I stayed in an adults-only hotel for the first time. 6 surprises made it my favorite accommodation.

The reporter stayed at an adults-only resort for the first time in Jackson, Wyoming.

I love kids, but it’s tough for me to relax in a hotel full of them. Peaceful moments by the pool are often interrupted by splashing water. Occasional youthful screams in communal spaces startle me. And sunsets on the balcony may be accompanied by crying children and scolding parents in the room next door.

That’s why I decided to check out an adults-only hotel called Hotel Yellowstone for the first time during a September trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The resort, with views of Snake River Valley and Grand Teton National Park, opened in August for adults at least 21 years old, though anyone aged 18 to 20 may stay when checking in with an older guest.

I booked a Grand Teton Suite with a starting rate of $1,600 a night. (B-17 received a media rate for the one-night stay.)

I expected a relaxing evening but didn’t realize how much a kid-free environment would elevate my experience.

When I stepped onto the property, I was immediately taken by the peace and quiet.

Guest accommodations at Hotel Yellowstone.

Just 15 minutes from the traffic-filled streets of Downtown Jackson, I didn’t even hear the hum of a highway as I stepped out of my cab to check in at Hotel Yellowstone.

On a hill above a valley surrounded by mountains, 10 modern buildings with a cabin aesthetic sat between stone paths. A pond in the middle of the property made it feel serene.

There were no voices or pitter-patters of running feet. I only heard chirping birds and wind rustling the leaves of tall trees.

I didn’t expect the pool to be designed purely for relaxation.

Hotel Yellowstone’s Negative Edge Pool. 

Most hotels I’ve stayed in have had at least one large pool where clusters of people lounge by the steps while others swim laps or play games. I typically find them chaotic, noisy, and tough to avoid a splash when passing through.

That wasn’t the case at Hotel Yellowstone. This resort’s pool, called the Negative Edge Pool, was just 4 feet deep and had jets and heating. It was indoors and overlooked a mountain scene with a retractable glass window. Though shallow, the pool was quite long. I thought it was spacious enough for multiple groups to enjoy simultaneously.

Next to the pool, there was a wood sauna. Both were open 24 hours a day, which surprised me since most hotels I’ve stayed in have had a pool curfew. I imagine this is partly because no children are on the property.

In my room, I was amazed to see the Tetons from every angle — even while taking a bath.

Inside the reporter’s Grand Teton Suite.

It was instantly clear to me that my room was designed to showcase the views as much as possible when I stepped inside.

The door opened into a short hallway with a bathroom on the left, behind a spacious bedroom and living space. Light poured in from a large window on the left wall and floor-to-ceiling windowed doors to the balcony spanning the back of the room.

Even the bathroom had a sliding door in front of the oversized tub, so I could gaze at the peaks of the Tetons and the valleys below while taking a bath.

“The room layout, windows, wall-to-wall sliding doors, and the beautifully crafted boiserie bathroom door enable guests to fully immerse themselves in the stunning views from every angle of the suite,” a hotel representative told B-17.

I didn’t know the restaurant was so exclusive.

Inside Olivia’s, the restaurant at Hotel Yellowstone.

In my experience, hotel restaurants are typically open to the public, so I was surprised to learn that only guests could sit at Olivia’s, a fine-dining establishment at Hotel Yellowstone with an eclectic menu and locally sourced ingredients.

When it was time for dinner, I headed to the lobby and walked down a staircase to the restaurant on the first floor. I was mesmerized by the indoor-outdoor feel provided by the vast windows. Below the wood-beamed cathedral ceilings, the wide view of the mountains looked like a painting.

No one else was dining at Olivia’s when I stepped inside, so I could sit wherever I wanted. I selected a spot right by the back window and feasted on bao buns in silence.

I returned to Olivia’s for some fruit and steel-cut oats in the morning. This time, one other guest, a solo backpacker, sat two tables away from me. It was a far cry from the clattering plates and blending conversations of a typical hotel breakfast, in my experience.

One of the biggest surprises of my stay was catching a glimpse of the northern lights.

A glimpse of the auroras at Hotel Yellowstone.

After dinner, I took a peaceful walk back to my room, coated myself in a thick robe, and headed to the balcony. I expected to hear whispers of other guests enjoying the outdoor view, but it was just as silent and peaceful as when I first stepped onto the property.

Sitting in a lounge chair, I noticed a faint flutter of color in the sky and immediately jumped up and leaned on the railing. Purple and green hues danced so subtly that I had to confirm what I thought I was seeing with a long exposure on my camera. And it appears that I was right — I had spotted the northern lights in Wyoming of all places.

Seeing the auroras has been on my bucket list since I knew the phenomenon existed. And no matter where you are in the world, a trip to see the northern lights is never guaranteed. So, I certainly never thought I’d stumble upon them in the US.

I could hardly see them with my eyes alone, and I thought that if the environment hadn’t been so free of distractions, I might have missed them.

The other grand surprise of my stay was the last — a moose sighting at breakfast.

A moose walks across the adults-only resort.

I’d never seen a moose before having breakfast at Olivia’s.

There I was, dining at a table against the back window, when a moose casually walked along the property just outside the restaurant.

I was stunned, but my server was not — they said the moose hangs out regularly and is often seen swimming in the pond and drying off in the flower beds.

After staying there myself, I could see why. The kid-free environment was calm and quiet. I imagine the serene nature of the resort could make wildlife more comfortable in the human setting.

I thought the adults-only element was key to having these surreal moments with nature without sacrificing comfort and luxury.