MY STAY
Seasons & skiing
Four Seasons Jackson Hole felt like a different hotel in each season. In winter, the ski team and short trip to the lifts simplified the day. In summer, I paid much more attention to the mountains and the national park than the ski runs. A lift view that suits one visit could feel fairly ordinary on the other.
Room position
The room needed checking before settling in. A spacious suite is less appealing beside noisy lifts or facing a parking circle, especially at peak rates. I wanted somewhere comfortable after being outdoors, not merely an upgrade with a bigger category name.
Ski team & evenings
The ski team made equipment less of a chore, and evening s'mores near the pool were a pleasant way to finish. For a relaxed drink there was 80 Proof. Dinner at Steadfire was less certain: nearly every plate in one meal came with an error, so I'd pay attention to the order rather than assume the setting guaranteed a good meal. The spa and pool helped after a long day outside.
Would I return?
Jackson Hole is worth another stay when the room and season both fit the kind of mountain trip I have planned. A good room position and staff who make the outdoor plans easy matter more here than a famous name. The mountains, not the lobby, are the reason to stay.