Welcome to Checking ina new review series where our editors and contributors rate the best new (and revamped) luxury Hotel based on a rigorous – and sometimes tongue-in-cheek – 10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.

In three words: Breathtaking, all-encompassing calm.

What is the deal?
The first thing you will notice Hotel Yellowstone isn’t the hotel at all: It’s the Teton Mountains, a jagged, majestic cluster you can see, clear as day, from the property grounds, with a broad, green valley stretching out at the foot of the field. Then you will notice how quiet the hotel area is. it’s the kind of calm that only Mother Nature can provide, a soothing stillness that lets you bask in the wilderness before you.

And that’s exactly what the folks behind Hotel Yellowstone wanted out of their 36-suite property. Purchased at the adults only hotel in Jackson, Wyoming (where millionaires and billionaires flock, thanks to the lack of state income tax), the resort opened its doors in August this year to welcome guests to its luxurious premises. Everything here is modern with a dash of that western fun – think blacks and neutrals mixed with plush, furry seating and pops of light wood, reminiscent of a moose’s antlers. A fun perk? Breakfast is included in your stay at the lovely Olivia’s Restaurant come morning (try the Berries Sensation smoothie – the perfect way to fuel up before you head out to conquer the national parks).

An entrance to Grand Teton National Park is just 15 miles away, with Yellowstone National Park 90 miles from the hotel’s door (and the quaint town of Jackson just 4.9 miles down the road). You can of course explore the terrain on your own, but Hotel Yellowstone also has you covered with a range of activities, thanks to its partnership with local outfitter Backcountry Safaris. Take the curated Yellowstone Wildlife Safari ($2,000 for a private tour for two) to hit all the highlights the park has to offer — the ever-reliable Old Faithful, the colorful Grand Prismatic Springs — and enjoy a picnic along the Firehole River, a trip that can be customized to your must-see list. Or maybe you’d like to do some fly-fishing on a private ranch via the Curated Snake River Float and ATV Tour Excursion ($3,050 for two people) and then rush on to an AV adventure through 2,000 acres of wilderness – and see the breathtaking views from a new angle.

If you’re feeling like staying a little closer to home (re: your suite), the property offers an indoor heated pool with more insane views of the Tetons, a gym, and a spa, which is a welcome respite after a day of trip or explore. Here, your options range from a relaxing therapeutic massage, which melted away my stress and left me smelling fresh air, to a red light sauna experience. And a trip to the spa can (hopefully?) help keep you cool if you happen to stumble upon any wildlife—bears and moose and bison, oh my! – during your stay. An employee told us that two weeks earlier, a mother grizzly and her cubs stumbled around the valley right near the resort. Here, nature is your backyard, after all.

The best room: Each suite here is set up in a cluster of four rooms: Think miniature houses scattered on the property, each with two separate living quarters on the lower level and two on the upper. But the top spot is filled by the Grand Teton Suite (from $1,999 per night). While each suite at Hotel Yellowstone is a 600-square-foot, indoor/outdoor stunner, only this room gives you unobstructed views of the Tetons beyond, while other accommodations are further back on the property and offer views of the mountains and the hotel’s small pond. . Custom RH furniture adorns every space, along with an elegant sitting area, a gas fireplace and – the star of the show – a private balcony, which with these stunning views is hard to top. Of course, the view during the day is spectacular, but make a pit stop in your room before dinner to see the real star of the show: the sun setting over the Tetons, lighting the mountain range in a golden halo and turning the sky a lovely shade of lavender.

And in the Grand Teton Suite, like the others, everything is controlled digitally. And I mean it all. The only time you need to lift a finger is when you press a button on the room’s iPad, which is the master behind the TV, the lights, the room service and everything else that’s there to grab your space. Even the fireplace is controlled by a switchpad on the wall, but don’t worry about leaving it on – it automatically switches off after 20 minutes, meaning you can fall asleep in your cozy king size bed without worry. As for the freestanding bathtub, the Nespresso machine and the bespoke B&B Italia wardrobes, it’s just the cherry on top.

The decline

Did they greet you by name at check-in?
Not only was I greeted by name upon check-in, but every time I stepped into the main lobby. The whole process of getting your room key is a very relaxed affair, as there is no official reception. Instead, you join your host on a lush chair while they go over the resort’s information, making the experience seem much more personal.

Welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? (Bonus points if it wasn’t just fruit juice) Just forget a welcome drink (although the property has a lovely huckleberry lemonade waiting for you when you arrive, in addition to plenty of coffee, tea and, of course, water. Reminder about those pesky elevation changes – stay hydrated, folks!) Hotel Yellowstone serves up a full spread for you, including muffins and cookies galore. And when the clock strikes 4 p.m., the offerings become more happy hour-like, with wine and other light bites to sit back and enjoy on a spacious deck.

Private butler for each room? No butlers to be found here, but the staff were perfectly polite. And they provided great trips and tips on what to see and do in the area.

Is the number of sheet threads higher than 300? 300 on the dot, actually thanks to Frette’s oh-so-cozy Sateen Mercerized Cotton sheets. It’s the perfect break after a day of hiking through national parks.

Is there underfloor heating in the bathroom? How about a bidet?
Here you’ll find a Calcutta marble heated floor (good all year round), a Toto bidet and a wall-mounted heated towel rail – you can’t get much better than that for cozy mountain living. Another touch worth mentioning: the lights under the vanity are motion-activated, so you can make a late dash to the bathroom without turning on a dozen bright lights and jolting your partner (and you) out of dreamland and into reality.

Are the toiletries full size?
Byredo’s Gypsy Water will be the scent of your stay at Hotel Yellowstone – apart from the crisp mountain air of course. The scent has a touch of pine, with a strong sandalwood and amber undercurrent that blends well with your surroundings. You’ll have full-sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash at the ready, as well as some miniature versions of you who feel like taking a dip in the big tub (which we wholeheartedly recommend). And to top it all off, the hotel even offers some Byredo bath salts to enjoy while you take in those views (and soak in the bath) from one of the best seats in the suite.

Is there a private pool for the exclusive use of the room?
You may not get a private pool, but you can still enjoy a heated dip in the hotel’s negative pool, located off the main lobby. The area has expansive retractable windows, so you can feel the mountain air on your face while being nice and rusty underwater. And you can see those gorgeous Tetons while you’re floating — because, of course.

Is there caviar on the room service menu?
Although you can dine in the room from 07:00 to 21:00, you will not find caviar on this menu. If you’re in the mood for seafood, try the lobster tempura, which had just the right amount of crunch and three delicious sauces to pair with it (the duck sauce was my favorite dip); our waiter told us it’s a guest favorite, and it’s easy to see why.

Is the restaurant worth its salt? Oh, Olivia’s: Whether you stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the cuisine here will not disappoint. The short ribbao is a lovely sharing plate, and the chef’s Wagyu Cut of the Day (in our case the filet mignon) was cooked to perfection. The homemade brioche buns are also worth eating while you wait for your apps to arrive. And, no surprise, the eatery has plenty of windows for you to take in that Teton view no matter what time of day it is.

Want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?
There is a small bar attached to Olivia’s, which is dressed in comfortable, light sofas, black details and a marble bar, where you can have a drink before walking over to dinner. It’s not exactly a raucous scene, but then again, Jackson himself doesn’t scream nightlife. (Most places in town around 9 or 10pm) After all, your reason for saying here is to enjoy nature, and Olivia’s views really help you do just that. This bar gives you peace, not a party, after a long day of exploring, and we’re more than okay with that given the setting. We recommend the Huckleberry Mountain, a Gray Goose-based cocktail that, thanks to the aforementioned huckleberry, is just the right combination of tart and sweet.

Would you buy the hotel if you could?
You get unobstructed views of the Tetons and Snake River Valley here, folks. So, based on location alone, Hotel Yellowstone is worth any price tag, especially if you’re a nature lover like me who longs to see some of America’s finest features. Once you throw in the delicious food, the spacious suites, and the freestanding tub, it really is a done deal.

The verdict

At Hotel Yellowstone, you can get away from it all while still having it all. The rest of the world—and your worries—seem rather small with the Tetons looming in the distance; the resort is truly a place for you to turn off your mind and simply enjoy the nature in front of you. And the hotel has paired that tranquility with first-class luxury, from the spacious suites to the lavish amenities to the delicious food. Plus, its proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks can’t be beat, whether you choose to venture out on your own or let management coordinate your activities. Really, what more could you ask for on your grand Wyoming adventure?

Prices: From $1,499, including breakfast (in-room breakfast is an additional cost).

Do: 8

What our result means:
1-3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.
4-6: Solid if you’re in a pinch — but only if you’re in a pinch.
7-8: Very good. We would stay here again and recommend it without hesitation.
9-10: Forget to book a week. When can we move in permanently?