Vacation Rentals by Owner

Awesome!

Guest: Jon (Charleston)
Date of Stay: 04/29/12 Review Submitted: 05/09/12

Needed a getaway from everything and found this little gem. It has the perfect balance of everything you need to be comfortable while still preserving the natural beauty and seclusion of a riverside campsite. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who can appreciate the simple things in life and just needs a break from everything to remember them.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Property

Guest: Nicole (Brooklyn, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/16/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

There are a lot of reviews that herald this place as "heaven on earth," and I am here to reiterate that statement. Liz graciously allowed us to stay for two days to fill a last minute occupancy (not to mention we arrived two hours later than we estimated). After a stressful weekend of classical guitar competitions in Boone, basking in the river with some cold beer and grilling our meals over an open fire was exactly what my boyfriend needed. We lucked out with incredible weather, as well! The river was warm in mid-April, and we splashed around all afternoon...until we spotted a water snake, ha. Needless to say, this cabin captures the best part of camping: campfires and isolation in the great outdoors, while providing the amenities that civilization takes for granted: a private bathroom, showers, kitchen utensils, etc. Actually we were quite impressed by the modern appliances installed to compensate for the lack of plumbing and running water, such as an incinerating toilet and running water for the sink faucet provided by bottle. (I was also shocked at how much water one could waste just by washing dishes...) They also provide a coffee maker, so you can forgo the terrible instant coffee that one must endure when camping. The cast iron cookware were also seasoned perfectly and cooked excellent steaks. My boyfriend chided me every time I killed a spider crawling near me, as this was nature, which we wanted to experience. Unfortunately the city can make you "nature-handicapped," and I had to remind myself that I was trading the cockroaches and mice for moths and spiders. Regardless, we soaked in as much as we can before we had to return to the concrete jungle. We hope we can return and spend a whole week. Thank you, again!

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

Amazing in Every Way!!!

Guest: Jo Jo and Larry (Florida)
Date of Stay: 10/19/11 Review Submitted: 11/13/11

Our time spent at the American Cabin was amazing in every way! We enjoyed hiking the nature trail during the day and campfires at night by the river. Nothing can compare to leaving the door open throughout the night and falling asleep to the sound of the river outside. We enjoyed being "disconnected" from the hustle of everyday life for the first time in many years. It was pretty chilly while we stayed at the Americana but the wood burning stove kept the cabin warm and toasty throughout the weekend. Paul and Liz are wonderful hosts making sure we had everything we needed. We are looking forward to our second trip to the Americana!

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

Honeymoon Getaway!

Guest: Van & Kara (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Date of Stay: 07/13/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

When discussing our honeymoon, we decided that we wanted to find a rustic cabin in the woods on a lake or river. When we arrived at the suspension bridge to the island, we realized that we had found the perfect spot! This was further proven when we made our way down the trail to the cabin. It was a wonderful little cabin and very clear that Liz and Paul treasured this spot as well. It looked just like the pictures-cute, quaint, cozy, well maintained, and had all of the necessary comforts of home...yet allowed us to get a break from the hustle and bustle. We spend our days sight seeing in Downtown Asheville and at the Biltmore Estate, and our evenings at the cabin cooking on the campfire and lounging in the rafts on the beautiful French Broad River. We knew that Liz and Paul were just a suspension bridge away if we needed anything, but we felt like it was just the two of us! We had a wonderful stay and can't wait until our next trip to the private island and the Americana cabin.

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

Perfect Anniversary

Guest: KSMatsui (Lexington, SC)
Date of Stay: 10/21/10 Review Submitted: 11/01/10

We had a wonderful three nights at the rustic cabin. Everything we needed was provided including firewood, makings for s'mores and a special anniversary treat! We arrived after dark on Thursday evening and were completely awestruck by the beauty when the sun rose Friday morning. You definately have a piece of heaven here on the French Broad and we could not have picked a more unique or special place to spend our tenth anniversary! Thank you Liz and Paul!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

DELIGHTFUL DECOMPRESSION - EVEN THE HUMMINGBIRDS ARE LAID BACK!

Guest: JIM & JERI & ROSIE THE WOLFHOUND (BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH GEORGIA)
Date of Stay: 08/17/10 Review Submitted: 08/25/10

MY LADY & I JUST RETURNED FROM A FEW DAYS LAZIN' BY THE RIVER ~~ WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO DECOMPRESS AND RELAX. LIZ & PAUL MAKE IT AN EASY EXPERIENCE WITH ALL OF THE NECESSITIES RIGHT AT HAND - FROM FRESH EGGS TO CHOCOLATE & MARSHMELLOS FOR SMORES! THE CABIN IS CLEAN, NEAT AND COMFORTABLE, AND THE HUMMINGBIRDS WILL DELIGHT YOU AS THEY BUZZ BY THE HAMMOCK ON THEIR WAY TO THE FEEDER! IF YOU ARE TIRED OF THE COOKIE CUTTER MOTELS / HOTELS / RESORTS AND WANT TO ENJOY A RELAXING GET-A-WAY WITH YOUR TOES IN THE WATER & YIOUR BUTT IN THE SAND, LISTENING TO BIRDS CALL AND WATER TUMBLING OVER THE ROCKS IN THE RIVER - THIS IS THE PLACE! WE CAME WITH OUR WOLFHOUND ROSIE, AND EVEN SHE ENJOYED WATCHING THE RIVER FROM THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE. THERE WAS A PROPER DOWNPOUR THE SECOND NIGHT OF OUR STAY - I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW RELAXING THE SOUND OF RAIN ON A TIN ROOF CAN BE. WE HAVE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD, JUST TO FIND THAT THERE IS A HIDDEN JEWEL RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACK YARD! TRY IT - YOU WILL END UP WITH A SERIOUS GRIN! JIMMY JERI & OUR WOLFHOUND ROSIE!

