T+L’s Resort Overview of The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado

Getting off the bed was a battle at The Little Nell. I’d been lulled to sleep by a guided meditation synced to soothing motions on my sensible mattress. With the firmness of the mattress exactly calibrated to my preferences, I used to be tempted to remain tucked in all day. However among the world’s finest snowboarding was just some steps away, and I had an extended record of different resort luxuries to take pleasure in.

I’ve all the time been intrigued by Aspen’s fame as a glamorous winter retreat. And whereas it is house to 4 of the ten finest resorts in Colorado, in line with T+L’s 2025 World’s Finest Awards, I stayed at The Little Nell as a result of it is the one ski-in/ski-out resort on the base of Aspen Mountain.

The Nell’s First Tracks program permits company to hit the Silver Queen gondola earlier than it opens to the general public. It was a brief stroll from my one-bedroom suite to the ski concierge, the place contemporary muffins, scorching cider, and all my gear—that had been dried in a single day—waited for me. The knowledgeable group helps with every little thing, from placing in your boots to mapping out the very best terrain for the day’s circumstances. Steven Goff, who travels the world as an journey photographer when his exuberant smile is not lighting up Aspen, has been there for over 15 years. His colleague, Ray McNutt, could have 30 years beneath his belt in 2026. Not like workers at some haughtier professional retailers, the resort’s cohort exudes camaraderie and fervour for snowboarding. The conviviality is palpable from the second you step inside.

Simply as the decision of the mountain had gotten me off the bed, the promise of a shower in my suite’s generously sized Jacuzzi softened the blow when the lifts closed for the day. (The Little Nell additionally has a heated pool and a scorching tub for many who desire a social soak.) Plus, I used to be scheduled for a tasting on the resort’s on-site wine cellar that evening.

Our winding path to the cellar started within the backrooms of the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, Component 47, and ended at an unassuming door within the parking storage. Inside, the cellar and its roughly 20,000 bottles of wine have been utterly bathed in pink gentle. Messages from previous guests have been scrawled all over the place, a Persian rug added an air of cozy magnificence, and pulsating music, which I wasn’t cool sufficient to acknowledge, perked me up.

The Little Nell’s wine program is led by director Chris Dunaway, who received the Michelin Information Colorado’s 2024 Sommelier Award. Just like the cellar itself, Dunaway is subtle but charmingly laid-back. I climbed the ladder into the resort’s Burgundy attic, the place bottles are saved for 3 to 5 years earlier than being served. Whereas I sipped The Little Nell’s proprietary glowing wine, Dunaway talked about his roundabout journey from premedical pupil to world-class sommelier, the realm’s colourful mining historical past, and making frequent late-night journeys to the resort when company en path to Aspen make pressing tasting requests from their personal jets.

My night within the cellar proved a becoming snapshot of the resort’s overarching ethos: distinctive high quality and repair delivered in a welcoming, laid-back setting.

Beneath, my full evaluation of The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado.

The Rooms

The Little Nell has 92 visitor rooms and suites with mountain or city views, starting from 600 sq. ft for the standard room to 1,250 sq. ft for the Luxurious Suites. Commonplace lodging have fireplaces, ample seating, and a complimentary unfold of non-alcoholic snacks and drinks. The loos are essentially the most opulent side of the in any other case understated rooms: all have separate soaking tubs and showers, heated marble flooring, and twin vanities.

Most traditional rooms have balconies, however you’ll must request one earlier than your keep to make sure a spot to get some contemporary air. The decor is calming, with gentle neutrals that permit the encircling pure magnificence to take heart stage.  

Improve to a one-bedroom suite for the pleasure of sleeping on a Bryte sensible mattress, which helps you to regulate its firmness, set a silent alarm, and begin multi-sensory leisure routines out of your telephone.

5 of the six Luxurious Suites are named after influential figures from the city’s historical past, together with Fritz Benedict, who’s answerable for lots of the rules which have preserved the city’s surroundings and quaint aesthetic.

The Little Nell Suite is the resort’s 1,450-square-foot one-bedroom signature lodging that may be linked to adjoining rooms. It contains a masterfully curated artwork assortment, two wrap-around balconies, and an ethereal eating room with a desk for six. Issues get much more luxurious within the top-tier Walter Paepcke Suite, a 2,500-square-foot oasis with crystal chess and checkers units and glamorous furnishings. The suite’s crowning jewel is an expansive balcony for prime individuals watching over après hotspot Ajax Tavern.

