Full disclosure: This experience was in conjunction with the SPG Amex Stars program Im participating in, courtesy of theStarwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express. They covered the cost of roundtrip flights and a two night stayat the St. Regis Aspen.
Continue reading: Review: St. Regis Aspen
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
"...there aren’t many great US ski destinations"
That isn't true at all. Aspen caters to the rich rather than being the best skiing. If you want the best skiing for a cheap price, you can stay in a motel in Salt Lake City and take a short city bus ride to some of the best skiing in the country.
I feel there are some inaccuracies in your article:
- "Could I ever imagine paying $1,000 per night (or $2,500+) to stay here? No way. But that’s the beauty of points." Except you didn't pay points. It was a comp'd stay. Would you have paid 120,000 SPG points to stay here for 5 nights otherwise?
- "That’s a heck of a deal when a stay would cost $3,000+ per night." You should also disclose that you stayed here during the week of 4th of July. Typically during "mud season" you can stay here for under $300. Maybe even below $200. You never really mention what the going "summer" rate is for the St Regis. If the price was $500 and you had to pay 30,000 that wouldn't be a great use of points.
Stayed there once in a friends condo (they have a time share in the attached building) and it was a nice stay with good service. The first 2 nights we were at Snowmass at the Westin. This was during the ski season. I very much preferred the ski in and out that Westin offered even with the free ski bus. Also skied and Steamboat and stayed at the local Sheraton there. Also ski in and out property. Personally I rather stay at a lower level property but can just drop our son at his ski school. go back for a coffee with my wife, ski a bit, come back early if needed and walk 2 minutes to pick up our son from ski school after he is done.
The bus ride while free from Aspen to the mountains can be quite packed in the winter season and also takes up to 30 minutes.
The Aspen location itself was nice though being able to walk to great restaurants in town.
two things : 1)there are lots of good skiing places in the US. As somebody else mentioned, there are the multiple resorts in Utah that are amazing, there are places also in California, there are dozens of amazing resorts within a 2 hours drive of Denver, there are fantastic places in Montana, etc etc etc. That's a little bit of an innacurate characterization.
2) my friends were behind you and Ford at security at LAX the morning you flew there. How did you all get to use the Flagship lounge if you were flying domestic?
Given the comments and the impending Marriott devaluation I don't see this as a good value at all.
Lucky:
Why don't you mention the connecting door between the rooms that you can see on the picture? You mentioned before that you dislike these, how was it there? Have you had any noises from the neighbors room? The article in general is not critical at all, which even if sponsored it should still be, as there is not the perfect hotel.
Lucky I would second the statement that US has a lot more amazing ski resorts that you know of, I can tell miles away that you don't ski. US has the best ski resorts in the World, I have seen many Swiss/Austrians on the slopes of CO/UT/AK resorts that tell me that they are way better than the Alps Resorts. I know you still have German pride in you but please don't comment on something that you know very little about.
Also it seems that you got comped on the stay so while I appreciate the review this is a resort where the rates are under $200 so redeeming points there is definitely not a good deal. Dont be like Gary and collect all of the freebies that they throw at you, because you will lose your readership.
Many year SPG AMEX card holder and lifetime SPG Plat. I have come to dislike this type of post (SPG stars?) and the "targeted offer" posts in which I never seem to be targeted. If I sound bitter, I am. FU AMEX and SPG.
By the way, has anyone else noticed the general decline and AMEX customer service / representatives?
Lucky: been reading your blog for 7 years. You are the best, but I'm a little disappointed that you're still participating in comped stays with the SPG Stars program. You're very successful now - according to the Rolling Stones article - a millionaire. Your reputation is way more important that a few free nights at a St. Regis. This review really hurts your credibility. I wrote the same exact thing last time you did the Stars program, and will write the same thing next time as well. Otherwise, keep up the awesome work. And don't forget to pitch good offers that don't offer you a commission, like the Chase Fairmont card!
Wow! Even for fourth of July weekend, those rates are ridiculous! You can stay this weekend for significantly less than that.
We were in Aspen the last weekend in June, and stayed in a 3 bedroom apartment at the Hyatt Grand Aspen for less than those prices.
I don't ski, so can't comment on skiing in Aspen versus other locations, but I think Park City, UT would be pretty awesome for skiing.
I have been reading the site for some time, this is my first comment.
I booked the same trip for my Wife and I this year, we are actually sitting with our backs to you in the courtyard picture! (Right hand side near the fire pit) It's our fourth time at the property (two during winter and two over 4th of July). Getting a points deal or points/cash is the best way to experience this property.
If you are considering Aspen just know that high prices don't stop at the hotel, figure on paying too much for every experience including meals (of course I opted for the free breakfast as a platinum member, that is a $45.00 perk per person each day).
I will agree with some of the other comments, there are plenty of other great ski areas in the US. So you can't make a supply/demand comparison for all ski areas in the US. The argument for supply/demand for the Aspen name is more accurate. You are paying for the location and the "Aspen" mystique, which is kind of funny if you read more of the history. There are actually four separate ski areas owned by SkiCo in the area. Snowmass is our favorite but Highlands is also great (been to the area at least 10 times skiing) and there are all price levels available in the vicinity. Great skiing in Montana and other areas of CO as well. Shorter lift lines than the Summit County resorts. Price you pay depends on what you want. So this is not a good representation of the reality for ski resorts overall. That is a key thing to remember...Aspen has its own reality. The best is watching the "old money" in thousands of dollars of ski wear and equipment call it a day after one run...if they even stood on the hill at all. They'd rather be seen than make an effort.
Peace out.
I appreciated the review and I don't care if it was comp'd. I wouldn't even care if they paid you to stay there. Your photos allowed me to check out the property, and that's the point of this site.