I usually avoid hotel chains, but staying at a Four Seasons completely changed my tune
- I stayed at the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole and felt like I was in a luxury mountain lodge.
- With 133 locations, the hotel chain ensures each site reflects its destination.
When I stay in a hotel, I don't want a bland room or a lobby decorated like countless others across the country.
I don't want to feel like I could be anywhere in the world. I want my accommodation to reflect my destination.
That's why I typically book boutique hotels with character, whether it's a 1930s adobe inn in Arizona or the Versace Mansion towering over South Beach, Miami.
But on a recent trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I decided to try a Four Seasons for the first time.
It's not just any hotel chain. The 63-year-old company, with 133 locations worldwide, is known for its luxurious vibe. US News ranked the Jackson Hole location the best hotel in Wyoming.
During my one-night stay, the lodge reminded me I was in Jackson Hole at every turn.
Kim Cole, the director of public relations for the Four Seasons, told Business Insider that while guests can expect the same high level of service across locations, each hotel is different.
"There's a sense of place at every Four Seasons," she said.
Each is designed to suit the destination — making every location unique.
The Four Seasons Jackson Hole is a ski-in, ski-out, five-star hotel.
The Four Seasons Jackson Hole opened in 2003 as a luxury ski resort in Teton Village. It sits below Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, next to Grand Teton National Park, and south of Yellowstone National Park.
With gable rooftops towering above pine trees across the property, I thought the hotel resembled a gigantic cabin.
The lobby set the stage for the elegant Western style of Jackson Hole.
The Four Seasons describes its design aesthetic as "mountain modern chic." I think the hotel brand nailed it.
The lobby elevated traditional Western styles with warm lighting, an earthy palette, sculptures of cowboys and bison, and a stone fireplace in the center of the cozy space.
Even my key card served as a reminder of my destination.
The resort has 155 rooms, including 106 guest rooms, 18 suites, and 31 Resort Residences — with full kitchens and up to five bedrooms — for large groups.
Though BI received a media rate for the one-night stay, a company representative said starting prices range from $525 in the offseason to $995 in the winter.
Meanwhile, starting nightly rates for the Resort Residences range from $4,200 to $11,000, depending on the season.
I stayed in a 550-square-foot mountainside guest room.
When I entered my hotel room on a cold, rainy day, I immediately turned on the gas fireplace and got cozy.
I scanned the room and spotted a king-sized bed, three cushy benches, a small table, and windowed doors leading to a small, private balcony facing the mountains.
The biophilic design details and smart controls made me feel like a luxury cabin dweller.
Cherry-wood shutters gave my room a rustic look, elevated by works of art resembling nature. I ogled at the tree forms on the lit-up headboard.
There was a tablet on one of the nightstands with smart controls for the TV and room service requests.
The bathroom was roomy and luxurious.
The bathroom felt spacious and elegant, with marble tiles, an oversize tub, and a roomy shower with Le Labo toiletries.
From the balcony, I had a view of Rendezvous Mountain.
It was incredibly cloudy during my stay, obstructing much of the view. But I imagine it would be an exceptional place to stargaze on a clear night.
After checking out my room, I stepped outside to see the grounds.
During my stay, there was no snow, but in the winter, the base of this hotel would be covered in white and dotted with skiers.
The resort had a 75-square-foot heated outdoor pool.
In addition to the main pool, there were three whirlpools. In the winter, guests have access to heated towels and robes.
Back inside, there was an 11,685-square-foot spa.
The spa has a salon and 16 treatment rooms for services like hydrating facials and rejuvenating body wraps.
The spa uses locally harvested natural ingredients, from rose quartz stones to wildflowers, for many of its treatments, according to the company's website.
The hotel has three restaurants on-site.
The Four Seasons has a steak house called Westbank Grill, a pub called The Handle Bar, and the Ascent Lounge, a pan-Asian eatery.
The restaurants source ingredients locally, from greens and potatoes to elk, beef, and buffalo.
The interior design in these spaces nodded to the American West through works of art and organic foundations such as stone walls and wooden cathedral ceilings.
In the summer of 2024, the hotel upgraded its luxury offerings with three new spots, including First Chair Grab and Go, a small marketplace selling snacks and coffee.
"When you're a skier, the first chair is that coveted spot, just like in music," Cole said of the store's name.
The small space was vibrant, with walls wrapped in newspapers and a bold red countertop. The offerings were akin to an upscale corner store. I spotted pastries, sandwiches, single-serving snacks, freshly pressed juices, and locally sourced coffee.
The speakeasy is another new addition.
Up to 30 guests can pile into the 750-square-foot 80 Proof, a speakeasy-style bar reminiscent of the traditional cowboy spirit.
"It's designed to evoke how the old west used to be," Cole said. "Like those railroad journeys through the American Frontier."
The velvet curtains, intricately footed tables, and historic photos on the walls gave the room a classy, old-world feel.
Perhaps the biggest upgrade is the new ski lounge.
The Mountain Club, accessible via a membership program, has an 814-square-foot lounge with complimentary meals and cocktails and a 1,257-square-foot looker room with heated storage spaces.
The starting rate for a membership is $9,000 a year with a $100,000 initiation fee, according to the Four Seasons.
Members can use all hotel amenities year-round, from the pool to the spa, and they also receive 25 guest passes a year.
During ski season, members have access to a ski valet, concierge services, and a private locker. And since it's a ski-in, ski-out facility, skiers can hit the slopes as soon as they step outside.
After one night at the Four Seasons, I know I'll book one again somewhere else.
And I'll likely have a completely different experience.
While I still wouldn't stay in hotels that look nearly identical across locations, my Four Seasons experience taught me that not all chains are the same — they can provide unique experiences.
So, when it comes to large hotel companies, I'm ditching the close-minded attitude.
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