Rockefeller Center is far more than just the Today show studios these days.
Aspen Hospitality, a division of Aspen One, has launched Nell Hotels, a new luxury brand built on the legacy of The Little Nell in Aspen. The launch arrives with two major milestones: The Nell New York, opening in fall 2027 as the first and only hotel within Rockefeller Center, and a comprehensive renovation of The Little Nell, which will temporarily close in April 2027 and reopen for the 2027-2028 ski season.
Nell Hotels debuts as a collection of three properties: The Little Nell, Aspen's only Five-Star, Five-Diamond ski-in/ski-out hotel and the brand's founding property; the Residences at The Little Nell; and The Nell New York in Midtown Manhattan. The brand plans measured growth, adding properties in destinations that match its ethos over time. The guest experience at each property is guided by four pillars: creating a sense of home, unveiling distinctive access, engaging with intention, and sparking après energy.
"Nell Hotels builds on what The Little Nell has always been about—something personal, something you come back to that feels familiar every time," says Jeff Toscano, CEO of Aspen Hospitality. "As we grow, that doesn't change. Our intention is not to be everywhere but to be exactly where our guests are. This allows us to carry forward the same level of recognition and care that is inherent to The Little Nell, creating hotels that feel familiar from the very first stay and become part of our guests' lives over time. This is not about scale for the sake of growth. It's about bringing our approach to hospitality to destinations where it can truly resonate."
The Nell New York
Representing a more than $350 million investment, The Nell New York will occupy 10 Rockefeller Plaza and debut as the only Relais & Châteaux property in New York City. The 134-room hotel will feature a seventh-floor arrival experience designed to lift guests above the pace of the city, creating a sense of discretion and calm within one of the world's most visited landmarks—home to the Christmas Tree, the skating rink, Top of the Rock, and the Rainbow Room.
Amenities will include an all-day dining venue, a lobby bar, a wine lounge, and a spa, plus a signature fine dining restaurant on the 17th floor with expansive views of Rockefeller Center and beyond. The design draws on the Art Deco grandeur of Rockefeller Center itself, and—continuing a tradition established at The Little Nell—the hotel will showcase an art collection featuring emerging and internationally recognized artists from New York and around the world.
"Distinctive access will define the guest experience at The Nell New York," says Toscano. "Just as The Little Nell is known for unparalleled access to Aspen and its mountains, The Nell New York will unlock access to the studios, galleries, private dining rooms, cultural institutions and in-the-know experiences ... It's inherently insider without requiring membership."
"We are honored to welcome The Nell New York to Rockefeller Center and to partner with a brand that shares our commitment to creating meaningful experiences through art, dining, culture, and community," says EB Kelly, head of Rockefeller Center and senior managing director, Tishman Speyer. "Built nearly a century ago as a city within a city, Rockefeller Center has long offered a singular destination experience. With the arrival of The Nell New York, that experience is now complete: guests can dine, shop, explore, and stay, all within Rockefeller Center. Together with Nell Hotels, we are excited to build on this legacy and create inspiring new experiences for the next generation of guests."
The Little Nell
The Little Nell will close in April 2027 for a top-to-bottom renovation touching guestrooms, public spaces, and dining outlets, reopening in time for the 2027-2028 winter season. Advisors with clients booked for weddings can breathe easy: the property's weddings program will continue operating throughout the renovation, with the Wedding Deck remaining available. The Residences at The Little Nell will also remain open for bookings, offering gourmet kitchens, private balconies with panoramic mountain views, dedicated ski concierge service, and a rooftop pool with 360-degree views.
Until the closure, the hotel remains fully operational with a calendar of programming, including its in-demand spa residency with celebrity facialist Georgia Louise—whose clientele includes Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt—now extended through next winter.
"The temporary closure reflects a commitment to preserving what makes The Little Nell exceptional, while ensuring it continues to evolve for the next generation of guests," says Toscano. "Upon reopening, the property will remain the foundation of the brand, continuing to define the standards by which Nell Hotels will grow."
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