Hotel Review: St. Regis Resort – Aspen, CO

When you mention the words “St. Regis” and “Aspen,” be they together or separate, the first idea that comes to mind is most likely luxury. No doubt.  The St. Regis Aspen Resort, located at the base of snow-capped Aspen Mountain and steps from some of the best skiing in the Elk Mountain area of the Rockies, is a lodge-style 5-star hotel and spa that smoothly blends all the glorious snobbery (and I say that with a hefty dose of respect, mind you) of the incomparable St. Regis brand with the charm and warmth of the Colorado spirit.  A surprisingly winning combination, to say the least.  Now I’ve only ever stayed in one other St. Regis – a Condé Nast favorite in Rome – so I was greatly looking forward to checking into a domestic version in one of my favorite places in the country.

When I touched down at the tiny Aspen Airport on a brilliantly sunny afternoon, (after a very bumpy 25-minute flight from Denver), I was met by a young, athletic-looking hotel representative displaying a “St. Regis” sign, who then directed me to a Mercedes-Benz SUV that was to ferry me the 5 minute ride into the center of town to the resort.  Not a service provided with every reservation but the efficiency and welcoming attitude with which it was carried out imparted less duty and more pleasure of fine service.  So far, so good.

Pulling up to the unassuming property was not grand or imposing, but instead quaint – the resort is more like a condominium or lodge, with heavy wood interiors, thick foliage, bronze sculptures dotting the gardens and only a tiny sign that reads the name of the notorious brand in burnished gold letters.  The front desk agent who checked me in asked me so many questions I could barely keep up – what newspapers did I wish to be delivered daily? what time did I want Housekeeping to service my room? would I mind complimentary turndown? (seriously?)

Inside my simple but spacious Grand Deluxe room was, among other items, a velour blanket draped across a leather chair and ottoman, Pratesi linens, 3 telephones, a flat-panel HD television, humidifier, built-in safe, office supplies kit, fax machine (sidebar: who faxes?), DVD/VHS player, CD player and jar of complimentary dark chocolates. My windows opened out onto a view of Aspen Mountain, the ski runs spotted with whatever snow patches were left over from the winter snowfall.  Turndown here means your robe and slippers placed on the bed with linens on the floor next to the nightstand, the CD player gently belting classical music, your ice bucket filled, chocolates and water bottles placed on the desk and your humidifier plugged in and turned on to combat the dry mountain air (you are at 8,000 feet, after all).

A room with a view

But by far the best part was to come – the St. Regis Aspen’s longtime afternoon tradition: S’more Happy Hour.

Oh yes. Outside on the sun-dappled patio on the Lobby Level, steps below a bubbling fountain and the tree-surrounded pool deck, the resort serves up a buffet of make-’em-yourself campfire treats from 5:00-6:00pm daily, complete with spears and a fire pit over which you can roast your own marshmallows to your exact preference of charred.

Graham crackers came in pistachio, chocolate and cinnamon, fondue-style melted chocolate in hazelnut or dark, and homemade marshmallows in block-shaped squares of Grand Marnier, raspberry and traditional.

Incredibly messy but indescribably delicious, they are a perfect welcome to the most down-t0-earth 5-star hotel one could hope to find themselves in.

The resort also boasts a Remède Spa, which, though I did not make use of, offers the generic spa treatments at expected spa prices, but offers a low day-rate for use of the facilities to guests.

From the resort, it’s a quick 3-5 minute walk into the heart of picturesque Aspen, which is quiet for large portions of the year except for those packed weeks around the holidays and late summer.  In this off-season, traffic was light at its heaviest and locals are not only watching for pedestrians and bikers, but stop for them (a novelty in my world).

Lobby fireplace

Other charms included a complimentary morning coffee and tea station in the Lobby, afternoon jazz in the leather couch-and-fireplace-spotted Lounge, where they serve everything from bottles of champagne (hand-sabered at your table – quite a show, I must say) to pizza and a helpful, friendly young staff.  Though I visited during the summer season, and can only imagine what the busy ski season might be like, I can still imagine it no less warm, inviting, service-oriented and wonderful as I found it.  Don’t let the name fool you – rates are more than reasonable for what you get and, especially in a town whose name brings major dollar signs to mind, it is no less “Colorado” and inviting than anywhere else.  In this instance I’d most certainly advise everyone to give luxury a try.

Like this post? Please share!