Stay overnight in a potato? If you are visiting Idaho, you might as well, right? We decided to spend one night in the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, just outside of Boise, Idaho.
Click the links below to skip to any of the following sections:
History
The Big Idaho Potato Hotel
Bathroom
Dolley the Cow
Is It a Real Potato?
How to Book the Big Idaho Potato Hotel
History
The Big Idaho Potato Hotel is a recycled potato from the Idaho Potato Commission’s Big Idaho Potato Tour. Yes, Idaho has a commission for potatoes. And yes, they have a giant potato that goes on tour around the country (similar to the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile).
The potato is six tons, and this particular one traveled across the United States for seven years. Kristie, the host, spent time to remodel it and make it what it is today.
Big Idaho Potato Hotel airbnb
Ok to be honest, I am an Idahoan through and through. I am proud of our potatoes and the quirkiness of a state known for a potato. I received this potato stay as a gift, and I spent two months completely excited.
If you think about it — if this was not a potato, it wouldn’t be a very nice Airbnb. It’s a small window-less room in the middle of nowhere, with a bathroom in a separate building, with no Wifi or TV. It definitely wouldn’t be $200+ a night. You are not staying at the Big Idaho Potato Hotel for comfort — you are staying there for kitschy-ness. And it more than delivers! It really was one of the coolest experiences I have had. We got there around 6:30 p.m. on a day that was cold and snowy (on April 10th! It should not be that cold on April 10.
The room itself is so small, and as previously mentioned, there are no windows. The door is heavy and you have to duck your head to enter the room. But the Big Idaho Potato Hotel has been designed well to use the space in the best way possible. It has white walls which helps if you have any claustrophobia.
Bathroom
The separate building is pretty cool — it has a nice bathtub (that fits two!) where you can look at the stars while bathing. It is nice and warm, and, as long as you don’t have to make the trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night, it’s such a cool addition to the Idaho Potato Hotel.
Dolley the Cow
There is also a cow (Dolley) that is one of the nicest cows you will ever meet. I mean, not to me — she did not take to me, but seemed to love my boyfriend Eric. Feel free to feed or brush Dolley during your stay.
Is It a Real Potato?
Did you just hear yourself ask that out loud? Do you feel silly now?
No, it’s not a real potato — but you might be surprised how many times I have been asked that question. Potatoes do not grow to be six tons. The Guinness World Record for the largest potato ever grown is just under 11 pounds.
So…no, not a real potato.
How to Reserve
The Big Idaho Potato Hotel is an Airbnb property, and you can reserve there. It is owned by a former Big Idaho Potato Tour host, Kristy, and she is always available to answer any questions.
