Review: W Hotel Aspen, Colorado

This blog is rapidly evolving into TPG.

"Oh look - a new points hotel opened up. Why dont I spend 1K/night to get a suite?"

@ jettyboy -- We would have booked two rooms otherwise, which would have come out to about $800. This was less than $200 more, and we got an extra 700 square feet compared to two rooms. We had two birthdays, and it was so much more fun to have a shared room of this size, rather than two separate rooms.

Even redeeming points wouldn't have been a good deal here, at 85,000 points per night per room (that's less than half of a cent per value). In high season that would of course be a better value.

I appreciate the feedback and promise for the rest of the year my hotel reviews will almost exclusively be with points. I hope this review is useful nonetheless, and I intentionally tried to get pictures of the "regular" rooms as well.

This is a metaphor for all of Marriott Bonvoy

Does W have those pink LEDs trademarked? They use them everywhere.

Does this hotel have ski lockers? It doesn't even look like there's room to hang a parka in the standard-but-not-standard room. The toboggan luggage rack is cute, though.

1) Almost all spas in the US are cost centers (or break even at best)

2) Curious to see how you look at the value of redeeming Bonvoy points now versus the cost of earning them. I just checked MLK weekend, W Aspen is priced at 300,000 for three nights, St Regis Aspen priced at 285,000 for three nights. Pretty fantastic values on a cent per point basis (W is $1,000 a night, St Regis is $1,800+). However, you don't seem to encourage any method of earning Marriott points with credit card spend, and it is very hard to replace 300,000 Marriott miles without a lot of paid stays. So the question is, what is the really the best way to consistently earn Marriott points?

@ Tortuga -- Yep, it does have ski lockers. While the hotel doesn't have ski-in, ski-out (unlike the St. Regis), it is very close to Aspen Mountain.

@ Anthony -- It's a great question. Nowadays I'd argue there's no way to earn Bonvoy points anymore without huge opportunity cost. There's no way to do so efficiently with credit cards, so the only option is to earn them through stays, and perhaps buy them occasionally. This is one of the reasons I'm conservative with redeeming Bonvoy points, because they are tough to replenish. Then again, they devalue rather quickly, so holding onto them sure is costly...

Wow - that hotel looks terrible. I in general do not like W hotels - I hate the exposed bathrooms, and the bars / clubs can be nauseating. Do not get me started on the W in Dallas - that place is a whorehouse. But aside from that, while the rooftop looks cool, those standard rooms look dreadful. I'm glad you had a good time in your residence and enjoyed the space there, but even so, the decor in the residence looked pretty bad too - the common spaces looked like an airport lounge. This review was overall helpful for me, though. It confirms my overall feelings on W properties, and reaffirms my decision to stay at the St Regis, the Jerome, or condo/vrbo properties while skiing.

I'm clearly getting old, because absolutely nothing appealed about that space. The food looked nice. but otherwise it just feels like it's trying too hard.

What a rip-off... I don’t quite understand why someone would fork out usd1000 a night for a room to start with and would stay in it with leaks and whatever attitude of staff.

This used to be the Sky Hotel. Guessing that's where the odd residence moniker comes from.

They probably call the residences the Sky Residences out of deference to this hotel replacing the former Sky Hotel. The Sky Hotel was had a ground level pool that was open to the public. It's nice to hear that are continuing that tradition with the new rooftop pool at the W, since I want to visit the pool but the room prices are out of my budget.

The reason for having a separate residence deck is to provide the big spenders with a deck that the public can't access.

Lucky, pay no attention. I love the reviews regardless if you spend cash or points. Especially in a points hotel because I know what my redemption options are. That being said go ahead and review an aman or four seasons as well because why not.

Unlike a lot of places Lucky visits, I actually do know quite a bit about Aspen properties, and lived there for a few years. The wonky service is an integral part of Colorado ski town hotels, no matter what price point, and especially since pot was legalized. Also, especially during shoulder season the locals and bargain hunters do take over a lot of the high-end properties and such is life.

I was tempted to LOL at the price here, but indeed even during shoulder season some of the nicer places are pretty expensive compared to years past (4-5 years ago I could stay at Hotel Jerome, for example, for under $200 a night). Must be the economy (?).

I do love the review, and these places in particular do need to keep get dinged on the service.

I've never been convinced of the W as a luxury brand. The quirky design verges on tacky and the price is out of line with the comfort of the mediocre rooms. I can't see how Marriott clearly differentiates this brand.

For this hotel in particular, the public access to the rooftop pool totally kills any unique value proposition. I would be furious if I spent $1000 for a hotel with a rooftop pool only to be heckled by non-guests enjoying a $6 Bud Light.

Lucky is right. The St. Regis blows this out of the water.

I could see those 'residences' being valuable for a family/group on a ski trip, but I can't imagine what they'll charge during peak ski season. Sure, the proximity to Aspen mountain is nice, but when I'm on a ski trip, I spend very little time in my room. Function over fashion and those standard rooms seem to fail in that regard

That W is considered luxury makes me happy that I don't care to be cool. The public spaces, to me, look like they are trying so hard to project a 1970's cool vibe and they miss the mark. The hallways are terrible. The colors are vomit inducing. And nothing looks comfortable. Even if I could get past that, I just can't get past the W bathrooms at this and many of their other properties. Some things just ought to be private.

Thanks for the excellent review.

I still don’t get the attraction of Aspen to non-skiers. What am I missing? Seems like you could have had a very similar experience at a nearby hotel, without the flight plus $50 resort fee (per guest per night?) plus $52 on top of that to park your car.

I’m conflicted about the direction this blog has taken.

On the one hand, I loved reading the Singita reviews and found it very helpful. I’m also extremely happy for Ben that he has done well for himself.

