In 1889 Aspen, Colorado was a long way from being a glitzy ski destination, but it was a booming silver mining town, and this newfound wealth led to The Hotel Jerome, built to rival the world's finest lodgings.

FORBES: Hotel Jerome, Aspen

Over 1, 000 lodgings in the U.S. are participating in the initial launch of Green Leaders.

FORBES: Survey: Two-Thirds Of Travelers Want Green Hotels. Here's How To Book Them.

Two blocks over, downtown's hotel scene emerged from the Jazz Age in 2006 when 21c Museum Hotel debuted its forward-thinking concept, nesting 90 lodgings atop the U.S.'s first museum devoted to 21st-century art.

WSJ: An Insider's Guide to Louisville | Journal Concierge

Unlike the area's typical hiker lodgings, it has solar electricity, hot water, comfy beds, and a staff--a mountain guide looks after guests' safety, while a lodge host attends to their comfort, serving meals and handling cleanup duties.

FORBES: Lifestyle Feature