ASPEN, COLO. – January 31, 2012 – The iconic St. Regis Aspen Resort re-opened in December 2011 after a $40 million redesign, spearheaded by award-winning designer, Lauren Rottet. Rottet conceptualized a quintessential mountain manor similar to what John Jacob Astor, the visionary behind the St. Regis brand, would have designed for the seasoned traveler during the Gilded Age.
“When I design a hotel I create a script like a movie. In this case I imagined that the Astors sought to create a grand manor in Aspen that they would make their winter and summer retreat,” remarks Rottet.
The building has been transformed into an innovative, intriguing structure that is representative of the grand and lavish architecture of that era. Clever use of light, ornamental steel and glass reflects the styling of Frank Furness and new, contemporary guest accommodations emulate the elegance of an opulent historic manor. The design is a unique blend of historic luxury and tradition with the unpredictable addition of contemporary art and attitude, underscored by clever furnishings and accessories. The deliberate design and structural updates speak to the sensibilities of Aspen residents and guests.
“I wanted the hotel to emulate what is unique about the region. Aspen is about being a part of the outdoors by day and engaging in festivities and the social lifestyle by night,” Rottet explains. “The new design allows the mountain views to take precedence over the interior during the day and engages the guest to be hosted by the Grand manor lifestyle by night.”
Making the building feel more a part of its natural surrounding was core to Rottet’s design perspective. She focused on bringing natural light into the space, enhancing the feeling of the indoor/outdoor connection and creating a design that encourages guests to engage with the environment during all seasons.
The layered design is built upon a unique combination of colors and materials including hand wrought and cast dark bronze, antiqued nickel, local Aspen stone, Hickory wood paneling and patterned cast glass sourced from a local foundry. The custom palette, an artful blend of warm and cool colors, is derived from the brilliant natural colors of the Aspen landscape and the area’s dramatic seasons. Rottet created custom paint colors to blend with the unique hue of the Aspen sky and used soft and creamy camel colored leathers with accents of celadon green grays and warm browns. Key decor elements will rotate to mark the changing seasons. Winter ‘warm and cozy’ will shift to summer ‘light and bright’ with the change of drapes, pillows and throws, seasonal plantings and canopies of shade. The design is highlighted by a unique collection of art. Works from local galleries and artists will sit alongside provocative contemporary works by both internationally known and emerging artists as well as oil paintings and bronzes that graced the original property.
Public Spaces: Library, Meeting & Ballroom Space
A newly created library will be the focal view from the corridor leading to the guest elevators. The engaging and contemplative space features a fireplace, sofas, and bookshelves. A grand staircase connects the lobby level to the lower level ballrooms. The property’s 25,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space have been transformed into the palace ballrooms of the Astors. The walls and millwork have been carefully painted to emphasize the traditional moldings and character. Large antique mirrors, exaggerated tufted sofas and elegant furnishings reflect the grand salon style.
Number of Meeting Spaces: 14
Largest Meeting Space: Grand Ballroom, 9,146 square feet (849.69 square meters)
The addition of a new catering venue on the lobby level elevates the physical offering to Aspen’s social scene. It is the second largest catering venue in Aspen, second to the Grand Astor Ballroom also located at the St. Regis.
Public Spaces: Entry, Guest Reception, Shadow Mountain Lounge & Outdoor Courtyards
The guest arrival experience has been completely rethought. Guests arrive into a redesigned entry court and porte-cochere, illuminated by new lighting design and enhanced by indigenous landscape architecture. A grand solarium entry leads to the newly-designed front desk and concierge center that have been restructured to improve operations and allow for greater guest interaction. From there, the entry flows into the relaxing and inspiring Shadow Mountain Lounge, which serves as the social hub of the hotel. The Lounge has been thoughtfully appointed with custom furniture; sofas fit perfectly into large bay windows, allowing guests to sit as close to the window as possible to take in the stunning view of Aspen Mountain. The room is anchored by a grand fireplace clad in native Aspen limestone with a custom-patterned cast glass backlit panel that sits above the mantel, glowing with the light of the fire. The Lounge is also home to a bar which has been enlarged and updated. The existing millwork has been preserved, but cerused from a warm brown to a light, natural French gray. Next to the bar, there is a door that provides easy access to the outdoor courtyard and fire pits. Located on the upper court, above courtyard, is the hotel’s heated pool, which has been refinished.
About The St. Regis Aspen Resort
The St. Regis Aspen Resort has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as a leading destination resort and has been named a Platinum Choice Award Winner by Smart Meetings Magazine. With elegant decor, unrivaled luxury and the trademark bespoke service for which The St. Regis group of hotels is known, guests enjoy an unparalleled experience at this quintessential mountain retreat. Resort amenities include Shadow Mountain Lounge, The Restaurant, Remede Spa, an outdoor heated pool, fitness center, world class resort concierge services and 25,000 square feet of meeting space. For reservations or more information, call 1.888.454.9005 or 970.920.3300 or visit the website at stregis.com/aspen.
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