Images by Shawn O’Connor
In the summer of 2022, The Little Nell and sister brand ASPENX became one of only a select few U.S. retail locations offering sweets from the esteemed French pastry house Ladurée. The iconic French manufacturer and retailer of high-end pastries and candy (known as “douceur” in French) was founded in 1862 in Paris and has been making macarons ever since. A unique and precious Maison (“house”), Ladurée continues its rich legacy, one sweet bite at a time.
There’s a reason why the company’s queues stretch out the door and down the street: Its confections are simply the best. Prepared with a secret recipe that’s been passed down through several generations of pastry chefs, Ladurée is world renowned for its colorful double-decker macarons made from egg whites, granulated sugar, and almond flour, with buttery filling in the center. “Macarons are the supermodels of the food industry,” says Elisabeth Holder, president of Ladurée U.S.
The Little Nell is the exclusive hotel in Colorado to offer Ladurée macarons as an arrival amenity in its guest rooms and suites, with packaging in elegant boxes that make for a memorable souvenir. ASPENX’s flagship store in Lower Gondola Plaza is the only location in Colorado to carry Ladurée macarons, candles, jams, honey, and marshmallows. Macaron flavors at ASPENX include chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, lemon, pistachio, caramel, rose petal, and a flavor called Marie Antoinette (black tea, citrus, and rose).
“Ladurée and The Little Nell make for a perfect match, and we are honored to be the premier hotel in Colorado to offer these specialty sweets to our guests,” says The Little Nell’s general manager, Henning Rahm. “We’re also thrilled to feature Ladurée at ASPENX, where you can mix and match flavors, creating your own custom selection to gift to others or enjoy for yourself.