Review: My Trip to One and Only, Moonlight Basin

My trip to One&Only Moonlight Basin was anything but uneventful - but it was a great one. For some reason, I didn't check the weather before leaving, which meant I had no idea I was bringing the East Coast snow with me. After picking up what appeared to be the only Prius in the rental car lot (everything else was 4-wheel drive), I headed up into the mountains and drove straight into what felt like the most formidable snowstorm in Montana's history - at least from my perspective. Whiteout conditions. I could barely see the road. Just three minutes from the resort, my car slipped clean off the road. Thankfully, I made it out fine, and just as quickly as the storm had arrived, the sun came out and the snow dissipated. But this became my very first test of One&Only's service - and it's a test most hotels never face. You might get great service at a hotel, but have you ever tested a hotel's response when your car is sideways in four feet of snow? Didn't think so.

Several hotel staff drove by to check on me, some getting out of their cars just to chat and make sure I was okay. I didn't feel alone for a second, even with my car half-buried in a snowbank. I eventually arranged for a tow truck to take the car back to Bozeman, and two members of the hotel's security team - Gunner and Forest - came to pick me up from the crash site. Moments later, I arrived at One and Only Moonlight Basin. Read on for the review.

Arrival

Upon arrival, I was greeted by name by my host, Putu, and by Serge, the General Manager. A quick note on hosts: every room is assigned a small team of hosts who handle any requests or needs during your stay - think of it as a butler service, though they seem to avoid that word, perhaps to keep expectations in check. I found them to be incredibly helpful, as you'll see.

After a brief conversation with Serge, Putu checked me in while I was comfortably seated in the lounge - no formal front desk, which I appreciated. I was offered a welcome drink made from local ingredients and then taken outside to make a souvenir: I stamped a hot iron into a wooden coaster, creating an imprint of a mountain. A simple but memorable touch. Putu then walked me to my room, which was a pleasant stroll from the main lobby.

Main Lobby

Library

The Room

The room was beautifully designed with a warm cabin aesthetic - fresh wood floors and ceilings, and a fireplace visible from both the bathroom and the bedroom. The mountain views were stunning.

The small details really stood out. Water bottles were placed thoughtfully throughout the room: on the nightstand, by the minibar, and by the bathroom sink. Not cluttered - just exactly where you'd want them. I drink a lot of water, and I hate having to call down to request more, so this was a genuine highlight for me.

There was also a scale in the room. It sounds minor, but it's something most people use daily at home and rarely find in a hotel. These small touches added up to a feeling that someone had genuinely thought about making guests feel at home.

View from my room

The Property

I took a tour of the property, which includes private homes and cabins. My recommendation: book a cabin. It has a junior suite layout with great views, a private porch, a firepit, and a soaking tub - perfect for unwinding after a long day on the slopes.

The private homes were stunning, with panoramic views and classic One&Only design throughout. They're easily the most luxurious residential option Montana has to offer. One caveat: the property is not ski-in/ski-out, so if you're visiting with family and skiing is the priority, a ski-in/ski-out option like Montage might be a better fit. For a summer trip or a couples' ski getaway where luxury is the main draw, One&Only is hard to beat.

After the tour, I grabbed a drink at the bar, which is named after some bootlegger from Montana and is designed in great taste. The crowd there were mostly members of the Yellowstone Club - which tells you something about the clientele this place attracts.

That evening I hit the gym, which was well-stocked and up to date. A standout touch: they had protein powder, energy bars, and clean carbs available - exactly what you'd want as a gym-goer. Not something you see at most hotels.

View from the bar

Inside the 6-bedroom signature private home

Inside a meadow view cabin

Hitting the Slopes

The next morning, I was ready to snowboard. The setup at One&Only isn't ski-in/ski-out - instead, you head to the "Sky Lodge," a separate building on the property, where you take a gondola to Big Sky Resort. I wanted to see how seamless this actually was in practice.

I texted my host to have snowboard rentals ready at the lodge, and she arranged a car to be waiting for me by the time I reached the lobby. A branded Escalade SUV pulled up and drove me the two minutes to the Sky Lodge. When I arrived, my rentals were already set up with my sizes - Putu had notified them in advance. I loaded my gear, stored the rest in a locker, and hopped on the gondola for the five-minute ride up to the slopes.

Lift tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the resort. Since I hadn't bought mine ahead of time, I picked them up on-site without much hassle. There are two packages: a beginner pass covering green and blue runs for $65, and a full-mountain pass for around $250. Since I haven't snowboarded in nearly a decade, I went with the beginner option - and I fell less and less with each run. By the end of the day I was feeling confident, and I'll definitely go for the expert package next time.

When it was time to head back, I timed the whole return: 15 minutes from gondola to room. I turned in my skis at the Sky Lodge, and a car was already waiting outside to take me back. Not ski-in/ski-out, but genuinely close. If you have young kids, the extra logistics might be a challenge - but for couples or solo travelers prioritizing luxury, the transfers make the whole experience feel seamless.

Nice ride

Final Thoughts

Overall, my stay at One&Only Moonlight Basin was excellent. The service was consistently reliable - even when my pre-booked outside ride fell through, the team had a vehicle ready for me within five minutes, along with a parting gift. For how remote it is out in Montana, the level of luxury and attentiveness is remarkable. I'd recommend it.