The Hohnstead: Built by Hand, Rooted in Stillness
The Hohnstead was born from a decade of searching and over a decade of “slow” building
For ten years, Garrett’s parents (Mama and Papa Hohn) scoured Montana for the perfect piece of land. Meanwhile, we were living in South Korea, teaching at a university and dreaming of a life that traded digital noise for the sound of the wind through the pines. We didn’t want "fancy"; we wanted a nervous system reset.
In 2010, we finally broke ground in Bonner.
Hand-Built with Intention
We are not a corporate resort. There are only two of us (Garrett and Alla) doing it all—learning to build, peeling logs, and splitting wood. We built what we needed at the time and what we could afford, a process that went viral when we completed our first A-frame, The Transforming Forest Cabin, in just three weeks (get the full story and the tour here).
That project launched a conversation about the beauty of simple, resourceful living that has since been featured in Sunset Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Field Mag, and many others, and reached millions of viewers through the storytelling of Eva zu Beck, Kirsten Dirksen, and Tiny House Giant Journey.
Recognized for the "Quiet Life"
While we prioritize digital disconnection, the world has taken notice of our little sanctuary:
Scholastic Math: Cover of April 2018 Issue, featuring The A-frame Cabin.
Glamping Hub: Named "Hosts of the Month" (September 2023) for our dedication to the guest experience.
Airbnb Partnership: We were honored to partner with Airbnb for the 2025 Montana Festival, leading workshops on the very skills that define our lives here—archery and wood splitting.
Design & Adventure: Our cabins have been highlighted by Matador Network as one of the best stays in the state and featured on Zillow for our unique, polycarbonate stargazing walls.
Your Hosts: From South Korea to the Montana Woods
The Hohnstead isn't just a business; it’s a living map of our lives.
Alla is originally from Ukraine and never imagined her "American Dream" would involve peeling logs and living rurally in the Rockies. Garrett grew up in a family of hardworking construction workers, DIYers, and fixers who instilled in him a deep respect for a simple, recycled, and "reuse-first" lifestyle.
We met while teaching at a university in South Korea, but Montana was always our north star. For 14 years, we spent every summer break visiting this land for two months at a time. We didn’t have a grand master plan—we just built what we could afford, when we could afford it. Over those years of "slow building," something special began to take shape. Eventually, we realized our hearts were here in Bonner, so we walked away from our teaching careers to make The Hohnstead our main labor of love.
A Seasonal Rhythm
We believe in a life of balance. The Hohnstead allows us to work intensely for six months during the resort season and spend the other six months building/land maintenance, traveling, and researching. We use our off-season to visit other unique stays around the world, gathering inspiration to bring back to Montana.
It was during our time in Mexico that we fell in love with the vibrant use of color. We decided to break the "brown cabin" mold, painting our units in bright, photogenic, and unique colors that reflect that international energy against the Montana green.
The Hohnstead Sanctuary Pact
We created this place for people like our first guest, Gert from Amsterdam—adventurous, kind, and looking for a real connection. To preserve the spirit of what we’ve built, we invite our guests to enter into a "Sanctuary Pact" with us.
Silence-First, Connection-Always: We aren't a library, but we are a sanctuary. We love the sound of campfire stories, shared laughter, and the low hum of a good conversation. We simply ask that you leave the Bluetooth speakers inside and let the Montana wind be your soundtrack.
The Neutral Zone: To truly reconnect with nature, we have to leave the outside world at the gate. At The Hohnstead, we intentionally discourage conversations centered around politics, religion, or the news cycle. We want our campfires to be a place for stories about where you’ve been and where you’re going—not the headlines behind us.
Solo Souls & Slow-Mooners: Whether you are a solo traveler seeking safety and solitude, a couple celebrating a milestone, or a road-tripper needing a "digital detox," we can’t wait to host you.
100 Acres of "Good Boy": We don't just "allow" pets; we built this for them. With 100 acres to explore, we welcome your well-behaved four-legged family members to enjoy the freedom of the woods alongside you.
We are grateful to be the "two-person team" that does it all. Whether Alla is capturing a guest's portrait through her lens or Garrett is teaching a newcomer how to swing an axe at the Montana Gym, we are here because we love this land and the quiet it provides.
We aren't "boogie"—we are rustic, recycled, and real. Welcome to our home.
Your hosts,
Alla and Garrett Hohn