Beautiful Log Home Near the Blue Ridge Parkway / Little Switzerland Pet Friendly

• weekend trip to the mountians

  weekend trip to the mountians

  • Guest Carl and Judy
  • Date of stay 10/21/12
  • Review Submitted 10/24/12
  House was just beautiful, we had a great time , just loved it. However we found that the house was not really kept up very well. I would suggest that the owner hire a new cleaning staff. We saw that so much of the house was very dirty,and unkept, left food in frig, and it was clear it hadn't been cleaned after last rental, even cigarettes butts had been left in ash trays on back deck......But the worst of it was the outside fire pit chairs were rotten and broken, I took a very bad fall, and had to be seen by a doctor. Was also very disappointed to find that the inside fireplace had not been serviced, and was not working. Did not know that the renters had to take all trash with them, or would get a $25 per bag fee. Would recommed that the owner check on the property to make sure it is ready to rent. This home could be all that and more, if TLC was given.

  Owner response: Thank you for your suggestions. Too often we are not aware of things that need replacing without guests input as it is strictly a vacation rental and we do not live in the vicinity. In regards to housekeeping, I've been assured the house was cleaned and linens replaced prior to your arrival. It is probable that the heating system created much of the dust as you were the first to turn on the system since spring and the ashtray went unnoticed, as it was outdoors.. While we discourage people from leaving food, you will find condiments, such as ketchup, mustard and dressings. I am sorry you found those offensive but I made a trip to the cabin after speaking with you and that was the extent of the "food", along with a couple of unopened, unused , frozen Birds Eye vegetables. The fireplace is not placed into service until temperatures drop consistently below 50 and you were fortunate to have pleasant weather, in the 60's and 70's. We used a lot of dirt and stone to make the area around the firepit flat. There are 8-10 new chairs on the deck that could have been used, rather than using a broken chair. I hope that you are healing nicely and that your injury was minor, as my call to you remains unanswered. Your trash can be disposed of nearby and I am sorry you felt inconvenienced. Unattended trash attracts animals, including bear. In spite of your objections, I am glad that you found the house beautiful and that you were able to have a great time...

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• In a word... 'WOW!!!'

  In a word... 'WOW!!!'

  • Guest Duncan
  • Date of stay 04/30/11
  • Review Submitted 05/11/11
  After reading the reviews we were a little skeptical to book this cabin, but after our stay...WOW! We started out early with the crisp mountain air and a nice warm cup of coffee on the back deck. It reminded me of being a little kid and waking up in my tree house. No noise, no traffic just the sounds of nature. The homeowner told us there were several waterfalls close to the cabin. It was almost hard to pick from all the choices, but we decided to go to Grassy Creek Falls since it was the closest to maximize our time. It was an easy hike with a beautiful scenery and a serene waterfall. I wish we could have stayed there longer but we were ready for grilled steaks and a friendly game of texas hold 'em. As it got later in the night it really helped having three levels, the kids had their own space, the adults had their own, and the people that couldnt hang were able to catch some ZZZs upstairs in the loft. The next day we decided to take the jeep out and go for an off road adventures. The cabin is located near the backside of the old emerald mines. We found so many emeralds we are rich and want to build our own cabin nextdoor. Actually we got really lost and ended up on the other side of the mountain with more mud inside the jeep than outside the jeep, but we had a blast! We stumbled upon a pond full of blooming water lilies, beautiful site! It was near an animal shelter and one of our friends is an animal lover so we stopped in to check that out too. For lunch we went to the Lil Switzerland cafe and tried Kudzu quiche! (It was actually really good) Their homemade pies and breads were so delicious! We also picked up so cheese and crackers and smoked salmon for a late night snack with wine. With our trip coming to an end we hated that we had to leave in the morning. We have so many great memories now of our time at this beautiful cabin nestled in the woods.Our many thanks to the homeowners. We cant wait to return! It was well worth the money, Thanks again!

  Recommended for: Pet owners, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

  Owner response: We're happy to hear you had such a wonderful time. It is truly a beautiful place.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 13/13

• Everything we hoped for...

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Everything we hoped for...

  • Guest Steve and Karen Carter
  • Date of stay 02/18/11
  • Review Submitted 03/20/11
  Thank you so much for the use of your cabin. It was all that we hoped for, both the cabin and the peaceful, beautiful surroundings.The wrap around deck is great. We're looking forward to coming back in the summer when everything is green and lush.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/8

• Strongly recommend avoiding this one.

  Strongly recommend avoiding this one.

  • Guest Rick
  • Date of stay 06/18/10
  • Review Submitted 12/24/10
  The advertised photos are of the cabin in better days, not its current condition. We found the cabin to be in disrepair, with poor quality furnishings, particularly the beds in the basement and futon in the loft. It was also very, very, dirty and cluttered. Any drawers in the kitchen or cabinet spaces were full of junk. The basement was a very unpleasant place and included leaking pipes from above, unusable beds, mildew smell, dark, dirty, and cluttered. We had to repair water pipes and beds just to make them usable and safe. There were very few drawers or closet space to hang clothes or store belongings in. After 6 months the owner has ignored my emails and still not refunded the security deposit, even after many kind requests. We strongly suggest against this one, even if they offer it cheap

