When you think of scheduling an Aspen, Colorado vacation, your mountainside dream may include a see-and-be-seen hotel lobby environment and a heart-of-town location that puts you within strolling distance of stylish après-ski bars and reserve-well-in-advance dining establishments. But enable us to reframe that Rocky Mountains vision for a minute: How would you feel about an architecturally stunning resort that’s only a mile-and-a-half from the Aspen Mountain gondola, however feels so stashed that rather of the buzz of the downtown scene, you hear practically absolutely nothing during the night? That’s precisely what you’ll get at Aspen Meadows Resort, a historical home going through an identity-defining restoration.
To really understand the attraction of this majestic 40-acre retreat in Aspen’s west end (did you understand Aspen has a west end?), you need to tuck into a bit of its history.
Aspen Meadows was built in the 1950s as the accommodations for the Aspen Institute complex, which industrialist and philanthropist Walter Paepcke revealed as a non-profit liberal arts school in 1949. Bauhaus architect and artist Herbert Bayer changed Alpine farmland into a dynamic arts-and-culture destination. The austerity of the architecture, developed in the Bauhaus design with sharp lines and bursts of primaries, offers an amazing juxtaposition to the natural splendour of the home– the enormous slopes of the Rockies and the slim towering reach of the Aspen trees.
Since these early days, it’s established a reputation as a relaxing hideaway with a gorgeous architectural and artistic footprint. But over those years, the majority of the folks who would stay in the roomy all-suite Aspen Meadow Resort were mainly conference guests or tourists participating in the Institute’s variety of scholastic, cultural, and arts programs. Couple of leisure visitors from out of town knew much about Aspen Meadows.
In 2015, nevertheless, the Institute tapped Salamander Hotels & Resorts to introduce a new era of Aspen Meadows. “While Aspen Meadows has actually definitely been an iconic home for years, even iconic homes require refreshing,” said Justin Todd, Aspen Meadows’ basic supervisor.
Which much-needed refresh started in 2022, in the nick of time for the 2022-2023 ski season, when a number of the 98 suites (spread across 6 structures), from the studios to the two-bedroom systems, were holistically upgraded to satisfy the demands these days’s mountain holiday seekers.
When it initially opened about 70 years back, these suites were cloaked in knotty blonde wood. Now, a more modern design language constructed around Bauhaus’ structural minimalism specifies the interiors. “I like to describe the spaces as Bauhaus-inspired with a modern aesthetic,” Todd stated of the intense colors and warm wood layers. Striking ornamental components– from the round pendant chandeliers to the lacquered brilliant blue side tables– include a lot more visual interest.
However the most compelling parts of this restoration are the functional improvements that modern-day tourists will enjoy. For instance, as an outcome of these modifications, there is in-room air-conditioning for the first time ever. Storage for ski boots and other gear– another brand-new facility– has been constructed into the redesign. And for the resort’s Institute guests, comfortable work areas remain crucial details of every suite. Even with all these upgrades, one very critical thing continues. “Our all-suite product remains amongst the largest in Aspen. That hasn’t changed,” Todd stated. Usually, suites here measure 600 square feet. “Guests are going to be impressed with how easy it is to operate in these spaces, dine, spread out, and store all their gear.”
The goal, after all, is to make Aspen Meadows a full-on resort experience. Bentel & Bentel Architects, who worked on the Yale Club and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar in New York, are in charge of reimagining the main dining establishment without compromising one of its significant benefits: It’s the only dining room in town with full views of every ski mountain in Aspen.
Released for the 2023-2024 winter, West End Social is an absolutely new addition to the Aspen Meadows experience. Here, chef de cuisine Rachel Saxton and executive pastry chef Sara Figueiredo take Colorado ingredients through an international trip of flavors: wagyu tartare spiked with Gochujang, bison hamburger patties stuffed into hearty pretzel rolls, and fresh pasta made by hand daily. Even the après-ski experience here, which features an excellent outside area with unblocked views of the Rockies, has been refreshed to make it more competitive with offerings in Aspen.
The heated outside lap pool with views of the Rockies is already a major draw for both visitors and regional members. “We are in the really early phases of preparing a world-class health center with standard medspa offerings enhanced with robust programming to include workshops, cooking classes, and weekend retreats,” he reveals. Speers stated rugged adventures such as biking, assisted walkings, and fly fishing along the Roaring Fork River are some of the activities they’re hoping to present in the future.
And the 2022 opening of the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, a gallery dedicated to Herbert Bayer’s unbelievable portfolio of imaginative work (from advertising posters to abstract paintings to tufted fabrics), has helped breathe brand-new life into the residential or commercial property. When the planned development is fully rolled out, the resort will definitely offer more than it does now while still maintaining the serene nature-first environment that has made it a remarkable standout in the Aspen hospitality scene.
” This [new] vibe is precisely what Walter Paepcke would call the Aspen Idea: a balance of mind, body, and spirit,” Speers said. “We want our guests to be able to engage their minds in the amazing art and programs on campus, revitalize their bodies in Aspen’s mountains, and revitalize their spirit with thoughtful hospitality, scrumptious food, and connection with others.”