Anvil Hotel

Jackson Hole, Wyoming has all the ingredients for outdoor adventure, and it’s got the infrastructure to support it, to say the least — in fact, the valley’s most notable lodgings tend toward the upscale end of things. The Anvil Hotel, in the town of Jackson proper, goes another way. This is a no-frills motel upgraded into something stylish, but rather than high gloss it aims for a retro unpretentiousness, and hits the nail right on the head.

Studio Tack, the designers, can boast some Ace Hotels experience on their collective résumé, and the way the Anvil delivers throwback style without kitsch is reminiscent of the current wave of hip youth-market boutique hotels. They also come by their Jackson connection honestly; one of the principals worked the front desk at this very motel, in its earlier life.

It’s not all about design. The Anvil’s appeal is more than skin-deep, what you won’t find here is the clunky plushness of the contemporary ski hotel. The rooms are solid and comfortable, with custom Woolrich blankets on the beds and thoughtfully selected snacks and drinks, but they’re careful never to spoil the atmosphere. It’s new, but it feels like it’s been here forever — always a sign of a fine hotel.