The Little Nell is the Aspen hotel for couples who want to step out of the lobby and onto the snow. It sits at the very base of Aspen Mountain, next to the Silver Queen Gondola. Downtown is a few minutes' walk away, with its boutiques and restaurants. It opened in 1989 on the site of one of Aspen's original silver mines. It describes itself as the town's only Five-Star, Five-Diamond hotel.
The hotel is polished without being stiff. Rooms are warm and modern, with fireplaces and mountain or town views. Element 47, named for silver's atomic number, is the serious restaurant. Ajax Tavern, with its slopeside terrace, is where much of Aspen gathers for après ski. Below ground, the wine cellar has won Wine Spectator's Grand Award.
It suits couples who ski or snowboard and want the shortest possible walk to the lift, plus excellent food and service when they come back down. It also works in summer, when the gondola carries hikers up and the Music Festival fills the evenings. It is very expensive in winter. It is also lively rather than secluded. If you want a quiet ranch or a cabin in the woods, look outside town.
Highlights at a glance
- Ski-in, ski-out at the base of Aspen Mountain
- Element 47 and a Grand Award wine cellar
- Ajax Tavern's slopeside après terrace
- First Tracks early skiing with a guide
- Aspen's only slopeside spa
Why Couples Love The Little Nell
Location is the headline. In winter, you can clip into your skis outside the door and ride the Silver Queen Gondola to the summit of Aspen Mountain. At the end of the day you ski right back down to the terrace at Ajax Tavern. Few hotels anywhere make skiing this easy.
The service is the other draw. Ski concierges handle your equipment, fit boots and arrange lessons. The hotel offers First Tracks, a chance to ride up early with a guide and ski before the mountain opens to the public. Complimentary snowshoes and guided tours are available too. Then, in the evening, downtown Aspen is a short walk away, with dinner, a gallery or a nightcap without needing a car.
Rooms and Suites to Book
The hotel offers guest rooms, suites and residences, all with a warm, modern mountain style.
- Town Side Guest Rooms: the entry level, looking toward downtown Aspen. Comfortable and quieter.
- Mountain Side Guest Rooms: the honeymoon choice for most couples, with views of Aspen Mountain and the ski runs.
- One- and two-bedroom suites: more room to spread out, ideal for a longer stay.
- Luxury Suites: six suites renovated in an Aspen Modern style for a full splurge.
- Residences: multi-bedroom homes with full kitchens, more than a couple needs.
Book a Mountain Side room if you want to watch the first skiers come down in the morning. Mention your honeymoon. A suite upgrade is never guaranteed, but the hotel is known for small personal touches.
Food, Wine and the Spa
Element 47 is the hotel's flagship restaurant, a refined room for a special dinner with seasonal mountain cooking. The real treasure is the wine program. The underground cellar has won Wine Spectator's Grand Award. Sommeliers can guide you to a bottle that suits your budget and taste.
Ajax Tavern is the place to be at the end of a ski day, with its terrace beside the slopes and a lively après atmosphere. The Wine Bar is a quieter spot for a glass before dinner. The Spa at The Little Nell describes itself as Aspen's only slopeside spa, offering massages and restorative treatments that are welcome after a day on the mountain. There is a fitness center and a heated outdoor pool for slow afternoons.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
In winter, Aspen Mountain is outside the door. Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass are a short shuttle ride away for variety. Non-skiers can snowshoe, take a sleigh ride or ride the gondola up for lunch with a view.
In summer the mood changes completely. Hike or bike the trails above town, take the gondola up for sunset or drive to the Maroon Bells for the famous reflection at sunrise. Reservations are required to reach the Bells in peak season. The Aspen Music Festival brings classical concerts most summer evenings. In late September, the aspen groves turn gold. Town has galleries, shops and restaurants for slower days, so the two of you can mix activity with rest.
Getting There
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is about 10 minutes from the hotel by car. It has direct flights from several US cities, though winter weather can cause delays. Eagle County Airport (EGE) is about 1.5 hours away. Denver International (DEN) is about four hours by car, depending on road conditions.
You do not need a car in Aspen. The town is walkable and free buses run to the other ski areas. Aspen sits at about 7,900 feet. Take the first day easy, drink plenty of water and go light on alcohol until you adjust. Altitude can affect sleep and appetite for a night or two.
Is It Worth It?
For a ski honeymoon in Aspen, The Little Nell is worth the price if you will use what it does best. Expect roughly $1,500 a night and up for an entry room in ski season, with holiday weeks far higher. Summer rates can be much lower, which makes it a strong value in June, August or early fall.
The trade-offs are cost and energy. Aspen is busy and social in winter. Ajax Tavern is loud at après hour. Couples who want quiet should consider Hotel Jerome in the center of town or a ranch outside Aspen. Those who do not ski may get better value elsewhere in winter. If both of you love the mountain, nothing else in town matches the convenience.
Insider tips
- Book a Mountain Side room to watch the morning's first skiers come down.
- Reserve First Tracks as soon as you arrive; spots are limited.
- Visit in summer or early fall for lower rates and Maroon Bells hikes.
- Take the first day easy to adjust to the altitude.
