Art and Culture Influence the Stylish New Design of the Mollie Aspen Hotel

In the casually chic bar, Crump & Kwash stools stand beside concrete panels with a ziggurat detail, and vintage De Sede leather armchairs join vintage Ligne Roset Sandra sofas. | Photo: Nicole Franzen

Good golly, Mollie Aspen is a stylish place to stay. Named in honor of Aspen’s historic Mollie Gibson Mine, the 68-room boutique hotel draws on a rich vein of design excellence to create a soothing luxury lodge in the heart of the much-loved mountain town. “That legacy felt like the perfect foundation, paying tribute to Aspen’s original spark of ingenuity, community and progress,” says general manager Austin Luckett. “Just as the mine helped shape Aspen’s cultural and economic rise, we aim for Mollie to be a catalyst for connection, creativity and thoughtful hospitality.”

Designed by Basalt-based CCY Architects, with interiors by Brooklyn’s Post Company, Mollie Aspen evokes  a strong sense of place. “The design is, in part, inspired by the Bauhaus presence brought to the town by Walter Paepcke and his wife Elizabeth during the 1940s to help implement their vision of Aspen as a special community organized around art and culture,” explains Ruben Caldwell, Post Company partner. “Mollie’s essence is an homage to this illustrious period of art and cultural influence in Aspen.”

The boutique hotel has a warm atmosphere focused on natural materials and handcrafted details. A vintage Paavo Tynell Starry Sky ceiling lamp lights the entrance. | Photo: Nicole Franzen

Anchoring the corner of Main and Garmisch, the hotel borders a residential neighborhood while offering easy walking access to the delights of downtown. The hotel’s wood siding and vertical window openings harmonize with the neighborhood’s Victorian homes, while its bricks echo the city’s commercial buildings and surrounding mountains. “It responds to and respects Aspen’s history but at the same time is quite modern,” says Todd Kennedy, partner at CCY Architects. “Through spare detailing, clean lines and the use of simple geometric forms, we worked to recall the Bauhaus preference for minimalism and simplicity.”

Since this is Aspen, the hotel is seriously sophisticated yet outdoor-friendly, and the Mollie style of luxury is laid-back and unfussy. “The spaces reflect a quiet confidence and a commitment to the reduction of excess,” says Caldwell. “Geometric lines harmonize with natural materials like warm woods, earthen ceramics and hand-dyed textiles to create an atmosphere that feels both grounded and refined.”

The lobby welcomes guests with a crackling fire and cozy sophistication. Vintage Mario Marenco armchairs in cognac leather provide comfortable seating beside a vintage Roger Capron coffee table, with a vintage Tuareg mat. | Photo: Nicole Franzen

The lobby, dining and café area is curvy and cool, with a burl wood reception desk and a stunning bar inlaid with sculptural concrete panels. Add gridded wood ceilings, a cozy fireplace and vintage seating by Cassina, De Sede and Ligne Roset, and it’s a particularly relaxing atmosphere for lingering. In fact, the convivial hotel regularly hosts cultural programs ranging from fireside chats to creative workshops and live music performances.

Staying at Mollie is like visiting the home of your most design-discerning friend. Guest rooms feature elevated touches including matte-black tiled showers with Waterworks fixtures, Fellow electric kettles, Neem wool throws and custom hand-knotted wool rugs. For guests who fall in love with items they discover during their stay, the lobby boutique offers a chance to snap up snuggly Coyuchi robes and Maison Balzac carafe sets, along with exclusive Mollie-inspired collaborations, including cashmere blankets by Hangai Mountain Textiles, handmade Era ceramics and Kit Santa Fe silk bandannas.

The lobby-adjacent café area features a curved, stained oak bar with a fluted detail and concrete countertop. The custom communal table is by Post Company, lit by a Callisto pendant by Garnier & Linker. | Photo: Nicole Franzen

Awarded one Michelin Key in 2024, Mollie welcomes locals and travelers alike. “It’s a place where you feel both inspired and expected, whether you’re warming up by the fire, enjoying the spa pool on the rooftop, or taking in the mountain views from your room,” Luckett says. “The hotel invites guests to slow down, reconnect and feel truly present in their surroundings.”

With clean lines and simple geometric forms, the hotel harmonizes with the surrounding neighborhood. | Photo: Draper White

With knockout mountain views, the roof terrace offers a tempting hot tub and plenty of space to revel in the fresh air and sunshine. | Photo: Mountain Home Photo

Calm and relaxing, the guest rooms at Mollie exude an understated luxury and natural comfort, with gridded wood ceilings and large windows to capture the views. | Photo: Nicole Franzen