The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado, USA

The Little Nell is Aspen's only five-star, ski-in, ski-out hotel, set at the foot of Aspen Mountain beside the Silver Queen Gondola. It combines the intimacy of a small, personal hotel with world-class food and wine and impeccable service, and it is the hub of Aspen's glamorous après-ski scene. For skiers who want to step out of the door and onto one of America's most famous mountains, there is no better address in town.

Location: Aspen, Colorado, USA

The hotel stands at the base of Aspen Mountain, known locally as Ajax, in downtown Aspen, in the Roaring Fork Valley of the Colorado Rockies, at around 2,400 metres. The Silver Queen Gondola is right outside, and the town's boutiques, galleries and restaurants are a short walk away.

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is just a few miles away, with connections from Denver and other major US cities. Aspen's four mountains, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, are all easily reached. Hotel Jerome, also in our collection, is a few blocks away.

Aspen began as a silver-mining town in the late nineteenth century, and its Victorian brick buildings still line the streets around the hotel. Today it is one of the most famous mountain towns in America, with a year-round calendar of music, ideas and food festivals, art galleries and an outstanding restaurant scene.

Rooms and suites at The Little Nell

The hotel has 92 rooms and suites, including premium rooms, junior suites and specialty suites, decorated in a contemporary mountain style with warm woods, rich textiles and modern art. Many rooms have fireplaces and balconies with views of Aspen Mountain or the town.

The suites are among the most luxurious in Aspen, with separate living areas and generous terraces, ideal for families and longer stays. Request a mountain-facing room for views of the slopes.

The service is famously personal, with staff who remember guests' preferences and many who have worked at the hotel for years. Families are welcome, with children's amenities and activities, and the hotel can arrange ski lessons and childcare.

Facilities at The Little Nell

Food and wine are central to The Little Nell's reputation. Element 47, its signature restaurant, serves Colorado contemporary cuisine and has a subterranean wine cellar of around 20,000 bottles; the hotel's wine programme has held the Wine Spectator Grand Award since 1997. Ajax Tavern, next to the gondola, has one of the most famous sunny patios in the ski world, perfect for après-ski. There is also a wine bar, a speakeasy called The Board Room, and The Living Room lounge.

The ski concierge team tunes equipment, warms boots and arranges lift tickets, rentals and instruction. There is an outdoor heated pool and hot tub in a private courtyard, a fitness centre and spa treatments, and on the mountain, the hotel runs the Sundeck and the ASPENX Mountain Club.

The mountain moment

The defining moment is a perfect Aspen ski day: ride the Silver Queen Gondola from the hotel's door to the summit of Aspen Mountain, ski its long, steep runs back down to town, then settle onto the Ajax Tavern patio in the afternoon sun with a glass of wine, as skiers glide past.

In summer, the gondola climbs to the summit for hiking, music and yoga, with views across the Elk Mountains, and the famous Maroon Bells are a short drive away.

Why The Little Nell is one of the best mountain hotels

The Little Nell earns its place because it is the definitive luxury ski hotel in America's most famous ski town. It holds Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond ratings, is a member of Relais & Châteaux, and offers a combination of ski-in, ski-out convenience, outstanding wine and food, and personal service that few hotels can match. It is very expensive, and Aspen can be busy, but for a classic Aspen experience, it is the gold standard.

When to go to The Little Nell

The ski season on Aspen Mountain usually runs from late November to mid-April, with the best snow typically from January to March. Christmas, New Year and Presidents' Day weekend are the busiest and most expensive periods. Summer, from June to September, brings the Aspen Music Festival, the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Food & Wine Classic, along with hiking and cycling. Autumn brings golden aspens in late September. Check the hotel's seasonal closures in spring and autumn.