Yellowstone doesn't have the jaw-dropping beauty of some places, although it is very nice. It is however, the park that I consider the "total package". It has just the right amount of everything. If I had to tell someone to go to only one national park, it would be the one. Of course, there is still a lot more of them I hope to see.

Spiro....

What do you know about GTNP?

We'll be spending the last three days there (I'll be playing golf for a couple of days in the Jackson Hole area), so I was thinking of a nice place in the area to stay (where my wife will have to wait for me while I play).

Any suggestions? Maybe something with a decent view? Or for something like that, will I have to stay outside of Jackson?

GTNP is not to be missed. Visit Jackson Lake Lodge, ride the boat and do the hike at Jenny Lake. Float Snake River, But after Yellowstone and Tetons, I would stay in Jackson. You can see the Tetons from Jackson, but the main area to the park is several miles away. There are a lot of good places to eat, town square with shopping, etc. Enough to keep a person busy for a day or longer. So that would give your wife something to do while you golf. Something I wish we would have had time for was a hot air ballon ride.

Spiro....

Thanks. I booked three nights at the Rustic Inn in Jackson. I was considering the Jackson Lake Lodge, but though the views are great, the reviews seemed a bit sketchy, and I think Jackson works better for us.

A poster is graciously going to check out the Rustic Inn for me in February, but do you know of any other place in Jackson that has a decent view? Other than the RI, I can't seem to find any.

not for sure about a view in Jackson. You can pretty much see the Tetons from anywhere I would think.

The view off the back of Jackson Lodge is great, plus spotting scopes there to watch moose.

Keep in mind that if you are reading reviews on tripadvisor, you can expect honesty with the national park lodges. However, with the other places you really don't know if the owner or employees is sending in some of the comments. I am always a little skeptical.

By the way, we love staying in the lodges, cabins. My mom and dad don't really like staying in them, unless they are super nice.

If you really wanted to go all out, you might want to consider Jenny Lake Lodge. about $400 per night and includes a 4 course dinner and breakfast, horse riding, and bicycles. Haven't stayed there, but looks interesting.