Want to take advantage of Virtuoso benefits at no extra cost, including a room upgrade, free breakfast, a hotel credit, and more? Contact Ford ([email protected]) for more details. He doesn’t charge booking fees, and may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked.
Boutique luxury hotel group One&Only has just opened its newest property, and it’ll likely prove to be among the best ski resorts in the United States (which admittedly isn’t saying a whole lot).
In this post:
Basics of the One&Only Moonlight Basin, Big Sky, Montana
The One&Only Moonlight Basin is located in Big Sky, Montana, and has opened as of November 18, 2025. This is One&Only’s first location in the United States, and for that matter, it’s the brand’s first ski resort anywhere in the world.
The One&Only Moonlight Basin has 73 guest rooms and suites, in addition to residences. The resort is located in the high-end ski town of Big Sky, Montana, which has year-round activities, from skiing in winter (the resort is not ski-in, ski-out, sadly, but offers access to Big Sky Resort), to hiking in summer.
Accommodations at the One&Only are generously sized, with entry level rooms starting at 725 square feet, which is typically what you’d expect from a suite. Entry level rooms even have fireplaces, double sinks, and a soaking tub. Suites, meanwhile, start at 1,100 square feet.
The One&Only Moonlight Basin includes several distinct food and beverage concepts, including Wildwood (the all-day dining restaurant), Akira Back (the modern Japanese restaurant), Dear Josephine Lounge (the main lodge bar), and Moon Shack (a whisky shack).
As you’d expect, the property boasts a wellness area with a full-service spa, gym, and indoor pool.
The property’s design looks gorgeous, and I love the Alpine lodge vibe it has going. A lot of very wealthy people have homes in Big Sky, though historically, hotel options have been limited. Previously the Montage Big Sky was the best hotel in the area, though I imagine the One&Only probably now takes that title.
I have no doubt that the property is physically beautiful, though I’m curious what service is like, once the hotel gets its groove. While the United States has some resort towns with amazing ski conditions, everything else leaves a bit to be desired, from the food and drinks, to the service, to the overall inclusions and value.
For example, a while back I reviewed the Montage Big Sky, and while it’s physically quite a nice property, the service and overall nickel-and-diming left a bad taste in my mouth, especially given the rates being charged.
One&Only Moonlight Basin rates & how to book
As you’d expect, the One&Only Moonlight Basin isn’t cheap, as is the case with virtually any luxury hotel in the United States. That’s especially true in a place like Big Sky, which has very limited hotel inventory. For that matter, the large room sizes also justify some sort of a premium.
During ski season, rates generally start at around $2,300 per night. Those rates are inclusive of taxes and fees, meaning the “base” rate is well under $2,000, and then there’s a 9% resort fee, 8% tourism tax, and 4% resort tax.
In shoulder season, rates dip to under $1,200 per night, which is obviously still steep, but much more affordable than in peak season.
If you are going to book the One&Only Moonlight Basin, I’d recommend doing so through Virtuoso. You’ll pay the same rate you find directly with the hotel, and you’ll receive a room upgrade subject to availability, a $100 property credit, and early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability. Ford and his team can help with One&Only requests, and can be reached at [email protected].
As far as the rates go, of course $2K+ per night is a lot of money to charge during ski season. But then again, that’s exactly what you’d expect pricing to be, as that rate is lower than the cash rate at properties like the St. Regis Deer Valley, St. Regis Aspen, etc. (then again, those are sort of points farms, and the rates being charged probably don’t reflect anything close to their average daily rate).
Bottom line
The One&Only Moonlight Basin has now opened in Big Sky, Montana. This is the second new luxury property to open in Big Sky in recent years. The property looks very nice, and probably offers a bit more intimate and elevated of an experience compared to the Montage.
I just have a hard time getting too excited about US ski resorts in terms of the overall experience, given the prices. The US has amazing skiing, but other aspects of the ski experience pale in comparison to what you’ll find in parts of Europe, like at Airelles Courchevel and Airelles Val d’Isère.
What do you make of the One&Only Moonlight Basin?
If you think this is great, wait for the next 25+ years of Big Sky. I was part of the master planning team a few years back, and the future is VERY exciting! The family who own Boyne Resorts/Big Sky are great people with an incredible vision for its future.
To those who are concerned about the aesthetic/vibe/cost, those will all be addressed in the next few phases. Most importantly, a huge emphasis will...
If you think this is great, wait for the next 25+ years of Big Sky. I was part of the master planning team a few years back, and the future is VERY exciting! The family who own Boyne Resorts/Big Sky are great people with an incredible vision for its future.
To those who are concerned about the aesthetic/vibe/cost, those will all be addressed in the next few phases. Most importantly, a huge emphasis will be placed on workforce housing. Current employees mostly live in Bozeman and have long shuttle bus rides to/from work, and ownership wants to rectify that ASAP
Hey can you let ownership know that being the only aerial tram to charge non-season pass ticketholders on a per-ride basis is crazy? That's part of the "aesthetic/vibe/cost" thing you mentioned
I’ve ridden that shuttle bus as a thrifty skier, staying in town. It’s 60-90 minutes each way, making for a long day, whether you’re working or skiing.
Ben, did you just deal with an aircraft swap to CDG? The radar services only show 777's operating the route....
I believe he took that flight on the night of the 16th (based on his posting schedule), so he was likely lucky and got to fly the last day AF had the 787 operating to YUL. Yes, I know it seems like I'm stalking him lol. I'm just observant.
9% "resort fee"? Fck off!
Another new hotel in Big Sky ruining what used to be my favorite place on the planet. Frankly I still love the Huntley but I am sad that I have Big Sky's logo literally tattooed on my right calve. I grew up skiing at Big Sky - was actually a snow reporter there and it used to be a place for the middle class. I still love it, but recently moved out of the Hotel...
Another new hotel in Big Sky ruining what used to be my favorite place on the planet. Frankly I still love the Huntley but I am sad that I have Big Sky's logo literally tattooed on my right calve. I grew up skiing at Big Sky - was actually a snow reporter there and it used to be a place for the middle class. I still love it, but recently moved out of the Hotel Baxter downtown Bozeman and plan to probably never return. I was up at One and Only last season when it basically was forced to have a soft opening. The gondola is something very cool. Between this, Montage, Yellow Stone Club, Spanish Peaks - the rich have basically told the normal people to get out of Big Sky. A lot of great people work and still live in the area. I am incredibly proud of the people who work at the resort. Big Sky is in my mind the best ski resort in North America (waiting for the comments there haha). Thank you as always for your great articles. I do appreciate your blog - I really mean that!
One of the reasons a lot of ski resorts in the US lack what many perceive as 'luxury accommodations' is because American ski resorts put a lot of focus on 'tradition' and 'how skiing used to be'. Wealthier skiers in the US don't always look for pure ultra-luxury, but may look for 'pseudo-vintage' looks. Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Alta, etc. and their associated ski towns really try to maintain a look rather than develop new looks.
Yes that 100USD credit will really help at 2k+ a night LOL.
I am teasing the advice is still sound.
Though in all likelihood, this hotel will be part of FHR and/or The Edit so you could potentially use those credits (and redeem points at 2 CPP if part of The Edit).