I've been meaning to post this review for a while. We stayed here in June 2014. If you're looking for Americana. If you're looking for quiet. If you're looking for scenery. This is the place. You know when people used to stay at those rustic roadside inns? That's Hatchet - neon sign and all.
Location: it's off of 26/287, just east of Grand Teton and southeast of the southern entrance to Yellowstone. Beautiful views of the mountains. Quiet.
Pricing: Is it pricey? Sure, but what isn't in that area? It's cheaper than staying at a Yellowstone hotel, or in any of the chaos of Jackson Hole.
What do you get?: The room was great. All log, all the time. It was fun and I wouldn't want it any other way. Comfortable beds, really nice shower. TV channels were from LA, which we thought was funny. But, we weren't there for TV. Flat screen TV, by the way. Everything was very clean. There were a decent number of people staying there, but we never heard anyone else. It was pretty quiet for us. The internet is $3 - no biggie. It worked fine for us using two different devices. I appreciated the fact that they had it because we had zero reception on our phones for most of Wyoming, so it was nice to be able to get in touch with some people.
The Hatchet has gas - which is awesome if you've forgotten to fuel up. (Please don't forget to fuel up - gas stations are few and far between in Wyoming!) :) They also have a general store with snacks, treats, beer, t-shirts, gifts, etc. And one dog. (not for sale!)
In the morning, you head over to the Hatchet Grill for a tasty breakfast. Prices are decent, considering there isn't another place to eat for miles. No decaf coffee though. I guess they want everyone to be awake on their mountain drives! :)
When you come back in the evening, you get to have dinner at the Whetstone grill. A great lodge/restaurant they've got with some nice food, and full bar. The waitstaff here - and really, the entire staff of Hatchet - just great. Pleasant, nice, friendly. The food was all good, and they have a nice selection of local/regional beers you can try.
What I know/think/feel:
-The Hatchet was recently remodeled in April 2014 - so everything is great, and looks great.
-If you don't like solitude. If you don't like Americana. If you need to have hustle and bustle. Please don't stay here. Go to the crowds in Jackson.
-The Hatchet is history, and we loved it. If you're the kind of person that will drive Route 66 rather than take the main highway, this is your place.
-Good for families, good for couples.
-I've seen a few reviews about ants, mice, spiders, etc. I grew up in a more rural area, so I'm not freaked out by this. If you're used to a sterile environment, go to some chain place in a city. You're in nature. You're in the mountains. There are bugs. And yes, we had some large black ants in our room. I wasn't thrilled with them, but I'm a few feet from a nice woodsy area - what else would I expect? (I've had cockroaches in hotels in Houston - it doesn't mean it's dirty - that's just part of life in Texas!)
We drove through Jackson on our way to Hatchet - we were so glad we didn't stay there. Too touristy, and tons of people. We would definitely come back here again. read more