The Boise Guest House, Boise, ID

Originally published May 15, 2009

Our only stop this go-round through Idaho was not so much at a bed and breakfast but at a wonderful guest house which had all the benefits of a bed and breakfast and so much more. In fact the Boise Guest House is definitely a great spot whether your stay in Boise is for a meal or an extended stay, guests are welcome to reap the potato crop of the Boise Guest House.

In actuality, one of the biggest let downs about our trip through Idaho for my wife and myself was that we never actually got to see any potatoes, but such has been this trip thus far! We never had deep dish pizza in Chicago, we never any gumbo in the bayou; we'll have to hope we score better in Seattle and that we're able to enjoy a café cup of java. Regardless, everything else about our shortened stay in the spud state came up in a flowering bloom; including our time at the Boise Guest House.

One of the biggest differences you get when visiting a place like Boise is the people. We noticed similar traits in Salt Lake City the day before but people are just generally a lot more receptive to talking and acknowledging you are there! This is quite a change from the hard-charging east coast lifestyle that my wife and I were raised on. Boise Idaho is not New York City and folks who have spent any time in both know the difference.

The Boise Guest House posits themselves as "a hotel alternative," and offer nightly & monthly apartment suites. The front door of the Boise Guest House has an electronic code that you will get ahead of arriving there; keys and instructions are located inside the house proper. The Boise Guest house does not have room service and there are no people present to ticker after you; however this is by design and the innkeeper, Eve-Marie who is always available as she lives quite nearby.

The Boise Guest House consists of six fully furnished efficiency apartments which range in size from studio to two bedroom suites. The Boise Guest House is comfortably and minimally appointed. When we walked into our room; it was on the second floor; room #6. When you enter the one bedrooms space you are immediately thrust into the living area with the kitchen taking up one wall with a windowed porch directly adjacent. 

Inside the room there is a wraparound couch which was perfect for lounging in all night; a flat screen television, a generous sized table, as well as a pair of cushioned seats. The kitchen had virtually everything you could need for your stay; a full sized fridge, stove, microwave, plates, bowls, silverware, spices, cups, mugs, sink, toaster oven, coffee maker, and tea kettle are just a few of the myriad of items along the one wall. Also present in the far corner was a comfortable breakfast nook with two chairs and a small table area for comfortable seating.

The bedroom in room number six was a comfortable queen sized bed. The bedroom was also minimally appointed but was clean and comfortable. The bath was accessible by way of the bedroom entryway and had a standing shower, wash basin, and toilet.

It was the little details which made the Boise Guest House one of my favorite spots thus far. The space looks plain enough but when the sun sets through that west facing window and the orange light is cast all over the room, the spectacle is worth noting. Then of course you have this lovely porch area with plenty of seating. Room number six in the Boise Guest House almost seems to be inviting people to move in, bring a friend, and stay a while. While there is just the one bath and one bed and the place is probably not designed with more than a couple in mind; the space certainly would allow for far more.

The only caveat with the Boise Guest House has to be that the queen sized bed in our room; the one which comfortably carried me off to slumber, was not so kind to my dear wife. The bed is definitely last year's model and it did do a fair job of squeaking. The springs in this bed got to my dear wife and she actually slept most of the night on the wraparound couch. However when I rose early from the absence of my dear wife she then took roost in the bed with the springs so I imagine it's all a matter of perspective.

We left the Boise Guest House and the city of Boise Idaho early that day. However whether your needs are a lot or a little, the Boise Guest House should be the spot you take roost in when next you're visiting the city. It's a comfortable alternative to the dreck of chain hotels, it's clean, and it's close to everything going on in this fun little city!