Queen of The Hotel Monaco

Checking in: Carmelo at The Hotel Monaco, SLCRoadtripping with your dog can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Carmelo and I have have camped out more than 400 nights together...in motels & hotels.  We're pretty well versed in road-warriorism.  Rolling without a definite agenda has its ups and downs. There are both rewards and frustrations when you're #roadtrippin with an 80 lb, furry best friend.  Finding well located and clean, dog-friendly accommodations can sometimes be a challenge.  That's why we have Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants on speed dial.

Kimpton has more than 50 hotels in 24 cities throughout the U.S...and they're all dog friendly.  So once we establish our route ...we always check Kimpton first.  This time we base-camped at The Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City.  This was our first time visiting Hotel Monaco SLC.  It's a sweeeeeeeeet place in the heart of Downtown Salt Lake. Hotel Monaco,SLC is located at 2nd South and Main, one block from the posh City Creek Center ...a new mixed use development from our friends at The Taubman Company.  City Creek has a siiiiiiiiiiick retractable roof for the POW days in SLC.

Carmelo and I have stayed in some pretty rank, roadside dumps in our day but Hotel Monaco,SLC is not one of them.  Across the entire chain Kimpton offers well priced, well located, boutique hotels that feature consistently excellent customer service and unique restaurants.

First class treatment never gets old. Fabulous customer service is never a bad thing.  At The Hotel Monaco, SLC,  we were greeted warmly upon our arrival. Carmelo was a HUGE hit with the staff.  My dog knows a fancy hotel when she sees it...so she was fired up like a puppy.  The complimentary "Wine Hour" at 5-6pm, is a great touch and a Kimpton institution. Carmelo was wildly sniffing every inch of the lobby looking for crumbs. She acted like the Queen of the Hotel Monaco.  Our room was decked out and included a package of doggie ammenities. Also, very cool... Kimpton's new Haute Yoga promotion includes a yoga mat in every room & and there are complimentary bike rentals in SLC.

Our friends at the Sky Hotel in Aspen (a Kimpton property) suggested that we try Bambara, the restaurant at the Hotel Monaco, SLC.  The place was buzzing with a pre-theatre crowd. The historic Capital Theatre is just across the street and had a one-night, one-man show, Hal Holbrook starring in A Night With Mark Twain.  In SLC, that's like... I dunno??...a Beatles reunion tour (just kidding SLC...u stay weird now). Anyway... Bambara was packed, but the food and the service couldn't have been better. The home-made blue cheese potato chips & and the rich and wonderful corn chowder have been a staple on Bambara's menu for 13 years.  Wow!!...is all I can say about the app's.  The big, fat juicy Filet Mignon was just what the Doctor ordered me to ummm,.... ummmm... stay away from. I couldn't resist nom nom nom, nom nom nom.  A home-made ice cream sandwich topped off a fantastic meal.  The New American cuisine devised by Executive Chef Nathan Powers offers one of the best menu's in SLC.

It was a great way to kick off a serious roadtrip.  See you in Seattle.

*AspenSpin received promotional considerations for this article*

Warm and friendly staff...at the dog friendly Hotel Monaco SLC by Kimpton.The service at Bambara Restaurant was off the charts.

Asst. GM Steve Quesenberry & Executive Chef Nathan Powers put on a show at Bambara in Salt Lake City.  

Hockey Coaches need LOVE too.

Aspen Junior Hockey hosted their annual COACHES APPRECIATION PARTY.

Coaches, Hockey Dads & Hockey MOM's.  You get the picture.  Obviously, things got out of control (not really).  It was a fantastic season for Aspen Junior hockey and the celebration ensued.

Click 4 Pix:  COACHES APPRECIATION PARTY

Sex, Drugs and Aspen Highlands

Cloud 9 went off for closing day.Closing day at Aspen Highlands is generally considered the #1 party in the entire ski world  This year's incarnation left nothing on the table. 

With climate change upon us, it was a very unusual ski season.  Two feet of snow fell here in the last week, so ski conditions were at their peak.  Thousands of skiers, riders and just plain partiers showed up to send the 2012/13 ski season off in style.

Click 4 Pix.  Sex, Drugs and Aspen Highlands.

It was a picture perfect Colorado bluebird day at Aspen Highlands.  Everybody was pumped and stoked and ready for a huge celebration of Winter, the mountain lifestyle and our funky, athletic, substance abusing, sexy community.  Spirits were high. Costumes were "almost required".

Highland's closing is a huge day for AspenSpin. A. Party got up early, secured a $20 parking space and grabbed one of the first chairs while mentally repeating a closing day mantra (no injuries, no injuries). It was warm at the bottom but at AH you always have to factor in the long, wind-exposed lift rides, no gondola here.  The gorgeous early morning light illuminated the fresh snow on the majestic peaks in the distance.  That first warm-up lap, alone on the mountain, ripping on the already corn-ed up corduroy gave me a chance to reflect back on a challenging season.  It wasn't the best one...but it was awesome none the less. Sayonara 2012/13.

