Vacation Rentals by Owner

Could have been a dream if only it were clean

Guest: Kristen (Cornelius NC )
Date of Stay: 05/16/12 Review Submitted: 05/18/12

First, the positive -- the house really is amazing. The tree accents, the bridge inside to the reading nook, the upstairs shower - all very beautiful. If you are looking for a rustic vacation in a unique setting, this is the place for you. Now the bad - my family had booked the Treehouse for two nights but we stayed only one as we couldn't get past the lack of attention to cleanliness. The mouse droppings in the pantry were unsettling, but not as disappointing as finding the dishes, serving utensils and coffee pot very dirty. The dishwasher worked fine so whomever did the cleaning before we arrived clearly hadn't used it. The windows had a film on them, and the bedding and towels were well worn. We had brought nice steaks from home but there was no propane for the grill onsite. It's a shame that the lack of a good cleaning overshadowed the beauty of the architecture for us.

Owner response:Feedback whether positive or negative is greatly appreciated as we always try to improve. Our home is professionally cleaned after each guest and when items become unpresentable they are removed from service and donated. Had the guest contacted us prior to checkout to let us know that the cabin wasn't clean to their standards we would have gladly sent our housekeeper to handle their complaint as well as told them there was a back up propane tank for their use. Our cabin is on year round pest control and frankly as they point out it is a rustic mountain cabin in the woods. Cleanliness is paramount to us therefore I inspected the cabin and do not agree with the guests assessment.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, pet owners.

Awesome Cabin Retreat

Guest: dontgetoutmuch (clearwater, fl)
Date of Stay: 12/10/11 Review Submitted: 12/16/11

We loved this cabin and trip to Asheville. The cabin was perfect and lovely!!! It was everything we expected and more! No one could be disappointed. We ate at some great restaurants in downtown Asheville and Grove Park Inn is a must! Thank you so much for everything!

Owner response:You are welcome anytime! We love it that you were as enamored with our cabin and Asheville as we are. Thank you for your comments and we look forward to hosting your next stay!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Relaxing, Enjoyable and Refreshing

Guest: Jodie2 (Beaverdam, VA)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 05/10/11

This spring break, my husband, two teenaged kids and I spent a wonderful week in this cabin. The pictures accurately displayed the rustic charm of the place but did little to really show the cozy corners and relaxing spaces throughout the property. The mountain location was beautiful with the ponds and streams along the driveway. My son got in some flyfishing and my dog dove into the pond. All had a great time. This location was perfect...a short drive to Asheville, a trip to Black Mountain, and some longer excursions to the Natahala River for Kayaking (about 90 miles) and a trip to see Davidson College - our first college trip with my oldest!!! We would love to come back for another week in the near future and would highly recommend for the convenience, amenities and peaceful location.

Owner response:Thank you so much for the kind words. We love all the things you mentioned as well. We look forward to hosting your next stay in the mountains!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Great hideaway!

Guest: Susanna (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/11

Our family stayed here the week between Christmas and New Years and we couldn't have asked for a better cabin and location. It was beautiful - secluded enough yet not too far to get anywhere in Asheville. And it snowed! The property is great for hiking, or just sitting on the porch enjoying the view. Highly recommend this property!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Not what we had expected

Guest: Stacey (Raleigh)
Date of Stay: 11/23/10 Review Submitted: 11/04/11

There was a dead mouse type smell emitting from the kitchen sink. We asked the owners and they did remove a dead mouse from the kitchen. The smell did not go away and made it repulsive to be in that part of the cabin. It was farther from the things we wanted to do than we'd hoped. Its 40 min. to Biltmore and we had almost no cell reception there, the cabin phone did not work to contact the owners which made it more difficult to fix the decomposing smell. Also, there is a house being built next to it so the sound of saws/workmen detracted from it being a peaceful retreat. The oven was broken but they did manage to bring out a toaster oven the next day. Only half the soap dispensers had soap and no dishwasher soap could be found. I could not recommend this property.

Owner response:This review came as a surprise to us. The guest never complained to us even though we had several interactions with them. Due to the busy leaf season we had back to back turnover so when they arrived at our home my husband was there working on the stove. He explained that the previous guest had broken the control panel and he had to order a part. He offered to bring out a toaster oven which the guests declined. The cabin is on a regular pest control program and my husband found a dead mouse which he removed. The next morning the guest called us to let us know that they would like the toaster oven because they burned their biscuits on the stove top, this was relayed in a friendly tone. I delivered a brand new toaster oven within hours and didn't smell anything. We never heard anything else from them. Spotty cell phone reception is common in the mountains, personally I use US Cellular and have never had a problem. Since reading this review I checked the cabin phone and it is working, I'm not sure what problem they experienced. Our cabin is just under 30 minutes to downtown Asheville and the Biltmore is in South Asheville so her estimate of 40 minutes is accurate. We didn't represent it otherwise. Hand and dishwasher soap are provided, personal toiletries are not. We regret that this guest was disappointed. Our website is rich with photos and content to provide an accurate descprition of our home.

