Stonehill Taylor has partnered with Limelight Hotels to complete a comprehensive renovation of the brand’s flagship property in the heart of downtown Aspen.
Standing at around 100,000 square-feet, the project encompassed all public spaces, including the lobby, lounge, meeting rooms, pool and fitness areas, as well as the restaurant and bar, in addition to the 120 guest rooms and six suites.
The brief was to create a fresh, light, and welcoming environment that would pay homage to the location’s dynamic past and vibrant present. The design is inspired by Aspen’s legacy as a place of innovation, with references to the discovery of silver and the subsequent use of ski lifts that made silver mining the city’s main industry, putting Aspen on the map.
The design also reflects the beautiy of the hotel’s natural surroundings, notably the “Silver Queen” – the appearance of a reclining woman’s profile on the ridge of Aspen Mountain. The “Silver Queen” remains an important part of local mythology, and Stonehill Taylor has ensured that this narrative manifests itself in graceful, layered textures and organic forms.
The interiors have an industrial and modern yet playful spirit, reminiscent of an upscale chalet. The artful treatment of natural materials, coupled with metallics and pops of bright colour, firmly grounds the resort in a contemporary aesthetic. The palette is a neutral mix of earthy wood tones and lively accents that reflect the dynamism of the mountain lifestyle.
Guests enter the property through a combined reception and retail space showcasing apparel and branded items. Amber-tinted glass, brushed bronze, and whitewashed oak create an atmosphere reminiscent of the golden glow of the sun setting over the mountain. A wooden beamed ceiling and a pair of walnut reception pods are juxtaposed with grey silver-toned tiled flooring. Collectively, these design elements convey a refined aesthetic.
To the left of the lobby is the living room space, complet with dining and lounge furniture. Bright pops of colour are found in the upholstery and lamps, while blackened steel frames the fireplace. Overhead are custom chandeliers hanging from a walnut wood ceiling.
The bar, which features metallic herringbone tiles, overflows into the restaurant and lounge area. With a copper-hued metal storage display unit and copper pendant lighting, the bar is awash in warm tones. The array of metallic finishes, which also include splashes of silver, tie back to the history of Aspen and the discovery of silver. Beyond the extended lounge is a new amenity of a kid’s club with bursts of magenta, blue, and lime green. The meeting rooms are carpeted in a bright blue pattern with wood finishes throughout the space.
The feel of a modernised ski lodge extends into the typical guest room. The bed, draped with a plaid blanket, is backed with a fully upholstered headboard and offset by nightstands and pendant lighting. White oak and walnut furnishings create an elegant effect, and each room has a collection of curated artwork. Tucked in a corner of the roomis a table flanked by banquette seating and a lounge chair for working or dining. Layered lines lend the carpet a three-dimensional quality, evocative of a snow flurry.
A built-in kitchenette features a black Smeg refrigerator and a porcelain-tile backsplash and countertop. A sliding barn door opens to the bathroom, where large-format porcelain tiles and brushed champagne-hued hardware have been used to keep the design clean, simple and elegant. A floating cantilevered shelf in whitewashed oak sits under the sink.
In addition to the guest rooms, there are four different suite types: a penthouse suitewith two bedrooms,two bathrooms, a fireplace, and a terrace; a casita suite; two Aspen suites; and two cathedral suites.F urnishings and finishes pull from the guest room selections but add an extra layer of luxury and sophistication, with fabrics such as bouclé and plush faux fur.
All suites boast a full customised kitchen, in addition to a separate living room space. Stonehill Taylor previously renovated the Limelight Hotel in Snowmass Village, Colorado, using a similarly branded design language that the company plans to integrate into other locations in California and around the country.