So the task at hand. Click 4 pix.  SEX, DRUGS and ASPEN HIGHLANDS

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Thousands raged at Aspen Highlands. Click 4 pix.We know not what the future holds

In this World of change

The season's end is here again

Time to turn the page

Lovers will love and haters will hate

but one thing can be said

I came, I saw, I shredded & I took sick pix

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SEX, DRUGS and ASPEN HIGHLANDS

4/20 in Colorado. That Smell

Welcome to Colorful Colorado.

The Aspen Election: All Talk

This is not a political blog, but Aspen is a political town.  The opinions expressed below are those of Andrew M. Israel, registered voter.

As Aspen's May 7th election approaches, important political issues rise to the forefront and the candidate's positions become more clear. AspenSpin attended the candidate forum on the environment at Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES).  All 6 mayoral candidates and 3 of the 4 people running for City Council participated in a panel discussion at ACES. 

I left the forum feeling a little disillusioned and frustrated, but another attendee astutely pointed out to me... "these forums are not where the problems get solved, but you can get a feel for how the candidates will react under pressure". 

Torre for Mayor. Aspen.With 6 guys running for Mayor, it's unlikely that a clear victor will emerge in May.  We expect a run-off  election in June with the top 2 finishers going head-to head.

I was quite pleased to learn that all the candidates seem to agree that environmental issues are crucial to the future of Aspen. Perhaps it was the venue and the audience, but there was absolutely no debate about the existence of climate change and all the panelists seemed to respect the importance of Aspen's high profile role in the environmental crusade. The candidates all seemed to believe that the continued stewardship of our precious natural resources is essential to residents, tourists and the future of our town.

Skadron for Mayor. AspenCurrent council member and mayoral candidate Torre is passionate about the environment and his track record reflects that. Torre is credited with shepherding the ban on plastic bags in Aspen and doesn't own a car.  He didn't have to ponder the issue of drilling on the Thompson Divide, "hell no" he said.  He's finishing his second 4 year term on city council.

Steve Skadron is also clearly committed to the environment.  It's a major part of his political platform along with "small town character".  Skadron cited his work with C.O.R.E (Community Office for Resource Efficiency). Skadron has 2 years left on his second council term. 

Emmer for Mayor. AspenPolitical newcomer and retired attorney & C.P.A., Maurice Emmer,"led the fight" to defeat the city's controversial hydro power initiative. At the forum he seemed to be more concerned with the fine print (my words) like jurisdiction and policy than with actually protecting the environment. He seems smart, experienced and probably good with numbers...but i don't see him becoming Aspen's next Mayor.

Frisch for Mayor. AspenI personally have a hard time making sense of Adam Frisch's "common sense" platform.  While I truly respect his diligence, commitment and energy...he often paints with broad brush strokes.  Adam has two years left on his first council term.  The environment does not seem be his most passionate cause.  My impression is that he is pro-growth...whatever that means.

Johnson for Mayor. AspenDerek Johnson is finishing his first term on city council.  His day job is Director of Retail for Aspen Skiing Company.  Derek is a nice guy and he seems interested in the environment.  He was instrumental in "Aspen Tap" and "WE", the new bike sharing program.  He has served admirably on council and has proven his independence. However, in my opinion the position of Mayor should be arms-length from city's largest business...but that's just me.

Erspamer for Mayor. AspenLj Erspamer is a good guy, and he's been around Aspen for a long time.  He has worked tirelessly for years on countless committees and he helped build the ARC.  His mention of a "master switch" for all the empty mansions in Aspen to help curb their needless power usage deserves further discussion, because we all should our energy consumption to elimintate waste.

The City Council election has only 4 people running for 2 open spots. 

Art Daily was not in attendance. 

Ann Mullins is clearly pro-environment.  Her experience with urban design and planning would serve Aspen well on City Council.  She is a new face on the Aspen political scene, but she seems clear headed and strong.  It probably would be good to have a Woman's voice on council again.  I like her.Mullins for City Council. Aspen

Romero for City Council. AspenDwayne Romero is a war hero and a graduate of West Point and he has an MBA from Harvard.  On paper he's unbelievable.  But for me, it's hard to overlook the fact that he previously left his elected post on City Council to take a big title job with the State of Colorado. That part would have been OK had he not left that new position within 6 months.  It was a bad decision and he admits that.  I realize people make mistakes and I forgive him, so I'm glad he was able to reclaim his position of President of Related Colorado in Snowmass.   The fact that he voted thumbs-up for every development project that crossed his council desk (including the divisive Aspen Art Museum deal) also gives me reason to pause.

Carlson for City Council. AspenJonny Carlson is a good times guy.  I've seen him at the parties and the bars.  He's a funny guy...and he brings a little GONZO to the table.  Is he cut out for politics??  I don't think so.   Jonny's candidacy is reminiscent of days gone by in Aspen when the freaks challenged the establishment.  If Jonny, or someone like him, understood the issues and took their role seriously...I think he or she would have a chance. I believe the voters are looking for fresh perspective.

So there you have it.  My 2 cents.  I'll be voting early and often...you should too.  You decide.