White Elephant Aspen Review: A Smart Pick for Families and Travelers Seeking a Low-Key Aspen Stay
Advisors love White Elephant Aspen for its multi-configuration suites, excellent dining, and prime West End location—here’s how to book it best.
White Elephant Aspen’s lobby sets the tone with contemporary art, sculptural furnishings and a residential feel. Photos: Courtesy of White Elephant
If you’ve had the pleasure of staying at White Elephant in Palm Beach or Nantucket, you know the boutique chain likes to make its properties feel like the embodiment of their respective homes, from New England’s classic Cape Cod architecture to Palm Beach’s tree-lined oasis. Now, with the opening of Colorado’s White Elephant Aspen, the brand is bringing that same lived-in feel in the mountains.
And live-in-it I did. When Mother Nature dictated that I stay an additional two nights last month due to weather delays, the White Elephant team made me feel welcome and like I was part of the family—especially when I came into the lobby for coffee in my White Elephant silk pajamas, like a regular Aspen Eloise. Each morning, I was greeted by name by front desk staff, porters, and valets alike, making me feel as though I wouldn’t ever wear out my welcome no matter how long I ended up staying.
Built on the site of the former Hotel Aspen, the property was reimagined by Boston-based Embarc with a renovation that took nearly four years to complete. The design pays homage to Aspen’s rich mining history while introducing modern architectural design. Throughout the property, as at the other two White Elephant properties, a multi-million-dollar curated contemporary art collection adorns the walls, showcasing works by iconic artists alongside emerging and local artists, including pieces commissioned from artists at the nearby Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
Located in the town’s historic West End, White Elephant avoids the overt heavy-wood clichés of classic mountain lodges in favor of clean lines, neutral palettes, and rich textures. The relaxed, yet refined aesthetic will appeal to both style-conscious travelers and families who opt for a low-key experience over the bigger resorts.
Here’s what luxury travel advisors should know about booking White Elephant Aspen.
Why Travel Advisors Book It
- While the hotel claims 54 keys, the hotel’s suite configurations can make it functionally just 34 rooms.
- The quiet, historic neighborhood, positioned on Main Street, offers a peaceful retreat that is still within easy walking distance of downtown Aspen’s dining and shopping.
- On-demand BMW local shuttle service simplifies ski transfers and access to downtown for clients without rental cars. Airport transfers are also available.
Rooms & Suites
The rooms range from king rooms to spacious suites, plus an exclusive multi-room penthouse—the 1,600-square-foot Ajax Penthouse—with a full kitchen and a 900-square-foot wraparound terrace. Rooms are designed with hardwood floors, custom carpets, and textured fabrics, and feature a layout that makes them feel like a private residential apartment.
For entry-level options, king rooms and twin bedrooms offer plenty of space. However, advisors should target the suites, which feature separate living areas, double vanities, and soaking tubs, ideal for longer stays. These suites come with either patios or terraces, perfect for unwinding after a day on the slopes or on the trail. During my time at the White Elephant, I mostly came and went through my patio, which offered direct access to the street. (This made making quick trips to the nearby supermarket a breeze—possibly a perk for families.)
Many of the rooms also include what White Elephant calls “luxury hideaways”, their term for a Murphy bed, which is concealed within the design of the room. Like the rest of the hotel’s bedding, these hideaways are made with the same exclusive, luxurious Ortho mattresses.
Food & Drink
The hotel’s culinary centerpiece, located within the lobby, is Lola 41, a chic bistro-meets-sushi bar, which can also be found at the Nantucket and Palm Beach hotels.
The menu here is nearly identical across locations, bridging globally inspired seafood, Asian specialties, and bistro favorites. The Tokyo tuna burger is a highlight alongside steak frites and a Mediterranean chopped salad. Other highlights include grilled salmon lo mein and Korean beef bulgogi. All should, of course, be enjoyed with a side of Pecorino truffle fries. For those taking advantage of a breakfast credit, the menu is more focused on classic egg dishes, such as a free-range omelet and steak and eggs. Fresh-squeezed juices and strong coffee are also available.
