St Julien, in Boulder, Colo., provides a nearby wintertime escape for Arizonans who want luxury among a few freshly fallen flakes, crisp air and plenty to see and do.

For a luxurious dose of cold weather this holiday season, Boulder, Colo.’s superplush St Julien offers a top-notch retreat for Arizonans. Apart from all the perks that the Boulder-based hotel has to offer (more on that later), Valley residents will be pleased at just how easy it is to get there. First, the flight between Sky Harbor Airport and Denver International Airport is a snap, only about one hour and 30 minutes. Then, the trip between the airport and the downtown Boulder is a mere half hour or so. (St Julien staff is happy to arrange transportation to and from the Denver airport, if needed.)

Upon arrival at St Julien, guests are immediately greeted by the incredibly friendly staff and, if you’re a fan of Flagstaff, you’ll notice that Boulder resembles the northern Arizona town on a slightly grander scale. Plus, it’s hard to miss the luxe lobby that has plenty of cushy seating and small gathering spaces, perfect for people-watching. (This place comes alive in the late evening with guests sipping wine and chitchatting.)

However, the St Julien rooms are where guests can truly get cozy. Each room is modern and sophisticated, with many of them offering front-row views of the Flatiron Mountains. The rooms have all the amenities you would want from a high-end hotel: spaciousness, a dreamy bed, a well-appointed bathroom with a large soaking tub, upscale toiletries and plenty other perks (including the chocolate-covered cookie that gets left on the pillow during turndown). The cool Colorado artwork and photography that graces the walls is neat too, to boot.

Though the rooms are hard to leave (particularly the heaven-sent beds), there is plenty more hotel to check out. Spa at St Julien is 10,000 square feet of sumptuousness with an array of Zen-like treatments, like the new Mountain Mojito sugar scrub. Dining options are various at St Julien from the signature Jill’s Restaurant to the much-loved Saturday Afternoon Tea. For a pre-dinner drink, happy hour at T-Zero Lounge is a must—especially when enjoyed on the terrace, offering mountain views and a chance to mix and mingle with other guests.

Another thing St Julien has going for it is its prime position in downtown Boulder. The hotel is a minute or two walk or bike ride—which the hotel can lend you—from the city’s famed Pearl Street Mall, a multi-block strip of shops and restaurants (most of which you won’t find in Arizona) that range from casual to chichi. There are about 1,000 spots to visit along Pearl Street, but don’t forget to take a few moments to enjoy the street performers who delight regularly with their music, magic, dancing and more. For a bite to eat, Centro Latin American Kitchen is great spot to share a dish (think pork-and-lobster nachos) and sip some tequila, while The Kitchen boasts farm-fresh ingredients and one of the best breakfast spreads in town.

Before heading home to Arizona, be sure to take time to breathe in the mountain-fresh Boulder air and enjoy the snowflakes that might be making their way to the ground this time of year. While there’s a lot to love about home, it’s always nice to get a taste of what wintertime is really about. www.stjulien.com.