Family-Friendly Lodging Guide
Where to stay when you have the whole family in tow.
By Catherine Lutz
August 16, 2022
August 16, 2022
Any parent knows that traveling with children is no small feat. From planning an age-appropriate vacation to avoiding the travel-day “hangries” and scheduling activities that keep the littles busy and well-rested, there’s a lot to consider—especially if parents want to enjoy their time away, too. Key to making everyone in the fam happy is choosing family-friendly accommodations: a hotel or condo in a good location, with kid-friendly amenities, whose staff goes the extra mile. There are plenty of properties in Aspen Snowmass that check all the family-friendly boxes—here are a few of our top recommendations.
Limelight Hotel Snowmass
Open since just 2019, the Limelight Hotel Snowmass was designed with families in mind. The rooms are large with fresh, playful artwork. Amenities include two outdoor pools with plenty of poolside seating (plus cabanas and a fireplace), a five-story climbing wall with routes for different ages and abilities, and a kids’ room with toys, books, and even arcade games. The location can’t be beat: in the heart of Base Village, just steps from the Elk Camp Gondola and Village Express chairlift, it’s also walking distance (and a short ride up the brightly colored “Skittles” gondola) to plenty of restaurants and shops, and has dedicated underground parking with direct elevator service into the hotel. Also, right out the front door is the Collective, an event and activities hub—think bingo and chess nights, educational talks, live music, and the huge, diverse Game Lounge—and the village plaza, which hosts lawn games and other activities in the summer (and transforms into a free ice rink in winter). With its spacious in-house restaurant serving breakfast through dinner and plenty of seating options, the Limelight Snowmass is an ideal home base for families, and the icing on the cake is its friendly, accommodating staff who often leave personal touches to their service.
Limelight Hotel Aspen
Prefer to stay in Aspen? The Limelight Hotel Aspen has many of the same advantages for families, including large rooms (that were recently renovated), a pool and hot tubs, attentive staff, and a great downtown location—just across from roomy Wagner Park with its popular year-round playground, and near the main bus terminal (which, among other destinations, is convenient for free bus rides to three of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains; Aspen Mountain is within easy walking distance). Speaking of transport, in addition to its fleet of cruiser bikes, the Limelight will shuttle guests to and from the airport and around town—a nice option for families with small children. Other family-friendly perks? The hotel’s laid-back vibe, a pizza menu that pleases kids and adults, and plenty of services—including just-for-guests Limelight Adventures.
Viewline Resort Snowmass
Newly opened in early 2022, the Viewline Resort Snowmass has something for everyone in the family. Ideally located at the mountainside end of the pedestrian Snowmass Mall, this is Snowmass’s original ski-in, ski-out hotel, with an array of shops and restaurants just steps from your room—including three eateries on the property itself. Opening Thanksgiving 2022, a kids’ club keeps young guests (ages 5 to 12) occupied with board games, arts and crafts, books, and a PlayStation—all under state-licensed supervision—while parents do their own thing, such as relax and enjoy treatments at the on-site spa. Licensed babysitters can also be arranged through the hotel concierge. The whole family can enjoy live music in the lobby each evening, along with hot cocoa or juice, depending on the season. Adjoining rooms offer options for families, as do suites with ample living space.
The Gant
In Aspen, families love staying at The Gant, a collection of 140 individually owned, centrally managed condominiums on five tranquil acres just east of downtown. The on-site recreation amenities are what elevate this property: Two full outdoor heated pools, one adjacent to the in-house casual dining café (which has some of the best pizza in town) and another tucked away in the center of the complex—both with plenty of lounge chairs and shade that invite hours of relaxation. Racket games for the whole family are possible on five tennis courts (three are clay) and four pickleball courts. The uniquely designed condos—from one to four bedrooms—are comfortable and well-appointed, and transport services include a skier shuttle that runs to Aspen Mountain and the central bus station as well as a free bike-share station right outside the property.
Crestwood Condominiums
If a condo is a better home away from home, there are some excellent options. Welcoming guests since 1969, the Crestwood Condominiums in Snowmass meets families’ needs and desires to a T. Spacious units come in multiple configurations—including some with lofts—and three rating categories that cater to different styles and budgets. Whip up family meals in the full kitchens with modern appliances or on the barbecue on your balcony—staff will even do your food and liquor shopping for you. The ski-in, ski-out location, just uphill of both base lifts, makes for a convenient lunch or pit stop during the ski day, and the slopeside ski and boot storage (along with on-site rental and tune shop) minimizes shlep time at the beginning and end of the day. Other pluses: Complimentary laundry facilities, heated pool and three hot tubs, and daily housekeeping.
Aspen Square
The Aspen Square condo-hotel offers the best of both worlds. “Fireplace studios” make up the majority of the 101 units, which comfortably sleep four in a king bed and queen sleeper sofa, have fully equipped kitchens, and as the name implies, boast wood-burning fireplaces. (Options for larger families or for those that would like to spread out include 23 two-bedroom, two-bath condos as well as a handful of units ranging from one to three bedrooms.) Aspen Square is centrally located one block from Aspen Mountain, adjacent to the grocery store, and convenient to everything downtown Aspen has to offer (free parking is a plus). And, yes, there is a pool.
Recommended Aspen Snowmass Hotels
From luxurious lodges to cozy condos, find the perfect accommodations for your next Aspen Snowmass vacation.