White Elephant Aspen Is Open. Here's What We Found First.

White Elephant Aspen officially opened on June 15, 2026 and our very own Alpenglow Partner Jessie Scott was one of the lucky few to experience the property firsthand, prior to opening to the general public. Here's her firsthand insights on the property and what not to miss!

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A New Name on a Familiar Street

White Elephant has been a fixture on the East Coast with its much-loved hotels in Nantucket and Palm Beach but White Elephant Aspen stays true to the the brand's signature boutique luxury feel, bringing its warm, design-forward aesthetic and elevated service to the Rockies. The hotel marks the brand's first move into the mountains, and the team kept the scale tight: 54 rooms and suites at 110 West Main Street, a few blocks from Paepcke Park and an easy walk from the gondola. Jessie's read after a few days on property: it reads more like a well-run boutique hotel than a big-box luxury build, which tracks with how White Elephant runs its Nantucket flagship.

The building sits in the West End neighborhood of Aspen, close enough to easily walk to the lively center of town, but far enough off the main drag to feel reasonably calm in high season. and far enough off the main drag that the rooms facing the back stay reasonably calm in high season. Insider tip - ask for a room facing the back, or side street if street noise is a concern.

The interiors lean into the mountain setting without losing East Coast polish: natural wood paneling, leather accents, and stone mosaic work run through the public spaces and guest rooms alike, with incredible locally-inspired art layered in throughout.

The Rooms Worth Booking

The room ladder runs from a straightforward King Room up through the Ajax Penthouse, and the jump in value is not even across the board.

• King Room or Luxury Hideaway — fine for a short trip where you're not spending much time in the room, but the bathrooms are sized for efficiency rather than lingering.

• King Suite — the better entry point. Town view or mountain view, with a separate living space , complete with a queen-sized luxury hideaway bed)and a second bathroom, perfect for families or those seeking a bit more space. Insider Tip: If extra space is important to you, consider booking an accesible room.

• Highlands Suite — two bedrooms, three baths, views over Main Street and Paepcke Park, and a real kitchen. It can connect to an adjoining King Room for groups that need a third bedroom.

• West End Suite — A great option for a group of four to six. Two living rooms, four bathrooms, a dining table for eight, and views that take in both Main Street and the ski slopes.

• Ajax Penthouse — the splurge. A three bedroom, four bathroom, fully decked-out penthouse with a 900-square-foot balcony, and panoramic views of Aspen Mountain. The value is there for those seeking an unforgettable residential experience, complete with top-notch resort amenities.

Jessie's take: unless you are interested in one of the specialty suites, the King Suite is the sweet spot at White Elephant Aspen. It offers noticeably more space to spread out vs. a standard room, with a separate living area that makes longer stays, or brining the kids along, much more comfortable.

Service That Still Feels Boutique

What stood out most to Jessie during her stay at White Elephant Aspen wasn't the amenities, but the people. The hospitality felt genuinely warm, authentic, and eager in a way that's increasingly rare. Every interaction felt personal, from the front desk team to valet to housekeeping, with staff consistently looking for ways to make guests feel welcome rather than simply checking boxes.

For a hotel in its opening weeks, the service felt remarkably polished. The team anticipated needs before guests had to ask, whether that meant arranging dining reservations in advance, offering thoughtful local touches at turndown, or simply taking the time to have a genuine conversation. Many team members have experience at other luxury mountain resorts, but what came through most was their enthusiasm and pride in bringing White Elephant to Aspen. The result is a hotel that feels less like a new opening and more like a property that's been welcoming guests for years.

Lola 41°, Dining Inspired by Nantucket

Dining at White Elephant Aspen centers around Lola 41°, the beloved Nantucket restaurant's first mountain outpost. The menu is approachable and crowd-pleasing, with everything from sushi and seafood to one of the best burgers in Aspen. The restaurant and adjacent speakeasy-style bar were already drawing plenty of locals, which is always a good sign for a newly-opened hotel restaurant in Aspen. If you're planning to dine there during your stay, I'd recommend making reservations in advance. For guests who would rather stay in after a day on the mountain, the full in-room dining menu is available from the same kitchen.

What's Actually Included

One detail Jessie especially appreciated: White Elephant Aspen doesn't charge a resort fee. Instead, the hotel includes several thoughtful touches that genuinely enhance the guest experience, including a complimentary grab-and-go breakfast station each morning and a nightly happy hour with wine, beer, and light bites for guests to enjoy. Combined with amenities like the ski shuttle, bicycles, house BMWs, and year-round pool access, it makes the overall value feel surprisingly strong for Aspen and refreshingly transparent compared to many luxury resorts that add a daily resort fee.

The property is also pet-friendly in a way that goes past a checkbox: a maximum of two dogs per room (a fee applies), plus doggie turndown, plush dog beds, ceramic bowls, and treats from Barks Gourmet Dog Deli. The concierge team will line up dog-friendly trails and restaurant patios on request, and can arrange walking, sitting, or grooming for an additional fee.

