TETON VILLAGE, Wyo. -- As befits any major ski area, visitors to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort have a range of options: hotels in the nearby town of Jackson, vacation rentals, a hostel and a Four Seasons.
But we were welcomed with open paws at the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa. That's because the welcome came via its friendly-but-chill lobby dog, a black-and-white Bernedoodle named Scout.
The hotel just last year finished a major renovation project where the lobby, rooms and Spur restaurant were completely refitted with lighter, more modern furnishings. Log beams, fireplaces and cozy couches still abound, but as Noble House Hotels & Resorts CEO Jamie Colee put it, the redesign is "a combination of a modern lodge with rustic alpine charm."
The front-desk staff was friendly and knowledgable. But there's no doubt that Scout, who belongs to resort director Marco Morales, is the star of the show. I enjoyed hearing new guests exclaim when he moseyed out from behind the front desk or palled around with guests' dogs; he also enjoyed sacking out mid-lobby, looking very much like a rug. The small gift shop sells Scout-inspired merch like tote bags and mugs.
My daughter and I were comfortably hosted in a king room with views of the mountain, but Teton Mountain's room categories include duplex two bedrooms with kitchens and spiral staircases to a loft bedroom that's perfect for families. It has an expansive ski-and-board valet on the lower level, but Stephen Lane, the regional director of marketing, reminded me that most of the resorts in the area are all-season properties due to their proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.
The hotel's Spur restaurant includes outdoor seating. Photo Credit: Rebecca Tobin
If you're staying for any length of time, I highly recommend checking out the resort's spa and pool setup, especially its 22-person, adults-only rooftop hot tub. This can get fairly crowded at night and at apres ski, so pick your time and your crew wisely. There are also indoor and outdoor hot tubs at the ground level as well as an indoor pool that I suspect would be a kid favorite.
After renovations, the resort's Spur restaurant has refreshed its outdoor dining, which includes a high-top table with an in-table fireplace and folding doors that can be pushed back in warm weather. As it was still chilly during our stay, we ate indoors and took advantage of a varied menu that included a very excellent cut of steak. If you're looking for a hearty breakfast, Spur will not disappoint.
Teton Mountain Lodge is managed by Noble House, which also manages the adjacent Hotel Terra. The vibe at Hotel Terra is a little more modern than Teton Mountain, but this spring it began its own round of refurbs. I took a quick walk through the property, and my favorite amenity was its infinity-edge hot tub, with stunning views of Teton Village and the mountain.
Bears are carved into the bench in the porte-cochere of the Snake River Lodge and Spa in Teton Village. Photo Credit: Rebecca Tobin
Snake River Lodge
Another spot for stays, on the other side of Teton Village, is the Snake River Lodge and Spa, which celebrates the Western, rustic look. This resort is a must-visit for its cheeky carvings of bears throughout the porte-cochere and lobby, and its indoor-outdoor pool hewn around rock outcroppings is sure to be a hit with families.
If you're lucky enough, you can get a room off the lobby served by the very first elevator to be installed in Jackson Hole. It still retains a folding metal gate (watch your fingers) and was a tad finicky between floors, but it's memorable and fun. Exactly the kind of thing you want in a ski vacation.