W Aspen and Sky Residences: A Bright and Bold Colorado Mountain Escape

By Megan Norris
August 3, 2020
5 Min Read

The recently opened W Aspen and Sky Residences is a youthful, vibrant and modern chalet just steps from both the base of Aspen Mountain and downtown Aspen, Colorado — a great starting point to experience all Aspen has to offer families in both summer and winter. Its exciting atmosphere helps underscore the sense of a true mountain escape for guests, while the variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, the engaging onsite activities and the bold decor combine for an enjoyable stay.

Family-Friendly Review of the W Aspen and Sky Residences

Location

Less than 10 minutes from the Aspen/Pitkin Airport, the W Aspen and Sky Residences (apartment-style units on the hotel’s third and fourth floors) are tucked on the edge of downtown right at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola. There is no need for a car, as all the boutique shops and restaurants are just a few minutes’ walk. The hotel offers complimentary BMW transportation within the city limits as well as a shuttle to and from the Aspen airport.

Creative Accommodations

Given the many different types of configurations like the Sky Residences, Stacked Queen Rooms and Bunk Rooms, the property can easily accommodate multigenerational groups, a gaggle of teens, smaller families and more. It features 88 rooms with connecting options and 11 two- and three-bedroom residences. Bunk rooms are available with either two or four queen (yes, queen!) bunk beds; each has its own TV to suit different viewing preferences.

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Each Sky Residence is equipped with a washer and dryer, a dining table that seats eight, a full kitchen and a balcony. A dedicated residence concierge team helps with all trip needs, including grocery shopping, babysitting requests and ski rentals. The entire property is pet-friendly with no limits on size or weight.

Heated rooftop pool with great mountain views

Onsite Activities

The W Aspen provides fun and different activities that teens will especially love. E-bikes and mountain bikes beckon you to enjoy the miles of bike paths and trails nearby. The W Insider Activity, available to all guests, is a complimentary One-Wheel rental and lesson that’s a big hit with families. An evening game of shuffleboard in the Living Room restaurant before dinner is a must.

The heated rooftop pool and hot tub are open 24 hours and boast beautiful mountain views. The wet deck is especially nice for enjoying the sunset with pre-dinner snacks. During our visit, it was serene and quiet on the rooftop. However, there is a DJ booth — exciting for teens, but worth noting if you are looking for a mellow pool scene.

Townie food truck in front of the W Aspen

Dining

My favorite dining option at the W Aspen is the Townie food truck that parks out front. Open from 11:30am – 7:30pm, it provides a menu of small bites, sandwiches and smoothies. It is the perfect grab-and-go option for families. Other dining options include the Living Room with an outside terrace and the rooftop poolside bar and grill. Menu options are varied with lots to please kids and adults; veggies with hummus, smoothies and sliders were our favorites.

Amenities

The hotel is not family-focused per se and doesn’t have specific amenities for children. However, we found the property to be very family-friendly and welcoming. There are reading nooks scattered throughout the hotel, creating a cozy feel for kids. The staff can provide a crib for families traveling with babies and toddlers plus help with babysitting services on request. A convenient seasonal ski shop offers equipment rentals.

Hiking Maroon Bells- the most photographed mountains in North America

Local Sightseeing and Excursions

There is plenty to do in and around the town of Aspen. Access abounds to all kinds of outdoor activities, including stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, fly fishing and biking. The Maroon Bells Wilderness Area, with hiking for all abilities, is a must. Downtown Aspen features a variety of parks where you can enjoy a picnic and playgrounds for smaller children.

Nearby Snowmass Mountain offers an alpine coaster, a rock climbing wall and a challenging treeline adventure course for all ages and skill levels. If you have a fear of heights, this course will really push your limits!

The winter season brings an equal number of outdoor adventures. Besides Aspen Mountain, three other ski mountains lie within a few minutes’ drive, offering varied terrain covering a wide range of abilities. Skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating and snow biking are all available for adventure-seeking families.

Families Should Know

While the W Aspen and Sky Residences welcome kids, there are a few considerations. The rooftop and living room do have DJ booths and consequently, could get rowdy on the weekends. However, we did not experience this during our stay. Although it can accommodate small children, the property works best for families with older kids and teenagers seeking a value-oriented luxury retreat in Aspen.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family vacation ideas and accommodations in Colorado on Ciao Bambino

Get our top picks for kid-friendly ski vacations

5 reasons we love skiing in Colorado with kids

Rocky Mountain-style fun in Denver with kids

Megan received a hosted stay to review the W Aspen and Sky Residences for families. As always, our opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by Megan Norris and the W Aspen.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.

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By Megan Norris

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1 Comments

Tanya Raedeke says:

4 years ago at 11:49 am

What a great place to stay, especially with older kids and teens – looks so fun! And the hikes in the Aspen area are stellar – what can beat the Maroon Bells? We love so many great hikes in the Aspen-Snowmass area.

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