Aspen’s Design-Forward White Elephant Hotel Redefines Hospitality

Embarc Architecture and Interior Design Studio designed White Elephant Aspen to harmonize with the mountain’s heritage while also introducing refined contemporary elements. | Photo: Connie Zhou

Imagine that a friend with impeccable taste invites you to stay at their modern vacation home in Aspen’s West End. From the minute you walk through the door, you feel incredibly comfortable, like being wrapped in a luxe cashmere sweater. To welcome you to Aspen’s high altitude, your thoughtful host has placed water bottles in your room to prevent dehydration and mini oxygen canisters just in case. Even your dog feels special, with pet bowls crafted by local ceramist Less is More and treats made by local Barks Gourmet Deli.

After a perfect day hiking around Maroon Lake, you return to find your bed turned down and a locally made artisanal chocolate placed on your pillow. A bathrobe and slippers have been left in your spacious bath with specialty bath products. When you finally tumble into bed, you are enveloped in the most sumptuous bedding. Ahhhh.

The lobby welcomes guests with multiple conversation groupings. Lobby rugs are custom Stonehenge in New Zealand wool by Art + Loom; Ostrich Fluff sofa and Ombre Leather Fringe chair are by Ngala Trading. | Photo: Connie Zhou

Except you’re not staying at a private home. You’re at the new 54-room White Elephant in Aspen, from White Elephant Resorts, known for iconic properties in Nantucket and Palm Beach.

“Aspen shares many of the qualities that define Nantucket and Palm Beach;” says Justin Todd, managing director, White Elephant Aspen. “They’re all iconic destinations rooted in natural beauty, culture and a strong connection to their surroundings. Many White Elephant guests already travel between these destinations, making Aspen a natural extension and perfect fit for our first western outpost.

The hotel’s impressive art collection includes “Red Horse Blue Horse” by Robert Peterson in the restaurant. | Photo: Connie Zhou

Just minutes away from the mountain town’s Michelin-starred dining, designer boutiques and cultural scene, the boutique hotel is the newest addition to Aspen’s luxury hospitality offerings. Boston-based architecture and interior design studio Embarc was given carte blanche by the hospitality firm to create the alpine-chic property. In a town rich with historical architecture, the hotel makes a memorable first impression with its curved, modern metal-clad entryway amid the Victorian silhouettes.

The firm combined contemporary interiors created from colors and textures of the West—deep charcoal and saddle tones with tassled leather furnishings and stone surfaces—with destination-specific details like vintage skis and poles, resulting in a sophisticated mountain aesthetic.

Ski-and hiking-themed paintings by K Palm line an upstairs hallway. | Photo: Connie Zhou

Art plays a central role in the hotel’s decor, and a focal point in the lobby is the rotating photography of Maroon Bells by famed photographer Bob Tabor. In the elevators, hallways and guest rooms, more than 125 original works are showcased, curated by art adviser Emily Santangelo. Self-guided art tours take guests on a journey through the collection, from Alex Katz landscapes and Robert Peterson portraiture to special commissions from Orit Fuchs and British wunderkind Doodle Boy.

The light and airy guest rooms and suites, many with private outdoor terraces or balconies, contain luxurious porcelain tile flooring, blonde woods, and such textural elements as horsehair and rustic stone mosaics. Accents include hand-painted lamp shades, embossed leather headboards, resin coffee tables and oil-rubbed bronze
light fixtures, all set against a palette of Aspen whites and cognac tones.

In the living room of the expansive Ajax Penthouse, a cozy fireplace made of Durango Stone Perl Blanc Split-Face limestone takes center stage. | Photo: Connie Zhou

For guests traveling with an entourage—or simply needing more space—suites include the three-bedroom, 1,560-square-foot Ajax Penthouse—with a fireplace, a chef’s kitchen, spacious dining and living areas, and a mountain-view terrace outfitted with comfortable seating and a fire pit.

Alternatively, the two-bedroom, three-bath West End Suite, at 1,050 square feet, features a fireplace, roomy living area and a furnished terrace. Another option is the two-bedroom, 870-square-foot Highlands Suite, with two king bedrooms, three bathrooms and a comfortable lounge—perfect for inviting guests to stop by for a drink. The top suites enjoy a dedicated in-suite games library by Arhaus.

