Concierge.com's insider take:

The Nell is so Aspen—i.e., it's a cute little (92-room) home-away-from-home chalet where everyone happens to be wearing Prada skiwear and there's a two-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Those abundant staff members are convincingly caring, and the atmosphere really is warm at the town's only true ski-in, ski-out hotel. The ski concierge, Ray McNutt, will take you out at the crack of dawn to be first to sully the groomed slopes, too. The all-beige rooms have plenty of space to swing a dog (yours is welcome and has his own menu), plus king-size beds, gas log fires, huge closets, humidifiers, and big marble bathrooms. Restaurant Montagna, with chef Ryan Hardy, is among the best in the state, and the bar is a hot spot, especially with its fondue menu. The Nell's Ajax Tavern, just across from the gondola, has reopened for the 2008 season after a massive renovation, with a new menu befitting its contemporary French bistro atmosphere. (Old favorites, however, such as the Tavern's famous truffle fries, are still a must.)

Note: The Little Nell will be closed for renovations between September 7 and December 1, 2009.