The first thing I noticed upon our arrival was the exceptional service provided. As we pulled into the circular driveway, a gentleman immediately approached us and asked for our name. He showed us where to park and said he would give our name to the Front Desk so they could begin the check-in process right away. By the time we parked, unloaded the family, and walked over to the Front Desk, they already had our keys, a property map, and an Aspen map ready for us. Afterward, the same gentleman who greeted us showed us to the parking area near our lodging and met us there with a bell cart for our luggage. This level of service was consistent throughout our stay with every staff member we encountered, whether in person or over the phone. When I'm away from home in an unfamiliar place, great service is essential for me to truly feel comfortable and enjoy myself. They focus on authentic service in which all guests are treated like family, and it shows.
Aspen is about a four-hour drive from our home, but since Siri didn't know that Independence Pass is closed in the winter ... and neither did we ... she misdirected us and our drive ended up taking more than five hours (don't make the same mistake we did ... stay on I-70 and take Exit 116 toward Glenwood Springs). By the time we arrived, I was more than ready to relax! The Gant offers three levels of condominiums: Standard, Deluxe, and Premier (ours was a 3-Bedroom Deluxe and it was very luxurious). All levels include daily housekeeping, valet parking, concierge and bell service, complimentary in-town transportation, complimentary high-speed wi-fi, a free digital subscription to the New York Times during your stay, full kitchens, a living and dining area, and a balcony or patio. But the best part is that The Gant is one of the few places in Aspen that also has a real wood-burning fireplace in every condo (and wood-burning fire pits at both pools) ... and they even supply the wood! We made good use of this, making s'mores inside our condo one night and adding a little romance to our evening on another night.
Our 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom condo was very spacious and comfortable. The bedrooms were quite large (even bigger than ours at home), and each had its own television and an attached bathroom. The fully-stocked kitchen had everything we'd need for meal prep and clean-up and was roomy enough that my husband and I could both be working in there together without bumping into each other. The living area had a flat-screen TV, DVD player, and a great couch that easily fit us all, even with half of lying down! All the comforts of home in a luxurious setting! We enjoyed some very active days followed by leisurely nights where we could literally kick back and put our feet up!
2-Bedroom Deluxe Condo
Once you check in, you won't need your car again till you leave. Shops, restaurants, a grocery store, and the Aspen Mountain gondola are all walking distance. For those times when you don't want to walk for one reason or another, the free shuttle service runs from 7:00 AM-11:00 PM every day. The offer a "Skier Shuttle Service" daily from 8:00-10:00 AM and 3:00-5:00 PM, when the shuttle loops continuously from The Gant to the Aspen Mountain Gondola and Ruby Park, where you can catch the free bus to Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands.
The Gant has two outdoor pool areas with hot tubs and fire pits. In the winter, the pools are heated to approximately 85℉ and the hot tubs are set at 102℉. There is something especially fun about swimming outside when the snow is piled high on the ground! We had a pretty full schedule but still managed to squeeze in a dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub one afternoon. The pool was not overly large, pretty standard-size for a hotel and ranging from 3' to 6' deep ... just right for my boys to burn off some more of their never-ending energy. And the pools are salt water, not chlorine-treated ... better for sensitive skin and sensitive noses too!
The Molly Campbell Conference Center underwent major renovations, remodeling, and upgrades last summer and the result is simply gorgeous. It's the perfect place for a wedding or a business conference. Some of its best features are:
- A fitness center with free weights, a weight machine, treadmills, exercise balls, and more
- A rooftop terrace with a stunning 360-degree view of Aspen, Smuggler, and Red Mountains as well as Independence Pass (where I would want to hang out all day during the summer)
- Pepperjack's restaurant, which is a grab-and-go restaurant for breakfast or lunch (think breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, salads, sandwiches, and soups)
- A bar and lounge area ... all the specialty drinks are named after favorite Aspen ski runs
- Changing facilities and bathrooms that lead out to the pool areas
Disclosure: I was provided three nights lodging for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was given.
