Tolkien fan or not, is there anything cooler than sleeping in an actual Hobbit Hole? Take a minute to think about it. I’ll wait.
I can’t think of a more universally loved trilogy than the Hobbit – other than the Lord of the Rings, of course. And unless you know of an AirBnB version of Sauron’s eyeball tower (which would be very cool) this Hobbit Hole is the realest live-in LOTR experience out there.
The best part? It’s in the United States.
I mean, do you guys know how much a ticket from Boise, Idaho to Mordor is? I’ll give you a hint – it’s a lot. For the longest time I thought my Hobbit-y goals were just a pipe dream, until I saw Kristie’s AirBnB listing – a Hobbit Hole in Washington state.
Interested? Read on. Not interested? Get outta here, Nazgul! (Just kidding)
Lovin’ unique AirBnBs? Check out this potato-turned-home in Idaho.
NOTE: Most of this information will be provided to you by your AirBnB host after you book your stay. This article is intended to give you an idea of what to expect prior to booking.
2nd NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. If you want more information on affiliate links and what they are, click here.
BOOK THE HOBBIT HOLE, HERE!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The Hobbit Hole is a unique AirBnB stay for a lot of reasons. The fact that it’s a Hobbit Hole is one of the reasons (obviously), the lack of nearby neighbors is another, and the last and most important one to consider is that it’s an off-grid home.
With that in mind, there are few things to know before your stay:
- There is NO WiFi and NO cell service. This, in my opinion, only enhances the experience. There is plenty to fill your time with at the Hobbit Hole. Plus, you can always bring a good book! Or just read the Hobbit (it’s provided with your stay).
- The road is a little rough. It’s uphill on gravel and quite winding, but it’s doable without 4WD or high clearance.
- The water is supplied by a water tank & you have limited hot water. So don’t expect to take a long shower or bath. Although, you’re probably going to want to because the bath is absolutely stunning!
- There is no kitchen at the Hobbit Hole… yet! Kristie is working on building a Hobbit community which will include a communal “pub style” kitchen. So cool! But sadly, it isn’t completed yet. For now, be sure to pack in some dinner! We brought our jetboil and a couple dehydrated meals.
- There’s a hill to climb. The trail to the Hobbit Hole takes you uphill a decent distance. It’s not bad by any means, but you probably don’t want to drag a bunch of stuff up. Bring an overnight bag!
- The instructions are essential! A week before your stay, Kristie will send you an e-mail with instructions and recommendations for your visit. Be sure to read them and maybe screenshot them for your stay. I’d also recommend watching the video (link provided in instructions) on how to start the fireplace. It’s super helpful, and you don’t want to NOT use the fireplace. It’s super cozy and it warmed the whole home almost immediately!
WHAT’S PROVIDED AND WHAT TO EXPECT
Even though this is an off-grid home, it’s definitely not a “bare-bones” type of place. Here’s what’s provided and what to expect out of your stay in The Shire.
- Rooms. The Hobbit Hole has 3 rooms: A Bedroom, which you’ll see as soon as you walk through the door; A Sitting Room, which is off to the right; and a Bathroom, complete with a toilet, a sink and a gorgeous wooden bath.
- Toiletries. Soap, shampoo, and air freshener are all provided.
- Tea, coffee, hot cocoa, a kettle + a pour-over coffee maker. There is an electric kettle provided as well as a pour-over coffee maker (and mugs). So all your cozy drink needs are covered!
- Pastries. We were very pleased to find fresh pastries welcoming us home. Yum 🙂
- Fresh water. The tap water is not potable, but there’s a supply of cold, fresh water in a water dispenser near the fireplace.
- Dog bowls + Biscuits. We were so, so happy that our fur baby could come with us to the Hobbit Hole! Tuna immediately discovered the treats left for him and was most appreciative.
- Entertainment. You’ll be surprised how much you DON’T miss your phone on this trip. See below for a full list of things to do during your stay.
THINGS TO DO
- Play (or in my case, learn) chess.
- Whittle something. My husband whittled a fish (pictured above). All the tools are provided.
- Read a book. The Hobbit, and a few others, are provided. Or, if you’re like me, bring a good mystery/thriller novel. My recent fave: The Whisper Man, by Alex North
- Feed + Watch the birds. Birdseed is provided on the ladder next to the door. We noticed the people before us put the birdseed on the windowsill so they could watch from inside. Kind of a neat idea!
- Enjoy a sunrise, or sunset. There is an adorable, gated garden in front of the home with 2 rocking chairs overlooking the hills – perfect for enjoying the first or last light of the day.
- Search for the hidden ring. The ring of power is hidden somewhere in the Hobbit Hole. See if you can find it!
- Play cards.
- Play some music! Download some music before your trip and put your phone in the wooden log (sitting in the nightstand). It’s actually a natural sound amplifier!
- Drink cocoa or tea by the fire.
- Take a walk or head to the Overlook. There is a scenic overlook you’ll pass by on your way up the hill. Walk down there or just take a hike in the hills! Make sure to use one of the cute walking sticks provided at the base of the Hobbit trail.
MORE UNIQUE AIRBNB STAYS
At this point, Kristie Wolfe is basically an AirBnB master. She’s created 4 unique stays, all of which are perfectly decorated and cozy-fied. Here are the other 3 must-see AirBnBs: