Aspen, United States
The Little Nell: Aspen’s only Forbes Five-Star ski-in/ski-out luxury hotel at the base of Ajax Mountain with 20,000-bottle wine cellar
Positioned directly at the base of legendary Aspen Mountain (Ajax) in downtown Aspen, Colorado, The Little Nell opened in 1989 as Aspen’s only ski-in/ski-out luxury hotel. Holding both Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond designations, the 92-room cosmopolitan alpine retreat was designed by Hagman Yaw with contemporary mountain chic interiors by Champalimaud. Balancing glamorous Rocky Mountain adventure with relaxed sophistication, the property features roaring stone fireplaces, private ski concierges, heated outdoor pools, and one of the most celebrated wine programs in the Americas with over 20,000 bottles.
Arrival introduces travelers to effortless Aspen mountain luxury: personal ski concierges greet guests, warm ski boots, tune skis, and arrange lift tickets directly at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating alpine and mountain pursuits: private First Tracks access to ski untracked morning powder on Aspen Mountain before the public, snowcat powder tours on Aspen Mountain’s backside, snowshoeing to the Pine Creek Cookhouse, luxury shopping in downtown Aspen (steps away), and reserving dinner at Element 47.
Resort wellness and dining are world-class: the heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs sit directly at the mountain base framing ski slopes. Dining spans Colorado-inspired fine dining at Element 47 (boasting 20,000 wine bottles and multiple Master Sommeliers), lively slope-side bistro dining and après-ski at Ajax Tavern, and cocktails in the Living Room.
Accommodations comprise 92 rooms, junior suites, and specialty suites ranging from 45 to 115 square metres. Each residence features contemporary mountain decor, gas log fireplaces, private balconies framing Aspen Mountain or downtown, king beds with Fili D’oro linens, and marble bathrooms with heated floors and deep soaking tubs.
Ski purists, wine collectors, and luxury travelers seeking true five-star ski-in/ski-out access in Aspen, legendary wine cellar tastings, and slope-side après-ski should book The Little Nell without hesitation. Travelers seeking quiet budget cabins or secluded desert warmth should look elsewhere. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.7 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 1,120 reviews and a 4.6 out of 5 on Google across 890 reviews.
First day
- Arrive in downtown Aspen via complimentary house car and step into the warm fireside lobby.
- Check into your mountain-view suite, light your gas fireplace, and meet your Ski Concierge.
- Dine on Colorado wagyu beef paired with cellar wines at Element 47.
What guests say
Hotel Flock Score
Outstanding
Based on 1.2k published ratings
Category breakdown
Guests Love
Unbeatable Ski-in/Ski-out Base
Guests love walking directly from the ski concierge onto the Silver Queen Gondola, with boots warmed and skis waiting.
Forbes 5-Star Service & Wine
Reviewers consistently praise the 20,000-bottle wine cellar, delicious food at Element 47, and lively Ajax Tavern.
Guests Warn
High-Energy Winter Scene
Visitors note that Ajax Tavern is a vibrant après-ski hub in peak ski season.
Downtown Aspen Footprint
Travelers love being steps from Aspen’s boutiques, galleries, and dining.
The overall score is a review-count-weighted average of named public platforms, normalized to /10. Category scores — including cleanliness and location — are Hotel Flock editorial readings of those reviews, not a platform's private formula. Hotel Flock is not affiliated with Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Trivago, or any other review site.
Awards & Recognition
Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star
Forbes Travel Guide
AAA Five Diamond Ski Landmark
AAA
In the stay
- Dedicated Ski Concierge service with ski storage, boot warming, and gondola transit
- Complimentary airport transfers to/from Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) and town house cars
- Daily gourmet breakfast and high-speed wireless internet throughout the hotel
Usually extra
- –First Tracks early morning ski access and private snowcat powder tours
- –The Spa at The Little Nell Dr. Barbara Sturm facials and private sommelier cellar tastings
Good to Know
- The Forbes Five-Star hotel features 92 rooms and suites at the base of Aspen Mountain, designed by Hagman Yaw and Champalimaud.
- Aspen’s only ski-in/ski-out hotel; includes Element 47 (20,000-bottle cellar), Ajax Tavern, and dedicated Ski Concierge.
- Located in downtown Aspen, a 10-minute drive from Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) via complimentary house car.
Editor's Note
Book an Aspen Mountain Suite for direct ski-slope views and a gas log fireplace, and experience the First Tracks program to ski pristine untracked powder before the mountain opens.
Reviewed by Hotel Flock · Last updated September 2026