6 Cool Airbnbs
6 Cool Airbnbs
Colorado
It was recently dubbed “the greatest real estate listing in human history” and it can be yours for the bargain price of $450.
Per night, with a three-night minimum stay, that is: Indy’s most infamous home – the Kessler Boulevard monstrosity known as “Dolphin Mansion” – is listed on Airbnb.
And it looks like owner Chad Folkening has better luck convincing people to stay for a weekend than he’s had trying to unload the sprawling and eclectic property. It’s been on and off the market since 2012, to no avail.
But according to reviews left on the website where users rent houses, apartments and spare rooms to other users, at least six people have stayed at the property in the past year.
From the sounds of things, however, the nearly 30,000 square foot property has left guests wanting.
Here is a sampling of some of the more recent reviews:
“Great place, needs an electrical update.”
“Chad and his team are very, very responsive to requests, but it’s an old house, showing its age. Think: broken windows, broken games in the games room and showers without hot water. If you’re looking to stay in a home with a story, but sacrifice updates, this is the home for you!”
“Looks like someone left this place years ago and squatters have been living there ever since. Absolutely not a good place to stay. There was a mouse in the kitchen, the water was awful, the sockets didn’t didn’t work in the house, the downstairs was blocked…”
Bianka Krausch, speaking on behalf of the owner, said the property is still available for nights booked through Airbnb and is in good condition. The shattered windows were the occasional result of vandals, she said, but were replaced each time.
Vandalism tends to be an issue whenever the home appears in the news, Krausch said, as it has recently.
Last week, a Twitter thread about the house’s real estate listing went viral. The original tweet, posted by Duke University professor and Indy native Gabriel Rosenberg, has been retweeted more than 2,000 times.
While the home has 11 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, the Airbnb post is for four bedrooms and four bathrooms. With 10 beds, the post office says it can accommodate up to 12 people.
Apparently eight of these beds are queen bunk beds. Who knew?
“My place is good for business travelers, large groups, and pets,” Folkening says in the listing. “We are NOT considered luxurious but unique.”
Unique might be an understatement.
The house is made up of five ranch houses of garden varieties DIYed by former pimp Jerry “Mr. Big” Hostetler, who died in 2006. In addition to the titular dolphin statuary, there are countless balconies, stairs in spiral staircase, wet bars, a grotto with a hot tub, a ballroom, and a swimming pool.
For summer guests, the pool is part of the Airbnb package.
Interested in owning this home? It can be yours. Or just learn more about its bizarre history.
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