Tips for Finding a Cheap Hotel in Aspen

If you think the terms “cheap hotel” and “Aspen” are an oxymoron, well, you’re right! With small, family-owned lodges selling out to huge fractional-ownership developments, the number of affordable accommodations has dwindled in recent years. For major crowd-drawing events like ESPN’s Winter X Games 13 (January 23-35, 2009), the least expensive Aspen rooms sell out fast. You’ll need to look downvalley — as far as Glenwood Springs — for cheap hotels, or even any accommodations at all.

That said, if time is on your side, and you’re planning a trip to the mountains later this winter or this summer, check out these cheap Aspen hotels and some other budget-travel tips:

St. Mortitz Lodge & Condominiums: In town’s quiet West End, only a block from the free skier shuttle, this cheap Aspen hotel has long been a favorite for travelers who don’t mind sharing a bath. Shared hostel space (starting at $43/night in the winter) are among the cheapest in town — if you don’t mind a dorm-like atmosphere. Lodge rooms ($108/night) and condos ($175/night) do have private bathrooms. Rates drop by about 15 percent in the spring and early summer months.

Tyrolean Lodge: Right on Main Street, the 16-room Tyrolean Lodge offers accommodations in three rate categories: cheapest ground floor, moderate middle floor and most expensive top floor (more windows, high ceilings). Rates start at $105/night for winter ski season. Rooms have two double beds and a twin bed to easily fit a family of five (although this cheap hotel, and the St. Moritz above are known more for groups of twentysomethings on a budget). I love the easily searchable calendar that tells you exactly what rooms are available each night.

Look further afield: If you’re road tripping to Aspen and renting a car, or plan on renting one when you land in DEN, ASE or EGE, booking a hotel room downvalley in Basalt, Carbondale or Glenwood Springs (40 miles away) is the bargain way to go. Even if you don’t have a car, the fabulous valley-wide bus system should be able to get you where you need to go; shuttles run directly to the four ski mountains (Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass). Cheap hotels downvalley include:

• Basalt: The Green Drake, Best Western Aspenalt
• Carbondale: Comfort Inn & Suites, Days Inn
• Glenwood Springs: AmericInn Lodge at Glenwood Caverns, Hampton Inn, America’s Best Value Inn, Cedar Lodge Hotel, Holiday Inn Express

Book with StayAspensnowmass.com: This is the central reservations service for the Aspen/Snowmass area and often has package deals, which combine lodging, ski-equipment rentals and lift tickets. Other discounts include last-minute lodging and “featured property” specials. This site books condominium rentals, which can end up being a steal if you’re traveling with your family or a big group — having a kitchen for storing breakfast foods and snacks, plus a living room and multi-bedrooms for spreading out, can make your stay that much more comfortable.

Again, if you’re looking for last-minute Winter X Games 13 accommodations right in Aspen, you’re pretty much out of luck (unless you’ve got a good local friend on whose couch you can crash). But if you’re planning ahead for some spring skiing or a summer getaway, you can find cheap hotels in Aspen, Snowmass and the surrounding area. You may not enjoy the amenities of some of Aspen’s high-end luxury hotels, but heck, you’re in Aspen – you should be out playing in the mountains for most of your stay anyway!