Stonebridge Inn, A Destination Hotel

Situated on the Snowmass Village mountainside, Stonebridge Inn, A Destination Hotel has a staggered room layout that follows the slope of the hill and may seem a bit confusing at first. The lobby, which is actually on the fourth floor, has large sliding doors, stone accent walls, decorative antlers, black-and-white vintage photographs, and lodge furnishings. Similarly mountain-inspired decor is found in the rooms, with rustic wood furniture and wood accent walls. The slopes-accessible location, solid accommodations, and perks like free Wi-Fi and shuttle service (to Aspen Airport and around Snowmass Village) attract -- and win over -- couples and families. 

Stonebridge Inn sits a little below the Village Mall, which is the happening spot in Snowmass. It is actually one of the closest inns to the mall, at just a three-minute walking distance. The closest ski lift in Snowmass is a six-minute walk away. The drive to the Inn is up a long and winding mountain road, which in the winter can be a difficult trip, although it’s kept plowed.

Snowmass Village is a small town about nine miles outside Aspen. Snowmass has its own ski area with the most vertical feet of skiing in America, a large seasonal shopping mall (with coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment), and a shuttle system that runs back and forth to Aspen until late night. The Village Mall is basically the top of the Village, with most lodging and hotels laid out below it, down the hill.

As for getting to Snowmass, most travelers fly into Aspen Airport directly and forgo the four-hour drive from Denver, but flights are often delayed due to winter weather. The hotel is a 14-minute drive from Aspen Airport.

Stonebridge Inn's standard rooms are quite basic, but its Deluxe-level rooms and Suites have a good list of amenities, such as mini-fridges, 42-inch flat-screen TVs. All rooms have a rustic lodge-like look (most pronounced in the Suites), with furnishings like knobby wood bed frames, solid wood tables and dressers, and pinecone-printed chairs. Accents wall features diagonal wood planks and closets have wooden shutter doors. The abundance of wood is cozy, but it can also make the space feel dark. 

Bathrooms have tiled shower/tub combos and toilets squeezed into a rather small space, with granite vanity sinks located just outside the bathroom doors. The space is tight, and hard to get the door closed if you’re already in the bathroom. Suites have living areas, bedrooms (which can be closed off from the living space with a pull-across wall), and narrow bathrooms. Some suites also include balconies, which offer great views, especially from the sixth or seventh floors.

Stonebridge's proximity to the slopes is perhaps its biggest draw, but it also has a good number of features on site. The hotel's outdoor pool is open year round and has an adjacent whirlpools and a fire pit. The fitness center's double-height windows provide lovely views of the pool area and the surrounding scenery. The fitness center offers towels, yoga mats, and a water machine, and modern Precor cardio and weight-training equipment, with ellipticals, treadmills, and bikes with personal TVs. In-room fitness sessions are available through a third-party group, which also provides in-room massages and beauty treatments.

The Artisan, Stonebridge's renowned on-site restaurant and bar, sources local ingredients to create fresh, seasonal fare. The Artisan also offers an extensive wine list and local Colorado microbrews. There are two computers in the lobby for guest use, plus two meeting rooms totaling 2,500 square feet of space. Free shuttle service to and from the Aspen Airport and within Snowmass Village is provided. Parking is free in the summer, but costs a fee in the winter. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.