Seven Reasons to Stay at the Hyatt Grand Aspen

Last weekend I spent the night at the Hyatt Grand Aspen, on assignment to cover the property for FamilyVacationCritic.com. Only my husband and I left the kiddos at home! Yep, we enjoyed 18 hours of bliss at a hotel just 30 minutes up the road from us. Spending an intimate evening in Aspen just the two of us was just what the doctor ordered, after having spent a week in Mexico with the children for spring break!

Warm and welcoming lobby at the Hyatt Grand Aspen.

See that hot tub out on the balcony? Yes, it was awesome.

As friendly as the Hyatt Grand Aspen is for visiting families , it is equally exquisite for a romantic getaway. Here’s why:

1. Awesomely spacious and gorgeous accommodations. The Hyatt Grand Aspen is part of the Hyatt Residence Club and made up of 50 vacation-ownership residences: studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations. The dark hardwood floors,  We stayed in a huge one-bedroom on the 4th (top) floor with a living room, dining table for 6, full kitchen, a bathroom with a whirlpool tub and steam shower. Did I mention the private hot tub on the balcony, with views of Aspen Mountain? As soon as we dropped our luggage, we made a beeline for it — while snowing — for a nice long soak. Loved it!

Upscale appliances in our one-bedroom unit's spacious kitchen.

2. Upscale accents, appliances & amenities. All accommodations feature beautiful dark wood, natural stone and sumptuous fabrics and linens. All accommodations but the studios have full kitchens, filled with Viking and DeLonghi appliances, Le Crueset cookware and Kohler fixtures. Yummy L’Occitane bath and body products — and a generous tube of AquaFresh toothpaste — delighted this guest, for sure. Oh, and a washer-dryer in the unit is to helpful for lengthy stays (or drying out wet ski clothes).

3. Complimentary airport and in-town transportation. In the warm-weather months, the bellmen/valet guys use the cutest-ever little four-seater electric car to take guests anywhere they want to go in town. Environmentally responsible and fun!

4. On-site wine bar. Hubs and I didn’t stop into the intimate little Grape Bar while we were there — running late for our dinner reservations at Brexi – but I’d like have a drink there the next time I’m in town.

5. Complimentary breakfast. There’s no restaurant on site at the Hyatt Grand Aspen, so every morning, the wine bar is turned into a breakfast buffet. Cereals, bagels, pastries, toast, muffins, fruit and oatmeal are all provided, as are juices, coffee and tea. A big spread — you won’t go hungry.

Soaking tub with windows facing town; from our balcony, we could also see in the opposite direction to Aspen Mountain!

6. Free wi-fi! This one does deserve an exclamation point. I think wireless connection for guests should be as ubiquitous at hotels as hair dryers in the rooms. So many luxury hotels just don’t understand this concept of providing such a great service for guests — I’m so glad the Grand Hyatt Aspen does.

7. Outdoor pool and fitness center. The fitness center just off the lobby is small, but sufficient. A few bikes, treadmills and ellipticals, plus strength-training machines and free weights. The only complaint I’d make here is that the free weights’ handles are super uncomfortable; I’d wished I’d had bike gloves or weight gloves to cushion my palms. The outdoor pool is open dawn to dusk year-round, as are the two outdoor hot tubs. When I was there the pools were covered, though a sign noted that I could ask for the covers to be removed anytime for use. (They keep them covered to conserve energy.)

Red-brick exterior, corner turrets & pretty wrought-iron balcony railings at the Hyatt Grand Aspen.

Truly, I was blown away by the Hyatt Grand Aspen, which is equally cozy and sophisticated. After spending just one night there, I thoroughly understand why it’s ranked #4 among 37 Aspen hotels on Tripadvisor.com. I’d heartily recommend the Hyatt Grand Aspen for a quick adults-only getaway or a week-long stay for families; the combination of condo-style accommodations with hotel front-desk service is ideal for an Aspen vacation.

Thanks to the  Hyatt Grand Aspen for hosting my stay!