Lodging

Accommodations in Aspen range from luxurious and pricey to modest and inexpensive. StayAspenSnowmass, (800) 262-7736 or 925-9000, can reserve nearly all properties listed here. Multi-day lift-and-lodging packages are the best deal. You also can log on to www.stayaspensnowmass.com and check out the "Virtual Hostel" for last-minute, discounted lodging packages.

Hotel Jerome (920-1000 or 800-331-7213; $$$$; above left) and The Sardy House (920-2525 or 800-321-3457; $$$$), both on East Main Street, reflect Aspen's glory days. The Sardy House is a Victorian home, elegantly transformed into an intimate Bed and Breakfast. A modern addition has been added, but try to get one of the original rooms. The Jerome—on the National Register of Historic Places—is a grand old hotel restored to more elegance than the silver barons ever knew. Even if you don't stay there, this Aspen landmark is worth a walk-through to view the antiques and old photos.

The Little Nell (920-4600 or 888-843-6355; $$$$) is just steps from the Silver Queen Gondola at the base of Aspen Mountain. It has received the highest rating (five on a 1–5 scale) from several rating services, such as AAA and Mobil. All rooms have fireplaces, sofas, oversized beds with comforters and marble bathrooms. There is a spa and a heated outdoor pool.

The St. Regis, Aspen (920-3300 or 888-454-9005; $$$$) is richly appointed, with a tasteful decor that brings to mind an exclusive hunting club. It has a fitness center and various ski packages. Its restaurants are top-flight. Though the red brick building is just a few years old, it looks like it belongs to historic Aspen.

The Residence (920-6532; $$$$) has world-class European suites in an historic downtown landmark building. Also luxurious are the SKY Hotel (800-882-2582; 925-6760; $$$$) and the delightful award-winning Hotel Lenado (925-6246 or 800-321-3457; $$$$). The latter, another property of the Sardy House owners, may be small, but it's huge in amenities, personality and service. A delicious hot breakfast is included in the room price, which drops into the $$$ category during shoulder seasons. Look for the funky-colored building on South Aspen St.

One of our readers tells us Hotel Durant (877-438-7268; 925-8500; $$–$$$$) is one of his favorite "little hotels." Beautifully renovated in 1996, it's just two blocks from downtown and one-and-a-half blocks from lift 1-A. The lounge fireplace and outdoor Jacuzzi are nice amenities.

Our favorite place in Aspen, a lodge of a kind that's disappearing all too fast, is The Mountain Chalet (925-7797 or 800-321-7813; $–$$$). This place is just plain friendly to everyone, including families. If you can't stand a 3-year-old crawling over a lounge chair in the lobby or families howling over a game of Monopoly, then don't stay here. Rates are reasonable and include a hearty breakfast served family-style. It's a few blocks from Aspen Mountain's Silver Queen gondola, and across the street from the transportation center (ideally situated, in other words). Call early for rooms, because folks reserve space here well in advance. Package deals for lodging, lift tickets and full breakfast are as low as $84 per person per day in a dorm bunk or a four-person room; about $94 per person per night for two to a room. To get these prices, call the chalet directly. In sharp contrast to the quintessential ski lodge Mountain Chalet, across the street is the brand new Hyatt Grand Aspen, a fractional ownership property (866-517-9715).

Other places that treat guests very well are the Mountain House Lodge (866-920-2550; 920-3440; $$), the Hotel Aspen (925-3441 or 800-527-7369; $$) and the Molly Gibson Lodge (925-3434 or 800-356-6559; $$). Also try St. Moritz Lodge (800-817-2069; 925-3220; $), a hostel only five blocks from the center of town. The historic Christmas Inn 232 W. Main St is now the Annabelle Inn (925-3822; 877-266-2466; $$-$$$$). Each of its 35 rooms has been uniquely renovated and include flat-panel TVs and free high-speed internet access.

You can still find inexpensive rooms at the renovated Innsbruck Inn (925-2980; $$) , Ullr Lodge (925-7696; above left) and budget champion Tyrolean Lodge (925-4595 or 888-220-3809; $).

ResortQuest and Frias are the largest condo management companies in the area. ResortQuest (800-222-7736) has three check-in locations in town at 720 East Hyman, 747 So. Galena and 940 Waters Ave. It manages a slew of condos, townhomes and private homes as well as the Inn at Aspen. Fasching Haus, Durant Condominiums, Fifth Avenue, Summit Place, Aspen International and Alpenblick are within a short walk to the gondola. Chateau Eau Claire and Chateau Roaring Fork are two of their popular units. Shadow Mountain is not fancy but has a ski-in/ski-out location. On our last visit, we stayed at a privately owned Durant condo—an impeccable completely renovated one-bedroom unit with two fabulous bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and updated kitchen. ResortQuest categorizes its properties under a rating system. Ask about it when you book with them. All reservations include complimentary shuttles from the Aspen Airport.

Frias (877-636-4626) books for the new Hyatt Grand Aspen and St. Regis Residence Club and also manage a large portfolio of privately owned condos. For luxury, three-bedroom condos on the slopes, try Mountain Queen Condominiums (925-6366). The Gant (925-5000 or 800-345-1471; above right) at the foot of Aspen Mountain is another choice. In 2006/07, The Gant has partnered with the non-profit organization One Warm Coat to provide warm coats to those in need. Donate a "gently used" coat upon check-in and receive five percent off the entire reservation. Donate a maximum of four jackets and receive 20 percent off.

Accommodations Legend: (double room) $$$$–$200+; $$$–$141–$200; $$–$81–$140; $–$80 and less