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Perfect mountain retreat

Guest: Vacationing Chicagoans (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 08/28/10 Review Submitted: 09/01/11

We (two people and two dogs) had such a wonderful time staying at the house. The house itself was incredibly clean and cozy, and we appreciated all the attention to detail in the construction. It was also well-stocked with silverware, dishware, linens and towels. The house provided the perfect home-base for exploring all that the Asheville area has to offer. We hiked Chimney Rock Park (25 minutes away), spent a full day at the Biltmore (25 minutes away), and did much walking around downtown Asheville (about 20 minutes away). We had some tremendous meals in the area and highly recommend: The Blackbird (in Black Mountain (about 20 minutes away); Chai Pani (Indian food for lunch downtown); Zambra (for tapas downtown); Piazza (closer to the house in Fairview and $10 large pizza special on Tuesdays!). Again, thanks so much for availing guests of this wonderful retreat.

Owner response:Thank you for mentioning places you enjoyed as well as your thoughts about our cabin! You and your dogs are welcome anytime. We really appreciate how nice you left our home. We look forward to hosting your next stay in the mountains.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great vacation

Guest: Joseph R. (Fort Lauderdale )
Date of Stay: 08/17/10 Review Submitted: 01/28/11

We rented the house for 20 days during the summer for a family vacation. Our family each came down during different times. Just a perfect house, great location, and a fun time for all that visited with us. We even brought our two italilan greyhounds that loved the house as well. The kitchen is great and we cooked up some great dinners. The only improvement I might suggest is AC upstairs. The master bedroom upstairs does not have AC, so if it is really hot during the day (and this summer was hot in NC) all the heat rises and it is hard to circulate out with just fans. So there is a need to AC the upstairs. Nevertheless, we all had a great time and we would rent the house again if we ever planned to vacation in the Asheville area again.

Owner response:We appreciate when folks take the time to comment on our place. We love it as well! It was a very hot summer so in case we have a repeat of last year we have decided to add an A/C unit upstairs. Thanks for the suggestion.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

Guest: Julie and Glenn
Date of Stay: 06/04/09 Review Submitted: 06/03/09

What a way to start a new life together in such a refreshing glass treehouse. I am so thankful that my sweet husband found a wonderful place to relax on our honeymoon. The character and detail in this cabin is amazing. I hope all that stay here enjoy and appreciate it as much as we did. Thank you!

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Guest: Don and Cathy
Date of Stay: 03/21/09 Review Submitted: 03/20/09

This cabin is lovely and the workmanship amazing. Thank you for the opportunity to get away from it all for a few days.

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Guest: Andrew and Stephanie
Date of Stay: 01/16/09 Review Submitted: 01/15/09

Thank you for making our 12th anniversary so special :) Your home is beautiful, the best we've rented. To those of you who come after us - plan lots of extra time for the shower, It's better than I can describe! Thanks again for sharing your home.

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Guest: Dave and Kathy
Date of Stay: 11/25/08 Review Submitted: 11/24/08

Thank you so much for sharing the "Glass Treehouse" with our family! Our son and wife live in Asheville with Hazel, our 2 year old granddaughter and a new 7 week old grandson who we just met here. Our daughter and her husband and 6 year old Katheryne came up from Hillsborough. The whole family shared in the delights of your wonderful creation "up on the hill." The view, the trail, the firepit and the spacious accomodations were simply wonderful. The many hours spent by the craftsmen who built the "Treehouse" was appreciated by everyone... 'specially myself. Thanks again! We'll be back.

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Guest: The Wicks
Date of Stay: 11/14/08 Review Submitted: 11/13/08

Thank you so much for allowing us into your home. You have such a unique and amizing "treehouse". We had a great time sitting on the porch and by the fire. We also enjoyed the hike among all the other beauties the cabin offers. Thanks!

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Guest: The Harris'
Date of Stay: 11/09/08 Review Submitted: 11/08/08

My husband and I had such a relaxing time here: rocking in front of the fire, sitting on the porch drinking coffee, hiking the trail, and grilling out! My husband really enjoyed playing his acoustic guitar on your front porch. Your home is beautiful. Thank you for opening it up for us to enjoy.

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Guest: Turnage Family
Date of Stay: 07/17/08 Review Submitted: 07/16/08

Enjoyed all the cool little places to read. Rocking on the porch listening to the tree frogs and bull frogs was very relaxing. Enjoyed a hike seeing wild turkey, deer, and bear droppings but no bear. Thank you.

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Guest: Muntel family
Date of Stay: 07/04/08 Review Submitted: 07/03/08

Thank you so much! We love this cabin - how beautiful, unique,fun! I don't know if our 2 month old grandson enjoyed it, but all of us and our golden thought it was terrific. Our only regret is that we were out alot and didn't spend even more time here! Thanks!

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Guest: Kimberly and Bary
Date of Stay: 06/30/08 Review Submitted: 06/29/08

Wow! What an inspiring space this is. The creative energy speaks to me. After an unexpected family crisis resulting in hubby (the best ever)! and myself only child - becoming instant caregivers for my 82 year old grandmother whom which I adore. We were certainly in need of a retreat. The Glass Mountain treehouse - along with the beautiful setting feels like heaven to me. Thank you! I now know and belive things do happen for a reason, and after a few days away I feel we can handle anything.

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Guest: Bill and Cheryl
Date of Stay: 09/29/07 Review Submitted: 09/28/07

What a wonderful Asheville memory! A wonderful new grandchild - "Sierra" 9/18/07! A wonderful time in a very special "Treehouse". We felt like children playing in the most wonderful treehouse cabin ever built. Good memories, good times. What a wonderful life.

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