Curbed's first ever Hotels Week is officially underway and as a freelance travel writer based in Aspen and Denver, I'll be sharing some insider secrets of Colorado's best resorts. Lucky for me, I spend a lot of nights in and out of luxury hotels throughout the state for work and play. And luckily for Gittel my Goldendoodle, all of them are seriously pet friendly. From gourmet room service menus and plush beds to in-room massages and welcome toys, Gittel has turned into quite the discriminating traveler. Here are her top picks for mountain getaways in Colorado.
? The Little Nell, Aspen
It's a luxurious life for both guests and pets at Aspen's infamous five-star property. Dogs have their choice from a gourmet room service menu of beef tenderloin, grilled chicken or grilled salmon with scrambled eggs and brown rice. They'll need the nourishment for the endless hiking trails within walking distance. After a day on the mountain, your pampered pooch can relax in a personalized overstuffed bed in-room or in a cabana with you poolside.
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? The St. Regis, Aspen
Located steps from Wagner Park, a popular off-leash Aspen hangout, this resort allows dogs of all sizes for a $100 fee per stay. Dogs are greeted with a fluffy pet bed, ceramic bowls, a paw-print placemat along with gourmet treats. The in-room dog themed menu features yummy entrees like the Hot Diggity Dog (all-beef hot dog), Roll Over Rover (grilled salmon & scrambled eggs), Bow Wow Wow (boneless chicken breast & root veggies), The Barking Dog (ground beef pattie) or the Canine Round Up (braised beef stew with rice).
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? Viceroy, Snowmass Village
Snowmass' chic ski-in/ski-out welcomes pets upon arrival with a cute branded bandana and leash, plus a toy and hand baked treats. Located on Assay Hill, potty breaks are easy and the hiking trails are right outside your door. If you're visiting in the fall, don't miss their annual "Yappy Hour" party poolside benefiting the Aspen Animal Shelter.
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? The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek
This expansive log cabin is perhaps the friendliest of the dog friendly and Gittel's favorite. With the private enclave of Beaver Creek Mountain for a backyard, dogs have plenty of room to hike, run or play fetch on the grounds stocked with tennis-ball filled barrels. The hotel's resident lobby St. Bernard "Bachelor" welcomes pet guests with a swag bag full of supplies and also is available to take out on hikes if you're traveling sans pet. There's more: oversized corduroy dog beds (Gittel has one of her own at home), in-room dog massages courtesy of The Bachelor Gulch Spa, "Furry Paw Friday's" featuring a treat buffet on the patio and twice-daily guided hikes. The resort also recently launched its "Pampered Paws for a Cause" initiative, which donates $25 per pet-stay to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA),
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? The Four Seasons Resort, Vail
There's no shortage of pet amenities at this property in the heart of Vail Village. Upon check-in guests receive a box of supplies (i.e. waste bags) for their pet along with a sign to hang on your door so Fido's presence is known. You'll have to take a slight walk to access hiking trails and a spot for business, but when you return to your room your pooch can indulge in dog bones baked fresh daily by Pastry Chef, Rachelle Hyder.
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? The Sebastian, Vail
Also located right in Vail Village, the Sebastian offers the basics like pet sitting, walking, boarding, day care and veterinary service. But if you're like me, you brought your dog on vacation for a reason, so go play outside on one of Vail Mountains infinite hiking trails. A chalkboard sits on the reception desk with "Dogs in House" and it's usually full. The in-room pet menu from the property's Leonora restaurant stands out with options for puppy and kitty made to order and served in custom ceramic pet ware.
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-Katie Shapiro, available at katieshapiromedia.com and @kshapiromedia on Twitter.
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