When it comes to mountain towns, there’s good, there’s very good, and then there’s Aspen, Colorado—so needless to say, best hotels in Aspen are the height of luxury. Among the world’s finest ski towns and perhaps the crown jewel of America’s winter destinations, Aspen is rife with dazzling accommodations. The best hotels in Aspen offer everything from luxury spa experiences and fine dining to ski-in, ski-out rooms and all the après-ski cocktails you can get your hands on. Think mountain views, steam-topped hot tubs, art, culture, maybe a bit of a hangover, all wrapped in glam—sounds like a dream, right? Aspen’s swath of five-star resorts, boutique hotels, and world-famous ski slopes make for a winter wonderland that keeps giving even after the holidays (and well into spring).
If resort life isn’t quite your speed, fear not, there are plenty of picture-perfect rentals you can snag on Airbnb or VRBO. Expect a robust selection of spacious condominiums, luxury mountain chalets, and backcountry cabins, most of which are walking distance from one of Snowmass or Aspen Mountain’s peak-reaching gondolas and ski resorts.
Don’t love the snow? Good thing Aspen is a top-tier year-round destination. Ideal for climbers, equestrians, cyclists, and other adventure-seekers, the Rocky Mountains provide a backdrop for just about any summertime alpine experience you can dream up. The town’s famed Food & Wine Classic in June is also a can’t-miss. Each luxury hotel and off-the-beaten-path rental we found offers access to some of the best adventures in the West, whether you visit in January, July, or anytime in between.
Best Hotels in Aspen
The St. Regis Aspen Resort
For the ultimate in old-school luxury hospitality, check in to the St. Regis. Expect a healthy dose of mountain charm with the most high-end of touches like an on-call butler service, guest rooms decked in fine linens, a world-class on-site spa, multiple heated outdoor pools (perfect for a post-slopes soak) and a five-minute walk to the base of Aspen Mountain. Just steps from your hotel room you’ll also have access to the hottest après ticket in town, in partnership with famed Montauk hot spot The Surf Lodge. Aptly titled the Snow Lodge, DJs including Diplo and Rampa have graced the open-air stage at the property’s courtyard since opening in December 2023, and the Jayma Cardoso–helmed hospitality group has also opened a supper club and nightlife concept to bring a touch of coastal cool to the five-star hotel.
Hotel Jerome
If you know the Auberge Resorts name, you know to expect the best of the best when it comes to amenities and design. Located on East Main Street in downtown Aspen, the historic redbrick building dates back to 1889 and is just steps from the best shopping and restaurants Aspen has to offer, as well as the Aspen Art Museum. The interiors preserve the Western charm that is the Jerome’s birthright while providing luxury touches and see-and-be-seen nightlife options like the Michelin-rated on-site restaurant, Prospect, or live music at the Bad Harriet cocktail bar. Also within their walls is the storied J-Bar, which is said to have been a favorite of regular Hunter S. Thompson. When you’re not too busy partying, you can use the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service to Ajax, Buttermilk Snowmass, or Highlands or book one of their exclusive outdoor excursions (think snowmobiling and horse-drawn carriage rides).
The Little Nell
The only AAA Five Diamond–rated hotel in Aspen, The Little Nell blends the best of the West with the cosmopolitan luxuries you’d expect from a five-star hotel. Of course you’ll find a heated pool and a fully decked-out fitness center, but you’ll also have access to The Little Nell Spa and the hotel’s team of Les Clefs d’Or–certified concierge professionals. Basically, you’ll feel like the hotel’s only patron, if you wish. Beyond hotel amenities and five-star concierge service, you’ll also be able to book a table at one of the hotel’s Chefs and Somms dinner events or take a tour of the hotel’s immense wine cellar. If you’d rather spend your time in Aspen enjoying the great outdoors but don’t know where to start, The Little Nell is equipped for that too. Their ski concierge team can get you access to the mountain before it opens or set you up with snowcat powder tours. This Aspen hotel will even get you hooked up with a personalized rental ski fitting, outfitting you in the best gear from head to toe.
