The Little Nell

I had a reservation booked for the week of September at the Little Knell and was really looking forward to visiting. I am currently about one month and two weeks into recovery from a heart ablation procedure. During a recent follow-up exam, my cardiologist discovered another related issue that requires immediate surgical intervention. As a result, I will not be able to travel to Colorado or stay at the Little Knell as planned. I called the hotel and spoke with a customer service representative, who informed me that I would not be eligible for a refund for my cancellation request, as there is no fixed cancellation policy. According to the representative, cancellations are only possible if requested 30 to 90 days prior to the reservation date. It was certainly not my intention to require another heart procedure—much less for it to be scheduled during the exact week I was meant to enjoy Aspen and my stay at the Little Knell. However, given the circumstances, I would prefer to prioritize my health. You only get one heart—best to keep it functioning as well as possible. I provided medical documentation to the hotel to verify that my cancellation request was due to a legitimate medical emergency—something entirely out of my control. Despite this, the hotel representative informed me that I had passed the cancellation window and therefore would not receive any refund. The total cost of my reservation was $3,700. I am incredibly disappointed that hotel management refuses to recognize a verified medical emergency (supported by documentation) as valid grounds for cancellation and refund. If you’re planning to book a stay at the Little Knell, please be aware that any unexpected emergencies or life events—no matter how serious—may not be considered acceptable reasons for cancellation unless they occur at least 30 to 90 days in advance. Additionally, if you search for the hotel’s policies, there is no clear cancellation policy listed. As of September 10, 2025, I am providing a screenshot of their “Policies” page, which still does not show any cancellation policy.

My mom and I just spent 4 nights at The Little Nell and it exceeded our expectations! From our airport pick up to our airport drop off, everything was wonderful. The staff is so kind and friendly. They are willing to help with anything. The room was spacious and very comfortable. There’s ample closet and storage space and the bathroom (especially with the two sinks) is so nice. I found the beds to be very comfortable, as well. I loved the design of the hotel - it is very modern yet still feels warm. The coffee in the mornings is a nice touch, which I’ve found many hotels do not do anymore. I spent a few afternoons at the pool and it is so relaxing with beautiful views. Element 47 has a fantastic breakfast. I loved every minute of being there! Can’t wait to visit again.

We stayed at The Little Nell for a few nights at the end of ski season. As first-time visitors to Aspen, we chose the hotel for its ski-in-ski-out access and five-star reputation. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of expectations. On the day we checked in, my husband and I (both Asian) stopped by Element 47, the hotel’s lobby restaurant/bar, for light drinks and snacks. When we approached the host stand, the Hispanic male host with facial hair told us he was prioritizing “house guests.” Confused, I asked if he meant hotel guests. He confirmed, and I clarified that we were indeed staying at The Little Nell. The fact that he assumed otherwise without asking made us feel uncomfortable and singled out. Given the hotel’s predominantly white clientele, it felt like an assumption rooted in how we looked. No guest should ever be made to feel out of place based on their appearance. Beyond that unfortunate encounter, the overall service lacked the warmth and attentiveness one would expect at this price point. Front desk staff were polite but cold. On the third day of our stay, the hotel conducted loud rooftop maintenance to remove ice, but failed to notify guests. My husband had injured himself snowboarding and needed to rest that afternoon, but the noise was unbearable. There was no advance warning - no written note, no verbal mention, nothing. Had we known, I would have found him a quieter place to recover. But still, at over $1,000 a night, you’d expect to comfortably enjoy your room at any hour. When we shared our feedback on the issues above with the manager on duty the day we checked out, his response was, “How do you want to be compensated?” That lack of accountability was disappointing and not at all in line with what we expected from a luxury resort. Overall, The Little Nell felt overrated and underwhelming. Staff training, especially around cultural awareness and guest care, needs serious improvement. Next time we visit Aspen, we’ll be staying at Hotel Jerome instead.

Very rude bartender inside Ajax tavern My wife & friend ordered a glass of wine, from Colin - inside bar - glasses had lipstick on it & she nicely pointed it out. His reply, “well that’s the lip stain you women wear, it was washed thru the glass washer machine “ totally unacceptable, !! she asked for a new glass & begrudgingly, he gave her one We’ve witnessed this too much this season w the bartenders & their entitled rudeness We realize they get very busy & are very patient (unlike other guests) but to be so rude is not the service you expect to receive a little Nell hotel outlet She asked for her cc & Colin stated he didn’t have it - not the policy - which is true After looking incessantly for it , she asked again & yes!! He had kept it - again NO apology!!

We just wrapped up a long weekend here during mud season. We had issue with the heat in our room which the staff quickly tried address and ended up moving up to the Roch suite. It was very generous and unexpected. From the time we arrived until we left the hospitality was top notch. The suite was fanastic and loved the fireplaces and balcony. The bed was a Bryte ‘smart’ which had variable firmess and interesting, soft rolling motion feature. Very comfortable ! Mini bar was stocked and all non- alcoholic beverages were complimentary. You can arrange for free airport transport. We ate Element 47 for breakfast (vegetable scramble was soooo good) and Ajax Tavern. Both were good. There is 24 room service, but the late night menu is light but nice to have the option. The hotel is within walking distance of everything, including the Rubey Transit location where you can catch a clean and free bus to Aspen Highlands Plaza to get the Maroon Bells shuttle. This hotel may not have the unique, location specific vibe of the Hotel Jerome ( our second choice and I recommend the J -Bar there), but we really wanted a fireplace and balcony and we loved our stay at the Little Nell. Thank you !