Elite Traveler September-October 2017

elite traveler SEPT/OCT 2017 127

The St. Regis Aspen Resort

TAKE FIVE/// MUST-SEE SIGHTS 1. ASPEN ART MUSEUM Lunch at So Cafe atop the Shigeru Ban-designed Aspen Art Museum, an admission-free museum which showcases contemporary exhibits. Then, stroll to the nearby art galleries. 2. WOODY CREEK DISTILLERY Spend an afternoon at Woody Creek Distillery, which makes craft spirits including rye whiskey, bourbon, gin from their own junipers and potato vodka from various farms in the nearby Roaring Fork Valley. 3. SUMMERTIME FESTIVALS Reserve summertime tickets for lectures at the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas Festival or for absorbing performances by the Aspen Music Festival And School, the Aspen Opera Theater Center, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet company, Aspen Theater and Jazz Aspen Snowmass. 4. HISTORIC VENUES Get a sense of history at Aspen’s meticulously-upgraded Wheeler Opera House at J-Bar in the historic Hotel Jerome, or at Wheeler-Stallard House. The latter, an impressive 1880s Queen Anne residence, is home to the Aspen Historical Society, which offers a town tour. 5. MAROON BELLS Photograph the Maroon Bells. From late May through October — though hours are restricted to cars — it’s a short bus ride and a three-minute walk for the best views of the “14ers,” the 14,000 ft mountains that reflect off Maroon Lake. And there are scenic hiking trails, too, including a two-hour hike to Crater Lake.

The Wheeler Suite at Hotel Jerome

Discover Aspen’s history at Wheeler Opera House

The Paepcke Suite at The Little Nell

TOP SUITES

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE The St. Regis Aspen Resort

THE WHEELER SUITE Hotel Jerome

THE PAEPCKE SUITE The Little Nell

The fifth floor Presidential Suite offers coffered ceilings, a large living and dining roomwith tufted leather furnishings and a balcony facing AspenMountain, two bedrooms, grand marble bathroom, a service kitchen and full butler service. There’s a timeless feel about the red-brick walls, steep pointed peaks and castle-like porte-cochère entry. The superb subterranean Remède Spa features pebble flooring, a confluence waterfall feature and an oxygen room adjacent to the lounge. From$3,499 per night. Contact Heather Steenge-Hart, general manager, heather.steenge-hart@stregis.com, +1 970 920 3300, stregisaspen.com

The 1,265 sq ft suite boasts an entry foyer, a large living and dining room overlooking the town and Aspen Mountain, a master bedroom and two bathrooms. Todd-Avery Lenahan of TAL Studio has refurbished the space incorporating rustic textures such as cowhide and corduroy, with cashmere drapes plus tasteful western and Native American decorative objects. An additional bedroom and complimentary drivers and private cars are available. From $3,500 per night. Contact Tony DiLucia, general manager, tony.dilucia@ aubergeresorts.com, +1 970 429 7612, hoteljerome.aubergeresorts.com

The 2,500 sq ft, one-bedroom Paepcke Suite within the art-filled, ski-in ski-out, five-star lodging features a fireplace, dining area and a custom-designed game table with crystal chess and backgammon pieces. A windowed wall leads out to an expansive terrace seemingly within touching distance of the Silver Queen Gondola and “Ajax,” as locals call the mountain. Two additional bedrooms and complimentary drivers and private cars are available. From $2,400 per night. Contact Simon Chen, managing director, schen@ thelittlenell.com, +1 855 920 4600, thelittlenell.com

Explore the Aspen Art Museum