The Little Nell, Aspen
Travel
Holiday Destinations
Great winter relaxation throughout the state


Dunton Hot Springs


C Lazy U


Brown Palace Hotel


Blue Lake Ranch
This holiday season, as everyone is preparing their homes for guests and relatives,endlessly gift shopping and making dozens of trips to the grocery store for last minute food needs, try something new: escape! CH&L has put together various winter Colorado destinations that can provide a Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings, hotel rooms with a fresh Christmas tree and pre-selected decorations, New Year’s Eve parties that require no planning, hassle or driving, and other festive retreats to simplify your holiday and make relaxation a top priority.

Thanksgiving Food and Wine Destination
Dunton Hot Springs
These hot springs and resort are located in the San Juan Mountains, 30 miles southeast of Telluride. A Thanksgiving package for two ($2,850) includes Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Dunton’s chef and served with wine from the resort’s companion vineyard. Included in the stay are three nights in one of their cabins, meals paired with wines each day, a massage for each guest, use of amenities such as the screening room and hot springs, and six bottles of wine to take home after the weekend. Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores, (970) 882-4800, duntonhotsprings.com.

Pet Owner Destination
The Little Nell
This boutique hotel, located at the base of Aspen Mountain, might be best known for its incredible après-ski and dog-friendly services. During the holiday season, The Little Nell offers a fresh Christmas tree (an extra charge applies) for each room, trimmed according to guests’ desire. Stockings are also available for hotel patrons with children and/or dogs. Festive decorations throughout the hotel and surrounding grounds enhance the holiday spirit, as do the warm cookies and milk for children and biscuits for the pooches served upon arrival. The Little Nell, Aspen, (970) 920-4600, thelittlenell.com.

Family Destination
C Lazy U
CH&L covered this full-service dude ranch nearly two decades ago, and we still believe this is one of the best family holiday getaways during the winter season. The ranch opens for three weeks during Christmas and New Year’s (Dec. 18-Jan. 4, 2008) for guests to ride horses indoors or outdoors, cross-country ski on 25 km of groomed trails, trap shoot, enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skate, sled, tube, swim in the outdoor heated pool, relax in outdoor or indoor hot tubs and feast on three meals a day provided by the staff. Christmas Eve includes a turkey with all the trimmings for each family, and Santa stops by with a gift for each guest before they return to their rooms (which include a Christmas tree with lights and ornaments). Christmas and New Year’s Day each include brunch, and New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a party and live music. Prices include everything from activities to meals. C Lazy U, Granby, (970) 887-3344, clazyu.com. 

Downtown Denver Destination
Brown Palace Hotel
The Brown Palace welcomes the holidays  with a variety of festivities. Their 20th annual Champagne Cascade on Nov. 18 is a great way to kick off the season. Other activities include a Thanksgiving brunch, breakfast with Santa throughout December and seasonal decorations that are famous throughout the state. Packages for the season include Sleigh Bells in the City and A Winter Wonderland, which includes spa treatments. The Brown Palace Hotel, (303) 297-3111, brownpalace.com.

Bed and Breakfast Destination
Blue Lake Ranch
Located 15 minutes from Durango and 30 minutes from Mesa Verde National Park, this gem offers guest casitas, cabins and lofts to stay in while enjoying a Southwestern breakfast each morning. Afternoons are filled with numerous activities that can be arranged through the concierge. Regionally recognized as one of the best romantic getaways, this inn provides the ultimate in winter relaxation. A buffet Christmas dinner is available for guests as well. Blue Lake Ranch Bed and Breakfast, Hesperus, (970) 385-4537, bluelakeranch.com.