This new boutique hotel is reason enough to visit Jackson Hole

Relish in cozy luxury at a boutique hotel and spa

In this quintessential western town, dressed up in holiday lights, an archway of antlers from the National Elk Refuge frames the Town Square. The Boy Scouts are exclusively allowed to collect them on National Park land, often fetching up to $14/pound at the Elk Fest auction, last year earning around $218,000 for their finds. Most of the money is used to support elk preservation efforts.

Wyoming’s Jackson Hole valley, home to abundant wildlife and a gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, is the ultimate destination for those seeking wide open spaces and western charm. Nestled between the Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges, Jackson Hole was named after a mountain man named “Davy” Jackson, who trapped in the area in the early 19th century, while “hole” refers to the valley’s topography, with a large depression between mountains that looks like a hole from above.

Relax après-adventure at family-owned Rusty Parrot Lodge, a new boutique hotel located right in downtown Jackson, rebirthed after a catastrophic fire in 2019 halted their 30-year legacy. Just 6 months old, the reimagined property boasts 38 rooms and two suites, with a Body Sage Spa and Wild Sage Restaurant and Bar, plus outdoor hot tub and activities – all fitting seamlessly into the surrounding towering timbers and majestic mountains.

Many thoughtful amenities and personalized touches make for a special stay. Freshly baked cookies with hot cider, tea, and coffee are a welcome treat from a cold blustery day, waiting for guests inside the comfortable library lounge. Each evening, specialty chocolates are delivered at turn down and the attentive in-room service even provides cleaning wipes for your sunglasses. A cowboy western poem and Concierge Newsletter itinerary left in the room each day informs guests of the weather and activities.

The rooms feel like sanctuaries, with large comfy beds, custom designed furniture, fireplaces, and grand modern bathrooms with high-end toiletries, wine-infused hydrating eye masks, and deep soaking tubs. Lavender pillow spritzes are a nice touch, left bedside to aide with sleep. The hotel’s generosity feels like staying at a good friend’s home, as they offer warm heating pads for feet and hands upon leaving for the day’s adventure, and welcome extras like a contact lens case if yours goes missing.

After a day of wintry fun, sipping a handcrafted Mezcal cocktail or glass of French Syrah in the vibrant fireside bar lounge is comforting. You might notice the surrounding art, like a painting of goofy Alfred E Neuman lurking in the corner, gifted by the editor of Mad Magazine, who has stayed at the hotel many times.

The on-site restaurant, Wild Sage, offers an ever-changing menu inspired by the season’s bounty. Executive Chef Hugo Goodwin helms this sophisticated venue, with a menu drawing a packed house, so make a reservation in advance. Start by sampling the homemade focaccia, garlic soup, local mushrooms, beef tartar, and burrata with persimmon. Share the juicy pork chop, stacked like art, or filet mignon diced and sliced with potatoes. The Maple Syrup Latte with a Cinnamon Roll is a decadent start to any morning, but you’ll want to make room for the Cast Iron Omelet or Snake River Ranchero for a filling breakfast experience.

Nourish your spirit and quiet your mind at the hotel’s on-site Body Sage Spa, where an energizing massage – based on a quantum physics quiz – incorporates custom aromatherapy. Select a fresh made-to-order herbal tea while an expert masseuse helps release tension through scent, breathing, and various pressure modalities and techniques. Besides restorative massages, herbal scrubs, and salt soaks, choose from facials (like the Glo2facial) and recovery treatments for post-adventure aches. During ski season, a shuttle whisks guests to nearby Jackson Hole Mountain. This tranquil hotel is just a few steps from town but tucked away on a side street for a feeling of privacy and seclusion.