Aspen Resort: A winter wonderland for the discerning traveller ⭐️
Note - Aspen has now shut. Look out for future destinations on the Highlife website.
When it comes to roleplay-based vacation destinations, Highlife Destinations has set the standard over the past three years.
With a portfolio that has included iconic experiences such as New York, Ibiza, and Timor Isles Bali – the latter of which left an indelible mark on me in 2020, and prompted me to start this website, Highlife has raised the bar for immersive leisure.
The latest addition to their repertoire is the Aspen Resort, unveiled for the 2023/2024 Winter Season.
Accompanied by my amazing friend, accomplished store owner and blogger Lexi Grayson, we went on a trip to witness and see Aspen for ourselves.
In summary we were very impressed., thanks to an expansive landscape, a plethora of activities, meticulous landscaping, and a seamless roleplay experience, Aspen has truly set a new benchmark for Winter resorts.
Overall look and feel
Like other Highlife Destinations, Aspen operates on an exclusive, pre-booked basis, with visitors receiving their group tags upon check-in, that then gives you access to the resort for the duration of your stay (for an explation of how these kind of resorts work, click here).
The check-in process seamlessly incorporates roleplay elements, adding an immersive touch to the overall experience.
As we went into the check-in area, juxtaposed against the backdrop of bikini-c;lad patrons checking into the other Highlife Resort, Timor Isles Bali, Lexi and I found ourselves adorned in winter attire, awaiting our turn.
We then received a room key, which you attach to unpack, and a travel HUD, which enables teleportation between the diverse attractions at the resort..
Spanning a spectrum of landscapes, Aspen features lodges, an amusement fair and entertainment zone, a town replete with amenities, and a network of snowy nature trails and areas.
The lodges
We stayed in the Spruce Cottage, which costs 2500L a night. Boasting a well-appointed downstairs living area and an upstairs bedroom with an expansive bathroom, complete with a generously proportioned shower, the Spruce Cottage proved to be an ideal haven for couples.
The inclusion of various animation engines for the bed, notably Cumming Soon (IMO the best), further accentuates the appeal. For those seeking larger accommodations, houses accommodating groups with multiple bedrooms are available at 3500L per night.
Facilities
These include:
Horseback Riding
Hot Air Balloon Tour
Skiing
Snowboarding
Rock Climbing
Hang Gliding
Kayaking
Bowling
Archery
Ice-skating
Sleighing
Hiking
A particular favourite of ours - a hotel swimming pool, for anyone wanting to attempt polar style swims
You can also book an add on dinner at the Alpine Restaurant, or a couple’s spa treatment, we ended up doing the latter.
Practical information
I had no real problems with lag, something that was an issue with some Highlife Resorts in the past
The owners ask that adult activities are kept to the lodges as this is a family friendly destination
The lodges have full privacy
Accommodation ranges from 2000-3500 a night
Pre-booking is essential via the website
Overall
Here are just a few things we liked about Aspen. There’s great attention to detail. Lots to see and do, you can easily spend days here and some do. The RP services on offer are excellent. In summary - highly recommended.
Note, Aspen will be closing at some point in early 2024, so be sure to book your stay now.
Finally, huge thanks to Lexi for coming with me, and making this visit fun. If you are not already doing so, be sure to follow her on Flickr.
