“Shush, shush” went the dry brush as the therapist worked her magic to rejuvenate and exfoliate my skin. I knew that after the full-body brushing would come the wrap portion of the Alpine Glow Body Wrap ($250, 60 minutes) I was enjoying. Welcome to my little slice of spa heaven, courtesy of the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole.
For several years, the Four Seasons property located in the Wyoming town known for its elk herds and ski slopes had been on my domestic travel bucket list. So, when it came time to splurge on a getaway to celebrate my 40th birthday, booking the resort that offers adventure activities in its backyard and a decadent spa was a no-brainer.
The 158-room property is located at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort slopes in Teton Village, which means that in winter you can ski right off the slopes and in warmer weather, you have hiking and biking trails in your backyard. (Note that the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole is located outside of Jackson and is about a 35-minute drive from Jackson Hole Airport. Before you arrive, be sure to rent a car or work with the property to arrange transportation during your visit.)
If you’re looking for a destination that offers both moments of adventure and moments that will leave you saying “ah,” read on to learn why the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole should be on your bucket list.
What We Love:
- Waking up to the panoramic view from our mountain-side room
- The year-round heated pool where you can swim even while it’s snowing
- In-room iPads that allow you to order room service and chat with hotel staff 24-hours a day
- The state-of-the art fitness center, featuring Pelotons and other cardio and resistance training gear
- In-room electric kettles and Nespresso machines for the perfect cup of tea or espresso
- Three hot and cold plunge spa tubs to relax and reinvigorate tired muscles
What Not to Miss:
- The Alpine Glow Body Wrap ($250, 60 minutes), which includes a full-body brushing to exfoliate the skin followed by a moisturizing wrap infused with elements like arnica and chamomile
- An elegant dinner at Westbank Grill, enjoyed while taking in the restaurant’s mountain views
- An in-room bath in the room’s deep soaking tub
- Year-round use of the hiking, biking, and skiing trails located in the resort’s backyard
- Enjoying a fireside room-service breakfast of pancakes in your PJs
Guest Rooms
“What a view.” That was all my mother and I could say to each other when we walked into our mountain-side room. We were visiting Four Seasons in late October, which meant that the aspen trees just beyond our patio were at the peak of their golden fall hue. Beyond the trees was a panoramic view of the mountains—from the base where the chair lifts and gondolas launch to the snowy tops.
But, the room itself was also pretty fabulous. The king-size bed was as comfortable as a cloud, and the sitting area in front of the gas fireplace was the perfect spot to snuggle up with a good book. I’m always a huge fan of a deep soaking tub, and the one in our room did not disappoint. There were the other little luxurious touches that also made the room special like the complimentary soaking salts for your bathing experience, an in-room iPad that made ordering room service or requesting extra glasses or housekeeping a breeze, and a running trail map card. From the dazzling view to the thoughtful amenities, it was the kind of room where you could be content never leaving.
Cuisine
From Filipino Stir Fry Noodles to options like Fried Green Tomatoes and Burrata and a Bison Tenderloin, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole does not disappoint when it comes to dining options. Of course, there are plenty of spots within walking distance in the surrounding Teton Village. But, what I loved about this resort is that it offers a variety of on-property gourmet food selections that will please any palate. For example, we enjoyed two of our dinners at Ascent Lounge, which features pan-Asian cuisine like the noodles, as well as lemongrass-steamed potstickers and rainbow sashimi. The restaurant also offers a menu of signature cocktails that range from the Paintbrush Canyon with Buffalo Trace bourbon, Campari, lime, brown sugar, and egg white to the Fire on the Mountain with Mezcal, lemon, Aperol, and honey—all of which can be enjoyed by the fireplace inside or one of the slope-side fire pits.
Other more casual dining options at the hotel include the Handle Bar and Pool Cafe (where you’ll find the swanky pop-up Champagne igloo, Fahrenheit 47). These are both open during the high season from late November to the end of summer. And for a fine dining experience, reserve a table in front of the magnificent picture windows at Westbank Grill. (Westbank is also open for breakfast and lunch throughout the year.) This is where my mother and I celebrated my 40th birthday. My martini was spot on (I was delighted they had blue cheese-stuffed olives), and I enjoyed the fried green tomatoes along with a beautiful seared halibut with seasonal vegetables and a side of indulgent kimchi mac and cheese.
Finally, when you have a room with a view like ours, room service is always a stellar option. While there are plenty of all-day options ranging from elk chili to crispy Idaho red trout, we opted to take advantage of in-room dining for breakfasts. There’s nothing like curling up in front of the fire with a plate of buttermilk pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar and berries or a healthy veggie omelet with goat cheese. It’s the perfect way to kick off any Jackson Hole day.
Spa and Fitness Facilities
Spa and workout bliss pretty much sums up my experience with the property’s wellness offerings. The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole is home to 16 treatment rooms, separate men’s and women’s tranquility lounges (where I enjoyed a pre-treatment cup of herbal tea and healthy snack curled up by the fireplace), a year-round heated pool, and three hot and cold plunge spa tubs to relax and reinvigorate your muscles.
The treatment menu includes a selection of massages and facials, using product lines including Alpyn Beauty and Epicuren. Plus, the spa also offers several signature body treatments like the indulgent Après Ritual ($440, 1 hour and 40 minutes), which involves a soak with your choice of scented salts from the Great Salt Lake in a private spa suite, followed by a customized massage and an antioxidant-rich body wrap and foot scrub.
I opted for the Alpine Glow Body Wrap treatment, which kicked off with the invigorating dry brushing I mentioned, a process I’ve learned exfoliates your skin and stimulates your lymphatic systems. (As a bonus, I got to keep my dry brush to use at home!) After the therapist dry brushed each section of my legs, arms, and back, she would follow up by massaging the newly tingling skin with a soothing mixture of hydrating arnica and chamomile. Finally, the therapist wrapped me in a cocoon of soothing willow bark-steeped linens—meant to further nourish the skin—and sheets. I was so relaxed, I almost dozed off.
While I opted to get my exercise by hiking the trails in the hotel’s backyard, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole offers a well-equipped, state-of-the art fitness center, featuring Pelotons and other cardio and resistance training gear. And don’t miss the individual bags of trail mix and cartons of water offered in the fitness center. They served as my afternoon snack throughout the visit. Also, if you need a little motivation to complete your daily workout, the fitness center offers trained fitness instructors who are available to guide you through a customized yoga, circuit training, or cardio workout ($160, 60 minutes).
Programming
Regardless of the season, the resort team is available to help guests plan a host of additional activities they can participate in beyond the hotel. In the summer, the concierge can arrange a fly-fishing excursion, stargazing party, or wildlife tour of Yellowstone. The winter months are the perfect time to hit the slopes, ice skate at the rink in Teton Village, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride, or learn how to mush your own team of dogs on a dog-sled tour. The bottom line is that whether you’re looking for an action-packed itinerary or a relaxing weekend of indulgent spa treatments and reading by the fire, your wish is this property’s command.