From the suite’s bedroom, guests enjoy the views of Ajax Mountain. | Photo: Connie Zhou

Lola 41, the brand’s signature restaurant (also located in the Massachusetts and Florida properties) features a global menu and decor inspired by destinations along the 41st parallel from Japan to Nantucket, including coins in the bar top from many of the countries.

To assist guests in designing their White Elephant stay, the front desk team is on hand to create a personalized itinerary. For adventurers inspired by the lobby’s Maroon Bells photos, fall is a spectacular time for a hike amid Aspen’s foliage—one of the hotel’s special experiences (see sidebar). Other offerings include guided fly-fishing in Aspen’s Roaring Fork River—with autumn’s cooler temperatures bringing brown trout preparing to spawn.

The speakeasy’s entrance is hidden behind antique ski displays. | Photo: Connie Zhou

What better way to end an active day than with a swim in the pool, a soak in the hot tub or sipping a glass of wine in front of the fire pit? For those who feel the effects of the high altitude, guests have VIP access to Aspen health and recovery studio Base State Longevity, offering IV drips, red-light therapy, a hyperbaric chamber, saunas and cold plunge.

The White Elephant embraces its name with signature details, from a brass elephant protruding from the face of the lobby desk to elephant knockers embellishing guest room doors. “The name dates back to the original White Elephant hotel on Nantucket in the 1920s. When socialite Elizabeth T. Ludwig began developing the harborside property, locals jokingly referred to the ambitious project as ‘Mrs. Ludwig’s white elephant,’” says Todd. “The nickname endured, becoming the hotel’s name today and growing as a brand through our expansion to Palm Beach and now Aspen.”

The art over the elegant speakeasy bar is “Dorthy Dandridge” by Robert Peterson. | Photo: Connie Zhou

You may not want to leave, but never fear, you can bring a piece of the White Elephant home with you. Adjacent to the reception area, as you check out, you’ll find a line of silk PJs, robes, nightgowns and sleep masks with a custom chalet print made in collaboration with Petite Plume.

And if you’d like to recreate the incredible sleep you experienced, it may be impossible to transport Aspen’s fresh air but you may purchase the resort’s beautiful Pratesi linens, complete with embroidered elephant insignia, including a collection of firm and soft pillows, a lush duvet cover, and even a cushy mattress pad, available on the hotel’s website.

Exterior terraces, balconies and communal spaces were designed with materials treated to withstand snow, sun and mountain temperatures throughout the year. | Photo: Connie Zhou

Maroon Bells Hike

Some of Colorado’s most photographed mountain peaks, the iconic Maroon Bells are known for the mirrored reflection in the lake. | Photo: Mike DiRenzo/Adobe Stock

The Maroon Bells are the iconic twin peaks above Maroon Lake, offering a breathtaking backdrop for amazing photographs and scenic hikes as the autumn foliage turns to gold and red. From the Maroon Bells visitor center, guests have the option to stroll around the lake or tackle a more challenging hike to 10,000-foot-high Crater Lake.

A few tips for the trip:

• Visiting Maroon Bells is easy with the help of the White Elephant Aspen front desk staff. They’ll make the required reservation and purchase tickets ( $16
  per adult and $10 for seniors/children ) for the shuttle to the trailhead. After the hike, guests are transported by the hotel’s shuttle service from the Aspen Highlands Welcome Center back to the hotel. 
• The bus from Aspen Highlands Welcome Center to the Maroon Bells Trailhead departs every 15 to 20 minutes daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-May through late October. The last bus leaves Maroon Bells promptly at 5 p.m. so don’t be late! It’s a long walk down: eight miles.
• For the best photos of the Maroon Bells reflected in the lake, you’ll want to arrive early in the morning; also you’ll avoid crowds that way. The trails begin to get crowded later in the morning.
• Bring water, sunscreen and snacks; none are available at the trailhead—however, there are bathrooms there.
• For an easy stroll, the 2-mile walk around Maroon Lake is perfect for taking photos and for families. For those with a good level of fitness, the 3.6-mile Crater Lake hike takes about three hours round trip. Hiking poles are helpful. Though the path is often steep and rocky, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views.