Nov 18, 2008
Nice rooms, hot tub, exercise and game rooms, computers for guests, delicious breakfast, friendly staff, convenient to parks and downtown, and lowest prices in Aspen! Second time we have stayed here and was excellent again. We will definitely be back.
Liked — low prices, nice rooms, delicious breakfast, hot tub, computers for guests, center of Aspen.
—SparkyRS, Colorado Springs

Oct 9, 2008
We stayed here for 4 nights during an 18 day tour of the Rockies. Booked based on TA feedback and price.
We were not let down! We did move to another room after the first night as we found the room in the "basement" dark, hot and airless. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff - they were all most friendly, helpful & polite. Location is first class and the rooms were great - far better appointed than some other modern hotels we stayed in during our trip.
The breakfast arrangements were good and allowed us to meet fellow guests.
This hotel could easily disappear leaving Aspen the worse for it. Long may the owners continue to perservere with delivering such affordable and first rate accomodation.
—AIB, Cambridge, England

Sep 27, 2008
Mountain Chalet is like an old friend because I've loved it for 37 years. It's lowkey and simple, but with amentities that can't be beat in Aspen: it's right in the heart of town, parking (always a problem) is provided, the pool is nice and clean, and the included breakfast is great - yogurts, bagels, cereal, fruit and even hard-boiled eggs.
Liked — Great price for the location.
—Benzletravels, Bay Village, OH

Sep 24, 2008
We selected the Chalet based on TA reviews. We found ourselves running late, so we phoned and told them we would be arriving at Midnight. They told us where to locate the room keys, and how to handle the parking, and gave a number to call if there are problems. Room and property are perfect" ski" hotel condition. Little old , little tired, but, very clean.
The room we had, by the pool, was a little small, beds a little tired, but everything very clean. The room was a little warm, but they had a fan that solved the problem.
The next morning, we realized the perfect location, the excellent European style breakfast, the nice cozy lodge experience. The health club was much more than I would expect. My wife was disappointed about not having an iron in the room. Later we found the full laundry room.
The people staying there, and the employees, are more social than in most hotels.
The owner clearly wants to offer a congenial European experience.\
We really enjoyed the stay, and would go again.
Liked — location, price, breakfast
—LouisS, Batavia, Illinois

Aug 17, 2008
Mountain Chalet in Aspen can't be beat for location, price, charm, and cleanliness. Right near the gondola, across the street from the fancy St. Regis Hotel, next to the park and shopping mall. We stayed there twice this summer. On the 2nd visit they gave us a discount for a repeat stay. Pool is very well kept, but hot tub was a little too hot. I reported this, and they may have fixed this by now.
Aspen is such a beautiful town--it's nice to know that there is some place half-way reasonable to stay...this was a truly great find....oh, and great, free breakfast too!
Our favorite place for dinner was Cantina mexican restaurant--very good food, great patio, large servings and lo prices compared with other restaurants. Had disappointing lunch at Olive's at St. Regis...slow service and mediocre food. ( Their outdoor pool is something to die for--so beautiful!).
Highlights of our visit was bus ride to Maroon Bells-will dream of it forever. The Gondola ride right near the hotel was memorable too. Plan on having lunch there...
—Claoudycat, Marietta, Georgia

Jun 11, 2008
This hotel was so homey, I didn't want to leave! After a recent trip that included staying in five different hotels in five nights, I found that this was my favorite of all. It really felt like I was in a chalet. The beds were super comfy; the location is within walking distance to everything in Aspen; they have a great lobby with board games, books, magazines and two computers in it; their pool/spa area is above average with lockers and a sauna; they serve a better-than-average breakfast, and best of all...the price was unbelievably low for Aspen! I will definitely stay here again next time I'm in the area.
Liked — the super-comfy beds, and the location
Disliked — o a/c or fan, but the windows open and even with temps in the 80's, there was a nice breeze coming in
—reesav, chicago

Jan 29, 2008
If you like to ski in Aspen this is a great deal-
It is directly across the street from the st. regis at a quarter of the price. This is not a luxury hotel- rather is is a 1950's
style mountain chalet. It is comfortable in a homey sort of way.
They serve a great family style breakfast each morning. There are
2 computers for your use so you can check your email back at home
.They serve hot cocoa, cider and pastries in the lobby all day.
The people who stay here come back year after year- the owners really go out of their way to make you feel welcome.
—LeslieOC, Orange, Ca

Jan 1, 2008
I had never really thought about skiing in Aspen until a friend told me about The Mountain Chalet Aspen. The fundamentals are unbeatable: great location two blocks from the Gondola and just steps from the bus stop from which you can easily access (for free) Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Highlands; spotless rooms that are old but warm and comfortable; all-you-can-eat breakfast that sets you up for the rest of the day included in the price; easy access to restaurants and shopping; sensible pricing; helpful front desk help. For the serious skier who wants to ski one of the world's great ski destinations but has a modest budget, it's impossible to beat The Mountain Chalet Aspen. When you get to the property, look around. Right next door is the St. Regis that costs four, five, six times as much. Do they have heated floors in the bathrooms?
But there's much more to the MCA than value and other tangibles. My family has stayed there seven times now and we feel like part of the family that has owned and run the lodge for over 50 years now. Ralph Melville, the founder who pretty much built the place with his own hands, could not be friendlier. It's the same way with the entire family, as you'll find out at the Monday evening drinks party usually held in the rooftop meeting room with its wonderful views of Aspen Mountain, Wagner Park (the rugby field), and the St. Regis, where people are paying four, five, six times as much. Some very wealthy people stay at the MCA, people who could stay anywhere. They choose the MCA because it's home.
Quite often, my son and I will take Ralph's dog across the road to play in the snow in the park.
We always stay in the least expensive room available but I understand that the better rooms are very well-appointed. The architecture is quirky and clearly layered and it's not textbook but, in a world full of cookie-cutter hotels, the MCA is a welcome change. And nobody will bat an eyelid if you wander through the lobby in your capilene and not much else to grab a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie (both free) after a big day.
There's a swimming pool, fitness center, whirlpool, and wifi in the lobby. So the MCA has many of the standard Aspen amenities.
And Aspen actually has a number of restaurants that are sensibly-priced all within easy walking distance. You won't need to rent a car if you are staying at the MCA but if you have one, you get underground parking--a serious bonus as finding a parking place in Aspen is like finding fresh powder in the Sahara.
Another bonus? Denver hordes rarely make it to Aspen; they usually get to Vail and stop there. So Aspen, while it can be crowded at the peak times, is never choked with the Front Range hordes. My worst ski lift line wait ever? 15 minutes. Once.
A skiing vacation is never inexpensive and the only discount you'll get at the MCA is a healthy 10 per cent (or is it 15?) for returning guests but if you want value and if you want that cooked breakfast (a $30 value per person in Aspen) and if you want to experience Aspen without blowing an unlimited budget, then call up the MCA right now. But book early because space is limited in the ski season.
Other regulars, and I see the same people there year after year, will probably be annoyed that I am writing this review. Like me, we're all worried that MCA will go the way of other family-owned lodges in Aspen and be plowed under to make room for fractional ownership condos with granite countertops in the kitchens. And the "regulars" feel like they have their own secret stash of powder! But it's important to tell it like it is and, I'm telling you, the MCA is my second home and the Melvilles are my second family and my son and I can't wait to get back next year so that we can see Ralph and everyone else and play with Ransom in the park. And one of these days, I'm going to get there outside the ski season.
—ShortRotundSkier, Charlotte NC