The Little Nell

About The Little Nell

By the ULTIMATE Ski Resorts Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

The Little Nell opened in 1989 on the site of Aspen’s original silver mine, at the foot of Aspen Mountain and steps from the Silver Queen Gondola. It is a ski-in/ski-out hotel with a recently renovated spa, a heated pool, two restaurants, two bars and two speakeasies.

At the foot of Aspen Mountain

The Little Nell stands at the base of Aspen Mountain, in the centre of town and a few steps from the Silver Queen Gondola. It opened in 1989 on the site of Aspen’s original silver mine, and the hotel puts its approach simply: warm luxury with an independent streak. The ski concierge handles everything from lobby to lift, and airport transfers and around-town shuttles are included for guests.

The Spa

The Spa at The Little Nell calls itself the region’s only ski-in/ski-out spa. Newly renovated by Luis Bustamante Interior Design, it has three treatment suites with private changing rooms and steam showers, two of them with a hybrid infrared and halotherapy sauna. The menu follows three pathways, among them altitude remedies and active adventure recovery, with recovery rituals that start in the infrared sauna, compression and muscle-stimulation sessions, and facials with the Colorado skincare line ISUN. This winter the celebrity facialist Georgia Louise returns for a residency.

Warm luxury with an independent streak, in the hotel’s words, at the base of Aspen Mountain.

Outside, a heated outdoor pool, hot tubs and saunas wait for the end of the ski day, and the fitness centre next to the spa has Woodway treadmills, Peloton bikes and Technogym equipment, with Pelotons delivered to your room on request.

Rooms and suites

Guest rooms face the town or the mountain and average 600 sq ft, with premium rooms of 650 sq ft and balconies. One-bedroom suites run to about 800–860 sq ft, and six Luxury Suites, named after the personalities who made Aspen, measure 1,250 sq ft and upwards in an “Aspen Modern” style: the signature Little Nell Suite has 1,450 sq ft and two wrap-around balconies, and the largest hotel suite reaches 2,500 sq ft above the gondola. The Residences at The Little Nell, next door, add full kitchens and their own rooftop pools.

Eating and drinking

Element 47 is the signature restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with an all-day bar menu, backed by Master Sommeliers and one of the most celebrated cellars in the mountains; private cellar tastings and dinners can be booked. Ajax Tavern, slopeside at the base of the mountain, is the classic Aspen après, its sunny patio visible from halfway up the hill and its Wagyu double cheeseburger a local favourite. The Wine Bar is an intimate fireside room for rare pours by the glass, and in-room dining runs around the clock. Element 47, Ajax Tavern and The Wine Bar are open to non-residents, and reservations are recommended in winter.

Ski and winter adventures

For hotel guests, First Tracks puts you on freshly groomed Aspen Mountain runs before it opens to the public, and the Powder Cat heads to the mountain’s backside for untracked snow. The concierge can also arrange babysitting.

Our advice: ask for a Mountain Side room with a balcony, book a recovery treatment after your first day at altitude, and reserve Ajax Tavern for lunch on the patio.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Little Nell before you go.