Having a condo in Aspen is one of those luxury lifestyle things — and real estate prices there do put most other places to shame — but you don’t have to buy, you can rent. One of the best deals for deluxe condos I found when I was there recently is The Gant, a fully serviced condo complex with 123 one- to four-bedroom units. The Gant is set on five acres at the edge of town, in walking distance of shops and restaurants. It also runs a courtesy shuttle to area ski lifts and into town. Amenities you don’t always find when you rent a condo are included at the Gant: concierge, valet and bell service, data ports, WiFi, and daily maid service. A breakfast basket is delivered to your room on arrival with cereal, fruit, milk, breads and bagels, spreads and other goodies, since there is no restaurant on-site. The units are spacious and have large kitchens open to a great room, fireplaces, and ample baths. Decor is up to the individual owners, and affects the pricing (i.e., the lowest-priced units haven’t been upgraded in a while). The premium units have high-end features such as granite counters and steam showers, and show an interior designer’s hand. Even within that category, though, taste level varies. My unit was on ground level, with a walk-out patio. It had gray stone floors, which may be expensive and durable but made me feel like I was in a cellar. Even with all the lighting on maximum, it was dim (though the concierge brought me a high-intensity lamp for my working area on request). I wound up working at the kitchen counter because my unit didn’t have any desk space, but other units even have private offices complete with computers, so the point is to get as much detail as you can about the specific unit you’re renting. I thought it would be a great place for a family ski vacation, or for couples traveling together. As an individual, the owners’ family pictures that were left scattered about made me feel a bit out of place. There is also a separate meeting facility with an outdoor terrace for private dining; the fitness facilities, which include a sauna, are also in that building. There are three hot tubs scattered about the property, and two outdoor heated swimming pools. Here’s another picture, of one of the living rooms. Click on any of the thumbnails to enlarge. –Mary Hunt, editor, eFlyer