Read the full article on KETV 7
A giant potato hotel in rural Idaho has become a quirky stop for travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind stay.The Big Idaho Potato Hotel sits about 30 minutes outside Boise, and features a potato-shaped lodging experience.Kristie Wolfe started the hotel in 2019, building on a potato that her father, Frank Wolfe, told KTVB had already traveled for years as part of Idaho’s potato promotion efforts.Frank Wolfe said the original potato was built by a couple from Weiser, Idaho, and was hauled around on the back of a large truck with the Idaho Potato Commission in an attempt to promote the state and its well-known potatoes.The potato had been to large events like the Kentucky Derby and the Indianapolis 500, but also visited stores and other smaller sites, Frank said. It toured in promotion of the state and its potato industry for seven years before being retired. “They retired this, this potato from the truck, because they wanted a more roadworthy one made out of fiberglass instead of concrete and plaster,” Frank told KTVB.Kristie Wolfe, who had worked for the Potato Commission and had already been designing tiny homes and turning them into short-term rentals, renovated the potato interior with insulation, electricity, and water, and she also created a bathroom in a nearby grain silo.Those who visit the unique hotel also enjoy having Dolly the cow on the property — though Dolly doesn’t live in the potato.The hotel draws visitors from around the world. KTVB reports that it is almost fully booked. You can learn more about the unique experience on the Big Idaho Potato Hotel’s website.See more in the video player above.
A giant potato hotel in rural Idaho has become a quirky stop for travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind stay.
The Big Idaho Potato Hotel sits about 30 minutes outside Boise, and features a potato-shaped lodging experience.
Advertisement
Kristie Wolfe started the hotel in 2019, building on a potato that her father, Frank Wolfe, told KTVB had already traveled for years as part of Idaho’s potato promotion efforts.
Frank Wolfe said the original potato was built by a couple from Weiser, Idaho, and was hauled around on the back of a large truck with the Idaho Potato Commission in an attempt to promote the state and its well-known potatoes.
The potato had been to large events like the Kentucky Derby and the Indianapolis 500, but also visited stores and other smaller sites, Frank said. It toured in promotion of the state and its potato industry for seven years before being retired.
“They retired this, this potato from the truck, because they wanted a more roadworthy one made out of fiberglass instead of concrete and plaster,” Frank told KTVB.
Kristie Wolfe, who had worked for the Potato Commission and had already been designing tiny homes and turning them into short-term rentals, renovated the potato interior with insulation, electricity, and water, and she also created a bathroom in a nearby grain silo.
Those who visit the unique hotel also enjoy having Dolly the cow on the property — though Dolly doesn’t live in the potato.
The hotel draws visitors from around the world. KTVB reports that it is almost fully booked. You can learn more about the unique experience on the Big Idaho Potato Hotel’s website.
See more in the video player above.
