazing cooper-hooded fire is even hotter. While nursing your toddy, you can munch on a variety of inventive western-inspired small plates. And who knows, maybe a dose of Aspen, along with a cold drink, in the dog days of August will give you cool thoughts.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's New York City 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Find Hotel Deals on Yahoo Travel»