The Most Expensive Town in the USA

Blasting past Beverly Hills, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons, Aspen’s single-family home prices have positioned Aspen as the priciest town in America. Called a “Small Manhattan” by part-time resident Altunc Kumova, a Turkish financial services executive, it simply draws crowds--both tourists and residents. Goldie Hawn, Mariah Carey, and Lance Armstrong are regularly spotted visiting Aspen, and prospective buyers from South America, Europe, and Asia are checking out luxury real estate options in town.

"You can find almost all upscale brands for shopping and restaurants are excellent. Apres-ski in Aspen is very glamorous," Kumova told the press.

Since property is at a premium in Aspen, it might be wise to first swing by one of their luxury hotels. Whether you’re searching for a new place or simply drawn to Aspen’s unique outdoor exploration offerings, you’ll need someplace grand to lay your head.

Hotel Jerome
Aspen’s great outdoors is easily accessible when you’re at the Hotel Jerome, and you can choose from skiing and sleighing adventures during the winter to endless chances for mountain hiking come spring and summer. After a day in the wilderness, you’ll appreciate settling down into one of Hotel Jerome’s 94 guest rooms and luxury suite accommodations. This particular premier hotel, lauded as an example of Aspen’s finest (if not the prime example of Aspen’s finest!), is regularly selected as an award-winning hotel for worldwide guests. As for the rooms themselves, they are outfitted with down comforters and feather pillows to sink deep into after a hard day on the slopes, trails, or in the shops.

St. Regis Resort, Aspen
This fantastic luxury hotel is in just the right spot for winter sports and Aspen summer adventures, at the very base of Aspen Mountain. The St. Regis is uniquely positioned to also allow all guests to walk straight out of their hotel and go into area luxury shops. With a renovation scheduled through June 12th, 2011, you can make the most of brand-new features come summer or squeeze in a quick trip before the beginning of April, when the hotel starts remodeling to improve feature services. Browse the Remede Spa’s special list of treatments prior to your vacation to better bust stress and work out fresh-from-hiking knots.

Other Coloradoan Adventures
Perhaps Aspen’s not your only stop in Colorado: these top destinations are a perfect addition to a luxury excursion to Aspen.

Stop 1: Vail
Vail is becoming increasingly popular as a summertime vacation destination, and the activity offerings confirm that: take a carriage ride, go bicycling, and enjoy a guided hike come the summer months!

The Arrabelle: If you are familiar with the RockResorts, then perhaps that’s all you need to know about the Arrabelle. The luxury retreat has a certain European charm and is positioned in the heart of Vail Square, at the base of the number one ski resort in the United States.

Stop 2: Denver
Denver's "Mile High Must-Sees" include the state capitol, the Denver Art Museum, Larimer Square, Confluence Park, and the LoDo Historic District--as you can see, you won't run out of exciting places to visit when you make a stop in Colorado's capital.

Hotel Teatro: This downtown-located hotel is a perfect retreat for those seeking a fun getaway, but it’s not planned like your standard city hotel. The Hotel Teatro features extravagant costumes and photos from the Denver Center Company Theatre and also boasts Denver’s only four-star, four-diamond restaurant.

Bonus Trip: Avon, Colorado
Avon is called the “Heart of the Valley” and is currently getting revamped to receive more visitors than ever before. If you happen to plan a summer trip, try to go around the Fourth of July, when Avon celebrates with the largest fireworks display in the Colorado Rockies.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa: This mountain lodge-style hotel has a 400 square foot Courtyard King room that overlooks a landscape garden and fountain. The Allegria Spa on location at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek has several special water treatments to knead out knots.


Who knows? Maybe you'll start taking regular trips to Colorado, just like the stars. The first thing to settle is: summer or winter for your seasonal escapes?