My favorite Idaho Hotel: Hotel Ketchum

Hotel Ketchum Lounge

Welcome to Ketchum, Idaho. This small ski town is tucked between Sun Valley and Stanley. Nestled among five different mountain ranges, and less than three hours from Boise- this is the spot to check out on your next trip to Idaho. When you stay in the area there are many different places you could stay, but I promise you, the spot you are not going to want to miss is Hotel Ketchum.

The reason Hotel Ketchum stands out among many different stays in the area is the design mixes modern, cozy with contemporary and historic comfort. This is more than a stay, it’s an experience. Hotel Ketchum is the place where you and your family can relax or where you can come back and visit with new chair lift friends.

We visited in August when we were wrapping up our summer living in Idaho. We wanted to get over to Stanley one last time and explore Ketchum - as we only drove through it our first time in the area. We decided to make a week of it and hit both locations in the same trip. We are so glad we took the extra time to spend a few days in each location.

Hotel Ketchum is centrally located in town. Walking distance to many restaurants, shops and activities, from hiking to skiing, making it the perfect home base for your adventures. Don’t worry about finding places to eat either, the hotel is surrounded by everything from your quintessential dive bar to your anniversary date night out locations (highlighted below).

Bonus: t’s located less than five minutes from the Sun Valley resort, so summer or winter, you cannot beat this prime location. IKON pass holders, this is one of your newest adds, so start planning your winter skication!

We stayed in the king fireplace room. It was super spacious and had mountain views, a chair, and a reading nook. It was everything we needed and more. It was plenty big that we could set up Adayla’s porta crib tucked away so Matt and I could stay up and hang out for the evening. 

After Adayla went to bed we could play scrabble in the reading nook and watch our favorite evening in TV show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and Adayla slept soundly through it all. For parents traveling with littles, you understand what a luxury that is! 

On our first evening, we went swimming in the heated pool (it’s heated year round and so warm it was amazing - Adayla didn't want to get out) and explored the hotel. On the hotel's grounds, they have bean bags and a gear garage where you can store your gear. but also utilize their bikes and snowshoes. The hotel also has many fun places to hang out, like their uniquely decorated lobby or in the courtyard with custom murals and views of the mountain. 

Hotel Ketchum Pool

The Hangout

The next morning we utilized the gym (they even have a Peloton) and then went to the hangout, which is a lounge area on the property where they provide breakfast every day (and it’s really good). During our two-day stay, we had biscuits and gravy, french toast, sausage and eggs, and of course all the coffee. 

For those who know our story - I am a stay-at-home mom and run a social media business, but Matt is a full-time civil engineer who works remotely, so when we travel mid-week we need spaces to work. Hotel Ketchum could not do a better job providing spaces to work, wifi, coffee and coworking spaces to meet new friends. Digital nomads - this is a stop for you. I will highlight places they have available for you to work in a minute. 

Our days were spent working, swimming, exploring the town, and hiking. Two days was not nearly long enough, but we managed to see a lot, and here were our favorites: 

Eats & Drinks: 

Starbucks: (lol I know right?) This Starbucks is located in the Sun Valley visitors center and is literally the most beautiful Starbucks I've ever seen. 

Grumpy’s: Dive bar as dive bar can be. Grab some friends and get a Schooner - you will have a throwback to your college days. 

Barrio 75: located just across the sidewalk from the pool, perfect for a lunch, happy hour or dinner without having to even get in your can

Warfield Brewery & Distillery: If you’re visiting in the summer, checking out their rooftop patio for a drink, apps or a meal.

Sawtooth Brewing: A low key brewery where you can grab a beer or a bite or both!

Shopping:
Lux Shack

Independent Goods

Sway Boutique

Huck & Paddle

Hikes: 

Pioneer Cabin

Baker Lake Trail

Heidelberg Hill Trail 

After you spend your days exploring, don’t forget to leave time to take advantage of all the amenities that Hotel Ketchum has to offer: 

• The Hangout

• Barrio 75

• The Meeting Room

• Fitness Center

• Coin Operated Guest Laundry

• Dogs are welcome! Pet Policy

• Outdoor Heated Pool & Hot Tub

• Free WiFi

• Free Parking

• Complimentary Daily Breakfast in The Hangout

• Complimentary E-Bike Rentals

• Gear Garage

When you stay at Hotel Ketchum, these are the amentities avaiable to you in the Gear Garage:

• E-Bikes

• Snowshoes

Stargazing Items:

• Miller Planisphere Star Finder

• Glow-in-the-Dark Star Finder with Zodiac Dial

• Celestron - Cometron 7x50 Binoculars

• Celestron Telescope

• Stargazing Books

Ketchum is truly a hidden gem unless you’ve been visiting forever or an Idaho native, but I promise it will become a destination you will want to return to again, and Hotel Ketchum will be the place you need to stay. 

Pro Tip: ask them to tell you all about the sheep ;) 

Make sure to stay up to date with all my travels, adventures and unique stays by following my Instagram. Let me know if there’s someplace you’d like to see. I want to help you get out and explore!

Disclosure: My stay with Hotel Ketchum was hosted, but all my opinions are my own.