Jackson Lake Lodge is one of the properties inside Grand Teton National Park operated by the Grand Teton Lodge Company, one of the concessioners for the National Park Service.
I had the opportunity to stay here for three nights during summer 2009, and the experience was fabulous. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat! Starting from check-in, the staff was knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. The staff has an international flair, as I think they are recruited from around the world to work at the lodge. I personally like to think of Jackson Lake Lodge (and in fact, to large extent, Grand Teton NP in general) as a resort.
The property consists of the main lodge building (the hub of all activity), and the satellite cottage buildings, grouped into organized clusters. On the first floor of the main lodge building, you can find the reception area, guest services area, newsstand, and the recreation and activities desk. Go up the stairs, and you come to the crowning jewel of the main lodge building - a lodge seating area on the second floor with huge floor to ceiling windows, looking out to a fantastic, jaw-dropping, breath-taking, amazing view of Jackson Lake, the Teton range, and Mount Moran. On this second floor are two restaurants (including the more formal Mural Room and the informal diner-style Pioneer Grill), three gift shops, a bar, a coffee cart/stand, and conference/exhibit/meeting space. The second floor seating area of the lodge building contains many comfortable couches and tables, and wi-fi is available. You can also go outside into the patio to sit and take in the view. Travel up to the third floor for a little private alcove overlooking the second floor below perfect for relaxing and reading.
It is also possible to reserve rafting trips along the Snake River, canoe trips, hiking, fishing trips, horseback rides, and other scenic recreational tours led by the Grand Teton Lodge Company at the recreation and activities desk on the first floor lobby. There's even a ranch-style cookout held in the pool area (inquire for more information).
I stayed in one of the standard cottage rooms overlooking Jackson Lake for two out of my three nights. The cottages are a little on the rustic side, but not too rustic. Don't expect TV or radio here, as is common in all of the National Park Lodges. On the third night, I upgraded to one of the "Moose Pond Rooms," and this room was even better than a standard cottage room! The room, it seemed, had been recently remodeled and upgraded. The room was cozy, had stylish fixtures and was decorated very nicely. And the view was better, amazing to say the least (see the photo that I posted). All of the rooms are comfortable and much more "high-standard" than the typical National Park lodging.
Rooms are a little on the pricey side, but not as pricey as those at Jenny Lake Lodge, another lodge in Grand Teton National Park.
Jackson Lake Lodge is only open for the late spring, summer, and fall seasons. It closes (like a majority of the facilities in Grand Teton NP) in late September/early October for the winter season. It reopens for the season sometime in May. read more