I’m Going to Jackson

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Immerse yourself in the heart of the Grand Tetons at Hotel Jackson

Guests can gather in the lobby around one of the expansive fireplaces. Photos courtesy of Hotel Jackson.

When you arrive in downtown Jackson Hole you feel as if you have been transported to a modern Wild Wild West. Streets are lined with log-clad galleries and stores that lay below one of America’s best ski runs, which were once home to the Bannock, Blackfeet, Crow and other Native American tribes. Nestled in a valley of the Grand Tetons and surrounded by the Snake River, the town is a destination not just for avid skiers but for naturalists who wish to encounter the region’s impressive elk, bald eagle and grizzly bear populations.

Located in the heart of the town square—near one of the four iconic arches of thousands of antlers that weigh over 10,000 pounds each, is Hotel Jackson, one of the town’s most desirable design destinations. Owned and operated by the Darwiche family, who have lived in the valley for three generations, the 55- room boutique hotel is both cozy and cool and just steps from the robust life of downtown. “My father was drawn to the area because of its natural beauty, the kindness of the people and the quality of life he could enjoy here,” says General Manager Sadek Darwiche. “Through the years, we’ve worked to align our family and business values of preservation and community through the creation of the Jackson Hole Farmers’ Market, meaningful support for local nonprofits, and working with public and private partners to ensure affordable housing for the workforce.”

The Sacajawae Library offers a place for respite on cold winter days. Photos courtesy of Hotel Jackson.

Recognized as the first LEED-certified hotel in Jackson Hole, the design inside each suite offers a direct connection to the region’s rich history and landscape with reclaimed-barn-wood covered walls, touches of leather, rawhide and natural stone accents. Darwiche notes, “Hotel Jackson is the perfect base camp to explore and experience the most wild and intact ecosystems in the world, including Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, which are home to diverse wildlife, geologic wonders and open spaces. The design is sophisticated but connects the indoors to the outdoors.”

The beef hummus classic hummus labneh at FIGS. Photos courtesy of Hotel Jackson.

Unique to the area is the hotel’s FIGS restaurant, which is known for its innovative Lebanese Mediterranean fare that honors the family’s origins. “We wanted to honor our Lebanese roots, so it was only natural to incorporate family recipes at FIGS,” Darwiche notes. “No one was serving authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean food and this was another way for us to share a little of our culture with the community.”

The Bridger guest suite features an accent wall lined with wood reclaimed from barns, a tall leather- wrapped headboard and all-encompassing views of the mountains. Photos courtesy of Hotel Jackson.
Inside the Jackson suite bathroom. Photos courtesy of Hotel Jackson.

Since opening in 2015, Hotel Jackson has developed an overwhelming base of loyal customers and international acclaim that is enabling future expansion. “We are in the midst of building phase two—a separate 8,000-square-foot spa, a wellness center, a 150-seat restaurant, 10 new guest rooms and suites and a rooftop deck and bar are also being added on,” says Darwiche. With so much on the horizon, it is clear Hotel Jackson will become one of the iconic hotels of our time, attracting future generations to the mountain town.