Mollie Aspen
For a more quiet boutique experience, you’ll want to stay at Mollie Aspen. Blending Japanese and Scandinavian design, the Mollie has an aura that immediately puts one at ease. Roomy plush leather chairs, well-worn rugs, and a plethora of unique design accents welcome weary travelers and exhausted skiers, exuding the type of vibe you’d expect from a well-loved and hard-to-reach mountain chalet. But instead of being secluded mountainside, you’re right in the thick of the action, steps from downtown Aspen. After a day on the slopes, you can walk to The Aspen Institute, The Aspen Art Museum, or The Wheeler Opera House, taking in the best art and culture the town has to offer. If you’re too tired for a jaunt downtown, the Mollie has a lobby restaurant and poolside rooftop bar, both of which are curated by Gin & Luck, the group behind the Death & Co brand.
Best Private Homes to Book in Aspen
Charming Aspen Victorian
A Victorian home is not what you’d expect to rent in a mountain town, but that’s exactly why we love it. Nestled just outside of downtown Aspen, this beautiful house is just a six-minute walk from the John Denver Sanctuary and eight minutes from the base of Aspen Mountain. Its six bedrooms sleep up to 12 people and the living spaces are full of cozy seating and accents. The hot tub out back is ready for a post-ski dip and the dining areas are perfect for family-style meals. The real draw, though, is the observatory and telescope on the top floor, which makes for some of the best stargazing you’ll ever find.
Luxury Stay in Aspen
If you’ve got a big group getaway coming and want luxe accommodations, stay at this enormous chalet just outside of downtown Aspen—for just, um, a paltry $15,000/night. With six bedrooms and five bathrooms, this house has space for 16 guests (or more). It’s packed with amenities, including a hot tub, a Sonos sound system, huge TVs in almost every room, Wi-Fi throughout, a gas grill and more. It’s not the Ritz, but it’s about as close as you can get while staying in a private home.
Midcentury Studio in Beautiful Log Cabin
For an experience that’s not quite off-the-grid but also not in the heart of glitzy Aspen, we recommend this midcentury-inspired garden studio nestled inside a beautiful log cabin. Here you can enjoy the privacy of the studio or venture upstairs to the enormous shared kitchen and living space. At just five minutes from the Frying Pan River, this cabin is a dream for fly fishermen, but stay here and you’ll also be five minutes from a lakefront and boat launch, 20 minutes to Basalt, Colorado, and just 45 minutes from Aspen Snowmass. A stay just on the outskirts of Aspen opens up an entire world of activity that goes way beyond skiing.
Luxury Willoughby Way Home
Another luxurious home for rent, albeit much cheaper at only $9,500 a night, this five-bedroom lodge hosts up to 10 guests and boasts a 5.0 rating on Airbnb. Mountain views are aplenty, with Aspen Mountain straight ahead and Buttermilk and Independence Pass in the distance. The home has a hot tub and a pool table along with a theater room perfect for cozying up after a night on the slopes. If you’d rather hit the town, this home is just minutes from downtown Aspen and all of its high-end shopping and fine dining. Once you check in here, you’ll probably have a hard time leaving.
Modern Alpine Cabin
If your idea of an Aspen vacation means spending your days deep in the backcountry, this is the rental for you. Mostly because you can’t drive there—you have to ski or snowshoe or snowmobile. Even in the summer, this cabin is only accessible by biking or hiking trails. But that’s the beauty of it. The cabin is in the Gondola Village at Holy Cross City, high above Vail and Aspen, just outside the Holy Cross Wilderness, one of Colorado’s greatest outdoor playgrounds. No matter what outdoor sport is your preferred choice, you can do it right out of the front door. The cabin sleeps up to three people, but we think it’d be perfect for a solo weekend or a couple’s retreat at 11,700 feet.
