The mountains of Colorado offer a different take on life. Shops are quaint instead of glitzy. A suit and tie are swapped for blue jeans and a sport coat. Panoramic views of snow-capped mountains replace high rises. Quiet reigns.
Even before we walked into the St. Regis Aspen there is a sense of relaxation. We had left the (often crazy) world behind for a little solitude and rejuvenation.
The St. Regis Aspen is a modern vision of a western mountainside manor. The resort, which is just steps away from Apsen’s slopes, is crafted of red brick, giving it a solid and regal appearance.
Entering the resort we were greeted by friendly service and a large fireplace. We found the atmosphere muted, cozy and warm. The hotel’s interior continues the western theme with sculptures and artwork honoring the region’s history.
Rooms
The resort offered a variety of room types, including family-friendly as well as business oriented suites. The mountain lodge theme continued in each room. Colors were classic and subdued – a mix of grays and whites. Each room featured custom furnishings, including leather beds and desks designed by Ralph Lauren.
Our favorite amenity was the marble bathroom’s deep, spacious tub that was wonderful to soak in.
Butler Service
The St. Regis Aspen offers personal 24-hour Butler Service to all suite guests. This isn’t someone to just book a restaurant reservation or fetch you that toothpaste you forgot. The Butler Service will take care of just about anything you need. From selecting activities for your kids to offering advice on local hiking trails, the Butler Service is there for you.
The St. Regis even offers Meeting Butlers to make your business meetings go smoothly.
Spa and Exercise Options
The St. Regis Aspen offers the only full-service spa in the mountain community. On our stay, we took advantage of serveral services. The first was a visit the oxygen lounge at the award-winning Remède Spa. The oxygen lounge is the perfect place to go before hitting the slopes, especially if you’re coming to Aspen from someplace closer to sea level. It allows a person the ability to acclimate to the higher altitude.
The Remède Spa offers a full range of services, but for our stay, my wife elected to have a facial. Afterwards, she declared it ‘the best’ she had ever had.
If time had allowed, we would have tried out the steam caves, cold plunges and the Confluence waterfall.
The hotel sports a top notch fitness center, as well as a large outdoor pool.
The pool is slightly detached from the hotel, which is nice because it gives it a bit of a secluded feel. One doesn’t feel as if they are on display to the world.
Event Options
With the largest meeting rooms in the community, the St. Regis is an ideal location for a business meeting or a wedding during the winter months. But where the St. Regis really shines is the large, multiple outdoor spaces. With a mountain backdrop it is a stunning location for a summer wedding. Warning: if you are interested in booking the St. Regis for a wedding, do so early. Staff informed us that the outdoor venues fill up fast during the summer months.
Food
The St. Regis Aspen offers three dining options. The first is the relaxing Shadow Mountain Lounge. It’s perfect for cocktails and appetizers, with the extensive wine list highlighting our afternoon visit.
The second is Trecento Quindici Decano. This new mid-range restaurant offers contemporary Italian and American cuisine. For our stay, we had breakfast. The restaurant was busy, but the staff hustled to produce an excellent meal.
The third option for dining is the Chefs Club by FOOD & WINE. We recently reviewed the Chefs Club, so we won’t go into detail. But we will reiterate that the Chefs Club by FOOD & WINE is an awesome experience. During the busy seasons, make reservations, as things will get busy very quickly.
What to do
Aspen and the surrounding area is beautiful. During the summer months there are endless opportunities to explore the area. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing and rafting are a few of the outdoor activities available. St. Regis hosts Aspen Outfitting Company within the hotel. The independent company offers numerous outdoor adventures, including hunting, fly fishing and target shooting.
In the winter, you don’t have to go any further than skiing. Aspen’s slopes are legendary.
The town of Aspen offers some top-notch eateries, art galleries, and retail shops, the latter selling the latest high-end clothing and jewelry. The best part of it is that it’s just a few blocks walk from the St. Regis.
Staff
We would be remiss not the compliment the St. Regis Aspen staff. During our stay, they were superior in every way. Often times staff at a luxury resort can have an imperious and aloof manner. But the staff at the St. Regis Aspen were engaging and friendly. They took time to speak with us, make sure we were having our needs attended to, and offer advice and conversation when asked.
Summary
If you’re visiting Aspen, you can’t go wrong with the St. Regis Aspen. In a region of wonderful options, this is one of the best – if not the best. The resort offers convenience with superior facilities and wonderful service. The proximity to the shops, the sights and the slopes make it an ideal base location if you’re interested in exploring the area. And if you want to ‘stay in’ – the St. Regis is perfect. Depending on the time of year, you have the outdoor areas, pool, spa and restaurants just a short walk away.