  Owner response: Again, I am sorry that our cabin was not to your liking, perhaps it was not the best choice for 14 adult guests. The cabin is 4 years old and the photos are an accurate representation, I am baffled at your statements to the contrary. We make it a point to call our guests the day of arrival to ensure that all is well. I have had to send the housekeeper in for a touch-up before and would have done so for you, had I been asked. I have learned that everyone has a different idea of what represents clean and find that a few have a higher expectation than the housekeeper. As for storage, there are empty dressers in each room and closets for hanging. Again, maybe not enough for a party of 14 adults, but for most. All drawers should be empty except for bathroom and kitchen. We do try to store items you may need, i.e. first aid supplies, light bulbs, basic tools, etc When something breaks or a pipe leaks, you have a responsibility to contact the owner immediately, as per the contract, to arrange for repair. Failure to do so can, and will, result in the loss of your security deposit. The housekeeper makes note of any deficiency when she cleans after you leave. If you have not informed us of any problems, the damages become your responsibility. We will reconsider the return of your security deposit in part or full.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/13

• Get Away From It All

  Get Away From It All

  • Guest eddiebrinkman
  • Date of stay 09/19/09
  • Review Submitted 09/22/09
  Pictures cannot capture the coziness of this lodge. The week prior to arriving I saw it was to rain my weekend there. No matter, my intent was not to explore the many hiking trails available, nor peruse the nostalgic book store in "downtown" Little Switzerland, or any of the other many cool things to "do". I needed rest. The lodge is beautifully constructed so one does not hear the Trivial Pursuit game being played in the game room. Don't bother bringing any games, they're all here. Everything is here, in this house. All you need is fresh food. Built onto the side of a mountain, you are one with the trees. Cudos to the owners, you can feel the love put into the construction abd decor of this home. Traveled back down the mountain feeling rested. All I forgot to bring was my typewriter.

  Recommended for: Pet owners, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 12/13

• Good Value, Great Location

  Good Value, Great Location

  • Guest Dman
  • Date of stay 12/05/08
  • Review Submitted 12/29/08
  We arrived on Friday evening in early December after a leisurely trip from Columbia via Black Mountain, where we ate at a wonderful cafe in Cheshire Village called the Morning Glory Cafe. The directions were perfect and we had no trouble finding the property. The owners had let us know that a futon frame had gotten broken recently and that they were aware of it. We arrived in time to unpack, relax, visit Spruce Pine and stock up on breakfast supplies. We had a wonderful dinner at the Mountain View Restaurant (NC 226 & NC 226A, where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses - about 7-10 miles from the lodge - shorter when the Parkway is open). They make a great house apple walnut vinagrette and all the food was excellent, from Pasta Primavera w/shrimp to Chicken Parmigiana (a full chicken breast, not a cutlet) to a French cut pork chop to steak, service was attentive and helpful and just right. Prices are very good. We went back to the lodge to plan our next day - studio hopping as part of the Toe River Arts Council (TRAC) studio tours. We visited Burnsville, loved the Yummy Mud Puddle (its owners have a band called Hot Duck Soup), the Amish store, and had a great time visiting the Energy Exchange which houses several studios (ceramics and glass) and a gallery on a former landfill. They use the methane from the landfill for power and have done so for about 10 years. We topped the day off with a visit to Nielander glass where we spent time with Joe and got to see his 12 year old son Duncan, who has been blowing glass since age 5. They are both great folks and very hospitable. Duncan is a charmer and has his work being sold at The Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree in Spruce Pine. Our trip ended much too soon on Sunday as we had commitments at home. We went to St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Asheville, once a black church, but now a wonderfully welcoming melting pot for all. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the lodge. The owners communicated clearly and frequently and everything was as described. If you love peace & quiet, this location is ideal, especially in winter. We would highly recommend this property to anyone who wants peace, quiet, and an out of the way location that is still close enough to a myriad of wonderful activities and beautiful scenery.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing, families with young children, age 55+, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 18/18

• A Great Time Had By All

  A Great Time Had By All

  • Guest Glenn & Virginia
  • Date of stay 08/15/08
  • Review Submitted 08/18/08
  From the moment we arrived, the eight adults in our weekend gathering felt right at home. Everything was as described and more: clean, well-equiped, and very comfortable. The fresh mountain air greeted us each morning on the deck overlooking a wooded paradise. A hummingbird would join us for coffee as we prepared to leave to explore the area of Little Switzerland. Our weekend, which celebrated my birthday with friends, included visits to Grandfather Mountain (excellent), the Moses Cone Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway (elegant), and the town of Blowing Rock, where we could simply sit at the park and people watch to our hearts' content. But Little Switzerland Downtown is not to be missed and my birthday celebration at the Little Switzerland Cafe offered us excellent food and service in an atmosphere where community could be experienced even among strangers. We laughed and ate and enjoyed the live music that made the trout and bar-b-que taste even better. Don't miss the bookstore with multiple levels and rooms where everyone seemed satisfied to browse and buy that new or old favorite that could be read back at the cottage on the deck. Where else could you buy a used book for $2.00 and get a free ice cream bar as a thank you from the owner? Our four couples each had a bedroom with one more left unused just in case it was needed to get away from excessive snoring. The kitchen was very functional and the gas fireplace was used even though it was the middle of August. Games and entertainment made this home away from home a delight as we explored the mountains of North Carolina. If you need room for 10-12, this may be just the place for you. For the eight of us, it was the perfect place.

  Recommended for: Pet owners, families with teenagers, sightseeing, families with young children, age 55+, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 15/15

Additional information about rental rates

Personal Check, Wire Transfer or Account Deposit

Additional Fees and Taxes:

Accommodation taxes are 10%.

Linen and Cleaning fee is 100.00.

Pet fee of 75.00.