The Little Nell is the hotel people think of when they think of Aspen: laid-back and luxe.

Cookie-cutter or an imitation. This one's the real deal.

The only real ski-in/ski-out hotel in Aspen, The Little Nell is in the heart of downtown, just 15 boot-clad steps to the Silver Queen Gondola. Expensive boots, most likely: This a home-away-from-home for jetsetters, which means the staff is extremely well-trained, courteous and able to anticipate needs and meet demands. The latest renovations at The Little Nell, rounded out the edges of the rugged, rustic decor, making it more suitable for the contemporary cafe society. The 92 rooms have a blue and cream color scheme, leather furniture, modern art and fireplaces, nearly all rooms at The Little Nell have vaulted ceilings and balconies with views of the mountain or picturesque downtown Aspen. Element 47 offers comforting, farm-to-table fare, while a team of sommeliers tends to the 20,000-bottle wine cellar. The adjoining bar, The Wine Bar, and Ajax Tavern’s sun-drenched mountainside patio are the hotspots for après-ski.

Note: The property is closed mid-April to mid-May.

You want quick access to the slopes—and expect your skis waxed, your boots warmed and your martini ice-cold.

Exhausted from the day on the slopes, you lean back on a patio chair, the sun warming your tired bones. A waiter drops off your truffle fries and asks if you were able to find the trail he'd clued you into that morning.

Element 47 - Colorado contemporary cuisine emphasizing local wagyu beef, house-made pastas and seasonal produce

Ajax Tavern - apres-ski restaurant open for lunch, dinner and cocktails offering classic bistro fare

The Wine Bar - lounge-style ambiance with an award-winning wine program

The Living Room - intimate setting offering wine and a sampling from Element 47's bar menu