Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro Aspen Highlands — Restaurant in Four Corners States

I came on a trip to Aspen for my 30th birthday with my boyfriend. We loved the Highlands and decided to stop at this bistro for some drinks and lunch. While the food was tasty and the view exceptional, we were welcomed by a rude, disinterested waitstaff. Our server never introduced himself and seemed reluctant to wait on us. We ordered a bottle of rose and received the worst bottle service either of us have ever gotten - where we were served in plastic wine glasses that were water stained and during which the waiter did not speak to us, nor offer an initial tasting of the wine. We also never got a chiller for the wine even though every other table in the restaurant had a wine chiller at their table. While we didn’t care about the dirty looks we received when walking into the restaurant from the other guests (as my bf is a park skier and dresses as such, and because neither of us look like the typical wealthy crowd that probably overruns this place) but we were quite disheartened at the experience we received from the service staff here. Both of us are servers/bartenders that have been in the industry for years and both us of have extensive fine dining experience. We tipped $30 on $146 mostly to prove a point that we would be good tippers and had the money to spend on this restaurant, but neither of us felt that our waiter deserved such a generous tip after the careless, snobby service we received. We probably would’ve stayed to enjoy more food and perhaps another bottle if we didn’t feel so unwelcome by the servers at this restaurant. We went to Aspen Snowmass the next day and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with drinks at Aurum Snowmass, and received the service that we normally expect to receive at a fine dining restaurant. Definitely would not recommend coming here if you’re not the typical wealthy patron that lives in/visits Aspen regularly, because the staff will profile you and treat you differently if you don’t fit...

This was a beyond disappointing experience. We made a "standard apres" reservation for 1:45 pm as we wanted the apres experience at cloud 9, not the lunch experience that we would have at an earlier seating. When we arrived we were seated at a table crammed between other tables that barely fit our 6 people around. No one came to our table for at least 15-20 minutes- when someone finally came over we tried to order a couple bottles of wine but were told VERY rudely that we could not drink unless we ordered food. The attitude from the server was so off putting that we wanted to leave instantly. We said we would order a couple appetizers for the table (as we'd already eaten lunch prior to 2pm) but were told that we'd all need to order an entree otherwise she could only give us each a half glass of wine (the allotted food:alcohol ratio was extremely arbitrary and nothing I've experienced at any mountain bar/restaurant EVER). We were told that this is for "liability" issues and is a "restaurant policy". This was not mentioned anywhere in the reservation booking. Needless to say we were not interested in ordering full meals when we'd already eaten and were just looking to have a couple drinks and a fun time. We couldn't get up and leave fast enough- when you're gonna pay the outrageous prices they're charging for wine, I'd at least like to be served with a smile and not treated like the scum of the earth by the extremely condescending staff. Spend your money at the many other wonderful places on the mountain and avoid this place...

I had high expectations for this place, which usually means you are going to be set up for some disappointment. Zero complaints and only praise here.

Our table was ready when we arrived. The manager Jorge quickly found his way to introduce himself and checked in during and after our seating. He was fantastic. Our server ashley was very attentive and made sure our experience was A plus. We adored her!! Alex the sommelier stopped by to give us some better recommendations. Sometimes that can come off as trying to just get more money but it came from a genuine place of trying to be helpful with a ton of knowledge. Zero pushiness.

The way they build up the spray champagne is a perfect climax. Music starts to get louder. People are standing up on the seats. And then they will count you down. I honestly felt pure joy in that room when it all started. People just having a freaking blast. It isnt too long of a seating and at first i thought that would be not a good use of money. Ha. No- its the perfect amount of time there plus you gotta ski down.

Ladies - Bring and wear a fur bikini top. The pics and videos are epic. Other pro tips - get the second seating inside and the table against the windows is the best. Oh and if you don’t ask for alex, ashley and Jorge - you are missing out.

Cannot believe i waited 38 years to come to this. Its an absolute bucket list!! Will definitely be back!!! Its...