Blankets, bodies(live ones) and lawn chairs cover up the last blade of grass outside the Benedict Music Tent, where the Aspen Festival Orchestra demonstrates its passion and dedication. Bottles of wine and picnic baskets abound as people layout reading, and taking in the summer weather blending with the classical music of the Aspen Music Festival. The ambiance and beauty of this communal experience is matched by the cultural and intellectual overtones of the Aspen Meadows Resort, original home of the Aspen Institute, a non-profit organization focused on reflection and discussion of issues facing society. The resort's artistically decorated grounds and fully equipped meeting facilities make it a premier conference center for any meeting or event.
Cultural Center
Aspen Meadows Resort is a center for cultural and intellectual pursuits by hosting a number of festivals. In addition to Aspen Music Festival, the resort also hosts the Aspen Ideas Festival, and the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen . The resort is also home to a sizable art collection, some dating back to when the property was first built. The works of art on the resort grounds are designed to work in harmony with the natural settings. The meeting facilities are decorated with artwork and space is allocated for art galleries as well. Collectively, the art is meant to move and inspire guests visiting the resort.
Meeting Facilities
Building on how the Aspen Institute originally utilized the property, the 24 possible meeting venues, or 22,000 square feet of IACC approved meeting space are on a level beyond what other resorts offer. The centerpiece is the new $14 million dollar Doerr-Hosier Center, which is Gold LEED Certified, equipped with the latest A/V features, full kitchen, and scenic mountain backdrops. Many of the meeting venues are arranged in round-table style, and historical photographs of the property and notable guests decorate the hallways. Regardless of the event, where it be a business meeting, seminar, or wedding, the Aspen Meadows Resort stands ready as an ideal venue.
Location
The 3 1/2 hour trip from Colorado Springs gets much longer in the winter as you're forced to take I-70 up north to get there. The road trip can be exhilarating (in a Road to Hana kind of way) but it's a treat to travel State Highway 82 during the summer. Fellow travelers know it as you find many pulled over just for the incredible views of the Rockies.
The resort itself is on the edge of town on the west end, a distance down Meadows Road, where distractions from town don't reach the guests there. The seclusion was one of the original design requirements, so that business executives and other leaders can speak candidly about important issues without distraction.
Accommodations
The resort's 40-acre layout is more like a college campus than a resort hotel. The 98 guest suites are distributed between a half dozen buildings. Much of the decor is accented with thought provoking photographic art. The Bauhaus style decor provides a clean atmosphere and beautiful views with floor-to-ceiling windows. Patios or balconies provide access to the mountain air. All elements create an experience that harmonizes human inspiration with the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Activities
A number of activities are available on the resort proper. The saline water-filled pool is open year-round and is perfect on mornings in late summer. Complimentary bicycle rentals are good for use on the various trails on the property. The tennis center has 4 cushioned hard and 2 Har-Tru clay courts. The Roaring Fork River runs right next to the resort, so fishermen wouldn't have to go far for their next catch. The newly renovated fitness facility includes a handful of cardio stations placed outside for enjoyment of the mountain view, and walls decorated with historical photos of when the U.S.Ski Team used to train in that same facility. The resort can arrange activities around the Aspen area including whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, and golf.
Dining
2 qualities stand out when dining at Plato's, located within the resort. First, one particular summer evening, the sunset seen from the restaurant illuminated the evening sky in a final display of its glory, before night completely consumed the landscape. Second, the gourmet food is served at competitive prices, making it especially difficult to decide on what to eat with your beautiful sunset.
Lasting Impressions
While the resort specializes in hosting meetings and events, it's just as much a mountain resort for vacationing individuals, couples and families. While other resorts would rely on fully functioning spas
to rejuvenate body and soul, Aspen Meadows utilizes its secluded and beautiful surroundings in concert with inspirational works of art to do the same. While you may not be a fan of the arts, you develop an appreciation during your stay there, and are left wondering what else might be out there to discover.
For More Info: Call the Aspen Meadows Resort at 866.460.1533 for reservation info and meeting packages.
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