Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

The Methow Valley is as picturesque as any in the world. Nestled in a high pocket of the North Cascades of Washington State, the valley is all forests and flower fields, ravines and rivers, snow peaks and sunshine1. And it’s all crisscrossed by biking, hiking and running paths — and by one of the longest cross country skiing trails in the world.

Until recently, one of the few blights on the Methow Valley was a particularly unattractive RV park northwest of the town of Winthrop. Happily, the Winnebagos there have given way to a wild meadow that’s mostly untouched except for the unusual, low-impact accommodations offered by Rolling Huts. It is a fantastically cool place to stay.

The “huts” in the name is a misnomer. The six structures that comprise the Rolling Huts resort are more like a Scandinavian minimalist’s dream of a mobile home. Each one is rather small — a bit smaller than a typical mobile home — and are constructed from steel and wood and glass. Somehow, the architects of the Rolling Huts (Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig Architects) make that seemingly out-of-place combination of materials work. The steel gives this sense that you are inside something sturdy. And wood provides a sense of nature. The glass puts the emphasis where it belongs: the view of the beautiful natural surroundings of the Methow Valley.

In fact, we would declare the Rolling Huts to be the world’s second landscape hotel if the accommodations were luxurious enough to qualify as a “hotel.” Instead, guests get a prototypical glamping experience2. There are no en-suite bathrooms — each “hut” has a portable toilet out back and a water spigot outside. Each is devoid of electronics save for a microwave, small fridge and lamps. Each is also devoid of furniture, at least in the traditional sense. In their place are cushions and modular platforms that can be rearranged to form a bed or a couch or whatever. Check out the photo:

rolling huts unusual hotel 1 Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

Despite these elements of “roughing it,” the huts are complete comfortable. A fireplace keeps them cozy. A nearby farmhouse has full bathrooms and showers. There’s also free wifi!

[ ALSO ON SCS: A Review of the Treehouse Point Treehouse Hotel ]

rolling huts wheels Rolling Huts of the Methow ValleyEach hut is on wheels, and none are connected to water or sewer lines, and so they could theoretically be rolled around. The wheels, though, are more of an artistic way to keep the floor of the huts above the environmentally-sensitive meadow. Not that you’d want to move them anywhere anyway. The six huts are perfectly placed, close to each other but with an unobstructed view of the mountains. Sitting out on a hut’s porch, perhaps sipping a glass of wine, is bliss.

There’s a restaurant on site at the Rolling Huts, Kelly’s at Wesola Polana. The proprietors also run a farmhouse inn and the nearby Methow Tents, a campground with safari-style caravan tents. For information on local activities, check out the excellent Winthrop tourist info website.

published: 26 Sept 2013
space Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley


LEARN MORE & BOOK | GUIDEBOOKS |

1  Methow Valley gets an average of 307 of sunshine days per year. Seattle, by contrast, averages 55.
2  Glamping = glamorous camping. Basically a more upscale, more comfortable version of regular tent camping. Check out our travel blog’s review of glamping products and locations for more.

methow valley washington 1 Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

space Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

Planning your Rolling Huts and Methow Valley trip

How much: $135 per night, with a $10 surcharge on holidays.

Getting there: Weather permitting, Winthrop is about a four hour drive from Seattle or Spokane. Snow often close Highway 20, requiring traveler to take detour that adds another hour to the drive. Check here for current conditions.

If you go: Though towels, sheets and pillows are provided, you much bring your own sleeping bag or blankets. See the Rolling Huts website for more info.

When: Open year round.

Family friendly? Absolutely. Kids love the adventure of the Rolling Huts. Though there’s not much there specifically for kids to do (except for running around in the meadow) so bring your own bikes, games and other fun.

For your bookshelf: The Methow Valley: Between Home and Heaven

space Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

intra unusual 275 Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

space Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

Photos of the Rolling Huts

unusual hotel rolling huts 1 Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

unusual hotel rolling huts 3 Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

unusual hotel rolling huts 2 Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

LEARN MORE & BOOK | JOIN US ON TWITTER / FACEBOOK / PINTREST / GOOGLE+

space Rolling Huts of the Methow Valley

More from Spot Cool Stuff:

The Starbucks Made of Shipping Containers
Glamping in Switzerland’s PodHotel
Osprey: A Review of the Best Wheeled Backpack Hybrid Luggage

Elsewhere on the web:





Leave a Response

CommentLuv badge

SPOTCOOLSTUFF Travel reviews unusual hotels and restaurants, great attractions, cool travel gear, places with amazing views and all manner of travel destinations with a WOW! factor. Because we live on an incredible planet! Get our latest travel posts by email . . .

    Awesome Curacao vacations — up to $530 off!
    Check out the freebies offered too, including airfare credits, breakfast and room upgrades!

Save $530 Time left:
Book Now!
Offer Closed!



PARTNER WITH US     |     BE OUR GUEST TRAVEL WRITER    |      SUGGEST COOL STUFF FOR US TO REVIEW     |     INFO FOR TOURIST BOARDS

Other SCS SectionsHot Travel CategoriesFave Travel Posts
Cool Tech & GadgetsBest hotel room viewsCaribbeanBest Sandals in Jamaica
Cool Architecture & DesignFamily travelEuropeBest Wheeled Carry-On Luggage
Cool WebsitesHoneymoon resortsFloridaWorld's Coolest Airlines
Cool EntertainmentUnusual museumsSoutheast AsiaThe Honeymoon Resorts of Bora Bora