Holiday hotels - Directory

15 and 17). Across the way, the Palace of the Governors' Christmas at the Palace (December 15) has music, luminarias, and Santa. 167 rooms from $199. 100 E San Francisco St.; (800) 523-5002, (505) 982-5511, or www.lafondasantafe.com.

Peter Fish

Rocky Mountains

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ASPEN, COLORADO

Hotel Jerome

The holiday season blazes brightly at Aspen's 111-year-old Hotel Jerome. A large tree on the front balcony invites everyone to enter and admire the decor lavished on the ornate lobby, with its warm wood and polished metal and glass. One richly ornamented tree dominates the scene; others brighten the Garden Lobby and the Antler Bar. Fat garlands tied with maroon ribbon and sparkling with tiny lights embellish the staircases.

Special events fill the hotel's ecumenical holiday calendar, beginning with a menorah-lighting ceremony on December 22. From then until Christmas Day, the hotel hosts at least one special event every day--most free and open to the public. When the Dickens Carolers enter the hotel to sing favorite holiday melodies, Aspen could be mistaken for 19th-century London. The Children's Story Hour and photos with Santa are tops with families. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without The Nutcracker; and many people like to pop over to watch the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet perform this perennial favorite (December, 21-24; $18-$38; 800/905-3315).

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The Century Room, which evokes the free-spending era of the silver barons, is the site of a fantastic five-course Christmas Eve feast ($125); there's also a Christmas Day dinner buffet ($80, $35 ages 12 and under). 93 rooms from $395. 330 F. Main St.; (800) 331-7213, (970) 920-1000, or www.hoteljerome.com.

Claire Walter

Other historic Rocky Mountain hotels

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* BOULDER, COLORADO: Hotel Boulderado. A 25-foot tree reaches for the vaulted, stained-glass ceiling in the lobby of this intimate 1909 hotel. There are splendid afternoon teas for the holiday season. A Christmas Day buffet is served on the mezzanine ($38.95, $22 ages 6-12), while trendy Q's restaurant does a gourmet feast ($40, prices vary for children's meals). 160 rooms from $130 (holiday rate). 2115 13th St.; (800) 433-4344, (303) 442-4344, or www.boulderado.com.

* DENVER: Brown Palace. Fronted with Arizona sandstone and Colorado granite, the unique, wedge-shaped 1892 building has a stunning lobby originally built as a stylish retreat for rich silver barons. On November 24, two dozen hotel elves will turn the Brown's eight-story lobby into a workshop where they will assemble a mammoth chandelier with 2 tiers, 12 arms, 42,500 lights, and this year's garland colors--different every season. The first three Saturdays in December bring Breakfast with Santa, featuring a kid-size buffet table ($19.50, $11 ages 6-12). Ellyngton's serves holiday brunch every Sunday through Christmas Eve (from $34.95, $11.95 ages 6-12), and the elegant Palace Arms puts on a formal Christmas Day feast (from $42). 230 rooms from $179 (holiday rate), including a $25 shopping certificate. 321 17th St.; (800)321-2599, (303)297-3111, or www.brownpalace.com.