This Jackson, Wyoming, Hotel Just Reopened After a Devastating Fire in 2019 — and We Were Among the First to Visit

The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa's newest chapter seamlessly merges classic Wyoming style with luxurious amenities, thoughtful wellness experiences, and an undeniable sense of place.

The Tetons may greet visitors as their plane descends into Jackson Hole Airport, but the East Gros Ventre Butte signals their official arrival to the town of Jackson. Round in shape, deceptively steep, and covered in sagebrush, the hill is a beacon in the area and a refuge for wildlife in the winter. While its beauty is unassuming — and far less dramatic than the craggy peaks in the distance — the butte provides a constant, comforting presence that can be felt and seen throughout Jackson.

For the best view of the East Gros Ventre Butte, you’ll need to head to the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa. With a history as deeply ingrained within the local community as the natural formation towering behind it, the family-owned and operated hotel reopened its doors in July, four and a half years after a fire tore through the lodge in November 2019.

When it came to rebuilding the iconic Jackson property, Ron Harrison and his son, Brandon, who serves as general manager, never hesitated. According to Brandon, their team started working almost immediately on the design, construction, and necessary permits. However, the 2020 pandemic and ensuing supply chain delays repeatedly pushed their timeline back — but, as Brandon tells Travel + Leisure, they were “pushing hard the whole time.”

In the end, that extended effort and determination more than paid off. With the help of local design firm WRJ and Colorado-based architects Rowland+Broughton Architecture — a group with experience in high-end residential homes, historic renovations of Western properties, and hotels — the Harrisons were able to bring the Rusty Parrot spirit back to its same spot on the corner of North Jackson Street and West Gill Avenue, albeit with additional guest rooms and a more timeless look.

“It's a totally different design, but I think most of our guests would say it feels reminiscent,” says Brandon. In fact, travelers familiar with the previous iteration of the hotel may recognize some Western art lining the hallways and other public spaces. Many pieces were salvaged from the fire, and a few more prominent ones have been placed in similar locations within the new space. The Rusty Parrot’s impressive roster of artwork — including works from Ron’s collection and creations from local artists Kathryn Mapes Turner and Scott Christensen — certainly caught my eye when I checked in. Still, it was the overall serene atmosphere, as well as the genuine care and excitement shown by the hotel’s employees, ultimately won me over.

“Most people say that they notice that there's a tangible sort of solidity and quietness in the air,” says Brandon. It’s a quality that, at least partially, originates from the hotel’s structure: “The whole building is concrete and steel. It’s built to stand the test of time,” he explains. I also think it has to do with the inimitable self-assuredness that comes from having an authentic, enduring presence in a destination closely tied to tourism.

Read on for my full review of the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa.

Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa

• Even the most discerning guests won’t be able to fault the silky smooth linens on the beds and perfectly fluffy, expertly folded towels in the bathrooms.

• Body Sage Spa, the on-site wellness retreat, has been expertly curated to offer guests top-of-the-line treatments and highly personalized services.

• The breakfast menu at Wild Sage offers balanced and slightly indulgent options, and the waitstaff is quick, attentive, and friendly.

• The hotel is just a few minutes from Town Square’s antler arches, coffee shops, and restaurants, but its position along Flat Creek feels miles away from the crowds that descend upon Jackson in peak season.

The Rooms

With 40 guest rooms in total (a number that increased by eight during the rebuild), the Rusty Parrot pairs the size of a boutique hotel with features and amenities that are decidedly five-star grade. I slept in a King Fireplace Balcony Room, where a gas-burning fireplace, a generous outdoor sitting area, and an extra roomy soaking tub elevated my stay.

No matter the room category, the bathrooms are equipped with fragrant Amouage products — shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer — and complimentary eye masks from the Body Sage Spa. Terry bath robes and slippers are readily available in the armoire, and the simultaneously supportive and fluffy mattress guarantees a perfect night’s sleep.

Food and Drink

Wild Sage, the on-site restaurant, now helmed by executive chef Hugo Goodwin, formerly of the Yellowstone Club, currently serves breakfast and dinner. The French Canadian chef purposefully keeps his menus dynamic and pointed, mirroring the intimacy of the 48-seat restaurant and even cozier Wild Sage Bar, which feels more akin to a stylish den you might in someone’s home. In the morning, you can’t go wrong with “The Everything,” a compilation of eggs, hash browns, your choice of sausage or bacon, toast, and pancakes. I’d recommend the pan-roasted duck breast and confit leg for dinner, followed by a classic crème brulée.

Activities and Experiences

Jackson is known as a destination with no shortage of adrenaline–pumping activities all year round, but the Rusty Parrot caters more to a clientele that also appreciates the slower moments — the afternoons curled up with a good book and nights spent alternating between the hotel’s hot tub and communal fire pit.

On the third floor, you’ll find the Perch, an outdoor deck outfitted with varying outdoor seating combinations and a fireplace. A smaller Wildlife Viewing Deck also looks out on the butte behind the hotel. And if you want to explore the town on two wheels? Ask the concierge to help you snag one of the property’s complimentary bicycles.

The Spa

When I arrived for my appointment at Body Sage Spa — founded by Heidi Harrison, Brandon’s sister —  I was fighting off the remnants of a tension migraine. As I waited in my robe in the outdoor relaxation space, mint tea in hand, I began to feel hopeful; as a travel journalist who gets the opportunity to see many hotel spas, I immediately got the sense that this was the rare type of place where the practitioners could perform near miracles.

My suspicions were confirmed when my therapist, Amanda, began “The Sage Within” customizable massage. She was incredibly knowledgeable, and her deft handiwork ensured my stubborn headache and assorted post-flying soreness were long gone when I left the spa.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The Rusty Parrot has two different ADA-compliant room categories: the King, which sleeps one to two guests, and the Double Queen, a space that sleeps two to four. The public spaces are also wheelchair accessible, and an elevator serves all the hotel's floors.

Brandon shares that when it comes to sustainability, the hotel is focused on energy efficiency and its geothermal heat pump system. “The cooling of the building is coming directly from cold groundwater that's pumped directly through the fan coil unit,” he explains. On its website, Rowland+Broughton Architecture notes this type of system cuts down on “the amount of rooftop equipment and associated noise pollution. “

Location

“When my dad bought this property in 1989, it was kind of far away from what was going on downtown,” says Harrison. But his father, who accurately predicted Town Square would inevitably become a major tourist attraction, wanted the hotel to have a peaceful environment — even in Jackson’s busiest summer months.  “That’s always kind of been our niche,” says Harrison. “It's close enough that you can walk down there and be there in three or four minutes, but far enough away that it's quiet and tranquil.” And with the East Gros Ventre Butte overlooking the property, there’s a chance you’ll be able to spot an elk while relaxing in one of the outdoor rocking chairs.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Rusty Parrot is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which offers a complimentary loyalty program that includes perks like early check-in and late check-out, complimentary continental breakfast, and room upgrades, where available.

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