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The well known ski town, Aspen, Colorado is the perfect escape for any mountain loving couple or family. The following is a recap of my relaxing getaway to Aspen and my wonderful experience at Hotel Jerome!
A little over a week ago, my husband and I took a mini vacation to Aspen, Colorado. We always try to do a little getaway around this time of year to celebrate our anniversary. Previously we’d gone to Vail, which is only about an hour and a half outside of Denver. This year though we trekked a little further (about 3 hours from Denver) and made our way to Aspen. We’ve had a mild fall here in Colorado so far, so I was hopeful that some of the fall leaves would still be hanging on. I am happy to report that my wish came true! About 10 miles outside of Aspen you started to see all the beauty of the golden leaves. A lot of the aspen trees had already dropped all their leaves, but there were still plenty to admire. I can only imagine what it looked like a couple weeks earlier, breathtaking would be putting it mildly.
If you’re unfamiliar with Aspen, Colorado here’s a few highlights. It started as a mining camp during the Colorado Silver Boom and later obtained it’s name Aspen from the abundance of aspen trees found throughout the area. Aspen sits at an elevation of 7,890, which is something to consider if you are coming from an elevation closer to sea level. The thin air can definitely have an effect on tourists, but with a little preparation and not trying to over do things your first couple days there, you’ll be fine. Aspen has a population of about 6,700 people. The setup of the central part of town where you will find all the amazing restaurants, shopping, and of course skiing is very walkable. We didn’t have to drive anywhere in town which was very convenient. The high temperatures in Aspen average in the mid 60’s to upper 70’s during the summer to early fall months and then mid 30’s to mid 40’s during the winter. Obviously Aspen is most known as a ski resort town, but if that’s not your thing or you won’t be visiting in the winter there is still so much to do. Between all the hiking, biking, shopping, and eating, there is no way you will find yourself bored.
Now that you’ve got the gist of Aspen, let me tell you about where we stayed. Whenever I travel somewhere I often look for hotels that have a historical aspect to them or something charming and unique. Hotel Jerome fit all of those wants on my wish list and then some.
The Hotel Jerome is often referred to as the “crown jewel” of Aspen. It’s beautiful red brick structure was built in the 1880’s and is considered one of the city’s landmarks. It sits on Main Street and is perfectly situated amongst all the shops and restaurants. While this is definitely a luxury hotel (it is part of the Auberge Resorts Collection), it has a relaxed vibe about it and you feel welcomed and comfortable the minute you arrive.
Hotel Jerome’s decor is stunning. It’s everything you expect a luxury mountain ski lodge to be with a touch of modern and a nod to Aspen’s historical roots. The hotel houses one restaurant and two bars. During our stay we had the pleasure of dining at J-Bar (more about the food and drink there in my next segment) as well as enjoying an evening of cocktails at the cozy Living Room.
Unfortunately the hotel’s featured restaurant Prospect wasn’t open for dinner during our stay, I guess that means we’ll just have to go back and indulge in some of their delicious creations another time.
Hotel Jerome generously upgraded our room to a junior suite and I about fell over when I walked into the beautiful room. On top of being spacious, the room had floor to ceiling windows that boasted views of the beautiful patio, pool, and ski slopes. The bathroom was spacious and stocked with luxurious all natural soaps and hair products. There was even a separate soaking tub to relax in after a day on the slopes or a hike at the Maroon Bells.
The room was equipped with a mini bar that was stocked with delicious gluten-free treats and an array of beverages. The first round of drinks and treats was complimentary which I found to be a generous gesture. Also in the mini bar cabinet was a lovely Nespresso machine and coffee to help get you going in the morning or to enjoy late at night with the delicious brownie from the mini bar. In case you’re visiting for business or just need to catch up on work, there is complimentary internet in each room, don’t spend too much time working, you’re in Aspen and it’s a time to relax!
With all the food indulgences I wanted to make sure I got my running and weight lifting in. The hotel has a nice fitness center with bikes, treadmills, eliptical machines, yoga equipment, TRX bands and a full set of free weights. If the weather is nice, head out on one of trails near the hotel for a run, walk, or bike ride. The hotel staff is extremely knowledgable and can direct you or even drive you to them.
Another indulgence that Hotel Jerome boasts is their spa. I had the opportunity to get a facial here and it was phenomenal! The atmosphere is completely relaxing, you feel comfortable and welcomed from the moment you arrive, and the staff is both skilled and knowledgeable. The woman who gave me my facial was warm, friendly and I truly appreciated her not making me feel inferior with some of the questions I asked as this was my first facial. The products used on my skin were glorious smelling and I didn’t feel any discomfort or irritation from them. Following my treatment my skin was as smooth as baby’s skin and glowing. I didn’t even bother with makeup for the rest of the day because my skin had never looked or felt better!
While our stay in Aspen was short, I left Hotel Jerome feeling refreshed and relaxed. The hotel staff couldn’t have been more accommodating and helpful during our stay, offering up their favorite places to eat and visit. You can tell that the people there enjoy their jobs and love Aspen. I can’t wait to return and continue to learn more about this gorgeous mountain town, indulge in more of the fabulous food they have to offer, and enjoy another relaxing stay at Hotel Jerome! Keep an eye out for my next post on Aspen, when I’ll be sharing some of my favorite places we ate at and our amazing hike at the Maroon Bells!
Hotel Jerome generously provided me with a discounted stay at their hotel, a complimentary dinner, and a spa treatment. All opinions about Hotel Jerome and Aspen are of course my own.
