There are a lot of different choices when it comes to lodging in Aspen. From the ultra-luxurious to the very affordable, Aspen offers something for everyone. The town often carries a stigma of only offering high-end pricey accommodations, but truth is there are plenty of reasonably-priced condominiums, homes and lodge rooms available for any length of time – from a couple of days to many months. This week our blog team tackles where to stay in Aspen on your next getaway.
To assist us, we’ve recruited Frias Properties vacation specialist Claire Smith. As part of the reservations team at Frias, Claire works with potential guests to find the right lodging that fits the client’s needs. She knows all the available lodging in and around Aspen, so we decided to sit down for a little Q&A to get the inside scoop. Let’s see what she has to say:
Q: What’s the first thing I need to know when planning where to stay in Aspen?
A: “You should know they types of amenities you are looking for: fireplace, hot tub, pool, walking distance to shops and restaurants, etc.”
Q: What types of properties are available for rental?
A: “At Frias Properties, we rent everything from hotel rooms at the Independence Square, studio to 5-bedroom condominiums, and 6-bedroom private homes.”
Q: What are some of the more popular lodging choices?
A: “In the winter, anything in the Galena Street neighborhood is very popular because of the short distance to Aspen Mountain and the gondola. Some of these condominiums are Fasching Haus, Durant Condominiums, Fifth Avenue Condominiums and Alpenblick.
“In the summer, everyone loves the Chateau Roaring Fork and Chateau Eau Claire as they are located on the river.”
Q: I’m looking for something in, or near, downtown. How close is the lodging?
A: “I consider the core of Aspen to be about eight blocks by eight blocks. Ninety-nine percent of our properties are within walking distance to this area.”
Q: I want to stay somewhere in Aspen with a view. What do you recommend?
A: “The Durant Condominiums or Hyatt Grand Aspen have great views. You also can’t beat the view from the rooftop hot tub at the Independence Square Hotel.”
Q: Is there any ski-in, ski-out?
A: “Aspen Mountain isn’t necessarily set up that way. Only about 5 percent of lodging in Aspen is ski-in/out. We do have some great condominiums at Shadow Mountain that are ski-in/out to Lift 1A. We also have units at the Ritz-Carlton at Aspen Highlands that are ski-in/out.”
Q: What are some other amenities that I should be looking for?
A: “In the winter, I love to have a fireplace and a hot tub.:
Q: We are a middle-class family of four, and we want to ski Aspen this winter. What is the best lodging for our family?
A: “A great place to stay and be close to skiing as the Chateau Chaumont and Chateau Dumont condominiums. Only two blocks to the gondola. The Fasching Haus is also great as they have a wonderful pool and hot tub area.”
Q: My girlfriend and I want to check out Aspen in the summertime. Where should we stay?
A: “If it’s for a long weekend, go with the Independence Square Hotel. You can’t beat the location.”
Q: Is a single private home better than having multiple condominiums when you’re in a group?
A: “A private home is great because you can all be close and together. However, multiple condos have the advantage of more living area and multiple kitchens so that you’re not all falling over each other making coffee in the morning.”
Q: I’m coming to town for a business gathering and want to explore the town after my full day of meetings. Where should I stay?
A: “Most of our condominiums are walking distance to the core of Aspen. So you would be close to everything in just about any of our condominiums.”
Q: I’m seeking luxury lodging – the best of the best. What do you recommend?
A: “My favorite complex that we rent out are the Clarendon units. They are spacious and close to town. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and Hyatt are also great and you get the amenities that come with a luxury hotel type of property.”
Q: Once I select where to stay in Aspen, how soon should I make the reservations?
“To get the best selection and make sure no one else takes the condo you want, I would book as soon as you have your plane tickets.”
Thanks, Claire! What a bunch of great info.