Meals and Drink

Aspen’s eating scene is filled with competitors, however The Little Nell holds greater than its personal. Michelin Information-recommended restaurant Component 47 serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner ready with native elements.

Should you’re looking for a downright legendary après scene, look no additional than Ajax Tavern, the place a glitzy crowd dines on truffle fries and wagyu burgers from lunchtime till lengthy after sundown.

There are a number of methods to take pleasure in The Little Nell’s world-class wine program beneath director Chris Dunaway. A comfy wine bar off the again patio is the proper place to chill out beneath a thick shearling blanket with a glass of white Burgundy in hand. When you have even a passing curiosity in wine, visiting the wine cellar for a tasting is a should. Considered one of The Little Nell’s esteemed sommeliers will information you thru over 3,300 choices of the world’s finest vino. 

In-room eating service is offered 24 hours a day.

Actions and Experiences

Friends can take pleasure in Aspen’s world-class snowboarding with two ski passes per room, per day, included in every keep. Along with exploring the mountain by yourself, you’ll be able to schedule specialised experiences like first tracks runs with ski patrollers earlier than the paths open to the general public, sundown rides on grooming snowcats, and backcountry excursions.

When it isn’t ski season, the concierge can coordinate loads of different adventures, like fly-fishing, mountaintop yoga, and off-roading journeys. The cultural experiences additionally proceed year-round, with a thriving artwork scene, the Aspen Music Competition, and intensive outside eating choices.

Friends can take pleasure in a sauna, heated pool, and coated scorching tub within the resort’s courtyard.

The Spa

The Little Nell’s spa, which was renovated in 2024, has three remedy rooms with personal steam showers. I ready for my therapeutic massage in one of many two that additionally included an infrared sauna.

The menu focuses on remedies designed for restoration amid the high-altitude mountain setting and rigorous exercise. The spa makes use of merchandise by Dr. Barbara Sturm, Colorado-based ISUN, and Tuscan model Seed to Pores and skin.

Household-friendly Choices

The resort has connecting rooms. Households will admire the 1,150 sq. ft to go round in two-bedroom two-bathroom suites: one bed room has a king-size Bryte mattress, and the opposite has two twin beds. Cribs, strollers, and video games can be found upon request.

Aspen gives loads for skiers of all ages and ability ranges. (Children beneath age six ski totally free.) Buttermilk Ski Resort and Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort are the very best picks for youngsters new to the game. Each have classes and artwork installations, trails, and different areas designated for youngsters.

Lastly, The Little Nell is a pet-friendly resort. Beds, snacks off the epicurean pet menu, and dog-sitting providers can be found.

Accessibility and Sustainability 

The Little Nell’s eating places supply native meals by Farm Runners, and the resort sends over 400,000 kilos of organics for composting yearly. It additionally works to preserve sources by utilizing a drip irrigation system for its gardens. The resort’s automobile fleet consists of electrical autos. The Little Nell has one Tesla charging station and 7 electrical car charging stations.

The resort has 5 ADA-compliant rooms, together with one two-bedroom suite. All widespread areas are wheelchair accessible apart from the new tub.

Location

The closest airport to Aspen is Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), and The Little Nell gives complimentary airport switch to its company.

Aspen is 156 miles away from Denver. From late Might to October, the scenic route from the Mile Excessive Metropolis to Aspen by Independence Cross makes for a beautiful street journey. In a single day parking at The Little Nell is offered for $65 an evening. 

The Little Nell rests on the base of Aspen Mountain, which is finest fitted to intermediate and superior skiers. Its terrain was expanded by 153 acres by the opening of the Hero chairlift in the course of the 2023/2024 season. Close by, Snowmass Mountain and Buttermilk Mountain present extra family- and beginner-friendly choices, serving to to maintain the crowds skinny on Aspen and its more difficult sibling mountain, Highlands.

Though the city is most well-known for its winters, it has loads to supply nature lovers within the low season, and its vibrant eating scene is lively year-round.

E-book Now

The Little Nell is a part of the American Categorical Fantastic Resorts & Resorts program. Centurion and Platinum Card Members who e book by AmexTravel.com can use and redeem factors to pay for his or her keep.

Moreover, Ikon Cross, Mountain Collective Cross, and Aspen Snowmass Premier season passholders obtain 20 p.c off on stays of at the least two nights, a $90 every day breakfast credit score, and a $100 eating credit score.

Nightly charges at The Little Nell begin at $799.

Each T+L resort evaluation is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every resort chosen aligns with our core values.