Situated at the base of Aspen Mountain with ski-in/ski-out access, the W Hotel & Sky Residences boast dramatic views and design elements that seamlessly blend today’s hip W aesthetic with historic references to the Ute Native Americans, the 19th century silver mining boom and the Aspen counterculture of the 1960’s. The result is an eclectic combination of the unexpected.
Swirling carpet patterns in public spaces are inspired by fabrics of the Ute Indians. The second floor Living Room has a suspended DJ booth with silver finishes recalling the silver boom, and light fixtures that mimic miners’ headlamps. The underground bar and grotto, 39 Degrees, evokes the Red Light District of Durant Street of old, with rich velvets, a red palette and a Victorian bordello flair. Signature W pillows are inspired by the iconic artwork of Thomas W. Benton and a Gabriel Alcala mural depicts the Aspen landscape through the lens of Bohemian era excess behind the bar.
“At check-in, wooden desks evoke the Rocky Mountain landscape through stacks of wood contoured to mimic the mountain terrain, adorned with intricately detailed terrariums with figurines that showcase seasonal Aspen activities from hiking to skiing,” said Anurag Nema, principal and co-founder of NemaWorkshop, the hotel’s interior designer. “A mural by the artist Gaia anchors the space, featuring contemporary interventions on the classic Rocky Mountain landscape painting.” Nema explains, “The 1960’s and 70’s were a special time for Aspen. It was a center for the counterculture youth—Hunter Thompson, the father of gonzo journalism, lived and ran for sheriff, the great John Denver wrote songs about Aspen, which fueled the mountain town’s popularity during the time period. Actually, many big celebrities moved and built iconic houses during the ’70s. Think Barbi Benton’s dream house. These out-of-box designs became the symbol of ’70s hedonism.”
There’s no shortage of hedonistic comforts throughout the 88 guestrooms, 11 W-branded residences, four WOW suites and one Extreme WOW suite that converts to one, two or three bedrooms. Guestrooms have ski chalet elements with rustic wood finishes, sloped rooflines and a fireplace-inspired mini-bar. Each guestroom features pit and platform lounge seating that’s intended to be a nod to the 60’s. Select rooms have quad-queen bunk beds that accommodate eight. The two-bedroom Extreme WOW suite features a central fire pit, a hot tub open to the living area, a circular bed on a pivoting platform and a DJ booth for anyone wanting to relive ‘Groovy 60’s Glamour.’ For après ski, the WET Deck is Aspen’s only year-round, all-weather, public rooftop bar with heated pool, hot tub, fire pits, cabanas, full bar, dance floor and DJ booth. Read more in Inspire Design.
The Sky Residences at W Aspen offer shared ownership with 11 W-branded two and three-bedroom residences located slope-side on Aspen Mountain. Owners have access to a private roof deck spa, lounge seating, BBQ grills, outdoor kitchen and fire pit. Owners enjoy all of the amenities and services at W Aspen, including in-residence dining and STYLE housekeeping services; WHEELS valet service; FUEL® state-of-art fitness facilities; two WET® Deck pools; and W’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service promise, which provides residents and hotel guests alike with whatever they want, whenever they want it. W Aspen was designed by NEMAWORKSHOP, Aspen-based architects Rowland + Broughton, and Marriott’s design team.
In an article featured in the September 2020 issue of “Colorado Real Estate Journal“, John Sarpa, Co-Developer of the resort states,“The Rowland+Broughton team went over and beyond to deliver an outstanding project, in a prominent location at the base of Aspen Mountain, that respects the historical context of the community.” Bray Whaler could not have been more pleased to be a collaborator on this beautiful alpine resort — the first new boutique hotel to be built in Aspen in over twenty years.
What are you waiting for? W Aspen & Sky Residences