The buzzing indoor dining room opens to an extended shaded pavilion and heated outdoor patio, perfect for après-ski cocktails. The outdoor dining room is also adjacent to the pool, making it a great option for dining while the kids make waves.
Experiences & Amenities
The hotel balances quiet seclusion with direct access to Aspen’s best activities. On-property, guests gather around the courtyard’s heated outdoor pool and hot tub, which serves as a low-volume alternative to busier town lounges. Complimentary cruiser bikes are provided for exploring Aspen in the warmer months.
Rooms feature high-end amenities like Byredo toiletries, Dyson hair dryers, and Steamy brand steamers, along with nightly turndown service featuring bean-to-bar treats from local maker Pollinator Chocolate. Right next to the front desk, a boutique offers handmade ceramic dog bowls, signature mugs, and, of course, those custom silk pajamas, made by Petite Plume in an exclusive chalet-style print just for the White Elephant Aspen.
The concierge team works closely with local DMC partners to arrange bespoke adventures, including private ski instruction on Aspen Mountain, guided snowshoe tours, summer fly-fishing excursions, and private gallery walks through Aspen’s art district. All itineraries can be fully customized and locked in prior to arrival. If the hotel’s art collection appeals to your guest, the team can arrange a private tour of Anderson Ranch, the historic art commune in nearby Snowmass.
Wellness & The Spa
While White Elephant Aspen does not have a spa complex, its wellness offerings are well integrated. The property has a fully equipped 24-hour fitness facility with TechnoGym equipment, along with a heated pool and hot tub for muscle recovery after a day on the slopes.
For those looking for a more comprehensive spa experience, the concierge team can coordinate booking an in-suite massage and facial, or arrange priority access to premier partner spa facilities nearby. Private in-suite yoga and Pilates sessions can also be pre-booked for wellness-focused clients.
Family & Multi-Gen Appeal
Despite the sleek redesign, the White Elephant Aspen’s residential layout makes it surprisingly adaptable for families seeking a quiet base. The multi-bedroom suites provide full residential privacy, allowing parents and children to share a space comfortably.
The property doesn’t have a traditional kids’ club, but the concierge can arrange private childcare, family ski packages, and tailored off-property excursions like alpine coaster rides and guided nature hikes. Aspen’s flat, walkable neighborhood is exceptionally stroller-friendly as well.
White Elephant is also pet-friendly, with up to two dogs welcome for an additional $ 50-per-day fee. This includes a doggie turndown, custom plush beds, and local treats from Barks Gourmet Dog Deli. The hotel’s pet concierge can also recommend nearby walking trails, dog-friendly restaurants, and help book walking or grooming services.
Sustainability & Accessibility
Rooms are fully ADA-compliant, featuring roll-in showers, lowered fixtures, and wide doorways. The entire property, including the pool deck, lobby, dining areas, and courtyard, is step-free and elevator-accessible.
Location & Access
Located at 110 West Main Street, the hotel sits in Aspen’s serene West End neighborhood. It provides a quiet residential atmosphere that is just a few minutes’ walk from downtown boutique shopping, art galleries, and acclaimed restaurants like Betula and Sant Ambroeus.
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is located about four miles from the property, with transfers available from the White Elephant’s BMW shuttle service. The SUV service can also be used to travel within a 1-mile radius, including ski lift drop-offs at Aspen Mountain. Private SUV transfers to Eagle County (EGE) or Denver (DEN) can be easily arranged through the concierge.
How to Book Smart
Because White Elephant Aspen is effectively a 34-room hotel once its connecting configurations are accounted for, advisors should prioritize securing the right room layout. Families and groups should reserve their preferred suite or connecting configuration outright, especially during ski season and Aspen’s busiest summer periods, when the relatively small inventory leaves less room for last-minute maneuvering.
Also factor in what is already included in the rate: White Elephant charges no resort fee and provides complimentary ski shuttles in winter, bicycles in warmer months, and access to its year-round heated pool and hot tubs. Those inclusions can make the rate more competitive than it initially appears, especially for clients who would otherwise pay separately for local transportation.
