Jackson Hole's New Wellness Retreat Cost $100 Million to Finish
Jackson Hole has long been a playground for a certain kind of rich. It has the same tax benefits and palatial mansions as, say, Palm Beach, but unlike other 1 percent refuges, there is a ruggedness to this Wyoming town (despite its current status as the wealthiest county in America).
It's a place for people who actually like to do stuff. The professional climber, photographer, and Oscar-winning Free Solo director Jimmy Chin lives here. Harrison Ford comes to town often to spend quiet time at his ranch and hang out at locals' bars. Unlike glitzier towns where you can partake in outdoor adventures but then also go on Chanel shopping sprees and champagne binges (Aspen), Jackson Hole prides itself as a beacon for nature and sport.
"Jackson is the type of place where people will fly in on their private jets and then drive a Subaru to their home," says Pamela Lenci, the general manager of Caldera House. "It's for the serious outdoor enthusiast."
In the winter, Jackson is arguably the greatest—and most challenging—ski destination in the world. Come summer, there are a plethora of activities from hiking, to paddle boarding, to mountain climbing and mountain biking. And there's the bonus of its fantastic location: Grand Teton National Park is its direct neighbor and Yellowstone National Park is less than 50 miles away.
Last fall, Fortress Investment Group co-founder and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens (you may have heard of his daughter Mallory) teamed up with three friends, among them Michael Novogratz (ex-hedge funder and brother of philanthropist Jacqueline Novogratz), Randal Nardone, and David Barry, to open Caldera House in Teton Village at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (it was a six-year, $100 million project).
"I wanted a place where all my friends can hang out," says Edens, who used to be a competitive skier and who had a stint as a Teton Village tram operator at age 18.
To call Caldera House a boutique hotel would be an understatement. There are only 8 keys, but each suite is like its own pied-à-terre. Four are 2-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot suites and the rest are 4-bedroom, 5,000-square-foot suites, each with their own unique interior design to reflect the tastes of Caldera House's four owners (the two-bedroom suites start at $1,500 a night, the four bedrooms at $4,000). All suites have a fireplace (kind of essential for Jackson winters), while the larger ones are also equipped with jacuzzis and expansive patio space. The L.A. interior design firm Commune and local firm Carney Logan Burke were responsible for the hotel's public spaces and rooms, decorating them with high-end finds like Noguchi lamps, George Nakashima tables, Apparatus lighting, and Waterworks soaking tubs.
This summer, Caldera House kicked off the first of its Wellness Weekend series (the next one is taking place right now, through Sunday). The three-night, all-inclusive itinerary (rates start at $3,330) was an introduction to Jackson's greatest hits—fresh mountain air, crystal blue lakes, horses, verdant wildflower-strewn fields, you get the idea. Before "wellness" became the buzziest word in the world, Jackson was all about it—maybe it's all the steaming calderas and shooting geysers. (You think sound baths are the new, hip thing? People here have been doing that here for years.)
During Caldera House's Wellness Weekend, the day begins at sunrise with a yoga session. Late mornings are devoted to hiking up Jackson mountain, while guests have the choice in the afternoons to paraglide, paddle board, horseback ride, or get a spa treatment. All meals are vegan and gluten-free—before that scares you off, trust us, the food is delicious. Chef Annie Fenn of Brain Health Kitchen, based in Jackson, has come up with an eclectic menu (think kimchi fried cauliflower rice, eggplant rollatini with macadamia ricotta, pumpkin polenta with chickpea tomato stew, and zucchini noodles with wild mushroom bolognese) that not only helps prevent Alzheimer's (hence the "brain health"), but is actually satisfying. And you'll see: the woman can do wonders with cashews. Alcohol isn't served either, but no one would blame you for sneaking down to the restaurant, Old Yellowstone Garage, for a drink or two.
That's because unlike others, this isn't a strict military-style boot camp. Instead, Caldera House's Wellness Weekend is meant to be a relaxing, healthy, mindful way to reset, recharge, and rediscover yourself. It might sound a little woo woo but that's part of the appeal.
The only shame is that you won't be able to make use of your suite's massive, state-of-the-art Boffi kitchen. But there's always the winter season for that.
For the complete schedule and to book, visit calderahouse.com/wellnessweekend
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