Boise (TAN): Dog lovers or not, spending a night or two at Idaho state’s Dog Bark Park Inn Bed and Breakfast could be a refreshing experience for travellers used to regular hotel rooms. Located at Cottonwood in north central Idaho in the United States, the accommodation claims to lull its guests to sleep “inside the world’s biggest beagle”.
Run by artist couple Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin since 1997, the stay is shaped like a beagle named Sweet Willy. Another beagle, a 12-foot tall statue of Toby, gives it company.
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Dennis, a self-taught chainsaw artist with a career spanning over thirty years, created the figures to take his guests back to the days when roadside architecture was popular among tourists. Travellers, during their road trips, would stop to buy fuel, eat, or put up for a night in buildings that were shaped like something unusual – a teacup or a milk bottle.
Though it looks like a dog from the outside, Dog Bark Park Inn, complete with a bath, refrigerator, and microwave, can accommodate up to four guests in one bedroom and a loft. Dogs feature everywhere – whether twenty-six carved dogs barking for attention from the bed’s headboard, dog-shaped cookies, or dog-themed puzzles and games. For nature lovers, the second story deck is a fine place for viewing the prairies. The inn serves homemade pastries, granola, cheese, beverages, and bagels, among other things, for breakfast.
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The couple also runs a studio in the premises where they create “over 60 different breeds and poses of dogs” in folk art style wood carvings from Idaho ponderosa pine.
Guests can explore the Lewis and Clark Trail, Monastery of St. Gertrude and Historical Museum, Winchester Lake State Park, and Hells Canyon while staying at Dog Bark Inn. They could also engage in mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or berry picking.
The inn is open for stay between April and October, and will set guests back by USD126 per night for single occupancy, and USD132 per night for double occupancy, including breakfast. The stay charges USD12 per additional guest. Pets are welcome to stay for a non-refundable fee of USD15 per pet.
