DILIJAN (Reuters) – Located at the foot of one of Armenia’s mountain ranges is "Cozy House" – a small hobbit-themed hotel that attracts hiking enthusiasts and Lord of the Rings fans alike.
Not surprisingly, its owner, Edgar Gulanyan is a fan of hobbits.
Hobbits are fictional characters created by English writer John Tolkien. They are best known for their love of comfort and good food. And they prefer living in small but snug underground houses built into the side of the hills.
The hotel, which opened in 2019, has six houses built into the side of the Caucasus mountains and can accommodate up to 16 guests.
Despite its theme, the rooms are not hobbit-size.
The ceiling is 2.5 metres high so guests will not need to stoop like Gandalf – one of the main characters in "The Lord of the Rings."
With prices ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 Armenian drams (52-83 USD) per night, "Cozy House" is well above the local average price.
But this has not prevented people from coming. Off-season guests are around and all houses are already booked for the entire summer.
For these guests, a line from Tolkien’s famous poem rings true: "home is behind, the world ahead."