I stayed in a $1,500 resort and the cheapest hostel I could find during a trip to Jackson Hole. Both felt luxurious.

Cache House is in Downtown Jackson, a walkable neighborhood full of boutiques, restaurants, and, in my experience, traffic.

While Hotel Yellowstone is less than 15 minutes north of the bustling square, it's tucked away in a scenic area with expansive properties. I thought it provided a more isolated experience.

I booked a one-night stay at Hotel Yellowstone about a month after it opened. When my cab pulled up, I could tell it was a brand-new establishment.

Between buildings, lush, extravagant landscaping framed a glistening pond that attracted wildlife — from ducks to moose.

I entered a neutral-toned lobby with cathedral ceilings to check into the hotel. The space had an array of cozy seating, from fur seats to cushioned rocking chairs.

"Hotel Yellowstone's design pays homage to the American West while seamlessly blending influences of modern design," a representative of Hotel Yellowstone told Business Insider.

Hills and mountains layered the distant landscape, and a rich, green valley brightened the foreground. It looked like a photograph.

Hotel Yellowstone had nine guest room buildings with four accommodations in each. Each room was 600 square feet and had a private balcony — the main difference between each is the view.

I booked a room with a balcony facing the Teton Range. It had a plush, king-sized bed, a full bathroom, two seating spaces, and glass doors for nonstop views of the mountains.

The accommodation had basic amenities like a TV, a mini fridge, and a fireplace. I used the in-room smart tablet to close the curtains, ignite the fireplace, activate mood lighting, and change the channel.

"The intricate design components pull inspiration from Jackson Hole's history, proximity to national parks, and locale on a wildlife refuge — allowing guests to view Jackson Hole's native animals from the comfort of their suites," the Hotel Yellowstone representative told BI.

The Carrara marble bathroom had floor and towel heaters. A stand-alone rainfall shower was stocked with Byredo toiletries. A large, deep tub sat behind a sliding door, revealing the outdoor views.

At most hotels I've stayed in, the on-site restaurants are open to the public. Still, Hotel Yellowstone's resto, Olivia's, was exclusively for hotel guests.

It was on the lower level of the main building beneath the lobby. As I stepped down the stairs, I spotted an elegant marble bar with couch seating. Just past the bar was a dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Dining at this establishment that locally sources ingredients almost felt like dining outside — without the discomforts of weather and bugs.

The pool — open 24 hours a day, along with the sauna — was made for relaxing. Known as the Negative Edge Pool, it was indoors with retractable glass windows overlooking the valley and surrounding mountains.

To get to Cache House, I went to the Anvil Hotel, which has existed since the 1950s.

In the 1970s, a bunkhouse opened in the basement of the hotel. Then, in 2020, that bunkhouse opened as the "modern, elevated interpretation of the classic European hostel" Cache House, a company representative told BI.

I checked in at the Anvil Hotel, and a staff member walked me around the side of the building and down an outdoor staircase into the basement.

My key card unlocked the door to the hostel.

The door at the bottom of the steps opened into a massive, brightly-lit room with a mix of midcentury modern and old Western pieces and accents.

Cache House hired Brooklyn-based Post Company to give the room a sleek, functional look.

Geometric-patterned blankets were laid over black leather futons with wooden feet. Modern built-ins displayed albums behind a rustic, wooden dining table. Rugs and throws added pops of color to the space.

All Cache House bookings include a private locker for belongings. With just a backpack and a medium-sized duffel bag, there was plenty of space I didn't use.

The shared space had several private stalls with a toilet, sink, and shower. And like at Hotel Yellowstone, the bathrooms were spotless and had complimentary toiletries from a high-end beauty brand,
C.O. Bigelow.

The hostel's midcentury modern style continued into the bunk room, where wooden ladders with gold accents led up and down 50 bunks, ranging from twin- to queen-sized.

Beneath each pair of bunk beds were two storage drawers — one for each bunk.

I pulled the curtain at the top of the ladder to reveal a nook with a queen-sized bed, a reading light, a shelf, an outlet, and a fan.

It was a far cry from my 600-square-foot haven at Hotel Yellowstone, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the bunk felt like a tiny room. The curtain blocked sound and light, giving me all the privacy I needed.

The mattress was a bigger surprise. Although a tad smaller, the Cache House bed was just as comfy and plush as Hotel Yellowstone's. With linen and wool bedding, I slept just as soundly and woke up just as refreshed.

I certainly didn't expect my budget hostel stay to have additional amenities, but since it was centrally located in the walkable downtown area, I thought it didn't need to.

I had dinner nearby and spent the evening strolling around the town square, popping inside various boutiques.

Hotel Yellowstone would be ideal for the retreat seeker who craves serenity in solitude.

An adventurer who wants to stay out all day sampling the food, shopping, and culture of Jackson Hole would likely have a better time at the centrally located Cache House.

They'd save a buck and still get a taste of luxury.