Aspen’s been on our bucket list for awhile now.
We’ve heard amazing things about the resorts, the restaurant scene, the famous ski slopes… and then recently we learned how extremely dog friendly it is. And that was all we needed to hear. We booked a trip that week. We made a road trip out of it, stopping in Tempe, Arizona and Taos, New Mexico, with our final destination being Aspen… and what a way to end the trip!! If you followed along on Instagram, you probably saw most of our Aspen adventures - but let us recap.
For the first two nights we stayed at The Limelight Hotel, right in the heart of downtown Aspen. This is our second Limelight location (the other being in Sun Valley), and it solidified our love for this hotel brand. Their rooms are spacious, their complimentary breakfasts are extensive and delicious (very important), and they are so dog friendly. Located directly across the street from the Limelight was the Wagner Park, where Sally could get her wiggles out and play with other furry friends. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect location!
This was Sally’s first time playing in snow - and we spent the good majority of our first morning in Aspen mesmerized by her reaction to it (yep, we’re those people). It was so cute. She dug, she rolled, she licked, she LOVED. While we were freezing our booties off (It was maybe 3 degrees fahrenheit!!), homegirl couldn’t have cared less... She was made for this kind of weather! We did, however, buy her a sweater - mostly for the cuteness factor.
We split up for the rest of the day - Bobby snowboarded, and Alli went to the spa. AKA, the perfect day for both of us! ;)
Bobby here. Snowboarding in Aspen is was way better than I could have imagined. The first, and most important thing, is the crowd factor. It’s non-existent. There were never any lines for the lifts, and most of the time I was snowboarding relatively alone. Next, the mountains are HUGE. There are four mountains: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. I spent most of my time at Snowmass, but want to explore the others more on our next trip. The scenery is stunning, the runs are incredible, and in 4 days I barely carved the surface (hehe). Hopefully I’ll get Alli on a board next time.
Alli here now! The Spa at Viceroy Snowmass couldn’t have been more luxurious. This 7,000 square-foot spa has a wide selection of holistic spa treatments, a stunning relaxation lounge, and all of the amenities that one could wish. I had the Earth and Air Hot Stone Ritual, which was 90 minutes of soothing relaxation, and they ended it with tea, champagne and chocolates! I could’ve stayed here all day!!
We then met up for lunch at the top of Snowmass and to ride their newest attraction, the Breathtaker. And let’s just say the name is fitting! This thrill ride covers over a mile of terrain, zipping and zooming past trees at speeds of up to 28 mph! It’s crazy smooth, beautiful, and really cold. (If you ride it in the winter, bundle up!)
Nothing sounds better than a couple of hot toddies after being out in the snow, so we went back to the Limelight Hotel and had just that! Later that night, we dined at the iconic La Creperie du Village… a cozy French chalet that serves raclette, fondue, and scrumptious crepes. It was heavenly.
The next two nights we stayed at The Little Nell, the only 5-star, 5-diamond Aspen hotel. Not only is the property breathtaking (We didn’t want to leave our room!), but their location at the base of Aspen Mountain is unparalleled. It’s ski-in, ski-out, so it was quick and easy for Bobby to hit the slopes. And they’re one of the most dog-friendly hotels we’ve stayed at! They serve a dog menu in their lobby (Sally dined on Wagyu beef - “ruff” life, huh?), they set your room up with a bed, bowls, treats, and more, and their bellmen will even take your pup on a walk! Did we just check into doggy HEAVEN?!
We took the Aspen Mountain gondola up to lunch at the Sundeck, where we dined on burgers and stir-fry dishes from their wok station, followed by some warm Lavazza coffee.
While Bobby snowboarded for the rest of the afternoon, Alli explored downtown Aspen, shopping their quaint boutiques and wandering through the innovative and interactive Aspen Art Museum. We met up later in the evening for a “Garden Party” hosted by The Little Nell, to celebrate Relais Chateaux’s new book, “The Art of the Garden”. We sipped on cocktails and made friends that instantly felt like family… this little hotel is something very, very special.
Our last day in Aspen (insert cry face here) was spent dining at Element 47 for breakfast, Alli walking with Sally around the downtown, Bobby snowboarding, enjoying a hot lunch at Shlomo’s, playing on the slopes with Sally, enjoying a cocktail at the Marble Bar Aspen, and feasting at Ajax Tavern.
It was the perfect way to end a perfect trip. Aspen is one of those places that quickly feels like home. We expected it to feel more pretentious, but it wasn’t at all. Everyone is so friendly, welcoming, and eager to share about their love for this quaint mountain town. We can’t wait to come back.