Two Colorado hotels have been selected as U.S. News & World Report’s 50 Best Hotels in the USA in 2024. The magazine ranked more than 4,700 hotels on a variety of aspects—including the hotel’s star rating, guest comments, and industry accolades—for the prestigious award. Only luxury properties with at least 20 rooms were considered, and niche properties such as vacation and apartment rentals did not qualify. While New York and Florida properties dominated the rankings (Acqualina Resort & Residences in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, topped the list), Colorado’s The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs ranked No. 19 and The Little Nell in Aspen was dubbed No. 22. U.S. News & World Report also named both hotels as the best in their respective cities.
No. 19: The Broadmoor
The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is a massive property set along the shores of Cheyenne Lake. For more than a century, the resort has acted as a must-stay for outdoor enthusiasts and luxury travelers. Its scale and amenities set it apart: The hotel contains an impressive 784 lodging accommodations that range from guest rooms to cottages, as well as a spa, two golf courses, three pools, and tennis and pickleball courts. The Broadmoor also has several award-winning drinking and dining options.
According to its website, when The Broadmoor opened on June 29, 1918, a stay in one of the 350 exquisitely decorated guest rooms ranged from $10 to $12 a night (about $199 currently) and included afternoon tea and dancing in the ballroom, a live string quartet serenade in the dining room, and access to the 100,000-gallon indoor swimming pool, which was the largest in the West at that point. Today, the resort offers a variety of fitness and spa activities, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly care and entertainment options for kids.
For group gatherings, The Broadmoor offers 315,000 square feet of flexible and sophisticated event and convention space. It is nestled on the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains with 5,000 lush acres for guests to explore. The hotel also provides its own staff meeting specialists, advanced audiovisual support, and diverse cuisine options from its culinary team. broadmoor.com
No. 22: The Little Nell
The Little Nell is the ski-in, ski-out hotel on Aspen Mountain and is also Aspen’s only hotel to have both Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond designations, according to its website. Located in the heart of the ski town, guests can easily walk to the Silver Queen Gondola for winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding, snowcat powder tours, snowshoeing, and other activities like off-road adventures. While winter is busy season for The Little Nell (it closes for a few weeks in the spring after ski season ends), the hotel’s attractions offer year-round luxury. Summer adventures include fly fishing, stargazing, and off-roading excursions.
All of the hotel’s 92 rooms feature gas log fireplaces, and most have private balconies. All accommodations come equipped with a view, overlooking either Aspen Mountain, Red Mountain, the Continental Divide, Durant and Spring streets, or the hotel’s courtyard and pool.
For a meeting or event, The Little Nell’s subterranean Board Room is the perfect retreat venue. Featuring 10 leather chairs around a beautiful conference table, this room offers complimentary Wi-Fi access and an 88-inch screen, with an experienced and readily available audiovisual team. thelittlenell.com
