I have always wanted to visit Aspen but somehow thought it was only to be enjoyed by the rich and famous. But looks can be deceiving, as I recently discovered on a three-day trip. Not only is Aspen a beautiful place to visit but also, depending upon the time of the year, can be quite affordable. Along the pleasant, scenic, three-and-a-half hour drive from Denver, there are several interesting sights to enjoy. Just off I-70 you can stop at Buffalo Bill’s gravesite at Lookout Mountain and tour the historical museum. Many of his personal relics are on display along with memorabilia from the old West. A little further down the road, the town of Glenwood Springs has many of its own charms. Their famous mineral hot springs attract travelers from all over the world for their medicinal properties. You can also visit the vapor caves and fairy caverns and see the final resting place of the dentist-turned-gunslinger Doc Holliday. Aspen has enjoyed a colorful history as well. From its roots as a boom-to-bust silver mining town, Aspen has evolved into a world-class ski resort and cultural center for the arts. True to its past, many of its historic treasures can still be enjoyed in their reconditioned splendor. For example, The Hotel Jerome and the Wheeler Opera House were built in the late 1800s so that the city could enjoy a first-class hotel and opera house. Both of these are located in the four- block downtown area. Young and old alike can enjoy today’s Aspen, and there is truly something for everybody and every budget. During the slower seasons, from the end of September to late November and mid-April to the end of May, many of the hotel prices drop considerably and rival what you would pay in any American city. In addition to the top-notch ski facilities, Aspen offers families all of the activities that you could ever hope for including skiing, hiking, gondola rides, fishing, cycling, shopping, and a wide range of dining opportunities. Where to Stay There are many hotels in the area but one of the best in town is the St. Regis Aspen. Nestled snugly at the base of Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis is truly one of the finest hotels in the world. Built with 800,000 Colorado red bricks, it has won many awards including its rating as one of the top 100 hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine and one of the top 50 hotels in North America by the prestigious Zagat Guide to Hotels and Resorts. What makes the St. Regis even more attractive is that they offer many affordable packages that include services such as accommodations, ski-lift tickets, and breakfast starting at $100 per day per person. Formerly a Ritz-Carlton property, the St. Regis has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation under the new ownership of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Starwood also owns the Sheraton, Four Points, Westin, the Luxury Collection and all the other St. Regis properties. The St. Regis is a prime example of their dedication to a high level of service and excellence. The hotel offers its guests the finest in accommodations including 257 rooms from deluxe all the way up to two presidential suites. They also have 24-hour room service and a full-service spa and even a personal ski butler who will warm your ski boots and bring you hot chocolate after your time on the slopes. For just a little more in cost, guests can have access to the exclusive club lounge, which offers five meals per day including appetizers and sandwiches and ending with cordials in the evening. Many of the rooms have gorgeous views of Aspen Mountain where you can watch skiers traversing the white slopes in what looks like Norman Rockwell painting. For great dining, you don’t have to travel much farther than the hotel lobby. Olive’s Aspen offers American food with a Mediterranean flair. Under the direction of the world-famous chef Todd English, Olive’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an elegant yet comfortable setting. Pine floors, antique furniture, and soft earth tones all add to the ambiance. For dinner, I tried their grilled Wagyu Filet Mignon and can honestly say it was the best steak I have ever had. Moist and flavorful, each bite melted in my mouth. My wife opted for the Tortelli of Butternut Squash and she found it to be sweet and delicious. Whiskey Rocks is another place to relax for late-night fun and entertainment. Illuminated by candlelight, this is a great location within the hotel to kick off your après-ski boots, have a cocktail and appetizers, and enjoy music by a roaring fire. The St. Regis Aspen offers many on-site recreation and fitness facilities including an outfitter who can hook you up with fishing or clay shooting. Outside the hotel and only a short block or two away, over 200 shops and art galleries await your exploration. Check the hotel’s web site for the latest packages and offerings, which vary according to the time of year. Another unique place to stay is the Sky Hotel and its popular bar/lounge 39 Degrees. Offering 84 guestrooms and 6 suites, the Sky Hotel is perfectly positioned at the base of Aspen Mountain and literally just steps