Can't Miss!!!

Guest: H&J clan (Cincinnati, Ohio - Tacoma, WA)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 08/29/11

To echo the other reviews... simply awesome. Had a fantastic week 4 adults, 6 kids under age 10. Ate on deck every night, marshmallows by the river. Went hiking down Grand Targhee, a day in Jackson rafting, Yellowstone, Tetons. Took Marc's advice on shopped Dot-E-Dot antique shop hard (lucky we have a big van) and spent two days just upriver swimming/fishing in Palisades Reservoir (first caught cutthroat, then went swimming at Little Elk- had entire place to ourselves!). River was too high to float ourselves (Bill at the rental place really looked out for us), but we did get some great float fishing with the guides at Southfork Outfitters. Key move was buying supplies in Idaho Falls, then just enjoying our week. Marc was fantastic every step of the way.

Owner response:It was truly my pleasure to help you with your family retreat. I look forward to your to hosting your family in the future.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Relaxation at its finest

Guest: Deb (Albia, Iowa)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11 Review Submitted: 08/27/11

Calling this home a "retreat" does not do it justice. Our party consisted of four adults and we stayed for a week in early August 2011. Coming from hot, humid Iowa, I was immediately struck by how comfortable it was outside, regardless of the time of day. The huge deck overlooking the river draws you right outside and we spent much of our time on the deck or sitting in the shade by the river. The afternoon breeze made even the hottest days comfortable enough to lounge on the deck. There's a gas grill, as well as a charcoal grill, and we used these almost every night. My husband fished every morning and evening, and hauled in some nice trout. There's a closet full of DVDs to watch but we actually never used them because it was so nice outside, we spent most our time outdoors. The photos don't do this place justice. It's a beautiful home and has the feel of the old west without sacrificing comfort or convenience. If you are looking for a place to relax, fish, and just enjoy nature, this place offers exactly what you are looking for. We were definitely not ready to leave at the end of the week. If fly fishing is in your plans, there are several outfitters that will set you up with whatever you need, including a guide and drift boat. If you come through Victor on your way to Swan Valley, definitely stop at the Victor Market for wonderful sandwiches and a decent selection of groceries. The gravel road is a little exciting the first time but we quickly got used to it. Best of all, we saw a bull moose browsing on willows several different times while coming and going up near the main highway. Keep an eye out while driving and pay particular attention along the river banks, especially where the willow-covered islands are, as there's a decent chance of seeing him there. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

Owner response:Thank you for your comments...It is always so gratifying to hear that the Lodge and location was the setting form a memorable stay. Thx Marc

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.

Forget Jackson Hole This is the place

Guest: Call (La Jolla)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 08/25/11

Just a terrific time and a amazingly suprising beautiful location. We had planned to rent in Jackson Hole but tripped on this place through a mutual friend when we complained about the sky high prices. We were skeptical because we had never heard of Swan Valley. We were looking for serenity, space, fishing and getting back to the outdoors but not suffering a camp sight.. We could not have been more pleased. Plenty of hiking the sense that nature was all around as the elk actually come on the property.......... just a thrill! Just an outstanding home with state of the art amenities and creature comfor. There were exeptional views form the fire pit over looking the river. The house is 20 yards the Snake River for our fishing outings. We were so comfortable for the 10 days we really did not want to leave.

Owner response:It is always gratifying to hear the response from the guests who truly appreciate what a stay at the Lodge represents.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Swan Valley Summer 2011

Guest: Kwigg (Maryland)
Date of Stay: 07/03/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

The property location is beautiful and the cabin is nice. The owner was very friendly on the phone and via e-mail in the weeks leading up to this rental. The kitchen was well-stocked with utensils and basics. If you enjoy fishing, hiking and relaxation, Swan Valley is a great destination. On the fifth day of our week in the house, the septic system collapsed. We called the owner and he quickly addressed the problem by calling repairmen. We headed to Jackson Hole for the day to get out of the way for the repairs to take place. When we returned back to the house around 7 pm, the clean-up had just finished and the repairman said that the water had been turned off for the rest of the weekend. We called the owner and together agreed that we would not be able to stay the remaining two nights of the contract. We headed home and drove through the night. The owner agreed on the phone to refund us the cost of one night since we had only planned to stay one of the two nights remaining in the contract. Leaving the property, we felt good about the house and the way the owner handled the situation. Since then, getting the owner to reimburse us for the last night and return the security deposit has been painful. The reimbursement and deposit have now been received, but only after many e-mails, texts, phone calls, etc. In our opinion, the owner did not handle this in a professional manner and we do not plan to stay at this property again. I would highly recommend that future renters have everything stated in the contract before sending in the security deposit and rental money. For example, if it is agreed that a dog can stay on the property, have this stated in the contract, including where the dog is allowed. Ask explicitly about the standard procedure with the security deposit.

