Larch House, a new 39-room boutique hotel designed by Olson Kundig, has opened in Whitefish, Mont.’s historic Railway District, positioning itself as a small cluster of buildings rather than a single, resort-scale block. Developed by Dallas-based SHOP Development, the property spreads its rooms across 10 buildings arranged as an enclave adjacent to a hike-and-bike path that connects downtown to the Whitefish River and Whitefish Lake.
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The project’s center of gravity is outdoors: a courtyard conceived as the hotel’s communal living room, with fire pits and an architectural boulder garden. From there, guests move between lodging, dining, and rooftop amenities designed to frame the region’s alpine setting while keeping the experience close to the town’s walkable core.
“This project has always been about honoring the history of Whitefish while introducing a fresh, contemporary take on alpine hospitality,” says Daniel Fuller, president of SHOP Development, in a statement marking the opening. “We’re thrilled to finally welcome locals and travelers into a space designed to feel both rooted and transformative.”
Tom Kundig, principal/owner and founder of Olson Kundig and design principal for Larch House, describes the property as both a gateway and a retreat. “Larch House serves as both a launch pad into the beautiful, big-sky landscape of Whitefish, Montana, and a place of refuge after time spent in that wild landscape,” he says.
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Four accommodation types, tuned to access and views
Larch House offers several categories of rooms and suites, each pitched around a distinct mix of space, outlook, and proximity to amenities:
- Cabin Suites emphasize a more expansive stay, with fireplaces, alcoves, and neighborhood views.
- Larch House Suites are positioned for direct access to dining and shared amenities, paired with unobstructed mountain views.
- Longhouse King Rooms face the courtyard and provide direct outdoor access.
- Larch House Queen Rooms are described as a compact option suited to solo travelers.
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Across categories, the guest-room specification leans into tactile comfort, including custom alpine furnishings, and heated bathroom floors.
Locally sourced dining
Dining emphasizes sustainable sourcing and local purveyors. The opening lineup includes:
- Enga, the main indoor-outdoor restaurant on the ground level. The menu highlights seasonal ingredients sourced from regional providers. The beverage program includes a housemade huckleberry limoncello developed with local distillery Spotted Bear Spirits, as well as a custom Larch House Reserve Bourbon created in partnership with Bulleit Bourbon and Packmule Liquor & Wine.
- Terrace, a rooftop setting for drinks and small bites, intended to pair casual, shareable food with sunset views above downtown.
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Two additional venues are planned to open in spring 2026:
- The Antler Room, described as an intimate lower-level lounge for evening drinks and shared plates.
- The Oak Room, also on the lower level, designed for private gatherings, tastings, and tailored dining experiences.
Rooftop amenities and a recreation-forward guest program
Amenities include a rooftop heated pool and sundeck, along with a private event space. Given the hotel’s proximity to Whitefish River, Whitefish Lake, and Glacier National Park, recreation is treated as a core part of the stay. Larch House will provide on-site activity concierge services with offerings that include fly fishing, hiking, scenic driving, wakesurfing, rafting, horseback riding, paddleboarding, snowmobiling, and other outdoor pursuits.