away from the Silver Queen Gondola, the largest single stage gondola in North America. In fact, when you are done with your ski run, you can simply take off your skis and walk across the street to the hotel. San Francisco-based designer Mike Moore has created a unique and fun ambiance with his décor. Oversized cream-colored leather chairs grace the lobby along with rough-hewn logs that are incorporated into the structure. All this creates a fun, relaxing atmosphere in this boutique hotel. The 39 Degrees lounge and bar is a popular gathering place for those après ski nights while enjoying a cocktail and a warm fire. According to Jacque Hegarty, Director of Marketing, the Sky Hotel offers a “fun, more casual experience but with all the services and amenities of a full-service upscale hotel.” Prices will please the budget-minded traveler as room rates start at just $99 during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. No need to leave Fido at home as the Sky Hotel is pet-friendly and even has special upgrades available for your furry loved ones. Sightseeing Confined within a four-block area you will find hundreds of shops offering a myriad of shopping opportunities. Aspen is a microcosm of many large cities with a small-town feel consisting of art galleries, museums, sidewalk restaurants and bistros, jewelry stores, bakeries, and specialty shops. During the ski season, you can have your pick of winter sports including skiing and snowboarding. During the other months, however, Aspen serves up its own brand of sights and sounds. Many cultural activities are held in the city including concerts with well-known stars such as Bob Dylan and events like the Aspen Jazz Festival. Adults and kids alike will enjoy the 15-minute ride to the top of Aspen Mountain aboard the Silver Queen Gondola for a spectacular view of the town and surrounding mountains. At the top you can take an adventure tour in a Jeep, enjoy a good meal at the restaurant located there, or even play Frisbee golf on the gentle green slopes. There are other activities as well for the adventurous traveler including hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting, hiking and four-wheel drive tours of the high country. There is nightlife galore in various locations in Aspen, and many hotels and restaurants offer lighter culinary fare for the late night crowd. You never know who you might run into in one of those dimly lit lounges. On some days, the nearby airport has so many Lear jets parked on the tarmac that it resembles a busy day on a California freeway. Where to Dine If you enjoy eating (and who doesn’t) then you won’t be disappointed by your choices. Everything from burgers and fries, to inexpensive Mexican food is just a short block or two away. If, however, you are up for some special dining, then you can let your imagination run wild. Aspen offers top-notch cuisine that will satisfy even the most discriminating palate. In addition to the great food at Olive’s Aspen, we decided to tickle our taste buds at Mogador, a fairly new addition to the Aspen dining scene. Under the direction of chef Barclay Dodge, Mogador offers a fusion of Spanish and Moroccan cuisine. Dodge trained at the famous Michelin three-star El Bulli in Barcelona with chef Ferran Adria whom the NY Times called “The Salvador Dali of Food.” Each night a different amuse bouche (amuse the mouth) is brought to the table to start off the meal. We had the gazpacho and pistachio nuts with basil foam. This was tangy, light, and very refreshing. You can then order a little taste of many dishes from the tapas menu or a full entrée which, surprisingly, only cost between $20-$30. Some of the tapas selections include Moroccan brochettes of lamb with parsley, pine nuts, and currants or the sizzling prawns with garlic, chilies, and Spanish olive oil. We found everything to be delicious and the service was unsurpassed. Mogador is also the only restaurant in Aspen to offer a chef’s table right in the kitchen. For larger parties you can watch as the chef prepares the “ten commandments” which is really his version of a ten-course dinner. Care is taken to serve just a little bit of a variety of foods so that you can still walk down the street after dinner. According to Nicolette Dodge, the proprietor, “We serve modern Mediterranean cuisine with influences of Spain, Morocco and France. There is really nothing like this food in America. It’s a blend of new techniques and flavors that are unusual.” While Aspen will probably always be associated with celebrities and the wealthy, l discovered another side to Aspen with broad appeal. Here you can watch kids play in the jumping fountains on a brick-lined street, linger on a corner with locals eating melting gourmet ice cream, or simply treat your wife to a wonderful meal during a long weekend stay. Aspen is truly a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered by all. Resources: Aspen-Snowmass www.stayaspensnowmass.com The St. Regis Aspen www.stregisaspen.com 1-888-454-9005 The Sky Hotel www.theskyhotel.com Hotel Jerome www.hoteljerome.com 1-800-331-7213 Restaurant Mogador 970-429-1072 Copyright 2007 Ron Stern