When comparing major ski resorts in the United States, the Aspen experience takes everything to the next level. The Little Nell and is the only Five-Star, Five-Diamond hotel in Aspen – Hotel Jerome and the St. Regis Aspen are both Four-Star properties).
The Little Nell
The Aspen Skiing Company and Ski School were pioneered by several veterans of the 10th Mountain Division, who were the skiing troops that trained in nearby Camp Hale over Independence Pass before being deported to Italy where they won the Battle at Riva Ridge. The six luxury suites at The Little Nell were each named after six of these veterans who made significant contributions to Aspen.
In 2014, these six luxury suites were renovated by Holly Hunt who divides her time between Aspen and Chicago. In June 2017, the 52 guest rooms, 26 premium guest rooms, 8 suites at The Little Nell were renovated by Champalimaud Design of NY.
The Living Room at the Little Nell.
THE SKI CONCIERGE
Once arriving at the resort, your skis will be taken from your car to the ski concierge which is located next to the bottom lift of the Aspen resort. Let’s be real: walking in ski boots can be slow and painful due to the stiff nature of ski boots. When staying at the Little Nell, walk downstairs in your UGGs to the ski concierge where your boots, skis, helmet, and gloves are stored.
Slip on your ski boots, fuel up on coffee, tea, and pastries, use some of their sunscreen, and walk on over to the lift. Your skis or snowboard will be ready for you. The concierge can set you up with adventures and lessons and will tell you about the weather for tomorrow. It doesn’t get any better than that for a skier. For you parents, if you have small children, imagine having all their skis taken care of. No more carrying those boots, skis and managing your kids. Life is just a dream.
At the top of the Gondola of Aspen.
4 Mountains Sports has ski rentals and they’re located across from the base of the Aspen mountain. From there, you can even get your skis transported to Snowmass Mountain, located about 9 miles away. They took the hassle out of moving our skis around, what a relief.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Interior Designer Alexandra Champalimaud’s approach towards designing the Little Nell was to reinvigorate the spaces to be fresh, light and welcoming, utilizing palettes of blue, tan and grey to complement the relaxed nature of Aspen.
The Pool at the Little Nell Residences.
She shared insights into the inspiration behind The Little Nell redesign, noting “Aspen has all the characteristics of a world-class destination – social, beautiful, interesting and relevant – all the while offering a relaxed style and attitude. With this in mind, it was our priority to design sincere, comfortable interior spaces where one can relax and recharge. The Little Nell’s new design recalls in texture, tone and attitude, Aspen’s soul and its distinctiveness as a silver mining town. The particular realness of the place was a grounding quality that we respected and integrated into our work.”
A Suite at the Little Nell.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Chicago designer and Aspen Resident Holly Hunt styled the Little Nell’s 52 guest rooms, 26 premium guest rooms, and 6 signature suites. Every room has a view of the Red Mountain range or Continental Divide, Durant and Spring Streets or the courtyard and pool. She used creams, light blue, and palettes of chocolate to create an ultra-comfortable ambiance. Most rooms come with fireplaces and private balconies.
MINIBAR INCLUDED
Every room has complimentary snacks and beverages (non-alcoholic). These are gourmet snacks with many organic ingredients. Refreshed daily, you could take organic beef jerky & almond butter cups to the slopes with you – it’s great to have a snack on the lift.
THE LITTLE NELL RESIDENCES
Families may opt for staying at the Little Nell Residences. Started at approximately $10,000 a night, guests can stay in 3 to 4 bedroom residences. These units are available for fractional ownership purchase, six weeks out of the year.
THE SECRET WINE CELLAR
To enter the wine cellar, you must go through the kitchen of the restaurant. Once headed down a few flight of steps into the underground parking lot, you will enter industrial metal doors and what you will find is a red dimly lit secret wine cellar. Carlton McCoy runs the wine program today. The Little Nell has more than 50 sommeliers on staff. This is the perfect place to begin your evening before dinner with friends with a speakeasy experience.
THE SPA
The spa has an array of treatments and will be launching a CBD (stands for Cannabidiol) treatment very soon. This is one of the legal marijuana-derived topical products and is infused in salves, creams, oils, and patches. It is touted as relaxing and pain-relieving.
APRES-SKI SCENE
Chair 9 and Ajax Tavern both offer the finest in apres-ski in Aspen with the ski-in/ski-out, the enviable setting of The Little Nell. Ajax Tavern’s sun-soaked patio is superb for seeing and being seen, the truffle fries are legendary, cocktails, wine, all day menu changes seasonally. Chair 9 is open during ski season only and features DJs daily, drink specials, a bar menu and option for “private chairs” aka bottle service, elevated seating.
PRIVATE JET PARTNER: SENTIENT JET
Sentient Jet is the official flight partner of Aspen Snowmass, the parent company of the Little Nell. The hotel offers guests of The Little Nell the opportunity to fly on Sentient for the cost of flight time only (one way or RT) if they are staying at the hotel or residences. Typically, Sentient requires a jet card purchase that is used to debit down flight time. With this privilege, no flight card is needed and you’re only charged the price of your flight to/from Aspen Airport. Sentient is one of the premier private jet companies in the world.
Just a short 20 to 30 minutes away from the Little Nell is one of the most exciting exotic adventures any dog lover can experience. Krabloonik is the best way to experience the backcountry of Aspen. Located behind Snowmass Village, Karbloonik is home to 200 Alaskan Husky sled dogs that are raised specifically for sledding. Each sled can carry 2 adults and one child while 8 to 10 Alaskan Huskies pull you through snow-capped mountains and extraordinary scenery.
The ride is magical with a light amount of snow falling and a brisk winter breeze. After the ride, you could have lunch in their restaurant and stay warm by the wood-burning stove with a view of the dog sleds.
There’s also a pin to play with the husky pups. As soon as you put your gloves and hat down, 15 puppies come over to give you big wet kisses! This was truly puppy paradise and it doesn’t get any better than this.
Even the dog chose to sit on a stump.
When it comes to a luxury skiing experience, it doesn’t get any better than this!
For more information, visit The Little Nell.