Prefer 4-star or better. Price is not a huge concern, but we don't want to go totally insane...maybe something for <$300/night (we're going in September). Looking for something not too rustic (the hub-unit NEEDS his amenities), not too far from the park, but which also offers some nearby evening entertainment and good restaurants. Never visited the area before. Help...where do I want to stay?

Beats me. Not far from the park?
How about one of the $300 plus suites at Old Faithful, if one is available.

West Yellowstone? Not sure any place is up to your standards. Why not go where there are 5-star resorts?

When I think Yellowstone, I don't equate that with spa treatments, fine dining and clubing. You may want to do some research...here's the NPS website for Yellowstone and see if this is where you want to go.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/

You are in the wrong area of the country.

Jackson would be your best bet probably. It is too far to make many day trips to Yellowstone, but if you just want a quick ride through Yellowstone, I know people who have stayed in Jackson and done that in one day. There are activities, like rafting, hiking, horseback riding that you can do in the Tetons. Jackson has quite a few good restaurants and shopping, but I don't know about entertainment.

West Yellowstone has modern hotels (like the Holiday Inn) with TV's and a restaurant, but most people who are staying there spend their days in the park and the town closes down early, so I don't know of any night life there.

What amenities are you looking for? And, like everyone else has asked, what are your expectations for the area.

I agree with maj, Jackson Hole would be your best bet for something outside of Yellowstone. But like someone else stated, I would recommend staying in the park. I know the Old Faithful Lodge was undergoing renovations and I'm not sure if they are open or fully operational now, but that would be a beautiful place to stay. We stayed there just before the renovations started and we loved it. I'm not sure what type of amenities your husband is looking for, but it certainly isn't rustic or cheap. I've stayed in resorts and spas around the world and didn't find myself slighted at all at Old Faithful Inn.

Do remember, this a National Park where you see the wonders of nature and one of our country's treasures. I don't think you can get any better than catching site of a bear or wolf (if you are so lucky) or any other wildlife, or listening to the evening music of the wild for evening entertainment or catching a sunset or sunrise over this beautiful country.
As maj as asked, what are your expectations for this trip? You maybe planning a more metropolitan holiday and will be disappointed. I would recommend you check out the National Park website and so some research and decide what type of vacation you want to experience. Yellowstone is a gorgeous place but, again, it isn't an "amenities" experience. If you go, take good walking shoes, an open mind and your camera. Enjoy!!

Thanks, everyone. My husband suggested I look at Jackson Hole, as well. I thought I'd pick the Fodor's brain to see if there werre other options that we hadn't considered/weren't aware of. I love hiking all day, exploring the outdoors, and discovering our natural wonders. I just want a nice jacuzzi tub, a comfortable bed, some decent restaurant options, and a waiter to bring me dinner and a glass of wine at the end of the day. Is that wrong?

You're looking for "the best of both worlds" and I don't think you're going to find it in that area. People just don't go to Yellowstone for the hotel amenities....and the vast majority go without the expectation of finding them.
Sure, you can stay in a plush hotel/resort in the Jackson area, but then you are faced with the very time- consuming round-trip drive every day to reach Yellowstone.
Fine dining in a national park? That's almost an oxymoron!

It is not wrong to want all the amenities you have listed, but I think you are going to be very disappointed if you expect to find this near Yellowstone. It is not practical to base a trip out of Jackson for exploring Yellowstone.

How about spending a few nights "roughing it" in one of the newer rooms at the OFI or the OF Snow Lodge and then spend a few days recuperating in Jackson at a nice resort?

I think you'll be lucky if you can find a plush 4 star resort in Jackson for less than $300/night. The Best Western is about $250/night.

I like your idea, wtm003. Best Western is only $100/night the week we are looking at. I can get a few nights in the 4-star Snake River Lodge and Spa for $147/night that week. I'll check out some of the park inns recommended here, and think about splitting the week up so we can get a bit of both experiences. This is been very helpful...thanks, everyone.

If you're just in the mood to dump some money, have a good meal (with a good wine list), AND stay in a national park (Grand Tetons), check out the Jenny Lake Lodge.

Actually, that is EXACTLY what I am in the mood for, bmillersc! LOL I'll check it out.

I'll second Jenny Lake Lodge. I think it meets your criteria. We loved it. Great setting. A little out of the way but not totally isolated. The restaurant is incredible - the NPS uses it as the "final" stage to train their high end chefs from all over the US. Close to Tetons and we used it for day trips to Yellowstone.

Jenny Lake Lodge in the Grand Teton is indeed a magnificent choice.....but it will cost you a lot more than $300 a night. Plus, there is no pool, no hot tub, no jacuzzi!
But, the restaurant is outstanding....an exception to the national park norm!

Jenny Lake looks beautiful. It appears that meals are included in the nightly rate...is that the case? If so, it would be within our budget.

It is also close enough to Jackson to go there for dinner or entertainment also. The first time we stayed in a Park without television I was afraid my husband would go into withdrawal. He did fine actually -- we were tired enough after hiking all day that it didn't bother him as much as we thought. Take gadgets (IPOD, Nintendo DS, portable DVD player, etc.) -- they are excellent to make a long plane ride go fast also.

Yes, the $525 rate includes a prix fix 5-course dinner. So, with tax, you're talking about a near $600-a-night rate for the room, breakfast, horseback riding and bicycling.
It really is a wonderful facility....but keep in mind that you'd still have a bit of drive to get to a lot of the specific sites in Yellowstone.

PS: No TVs!

You could also look around Big Sky, MT, but Jackson is probably your best bet.

"Author: HowardR
Date: 06/29/2007, 11:22 am
PS: No TVs!"

Yay! Now if I could only make them take my husband's Blackberry at the door, too...