Owner response:Sorry you were inconvenienced. As difficult as it was to please you...I gave it it my best effort.

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Family retreat with Luxury *and* Fishing

Guest: Marin (Santa Barbara, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/04/10 Review Submitted: 10/29/10

This is an amazing luxury + nature getaway! Our family (3 adults, 3 kids) stayed here several days in August and loved it. The kids liked the giant swing by the river, watching movies in their own entertainment room on the “boys floor” (no adults allowed), and floating the river in our inflatable raft. I liked the huge master bath (yes, I tried both the clawfoot tub, and the insanely high flow rate shower), the master balcony (coffee in the morning overlooking the river, wine in the evening overlooking the river, stargazing at night), and walks along the country road. My husband and my father in law liked the fishing (24/7), caught dozens of fish up & down the river, even caught a huge one right out in front of the house. The house is luxurious, but has plenty of character, thanks to the antique furnishings and reclaimed wood that the house is constructed from.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: The Allens2 (Santa Rosa, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/29/09 Review Submitted: 07/29/09

July, 2009 We enjoyed every minute of our stay at this beautiful home on the South Fork of the Snake River. We were celebrating our 50th anniversary with our family, and we couldn't have picked a better spot to relax and enjoy our surroundings. My husband brought his raft, so we were able to float and fish every day, although this time of year the river was pretty high. We loved sitting by the river reading, and our granddaughter loved the tire swing. Marc's home is wonderfully constructed using old timbers, and the big deck is a winner. I cannot recommend this amazing home enough to anyone who desires comfort, beauty and relaxation.

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Guest: hall family1 (Brandon,MS)
Date of Stay: 05/14/09 Review Submitted: 05/14/09

Our family had its first vacation together here in August 2008 and we had the time of our life. Away from the hustle and bustle and we got to really enjoy each others company. The stars at night were breath taking and so vibrant. We enjoyed the beautiful surroundings,as if the Creator had taken His paint brush and painted us a perfect picture of nature, the river, waterfall, mountain, wildlife-all right before our eyes. We enjoyed white water rafting, Yellow Stone Park, and just enjoying this ranch style setting. I would recommend this place to anyone. We had a trip that we will all remember for a very long time. For some of our family members this was the first time to ever see a mountain, and it was priceless to see their reaction to the Tetons. We liked being away from the big cities, and the folks around Swan Valley were very hospitable. Great place for a family vacation.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/05/08 Review Submitted: 08/05/08

We had a great family retreat staying at the home. The property was very quiet, remote and spacious. The layout of the home was great for three generations and three families to enjoy. We had a great time just stepping back in time, relaxing, playing cards, touch football, whiffle ball, reading,and making smores on a campfire in a rough setting near the river. It provided just what our family needed to regroup and put life in perspective. The fishing took a few days to find success but the kids enjoyed going to the dam to fish. The river was high but the landscape of the Snake is beautiful in Swan Valley. We went whitewater rafting south of Jackson Hole-- a lifetime experience that was very scary for about 90 seconds, providing memories that will last a lifetime. We lost two family members and the guide in 45 degree water! Quite an adventure I would recomment this property to anyone who is looking for a very special time with family. The decor of the house will take you back in time. Pictures around the manure spreader out back are a precious memory of my childhood on the farm. The owner was eager to assist in meeting our needs and readily available via tx.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/04/07 Review Submitted: 08/04/07

We had the pleasure of staying at this property for a week this summer with our three teenagers. We had a wonderful time. The home was just perfect for us, comfortable, luxery yet inviting, serene: just what we wanted. We were not far from Jackson Hole, but yet far enough away from the crowds of people who explore this wonderful area. The property is surrounded by wildlife, forest and rivers. Wildlife was abundent, our favorite the bald eagle. All types of outdoor options were available, including white water rafting, hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, backpacking, shopping and general site seeing of the beautiful landscape. This property was a real find if you are looking for relaxation, privacy, luxery, and tranquility. Marc was very helpful in connecting us with fly fishing guides, horseback guides, etc. We recommend the property without hesitation and plan to return!

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Guest: The Stanley's (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Date of Stay: 07/17/07 Review Submitted: 07/17/07

This is a wonderful property if you are looking for luxury accommodations in a peaceful and beautiful setting with lots of recreational offerings! We stayed for 3 weeks of fly fishing on the banks of the Snake River. This home has every upgrade and the location is unbelievable! We spent many restful hours on the deck overlooking the river. The area is beautiful and there's much to do from fishing to hunting, hiking, riding, rafting, exploring and relaxing in a luxurious lodge with every amminity! Jackson Hole is close and we spent several days of shopping in the galleries and local speciality shops & the museum is wonderful. If you love nature, you'll love this location. We loved our many sitings of moose, deer, and did a lot of bird watching. This is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy in a 5-star property! This is a real find and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! We will definitely be returning!

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