Basalt is a bit closer. There were Divas happy with
The Element. Easy walk to Whole Foods so possible to eat in a bit.
My first time visit to Aspen was this March for a ski trip. I stayed in an AirBnB in Basalt downtown and found the location to be very convenient. Basalt is about ~15 miles to Aspen town, 20-30 mins (?) bus ride. I like Basalt a lot because it is quiet and quaint little town.
In terms of towns proximity to Aspen downtown (from farthest to the closest):
Glenwood Springs -> Carbondale -> Basalt -> Aspen
If you take bus (RFTA bus), you will see bus stations mention "down valley" - this is in reference to the direction of Glenwood Springs, "up valley" - reference to Aspen Town. (Analogy is NYC bus / metro stations: uptown vs. downtown. Here you have up valley vs down valley)
The Element Hotel - It is not located in Basalt downtown, it is further down valley, towards the direction of Carbondale, the bus stop is Willets.
@marzNC is correct. The Element Hotel is right at the Bus stop, there is a strip mall with many shops, include Whole Foods and few restaurants, so it is indeed very convenient.
If you opt not to stay in Aspen or Snowmass, I'd recommend Basalt. 2 hotels in Basalt to consider: Aspenalt Lodge and Basalt Mountain Inn.
Aspenalt Lodge is located in downtown Basalt. From outside it looks a bit "run down" but it is right across from the RFTA bus stop (local), short walk (5-10 min.) to RFTA bus stop on route CO 82 (state road). The location is convenient.
Basalt Mountain Inn is located "further in" Basalt downtown. It looks much newer from outside and I read good things about it (from Trip Advisor). Hotel rate includes breakfast. However location wise it is not as close to RFTA bus stops as Aspenalt Lodge. It is about 5 min. to local RFTA bus stop, 10-15 min. to RFTA bus stop on route CO 82.
B/W these 2 hotels, I probably will go for Balsalt Mountain Inn because it is newer and rate is only bit higher than Aspenalt. There'd be no gear to carry (like skis, boot bag) and it'd be a nice stroll to walk through downtown and you will see plenty nice restaurants and pastry & coffee shops to choose from.
Public transportation - when I stayed in Basalt, I took RFTA bus everyday. $4 one way. It is exact change or you can purchase a bus card to load some $$. If you hop on the bus from the "Intercept Lot", it is free.
During ski season, I know people park their cars at Intercept Lot (free parking) and then take bus to ski the 4 mtns.
Local RFTA bus runs less frequent, regular RFTA bus stops along CO 82, it runs more frequent. I found the public transportation in the area very convenient and reliable. If you fly into Aspen Airport, there is a bus stop there.
From what I remembered from her TR,
@NewEnglandSkier stayed at Pokolodi lodge in Snowmass.
I can also share w/ you my AirBnB place in Basalt, it is located right behind Aspenalt Lodge. Let me know and I can PM you.
Have fun at the Aspen Music Festival. I've heard a lot about this music festival and curious to learn more about it. Maybe I will make a trip there one year.