Teton Springs Lodge & Spa lies nestled within the Teton Springs Resort Village in Victor, Idaho. The Lodge, designed perfectly for the area, boasts an understated elegance with well-appointed rooms, delicious dining, e-bikes, and the warm and welcoming Stillwaters Spa & Salon. In addition, golf enthusiasts can purchase packages to play the 18-hole Headwaters Golf Course and the 9-hole Par 3 course surrounding the Lodge. Staying at Teton Springs Lodge & Spa is ideal for indulging simultaneously in a luxurious setting and exploring the outdoor paradise found in Southern Idaho.
The Lodge
Guest rooms at the Lodge accommodate a variety of party sizes. One-bedroom and two-bedroom units feature full kitchens, stylish living rooms, fireplaces, tiled baths with whirlpools, and large balconies or patios with panoramic views of the Big Hole and Teton Mountains. Cozy earth-toned custom-designed furnishings add to the chic western décor. All rooms have warm comfy robes for guests to enjoy; wear them while relaxing on the couch, sipping coffee or wine on the balcony, or riding the elevator on the way to the Spa. Whether booked in a hotel room or suite, all guests at the Lodge can participate in the outdoor activities onsite: hiking, biking, swimming, golf, and fishing at the resort’s private ponds.
The Spa
The Stillwaters Spa & Salon is on the main level at the Lodge, and a wide variety of treatments and services are available at this 5,000-square-foot facility. The Spa features six airy treatment rooms and one two-person therapy suite with a fireplace. During my stay at the Lodge, I enjoyed an exceptional facial from Celeste. The Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Facial was relaxing and refreshing. Celeste is a talented therapist. She gently cleaned and scrubbed my face and neck, applied various enzyme exfoliants, pampered my skin with a marine mask, and finished with a deep wrinkle and firming concentrate treatment. I left the Spa with a smile on my face and skin that was brighter, hydrated, toned, and more vibrant.
Guests visiting the Salon can choose from several services: hair color and styling, eyelash extensions, makeup applications, manicures, and pedicures. Mountain views and natural light make the Salon a bright and cheerful space.
The Cuisine
Dinner at The Grille & Fireside Patio is a special treat. Chef Christian Bustamente trained under world-renowned Chef Wolfgang Puck. During my stay, Chef Bustamente featured “Around the World” cuisine on Tuesday nights. I dined on Lebanese food that night. The dinner began with a charred cabbage salad with lemon, onion, mint, microgreens, and sumac followed by chickpea soup with tomato, quinoa, saffron, and a single heavily spiced grilled shrimp. The soup was mild, the salad pickled and vinegary, and the spicy shrimp added a nice balance. Both dishes were tasty and authentic in flavor. The entrée plate arrived with a side of Lebanese spiced bread, a crab-couscous salad with raw onion, baby cilantro, avocado, and cherry tomatoes and ground lamb with tomato, cinnamon, sumac, and roasted acorn squash. It was all very yummy. I finished with a delicious piece of baklava topped with vanilla ice cream.
The Sage Café is the place to start the day. Begin with a steamy mocha, café latte, or hot chocolate paired with a decadent cinnamon roll or breakfast burrito. The atmosphere is friendly, and the food is delicious and is sure to energize you for a day of outdoor adventure.
The Town
The small-town gem Victor, Idaho, is encircled with pine, fir, and aspen trees. It has five city parks and a population of fewer than 2100 residents creating a family-friendly vibe. The local cuisine is eclectic, featuring delicious BBQ, burgers, Thai food, and pizza.
Every season inspires outdoor recreation. Fishing, mountain biking, hunting, kayaking, golfing, and backpacking are best in the late spring through early fall months. Winters average 110 inches of snowfall, creating a winter wonderland for snowshoers, boarders, and downhill and cross-country skiers. Victor is 25 miles from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where several world-class ski resorts and groomed cross-country trails await adventurers.
The Action
Kayaking on the Teton River is both serene and exciting. It is a fantastic way to get close-up views of the local wildlife. The slow-moving water is suitable for all kayakers, and the eddies along the way gently spin paddlers around to give a comprehensive 360-degree view of the area. While floating downriver with our guide, Hannah, we listened to the sound of frogs and birds. We spied a young moose hidden in the brush eating leaves on the nearby willow trees that grow along the riverbanks. Hannah told us that antelope, elk, deer, and even bears eat and sleep alongside the river. If the animals choose not to come out for a photo op, the magnificent mountains will always pose for a picture.
World Cast Anglers specialize in fishing trips. They provide gear, licensing, guides, bait, and the boat. So book an outing and drift down the Snake River while fly fishing where it is more about “catching” than fishing. Local waters teem with trout, catfish, and bass; and regardless of experience, the guide will happily give instructions to make the day a success. While fly fishing, I learned to stand securely in the boat, cast, mend the line, and recast until I caught one of the many fish swimming around.
Book a trip to Southern Idaho and enjoy a glorious stay at Teton Springs Lodge & Spa. Soak in the summer sun as you enjoy hiking, fly fishing, or kayaking, or race down one of the snow-covered mountains in winter and finish the day of outdoor fun with dinner and a relaxing and invigorating spa treatment at the Lodge. Jeff Naylor, the general manager, and his staff are spectacular resources; they will point you in the right direction for activities, food, and fun in the area.