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In a Colorado mountain town where 19th-century brick buildings and antler chandeliers are the norm, a stay at modern Aspen Meadows Resort, on 40 sprawling acres just outside downtown Aspen, is a delightful change of scenery for visitors — and locals.
To celebrate my June birthday with a close-to-home getaway, my husband and I motored 30 minutes up the highway to spend a night at the luxury property. It had been a while since I’d attended an event at the hotel, and I was delightfully reminded just how pretty its grounds are — especially in the warm-weather months.
Aspen Meadows Resort also has an excellent on-site restaurant, stellar mountain views, and 98 suites that underwent a total refurbishment in late 2022. Here’s the scoop.
Historic Hotel on Art-Filled Grounds
“Historic” in Aspen typically often means the era of the silver-mining heyday in the late 1800s. The Aspen Meadows Resort, however, was built in 1950, when Walter Paepcke, founder of the famed Aspen Institute, commissioned architect Herber Bayer to design a hotel on a quiet — but large — parcel of land on the west end of town.
A proponent of modernist Bauhaus architecture and design, Bayer wove modern art and architectural elements throughout the green meadowed property. Today, guests can walk on recreation trails past large marble sculptures and other artwork as they stroll the grounds. In fact, campus trails hook up with the Rio Grande Trail, which stretches from Aspen 42 miles to Glenwood Springs.
The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies opened in 2022, giving visitors more insight into the influence of Herbert Bayer on Aspen. Admission is free and open to the public.
Recently Refreshed Rooms
Aspen Meadows Resort unveiled a total refurbishment of all of the guest suites — which range from Aspen Junior King Suites to Deluxe Two Bedroom Suites — in late 2022. Previously, rooms hadn’t been updated since 1990.
Rooms showcase the primary colors of blue, red, and yellow in a nod to the Bauhaus aesthetic, while furniture includes mid-century modern Saarinen tulip tables and Bertoia bird chairs. I appreciated our suite’s roomy living area; sleek kitchenette with a bar sink, microwave, and refrigerator; and plentiful cubbies and wall hooks — which might be especially helpful in the ski season for storing and drying gear.
Elevated Dining at Plato’s
Plato’s restaurant occupies a brilliant location overlooking Castle Creek and is surrounded by mountains. The spacious deck offers some of Aspen’s very best restaurant views.
The seasonal, fine-dining menu here is all about the use of fresh ingredients for inspired dishes that might range from oysters and venison tartare to Alaskan halibut and Colorado lamb loin. There are plenty of yummy vegetarian options, too.
The Bottom Line
Aspen Meadows Resort is a 5-minute drive, 8-minute bike ride, or 20-minute walk to downtown Aspen. But that shouldn’t deter you from booking at the stunning resort. In fact, I think it’s a great plus to retreat to the serene sanctuary after a day of shopping, shopping, or skiing among Aspen’s tourist crowds at the height of the summer or winter season.
Eco-friendly, electric shuttles run regularly to downtown Aspen (and the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport), and bikes are available to borrow. It’s not hard to access all the shops and restaurants, and activities that Aspen offers.
All guests have complimentary use of bikes and access to a health center with a lap pool, pool deck with lounge chairs, hot tub, steam rooms, and fitness center.
Room rates vary by season and availability. An Aspen Junior King Suite can run as low as $255 when you book off-season (for example, mid-October) at the resort website. You can also compare rates and make reservations at Expedia, Priceline, or any other online hotel booking site.
Hotel review and photos by Colorado-based travel writer Kara Williams. Aspen Meadows Resort hosted her stay. As always, all thoughts and opinions are her own.
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