An alpine-style boutique inn on the edge of Ketchum, blending European chalet architecture with luxurious, modern interiors and views of Bald Mountain.
Established in 1992 by the late Joe Koenig, Knob Hill Inn stands on the northern edge of Ketchum at 960 North Main Street, directly adjacent to the historic cemetery where Ernest Hemingway is buried. The property, designed to evoke the traditional alpine chalets of Europe, underwent a major interior transformation after it was purchased in late 2011 by a group of local investors with deep roots in the Wood River Valley, including Robert Cimino, Eric Bensussen, and John, Skip, and Doug Oppenheimer. Partnering with Columbia Hospitality, the new owners reopened the inn on December 15, 2011, successfully blending old-world Tyrolean charm with contemporary mountain luxury. While the steep-gabled, timber-framed exterior remains unchanged, the interior spaces are warm and sophisticated, centered around a welcoming reception area decorated with historic photographs of Sun Valley's early skiing days and the iconic Sun Valley Barn.
The inn features just 29 spacious guestrooms and suites, ensuring an intimate, residential atmosphere that feels more like a private lodge than a hotel. Each room is designed with meticulous attention to comfort, featuring plush bedding, down comforters, wet bars, and private balconies or patios that frame views of the Boulder and Smoky mountains or the ski runs of Bald Mountain. The bathrooms are exceptionally luxurious, finished with marble tiling and equipped with five-fixture setups, oversized soaking tubs, separate glass showers, and radiant floor heating. For families or guests seeking ultimate privacy, the largest suite spans over 1,000 square feet, offering a private entrance, a master bedroom with a king-size bed, a walk-in closet, and an Italian marble bathroom, alongside a second bedroom with twin beds.
Dining at the inn is centered around The Grill at Knob Hill, a beloved local institution co-owned by seasoned Ketchum restaurateurs Bob and Jolie Dunn, who joined the property in 2011. The restaurant specializes in Northwest and Rocky Mountain-influenced cuisine with distinct European undertones. Guests can enjoy signature dishes like Idaho Ruby Red rainbow trout, grilled and served with toasted pine nuts, capers, balsamic brown butter, and basmati rice, or a classic veal Wienerschnitzel accompanied by braised red cabbage, lingonberries, and spaetzle. Every entrée is paired with fresh popovers and honey butter, a nostalgic nod to the Dunns' former tenure at the historic Warm Springs Ranch. In the summer months, the restaurant's glass folding doors open to an outdoor terrace and lawn, where tables are set amidst vibrant flowerbeds and string lights. In the mornings, guests gather in the Fireplace Room for a complimentary signature breakfast served around a grand communal table crafted from reclaimed wood.
Request a room on the west side of the inn for direct views of the ski runs on Bald Mountain, and do not miss the warm, fresh popovers served with sweet honey butter at The Grill.
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