Getting to the Mountain

This is the honest part. White Elephant Aspen is not ski-in/ski-out, but it does provide a complimentary winter shuttle to the slopes, along with a ski lounge, private lockers, and a boot butler service that has your boots warm and dry before the shuttle leaves each morning. Aspen counts four mountains under its umbrella — Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass — and it's worth knowing upfront that the hotel shuttle only covers three of them - Snowmass requires its own arrangement, which the concierge can set up for you.

For a traveler who wants to walk out the door and click into skis, this isn't the right base. For a traveler who wants a downtown address, a restaurant worth staying in for, and a five-minute shuttle ride to the slopes, the tradeoff makes sense.

Insider Tips for Booking

A few notes Jessie's passing along to anyone we send to White Elephant Aspen this season:

• Book Lola 41° before you arrive. The bar is already drawing a local crowd, and walk-in tables aren't guaranteed.

• If street noise is a concern, request a room set back from Main Street rather than relying on floor level alone. If you just want a King Room, but are looking for some extra space, consider booking an accesible room.

• The West End Suite is the better value than the Ajax Penthouse for groups of four to six — you're paying for square footage in the penthouse, not for extra bedrooms.

• Pack for the shuttle schedule. The first run fills fast with skiers chasing first tracks on Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, or Buttermilk.

• Traveling with a dog? Mention it at booking rather than at check-in, since the pet amenities get arranged ahead of arrival.

• Ask the concierge about the Aspen Saturday Market or the Aspen Music Festival and School calendar before you lock in dates — either one can shape which week makes sense.

• Don't miss the complimentary grab-and-go breakfast station each morning, and the nightly lobby happy hour with wine, beer and light bites for guests.

Beyond the Hotel

Jessie spent part of the stay scouting what to send clients toward once they're off property. In summer, that's the Maroon Bells for the trailhead views everyone's seen in photos, the Rio Grande Trail along the Roaring Fork River for an easy bike ride on one of the hotel's complimentary bicycles, and the Silver Queen Gondola up Aspen Mountain for a high-alpine afternoon that doesn't require boots. The Aspen Music Festival and School runs concerts from late June through August, the Wheeler Opera House has a full calendar of its own, and the Aspen Saturday Market is worth timing a free morning around. Anyone visiting in June should also check the calendar for the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, which draws chefs and crowds well beyond the hotel guest list.

In winter, the obvious move is to split time across Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk using the hotel's shuttle, and to leave room on the calendar for the Aspen Art Museum and Anderson Ranch if a weather day comes up.

Who Should Book This

White Elephant Aspen is an excellent fit for travelers who appreciate boutique luxury - a hotel that feels stylish, intimate and approachable. If you'd rather stay somewhere that feels personal and relaxed than see-and-be-seen, White Elephant strikes that balance beautifully.

Those seeking extensive resort amenities, ski-in-ski-out access, or a more traditional luxury experience may be happier at some larger hotels in Aspen, but for travelers who prioritize spacious accommodations, a walkable location, thoughtful amenities, and genuine hospitality, White Elephant Aspen is one of the most compelling new additions to Aspen's hotel scene.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When did White Elephant Aspen open?

The hotel opened on June 15, 2026, after an earlier target date of February 2026 was pushed back. It's the White Elephant brand's first property in the Rocky Mountains, following its long-running Nantucket and Palm Beach properties.

Is White Elephant Aspen ski-in/ski-out?

No. The hotel sits at 110 West Main Street in downtown Aspen and runs a complimentary winter shuttle to Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Snowmass isn't on the shuttle route.

How many rooms does it have?

54 rooms and suites, ranging from a King Room up to the multi-bedroom Ajax Penthouse.

What's the dining like?

The signature restaurant is Lola 41°, a Nantucket import serving a globally inspired menu — sushi, Mediterranean plates, handcrafted pasta, and a foie gras-topped burger that's become the table favorite. A speakeasy-style bar sits alongside it.

Are there resort fees?

No. White Elephant Aspen advertises a no-resort-fee policy, with Wi-Fi, pool and hot tub access, the fitness room, and nightly turndown included in the room rate.

Is it pet-friendly?

Yes, up to two dogs per room for a fee, with dog beds, bowls, treats, and a pet concierge who can arrange walking, sitting, or grooming.

What's the best room for a group?

The West End Suite, which sleeps six across two to three bedrooms with two living rooms and a dining table for eight. For a couple wanting the most dramatic view, the Ajax Penthouse's 900-square-foot balcony faces Aspen Mountain directly.

How far is the hotel from the airport?

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is a short drive from downtown; the hotel's concierge can arrange transportation, and valet parking is available for guests driving in. Airport transfers are included as an added benefit when you book your stay through Alpenglow Travel.

For further insights and recommendations, reach out via info@alpenglowtravel.com to get exclusive perks, plus VIP benefits added to your stay.