Spectacular colors, deals in Aspen this fall

Fall isn't just great time to visit Aspen to admire the kaleidoscope of colors exploding across the valley.

It also provides an affordable opportunity to kick back in style and soak in the area's pampering hotels.

A suite at the Viceroy Snowmass

For just $95 a room, Colorado residents can spend a night at the luxurious and new Viceroy Snowmass, which its marketing team calls “one of the top leef-peeping spots in the West.” The price includes parking. The Spa at Viceroy Snowmass is also offering 25 percent savings on all of its services. And if you want an upgrade to a one-bedroom suite, the friendly folks behind the desk can arrange that too.

The Snowmass location is the first one in the mountains for Viceroy Hotel & Resorts — a chic lodging brands with offerings in Anguilla, Beverly Hills, Maldives, Miami, Palm Springs and Santa Monica. It opened in November 2009 and made Condé Nast Traveler's 2010 Hot List.

Or if you are a Colorado resident, the five-star Little Nell, situated at the base of Aspen Mountain and just steps away from all of town's vices, is selling rooms for $139 a night plus taxes and fees.

The legendary Hotel Jerome also has a special for in-state residents: $125 a night. The Hotel Jerome is Aspen's oldest hotel where men like John Wayne and Hunter S. Thompson once saddled up to the bar. It is currently under the management of Rock Resorts, a subsidiary of Broomfield-based Vail Resorts. Room upgrade specials are available to all guests in November.

A view of the Maroon Bells last week.
Troy Hooper

The St. Regis Resort Aspen is currently advertising a locals' rate for $149 and a Colorado rate for $209. Yes, even people who live in Aspen aren't afraid to walk down the street and check into a killer hotel nearby if the mood strikes them — and the price is right. A room at the St. Regis this time of year typically goes for $350 for out-of-state residents. Over the holidays, rooms are usually $500 and up.

The above specials are all subject to availability and just a sampling of Aspen's hotel offerings. There are many smaller, quaint hotels and lodges that can give you a great room at a reasonable price too. You can Google around or try Stay Aspen Snowmass.