If you have never been to Idaho before, it is time to start planning your first trip to the Gem State. Ketchum, Idaho, also known as the Sun Valley area is a great spot to spend a long weekend or vacation. Ketchum is located in the central part of Idaho and is right next to world-famous skiing on Bald Mountain in the town of Sun Valley.
While you are on your trip, you may run into a celebrity or two in Sun Valley because it is a popular ski resort town for celeb vacation homes.
This area is also known as Wood River Valley, named similarly after the Big Wood River that runs 137 miles through central Idaho.
While skiing, snowboarding, and snow-related activities are a main attraction to Ketchum during the winter, it is a great place to visit year-round for hiking, biking, golfing, and other outdoor adventures.
Before you get to planning the vacation itinerary for your time in Ketchum, you must choose a place to stay. There are some resorts, hotels, Airbnb’s, and other rental properties to choose from that will allow you to be close to all of the things you will end up doing during your trip.
Take a look at this list of the 12 best places to stay in Ketchum, Idaho, in order to decide what will work best for you.
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12 Best Places to Stay in Ketchum, Idaho
1 – Hotel Ketchum
Take in the mountain life around you while staying at Hotel Ketchum, located on Main Street in downtown Ketchum, Idaho. Hotel Ketchum is walkable to many restaurants in the area and a short drive from all of the outdoor activities in the mountains. Hotel Ketchum comes from a lot of history as it was once the social stomping ground in the area.
The hotel has been remodeled over the years and includes great accommodations, like relaxed community spaces, a year-round outdoor heated swimming pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, outdoor murals, and a garage for outdoor equipment rentals. Hotel Ketchum will provide you with all the comforts you may need during your time in Ketchum.
The look and feel of the hotel is “modern mountain flair” with a mix of various textures throughout, as described by the hotel itself. Reservations can be easily booked through the hotel’s website. Hotel Ketchum even offers special savings for Idaho residents and other deals throughout the winter months. This is my personal favorite place to stay in Ketchum, Idaho!
2 – Sun Valley Lodge
Just as it sounds, Sun Valley Lodge is technically located in Sun Valley, Idaho, which is the neighboring town to Ketchum.
Think next-door neighbors, with there being only about 2 miles between downtown Ketchum to the closest Sun Valley lodging. Since it is so close to Ketchum, many visitors will stay in Sun Valley when looking for accommodations as well. Sun Valley Lodge is a gorgeous lodge with 108 rooms, a 20,000-square-foot destination spa, a world-class fitness center and yoga studio, an outdoor pool, a restaurant, lounge areas, and even an event space.
The lodge actually has a sister property called Sun Valley Inn which is located right across the courtyard and shares the same amenities. Sun Valley Lodge was once the go-to accommodation for celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, and Ernest Hemingway. The various types of suites in the lodge all look a little different, but each embodies the cozy ski-lodge aesthetic of the lodge. The various rooms include beautiful hardwood cabinetry, large bathrooms, and showcase fireplaces. Sun Valley Lodge is located with easy accessibility to the nearby mountain activities and downtown entertainment.
3 – Sun Valley Inn
The Sun Valley Inn is also owned by the Sun Valley Resort and is right next door to the Sun Valley Lodge. The Sun Valley Inn has recently been remodeled and has European-inspired decor.
They also have a great restaurant, The Ram and fun cocktail lounge. One of my favorite parts of the Inn is the winter sleigh rides that take off from here and the outdoor heated pool.
Guests love to stay at the Inn for a more modest and tranquil experience vs. the grandeur of the Sun Valley Lodge. This spot is extremely charming and in a great location right in the Sun Valley Village!
4 – Knob Hill Inn
Looking for a hint of old-world European ski charm combined with modern amenities? Well, then perhaps Knob Hill Inn is the accommodation for you. Knob Hill Inn is located right along the outskirts of downtown Ketchum, making it a prime location to access local restaurants and outdoor activities. The Inn is home to 29 rooms and suites, each with its own specific features, like walk-in showers, floor heating, oversized bathtubs, and balconies overlooking mountain views.
The rooms have high-quality bedding, L’Occitane En Provence toiletries, mini-fridges, coffee makers, and sometimes a wood-burning fireplace. The rooms vary in size from Deluxe Kings, One-Bedroom Suites, Studios, and more.
The Knob Hill Inn is also home to The Grill at Knob Hill, which is a delicious restaurant located inside the inn. The Grill is a hotspot among tourists and locals, especially because of its wonderful outdoor dining in the warmer months. You will get everything you need during your trip here at Knob Hill Inn when it comes to eating, exploring, relaxing, and traveling around Ketchum with Knob Hill’s shuttle services.
5 – Limelight Hotel
Next up on the Ketchum accommodations list is the high-end Limelight Hotel, which is a beautiful hotel with 99 rooms and 14 residences on the property. The Limelight Hotel offers standard rooms, suites, and larger 2 – 4 bedroom residences that can accommodate larger groups in a way that many other standard hotels may not provide.