On the other hand, it does feel more like Ben is losing his audience. “Points were hard so we bought 4 Air France F tickets...we wanted a big room so we spend $1k/nt...” etc.

Walking a fine line...no real suggestion from me but may want to step back and reassess what the blog should be.

After all, over the top ultra luxury reviews like Luxury Travel Expert may be the way to go. Who knows!

Ted - Remember, this is a job - the W Aspen will be a popular hotel for people looking to redeem points. As someone who goes to Colorado to ski regularly I found the review helpful...

@Brian and @Daniel: Amen.

The nightclub looks like an opium den - but then again, the gym could be one too, given the creepy artwork! (A mural celebrating drug use in a fitness centre?!)

I know the W is supposed to be "hip", outré, and avant-garde, but there is a limit.

@ the people who say OMAAT is turning into TPG:

This will never become TPG. Brian and Ben have two completely different personalities and Brian's a bit more into the money-saving aspect, while Ben's a bit more luxe-centric. Neither are insults.
Trust me, this won't turn into TPG. I do appreciate the greater effort into booking with points and staying at a hotel that most people here could at least kind of afford to look into. While I think this hotel would be a waste of money (I mean, if you have a large group you might as well splurge for a large house or condo to rent), I also don't ski, so.

I personally appreciated seeing this versus an Amanwhatever.

I don't fully understand the "public pool" thing. Does that mean anyone in Aspen can access the pool/deck area for free? Or do they have to pay a fee?

The tone of your reviews has become so off-putting that they’re very difficult to read. I used to love this site, but now the credit card endorsement model has taken hold, and it’s just a rag.
Please reflect on the old days and strive to get back to basics. No one cares about your sleep patterns or your relationship with Ford.

@JJJ yes the public can access the pool area for free. You can change in the restroom and leave your clothes on a chair. This is a generous benefit, so do them a favor and buy a drink from their poolside bar rather than trying to sneak in your own flask.

I agree with the others who suggested the hotel looks absolutely awful. I am not sure what age bracket would find its design to be cool or quirky. To me it just looks cheap and so so so generic.
I also agree with Lucky’s observation that there seems to always be something not quite fully thought out about these hotels.
Last but not least, I don’t really mind locals enjoying themselves at hotels I stay in. It is usually quite a nice thing to see locals having a special occasion. The Ws I stayed in become nightclubs after dark, which is not quite the same thing.

I agree with Mark's comment above. This place is trying too hard and I am too old to stay here. The decor has no appeal to me whatsoever. The bunk queen beds and the one behind the other is just stupid.

Good review but appalling hotel! Massively overpriced for what it offers, esp $52/night parking and those ludicrous breakfast prices (even higher once taxes and mandatory 'tips' taken into account). I think you let them off far too lightly for all those issues you had given how much you were paying. I also hate that sort of careless/insincere service where they don't even adapt it for the issues you'd mentioned to that very person! Marriott Bonvoy just gets less and less appealing.

In comparison I had a phenomenal points stay recently in Tokyo with Hilton Diamond and some great ones with IHG Spire in Kyoto.

@George Castanza

Speak for yourself! I, for one, love the personal insights about Ford's plane sleeping habits or Ben's love for cappuccinos. I feel like I'm reading a review from a real human and it makes me want to come back to OMAAT again the next day. 🙂

Wow, what a really cool new option for Aspen. Time to start stocking up on Bonvoy points!!!

1) W's cannot in good conscience be considered luxury hotels, I think they're the cool hip trust fund kid who's father, St Regis, is all about the luxury, but he's just trying too hard.

2) Lucky, feedback is important, but in my opinion, don't focus too much on the negative comments complaining about your luxury stays & becoming TPG (which is laughable, this website is so much better and beyond that). I REALLY enjoy and appreciate all of your luxury, non points content. It's inspiring and fun to read.

This website is dynamic and has a little bit for everyone, which is important. I'm not part of the points crowd, so the endless CCs articles and the points-only stuff doesnt really interest me, and thats okay, its for others. But the rest-the flight reviews, whether paid or miles, the luxury and budget hotels, and other stuff, I enjoy that. Don't put too much pressure into shifting left or right suddenly because a couple of negative comments here demand something. In the words of Kris Jenner, "youre doing amazing sweetie"

Hey, @George Castanza (sic) and all you other complainers, here's a simple fact you are ignoring: reviews are subjective. What appeals to you may be different than what appeals to me.

I appreciate learning about (a) new properties and new plane layouts, (b) luxury properties, (c) points/miles redemptions, (d) paid-stay or paid-ticket prices, and more. To travel constantly and document those travels in easy to read reviews with plenty of pictures those travels is no easy feat.

And trying to compare Ben to other bloggers is a wash. Everyone has their unique signature.

So stop with the sass and vitriol. I now live in Southern California but as they say in my native Louisiana, "Be nice or go home."

Ill continue to stay at the Westin in Snowmass. Yes its a bit older but cheaper and a great ski in/out location on a better mountain!

Great review Lucky! I don't know, this W is just not doing it for me. It looks overall depressing to me.

Can all bachelorette parties please go to Mars and stay there?? NOBODY CARES!!

Looks like a psychedelic college dorm. Confusing. What exactly is the target audience here?

I booked a trip for January here in a whim and now I am nervous.

How does one eat at the Living Room? There do not appear to be many tables.

Does Austin Powers hang out at 39 Degrees? It looks shagadelic.

Had a great 5 night stay. Would say 9/10 overall. The staff is courteous especially the guys out front that drive you around. I tipped them well so they jumped when they saw me coming. Their boss... the oldest guy at the check in station outdoors is a jackass! No need to have someone like him working there with an attitude like he has. (Typical older guy not making crap and mad at the world) Roof top was fun but much younger and there are no doubt professional hookers on the scene.