Bringing the Outdoors In
Back in 1967, a retired advertising executive from Los Angeles and ski industry legend, Paul McCollister (1915 – 1999), founded the Jackson Hole Ski Corp. (later renamed the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort) and set aside a 5.5-acre (2.2 hectares) lot offering a prime ski-in, ski-out location and spectacular views for the future development of a signature resort. His vision led to a world-class ski resort area – and his carefully chosen location for a luxury hotel will soon be the home of Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole in December 2003.
Capturing the Natural Serenity of Mountain Wilderness
Preserving the environmental integrity and natural beauty of the site became the primary design goals of the new resort. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts secured the talents of the architectural firm, Hill Glazier, of Los Angeles; interior design firm, Brayton Hughes, of San Francisco; and landscape designers, Design Workshop, of Jackson Hole. When Four Seasons began developing the site, the designers were inspired by the natural metaphors of the mountains and the nearby Snake River. They also incorporated the casual yet elegant look and feel of the historical, grand mountain lodges of the parks in the West, and blended the natural materials of stone and wood for a contemporary feel.
“Our mission is to create the most refined, innovative and comfortable mountain resort in North America – and one that serves as two resorts in one to seamlessly accommodate the changing needs of snow sports and recreation during the warmer months,” said Paul Cherrett, general manager, Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole. “We aim to bring the outdoors in with the finest natural materials and craftsmanship to create an atmosphere that reflects this beautiful, laid-back and unpretentious community.”
The Resort hugs the mountain valley in a zigzag formation, resembling the winding pattern of a river, to provide vistas from all angles. Guests can experience the bustling view of the ski lifts and Rendezvous and Après Vous Mountains to the west or the expansive views of the valley and Sleeping Indian Mountain to the east. Most public spaces take advantage of the mountain views by offering high-trussed ceilings and large framed windows. Transplanted mature trees native to the area include spruce, Douglas firs and quaking aspens, to create dramatic landscaping.
A Lay-Out for Maximum Enjoyment
A beautifully landscaped road leads visitors to the heated Porte-Cochère entrance where valet parking is available at an underground garage for 100 cars. Upon entering, guests find a grand stone fireplace with a restful seating and waiting area. The front desk and Concierge are located away from the main circulation route.
Tucked behind the fireplace is the
Lobby Lounge with views of the adjacent ski slopes. Heated outdoor terraces off the Lobby Lounge, Library and restaurants ensure comfortable places to meet and watch the ski world schuss by.
The Westbank Grill features an open kitchen, large stone fireplace and mountain views in a casually elegant setting.
The Peak, located slope side, offers a year-round convivial pub environment. Both venues were designed to appear as freestanding restaurants for both guests and the local community – and to accommodate sporting gear.
To the right of the Lobby is the Library, an ideal area for a quiet break, adjacent to the Sundry Shop. Down several steps are the Spa, Salon and Fitness Center. The 11,685-square-foot (1,085-m2) Spa is designed to provide separate dressing areas, steam rooms, relaxation lounges with fireplaces, steam rooms, hot and cold plunge pools for men and women. Sixteen treatment rooms, including two Spa Suites with fireplaces, are built for couples.
The Fitness Center flows out onto the heated, landscaped pool deck with an outdoor fireplace, three outdoor hotspring-style whirlpools and a heated pool (30 ft. by 75 ft. or 9 m by 23 m) ideal for lap swimming. The river motif is reflected here with cascading waterfalls and boulders that look like they were always there.
The area to the left of the Lobby transitions into the completely separate meeting and banquet area. Three mid-sized conference rooms and a 4,000-square-foot (372 m2) ballroom can easily accommodate small and large gatherings. An outside portico or interior foyer leads to the ballroom, terrace and function lawn. The Ballroom offers natural light with stunning views of Sleeping Indian Mountain from the front lawn.
The 124 guest rooms and suites are clustered to offer easy access to the slopes and public facilities. Fireplaces and private terraces in each guest room guarantee full enjoyment of the destination, indoors and out. Space was a major design consideration with the standard guest room providing 550 square feet (46 m2), including an oversized walk-in closet that can accommodate lots of equipment. The classic Four Seasons bathroom provides a separate, glass-enclosed shower stall, separate WC, deep-soaking tub and a double vanity.
An underground heating system, Sno-Melt, keeps the Resort’s driveways, walkways and terraces clear of snow and ice.
Interior Design With a Contemporary Interpretation of the West
Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole welcomes guests with the romantic style of the American West. The residential feel continues with the lodge-like cosiness of an earlier era interpreted into a contemporary western version. A seamless interior and exterior relationship is carried throughout with the use of stone and wood.
Its interiors are sleekly modern yet reflect the area’s heritage with dramatic western motifs. Furniture materials include tooled leather, suede, alder wood and cowhide upholstery. For example, each guest room features a stone fireplace as a cornerstone with comfortable chairs and an oversized ottoman right in front. The built-in alder wood desk, dressers and entertainment console incorporate textured, tooled leather doors. A cowhide upholstered chair is in front of the desk. The headboard is made of soft leather with a light suede backdrop. Louvered wooden shutters cover the windows and balcony or terrace door. Native American-inspired throw rugs, baskets, blankets and lamps provide an added sense of place.
A 1,000-piece Collection of Museum-Quality Artwork
Juan Mirò, Alberto Giacometti and Grant Wood are just a few names of the world-famous artists whose work is on display at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole. Approximately 1,000 works of art, representing more than 50 artists, are featured throughout the public spaces and guest rooms.
Paintings, drawings, lithographs and wood engravings, dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, are culled from the art collection of William Louis Dreyfus, the owner of the Resort. Curator of the Resort’s collection, Elizabeth Weiner of Elizabeth Weiner Fine Art International, selected a wide array of both non-representational and representational pieces to inspire the viewer.
“Although Jackson Hole is one of the top-selling wildlife art markets in the U.S., we felt that our visitors will see great examples of this art at nearby museums and at most other venues,” said Cherrett. “You won’t find images of moose and streams here, but unique, eye-catching art that is thought-provoking.”