The residence spaces have a large living room, a full-sized kitchen, a dining room for 8 people, a washer, a dryer, individual air conditioning/heating controls, and convenient tech features, among other amenities. The idea behind the residences is to make the hotel feel like a long-term home for guests.
By staying at the Limelight Hotel, guests are also able to get special access to other experiences around town, including the first ski run on the mountain before it opens through the SV Snow Sport School, Dark Sky dinners in a yurt through the company Sun Valley Guides, and snowshoe tours through the Environmental Resource Center. Needless to say, the Limelight Hotel is well-connected to the must-do activities that you can experience while in Ketchum.
6 – Tamarack Lodge
Tamarack Lodge is an authentic mountain lodge also located in downtown Ketchum. The hotel is a quick walk to art galleries, dining, shopping, and nightlife in the downtown area. It is also an easy shuttle ride to the mountain for a day on the slopes.
Tamarack Lodge offers an indoor pool; a year-round heated outdoor hot tub; complimentary cruiser bike and snowshoe rentals; and a convenient partnership with Black Tie Ski Rentals for all your ski and snowboard equipment needs (including a 10% discount for being a lodge guest).
Tamarack Lodge is also a pet-friendly accommodation if that is something you need to consider for your stay. If you are an Epic Pass or Sun Valley Passholder, you are eligible for savings on lodging at Tamarack Lodge.
7 – Large Ski Retreat Airbnb
If you need accommodations for up to 8 guests, then this large ski retreat Airbnb in Ketchum is your perfect match. The location is perfect and just minutes from both the downtown Ketchum area and the ski lifts. This Airbnb can comfortably fit up to 8 guests in its 3 bedrooms, each with one queen bed and then one pull-out sofa bed in the living room. There are even two dedicated work-from-home offices if that is an important feature for your group’s needs.
The townhouse rental is spacious and very nicely decorated, with a ski theme prominent throughout the space. The decor follows a beautiful color palette of browns, grays, and blues and then incorporates wooden furniture accents across the various rooms. Enjoy beautiful views of Butte Peak and Dollar Mountain right out the window or from the outdoor balcony.
8 – Clean Luxury Apartment in Warm Springs
This is the perfect spot if you have a smaller crew. This spot holds 4 people and is minutes from downtown Ketchum and the base of skiing at Warm Springs. It’s modern, nicely decorated, and has two levels. This is the perfect spot for a getaway with family or friends!
9. Luxury Warm Springs River Home
If you’re traveling with a large group, this place is perfect! It holds 14 people and has gorgeous views of the mountains. While this isn’t located directly in Ketchum, you can walk to Warm Springs Lift which is great for a ski weekend. The home itself is large at 4700 sq feet. There’s a hot tub and the river is right below it. There’s also a full gourmet kitchen if you’re into cooking.
10. Ski-themed Studio Airbnb
Perhaps the hotel scene is not your thing, and you would prefer quieter accommodation through one of Airbnb’s rentals. This specific rental is a charming ski-themed studio-sized space that is meant for 2 guests in one queen bed. The rental is actually in Sun Valley, so not directly in downtown Ketchum where most of the hotels on this list are located.
Along with the queen bed, the studio has a kitchen, a kitchen table, a couch, a TV, free WiFi, a washer, a dryer, a bathroom, and free parking for one vehicle. The studio specifically is part of Atelier Condos and is extremely close to Sun Valley Lake, a great spot to take a dip in the summer months. The cost to rent at an Airbnb can often be cheaper than that of a hotel, depending on the time of year booked, which can make Airbnb rentals an attractive accommodation option.
11. Best Western Tyrolean Lodge
If you are a fan of Best Western hotels, then the Best Western Tyrolean Lodge in downtown Ketchum could be a great spot for you. This lodge is less glamorous than most of the others on this list, but that will make it a more affordable option.
The Best Western Tyrolean Lodge is equipped with all of the hotel basics, with standard bedrooms and bathrooms, deluxe breakfast offerings, and some pet-friendly rooms. The lodge is conveniently located to downtown Ketchum and the mountains, so if a place to rest your head at night is all that you are looking for in a hotel, this alpine-themed Best Western will do the trick.
12 – Best Western Plus Kentwood Lodge
The Best Western Plus Kentwood Lodge is a step up amenity-wise from the previous Best Western lodge and is still located in downtown Ketchum. The rooms are a bit larger than the previous Best Western in the area, but the most notable difference is that Best Western Plus has an indoor pool and spa. The location is a close walk to dining, nightlife, and shopping in the downtown area, similar to the other resorts close by.
Think of this Best Western Plus as a little bit nicer than the previous Best Western, but also not as glamorous as the resorts mentioned earlier. Consider all of these factors along with your group’s accommodation must-haves when choosing where to book your stay.
Plenty of Places to Stay in Ketchum, Idaho
Regardless of where you choose to stay during your time in Ketchum, you will certainly be in close proximity to outdoor activities on the mountain and the extensive entertainment that can be found downtown. Enjoy your trip!
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