Over the last decade there has been a proliferation of hotel-branded, serviced apartments in Aspen. The first on the scene was the Ritz Carlton Club at Aspen Highlands, completed in the early 2000’s. Since then the St. Regis, the Little Nell, and the Hyatt have all added serviced apartments to their facilities. Other Colorado resorts have also added serviced apartment accommodation options, such as the Ritz at Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek. This expansion is part of a global trend. In Asia “26 per cent of the hospitality sector is made up of serviced apartments”1, and the rest of the world is not far behind.
Serviced apartments are apartments available for short term stays, which are fully furnished with hard and soft furnishing and which include cleaning and other hotel type services. In Aspen these services generally include concierge services, housekeeping, ski valet, bell staff, room service, and shuttle services. Those serviced apartments which are associated with a hotel guarantee the same quality of services expected from the brand, as well as access to the hotel’s facilities. Unit options in these hotel-branded serviced apartments range from studios to 4 bedroom condominiums.
The benefits of staying in a serviced apartment include more space and privacy, convenience when travelling with a family, and being able to cook one’s own meals. They can also serve as a place to entertain friends, or relax in the privacy of one’s own living room. Often the total cost of accommodation for a family comes out to be lower than booking rooms at the associated hotel, even before taking into account the potential savings from cooking one’s own meals.
So next time you are planning your family’s Colorado ski vacation, take a look into the serviced apartment options available. What can beat the comforts of home with the services of a top-notch hotel?
If you already have decided you want to rent an apartment for your coming Aspen vacation, get in touch with real estate and lifestyle guru Gareth Williams of Aspen Snowmass Real Estate. Aspen Snowmass Real Estate specializes in luxury apartment lodging in Aspen, and has access to the very best rates at all of the mentioned locations. You can book from his website at https://www.gwillproperties.com/ or email gareth@gwillproperties.com.
To read more about the global trend in serviced apartment accommodation, visit Serviced Apartment News: https://www.servicedapartmentnews.com/
What are serviced apartments, you ask? : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serviced_apartment
1: Sell, George: Growing pains: defining the serviced apartment sector and mapping its future: [https://www.servicedapartmentnews.com/home/features/2013/11/8/growing-pains-defining-the-serviced-apartment-sector-and-mapping-its-future/] November 8, 2013
About the Author:
Andrew Aldercotte is an instructor and instructor trainer for the Aspen Ski Schools, and the director of SKAðI. He is a travel and adventure enthusiast. You can contact him at skadi@smartmountain.net