As the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in all of Aspen, The Little Nell has been at the heart of the city’s social scene for decades. And the hotel is about to get even better as it plans to close in the coming year (timed with the 2027 closure of Aspen’s airport for a runway renovation). When it reopens, it will feature newly designed rooms and the same top-tier service foe which the property has long been known. For now, these are our top five reasons for staying at Aspen’s The Little Nell.
The location
You can’t get any more central than The Little Nell. It sits in the heart of downtown Aspen, which is easily walkable to reach top shopping and dining venues. More importantly, the hotel is at the base of Aspen Mountain and Gondola Plaza. You can ski in and ski out from the front door, and it takes just a minute to board the gondola to head to the top of the mountain.
The property’s alpine design makes this boutique hotel feel truly intimate and special. And its proximity to the gondola makes this the “it” destination when it comes time for the apres-ski scene. Getting a seat at the bar and lobby lounge is a prized accomplishment. Not only is the lounge popular in winter, when the fireplace flickers and the snow is falling outside, but also during the summer months when the outdoor terrace overlooking the pool is popular. The dog-friendly space draws in both visitors and locals for a craft cocktail, light bites and the occasional live music or DJ spinning tunes at Ajax Tavern.
The rooms
Snow white guest rooms have plush furnishings and soft carpeting with pillowtop mattresses and enormous duvets to wrap you up in cozy slumber. Most notable is the size of the guest rooms here, which start out at 600 sq ft, larger than many suites at other hotels in town. Views are either of downtown or the mountain with the latter being the most popular options.
Other nice touches include gas fireplaces and cozy armchairs for curling up with a good book. Premium rooms are even larger at 650 sq ft, but those wanting the most space should book one of the hotel’s elegant suites. They come in one and two-bedroom layouts with the option to connect to an adjacent room for even more space.
The Benedict Suite takes inspiration from architect Frank Lloyd Wright with its modern design. Wright is no stranger to Aspen having designed hundreds of buildings around town. Special touches in this suite include a mattress that you can customize to your liking for firmness as well as a complimentary minibar with snacks, whirlpool tub and steam shower. This is just one of several specialty suites at The Little Nell.
Bathrooms have deep soaking tubs, wide vanities and heated floors plus excellent pressure in the glass shower stalls.
The dining
It should come as no surprise that this hotel belongs to the elite Relais & Chateaux group. The Wagyu double cheeseburger with truffle fries topped with Grana Padano cheese has a long list of fans. My kale and quinoa Caesar salad was delicious, and I noticed other diners tucking into Maine lobster rolls and chicken shawarma with Aleppo hummus. Another popular option for sharing is its impressive charcuterie board complete with cured chorizo and country pate. A separate menu for kids keeps young travelers happy.
At Element 47, the menu shifts to more contemporary fare with a focus on local ingredients and recipes. The kitchen makes its own pasta from scratch and serves up three meals a day, including meat sourced from Cross Creek Farms and fine Ossetra caviar for those looking to splurge. The Colorado rack of lamb comes with cherry tomato and eggplant while the Nell Wellington (short rib with porcini mushrooms) has a side of foie gras. The menu comes paired with glasses of wine from the hotel’s cellar that includes more than 20,000 bottles as well as a long list of colorful cocktails.
Wine aficionados can join The Little Nell Wine Club, which provides access to rare vintages and sommelier-led tastings and advice.
If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, the bar bites menu includes deviled eggs, burgers, salads and a selection of hearty soups like the signature chicken tortilla soup with pepper jack cheese.
The extras
Each morning, newspapers and hot coffee are laid out for guests to enjoy. Free Audi transfers whisk guests to and from the airport as well as around the downtown area. Guests can even borrow one of these luxury cars to drive around the area instead of renting a car.
In the rooms, thoughtful amenities include a lovely turndown service with herbal teas, honey and eye masks. The toiletry roster goes beyond the standard amenities to include loofah scrubs and lip balm.
One level below the lobby, the spa here is no afterthought. It offers a wide array of massage and beauty treatments, including a summer residency of celebrity facialist Georgia Louise. Her client list is a celebrity who’s who, including big names like Jennifer Anniston and Emily Blunt.
The outdoor pool, whirlpool and sauna see frequent use, no matter the season. There is something special about soaking in the hot bubbles after a day on the mountain.
Summer and winter programming include a calendar of activities that changes weekly, including movie nights under the stars, a cycling camp, water coloring in the garden, community bike rides, garden tours and live music on the patio on weekends.
The hotel’s adventure center can help guests plan their outdoor activities like hiking, biking, fishing and off roading. If you prefer to stay on property, a well-equipped fitness center features modern workout machines.
Families love staying at The Little Nell, and young guests are well-pampered with miniature robes and slippers, board games, a kids room service menu and in some suites, the option to have a teepee delivered so that kids can have a bit more privacy to sleep and play.
The service
The Little Nell is known for its excellent service from the front desk staff to restaurant servers. For a hotel that only operates in summer and winter, it can be a challenge to source top-tier talent to work somewhere for select months of the year. But, this property has managed to do just that.
This is especially important when special events are taking place. The hotel has its own meeting venues for small group functions and also hosts regular weddings and receptions throughout the year. There’s even a huge sun deck at the top of the mountain that is popular with wedding parties.
The hotel also has an employee-led nonprofit focused on sustainability efforts and the community. The hotel composts its own waste and has intense recycling and conservation programs.
