Building a six-ton potato on a trailer to tour the country seems crazy. But making the world’s first Big Idaho® Potato Hotel seems even crazier.
It all started back in 2012 when the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) was looking to do something special for their 75th anniversary. Foerstel had a big idea: how about a touring titanic tuber spreading joy {and brand recognition} for Idaho’s most iconic agricultural product?
The Big Idaho Potato Truck hit the road, promoting heart-healthy living and give a “Big Helping” of Idaho hospitality to charities nationwide. It quickly became a pop-culture icon and it was clear that what was supposed to be a one year tour was going to become much more than that.
After half a decade of travel, the potato was getting road-weary. In 2018 it was replaced with a new fiberglass version that’s a bit narrower, and a lot lighter. Some might have been wondering what one would do with the previous potato but that’s a question we never had to ask because there had been someone lobbying for it for years.
Kristie Wolfe, a front-runner in the tiny house movement and an Idaho girl through and through, proposed the ultimate upcycle. With a track record of building unique and sustainable homes that she rents on Airbnb – from a secluded bamboo treehouse in Hawaii’s Fern Forest to an enchanting Hobbit Hole in the Columbia River Gorge mountainside – her work captures the attention of visitors for her unique buildings and flawless attention to detail. As one of the brand ambassadors, aka Tater Team, that traveled with the Big Idaho Potato on two tours, Kristie has had her sites – and a vision – on the potato from the getgo.
The spud with a stunning view of the Owyhee mountains has been even more popular than any of us could have imagined, making news in over 28 countries, featured on 100’s of news reports, not to mention Live with Kelly and Ryan. It was also featured in People Magazine, Dwell and Women’s Day along with lots of local press, including this Idaho Statesman article.
At Foerstel, we are all for reusing and recycling and are thrilled to see the potato get a second life.
And besides, a potato hotel? What could be more Idaho than that?
Book your night here and follow along on the adventure on Instagram.
