Jackson hotels

First opened in 1965, the Virginian Lodge captures the spirit of the classic American motor lodge, but the new incarnation has been designed for modern travelers. The warm and welcoming lobby with its taxidermy mounts makes it clear you’re in the untamed West. The tidy guestrooms feel both modern and retro, with mid-century sideboards, Pendleton blankets and bistro tables. Just 20 minutes from Grand Teton National Park’s Moose Entrance, The Virginian Lodge is an excellent base for adventurers exploring the Tetons. At the hotel’s Outbound Adventure Center, guests can gear up for winter or summer excursions, from hiking to fishing. Another reason this is one of the best hotels in Jackson is the large inner courtyard with its firepits and swimming pool. Meanwhile, the burger counter serves the best waffle fries and soft serve in town, and the craft cocktails and karaoke nights at the saloon complete the nostalgic Western vibes.

Understated yet luxurious, The Cloudveil, an Autograph Collection hotel, embodies Jackson’s signature Western style. The name is a nod to the Teton Range’s Cloudveil Dome and in my opinion, the hotel does the best job of capturing the region’s natural beauty through design choices that incorporate natural elements. The open lobby, anchored by a boulder front desk, has a three-story rock wall and oversized wood-burning fireplace. Meanwhile, the 100 guestrooms and suites display a neutral palette, custom wood and leather furnishings, fireplaces and mountain-inspired paintings and photography. The rooftop terrace further anchors guests to the outdoors, overlooking Jackson’s historic Town Square and Snow King Mountain. Outdoor-savvy concierges love creating unforgettable itineraries for guests, like exploring the hidden side of Yellowstone. When you’re ready to rest and refill, The Cloudveil also has an outdoor pool and garden, a fitness center, and a bistro-style restaurant and bar.

With just 55 guestrooms, including suites with breathtaking mountain views, Hotel Jackson is one of the best luxury hotels in Jackson. Rooms are rustically elegant, with reclaimed barn wood, soft leather, and modern Western furniture in materials like rawhide and metal. The BVLGARI bath products transport you to a top-notch spa, while Hotel Jackson’s signature restaurant, FIGS, is adjacent to the lobby and serves excellent cocktails and Lebanese cuisine. Hotel guests can order drinks and small plates while perusing the collection of art and photography books in the exclusive Sacajawea Library. The best spot is by the fire with a stiff drink in hand. The LEED-built hotel is in the heart of downtown, a lively business district with designer boutiques, upscale art galleries, and entertainment venues. The throwback Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where guests sit on real saddle-topped bar stools, located just half a block from the hotel, is a must-visit.

Jackson visitors have one big decision to make: stay downtown, where it’s easy to walk to shopping and restaurants or stay in Teton Village, where you can experience all that Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has to offer without getting in a car. Travelers who choose the latter can’t do better than Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, which combines the warmth of a grand mountain lodge with modern decor. The lodge, one of the best hotels in Jackson for skiers, has alpine-inspired guestrooms and offers convenient access to the resort’s steep and long runs. But there’s still plenty to do in summer, like mountain biking and climbing the assisted climbing routes, known as the Via Ferrata. It’s also at the base of Grand Teton National Park and an easy drive to Yellowstone. I highly recommend visiting the delicious Italian restaurant, Il Villaggio Osteria, at the lodge’s slopeside sister property, Hotel Terra.