TUCKED INTO THE SHADOWS OF THE TOWERING TETONS, THIS BREATHTAKING BACKCOUNTRY BOUTIQUE MARRIES MODERN ELEGANCE WITH THE UNTAMED MAGNIFICENCE OF THE AMERICAN WEST

BY AMANDA McCOY

In the far northwestern corner of Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone National Park, rest the Tetons, one of the youngest ranges in the vast Rocky Mountain system. Still being uplifted today by the Teton Fault, their rise is sharp and dramatic. The tallest peak, the Grand Teton, springs 7,000 feet from the floor of the Jackson Hole Valley with no foothills, topping out at 13,775 feet in the sky.

Its towering silhouette, the centerpiece of Grand Teton National Park, is a famed symbol of the American West backcountry beauty, untamed and enchanting. Last August, prominent hotelier Jerry Johnson debuted Hotel Yellowstone, a lavish adults-only mountain retreat on the outskirts of Jackson with cinematic vistas of the towering Tetons. Scattered across the top of East Gros Ventre Butte, the resort’s 36 suites are dispersed in clusters, each framed with floor-to-ceiling glass and private balconies to invite the untamed landscape indoors. Each morning, wrap yourself in a bathrobe and take your coffee with a side of nature-brewed stillness, as wild moose, bison, and elk graze on the fiercely green Snake River Valley at the base of the range.

There are four unique suite types on the property, dubbed Reflection, Vista, Grand Teton, and Grand Reflection, all stretching 600 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The design, led by Johnson, blends contemporary comforts with Western touchstones like sheepskin rugs, antler-style lighting fixtures, and furry chairs. Calacatta marble-clad bathrooms provide personal spa experiences with heated radiant floors, Toto Japanese-style toilets, glass-enclosed showers, and oversized soaking tubs overlooking the mountains, while the gas fireplace and cozy sitting area provide moments of quiet reflection. Each room also features a high-end espresso machine, custom ward robe system by B&B Italia, and an in-room iPad for digital concierge.

The hotel also houses an intimate spa, available exclusively to resort guests, who are invited to soak amid nature’s splendor in the heated indoor pool ringed with floor-to-ceiling windows that open on warmer days. T here’s a Himalayan Salt Room along with a red light therapy sauna to boost skin rejuvenation, plus a pair of romantic treatment rooms for couples. The menu spans signature massages and holistic body rituals to restore balance and release the body of any lingering stresses or toxins.

Olivia’s Restaurant is another guest exclusive, where rich, Western-inspired dishes are prepared with wild-foraged and locally sourced ingredients, then served amid the breathtaking backdrop of the towering peaks. Breakfast is included in the resort fee and features signatures like almond and cinnamon French toast roulade dressed with wild blackberry syrup; a crispy hashbrown “nest” stuffed with poached eggs and finished with bacon or sausage; and a hearty steak benedict abetted by a fresh heirloom tomato and arugula salad.

At lunchtime, nibble light bites like garlic-rubbed bruschetta and marinated veggie sandwiches on the open-air patio, but save your appetite for dinner, when resplendent shades of crimson and coral color the sky as you feast on bison ribeye with black truffles or pap pardelle prepared with wild-foraged mushrooms and sweet tomatoes. The crispy pork belly starter is a standout, presented with a blue cheese mousse potato salad and warm mustard vinaigrette, while mains range from crisp and light (think summer squash gnocchi or delicately dressed halibut) to generous cuts of Wagyu tenderloin and elk saltimbocca with fondant potatoes and garden-fresh asparagus. Talented mixologists stir creative sippers behind an illuminated marble bar, while an impressive wine list ensures the perfect pairing for bison and elk.

The many art galleries, Wild West saloons, and upscale dining destinations of Jackson are only a few miles away, while nature’s playground cradles the resort on all sides. There are opportunities for thrilling wilderness experiences available year-round, including guided expeditions into Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone National Park just a short 60 miles up the road. Summer is Snake River season – float, whitewater raft, or fly fish in the sun-dappled tributary, or opt for hiking, ATV tours, or late-night stargazing. By winter, the landscape transitions into a quintessential snow-blanketed wonderland, offering activities like dogsledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowshoe tours, and some of the best skiing in the country.

Rooms begin around $900 per night.

Hotel Yellowstone

1775 NE Butte Road, Jackson, WY / hotelyellowstonejh.com