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

We love this cabin!

Guest: Shine (Asheboro NC )
Date of Stay: 06/16/10 Review Submitted: 07/13/11

My husband and I stayed here for our anniversary. The cabin is quiet and relaxing. It doesn't matter that it doesn't have A/C. We stayed in mid June. We pretty much stayed gone during the day and the nights were a little chilly. LIz even provided two light jackets to wear, which I did. We remembered to bring our OFF and didn't even need it, no mosquitoes, didn't get bite once. My husband enjoyed fishing by the river. I enjoyed lying in the hammock and cooking by the campfire. The cabin is convenient to downtown Asheville and the Blueridge Parkway. We would love to come back again, hopefully soon.

Owner response:Thanks! We really enjoyed having you visit! We hope you do come back again soon. Liz and Paul.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Three Canadian Sisters Celebrate Island Style

Guest: FranO (Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10 Review Submitted: 06/05/10

We three had a great time in the cabin! It was just a perfect few days of relaxing and being together. We commented a number of times of how just very nicely Liz had thought of details in the cabin: the binocs, the fluffy white sheets, the super clean bathroom, well stocked cabin with cultery, corkscrew and other essentials (incl the coffee perk!). We were very impressed... Of course, we were curious about that toilet beforehand, and joked about the incinerator burning our butts and jumping in the river to cool off! It all worked out just fine, and floating down the river one hot afternoon was a highlight!

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

Perfection on The French Broad river

Guest: William B. (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 04/28/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

Where do I start? Being originally from The Ozarks, but now living in Boston - I've been missing the woods. Three of us converged on the Asheville area from different parts of the country and stayed at Riverside Escapes Americana Cabin. This was the best 6 nights I've had in a long time. The host, Liz is a peach (and a Realtor to boot - so she has tons of area information). You'll begin your mornings to the sound of the rushing river punctuated by the family rooster. He clucks orders to the hens to get crackin' - and they do. We had some of the most beautiful eggs all week. Those are the hardest working chickens in show business. Seriously though, it's perfect and bucolic on the island. Warning: the river makes it almost impossible to avoid midday naps! Heed my warning - or you will succumb to the River! It only takes about 15 minutes to get to the island from Asheville and there is parking right on the street. The 100ft suspension bridge is a few hundred feet from the parking. it's a ton of fun to walk across. It becomes a little more challenging with a good buzz - but just hold on to the rail. The island is in total seclusion - which is nice. There's an outdoor shower fed by rain barrels (tip: pump the pedal about 5 times real slow to get the water warm) which is so much fun! There's also a beautiful firepit with grate for cooking and enjoying the fire. The owners supply good wood. Way off in the distance on the other side of the river a train passes a couple times a day. It's such a neat, fun place. It's really special. We felt like Huck Finn hiding out on the Mississippi. Don't miss an opportunity to stay at Riverside. Oh yeah, everything is close. We hiked Max Patch Bald, Mount Cammerer and Mount Mitchell. Also white water rafting out of Hot Springs, kayaked through the Biltmore Estate and went to Asheville a lot.

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

Guest: Konnie and Steve (Kernersville, NC)
Date of Stay: 07/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/28/09

Thank you for sharing your private and peaceful island cabin with us! It is the perfect mixture of modern conveniences and a rustic cabin. We hope to escape there again, soon! If only real life could be this simple and relaxing!! Konnie and Steve P.S. We named all the hummingbirds.

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Guest: Tanya 5 (Wilmington, NC)
Date of Stay: 07/04/09 Review Submitted: 07/04/09

I was thrilled with my stay at this cozy island cabin! Even though the cabin is "rustic," it is beautifully decorated and contains everything needed for a tranquil escape. I was lulled to sleep every night by the sound of the Broad River...lovely! I highly recommend it!

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Guest: Chris and Carol Tennant (Central Ohio)
Date of Stay: 06/01/09 Review Submitted: 06/01/09

What a great place!!! We came with a plan to visit many surrounding attractions and do some hiking but found ourselves wanting to spend more time at the cabin. This is a great retreat within 25 minutes of downtown Ashville, Biltmore, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The amenities were certainly unique (e.g., rain water shower, incinolet toilet, etc) but only added to the aluring atmosphere. Liz and Paul were great hosts and provided just the right amount of "extra's" including S'more supplies and fresh eggs from their own chickens while allowing us to enjoy the cabin, French Broad River, and camp fire.

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Guest: Bevan & Carrie
Date of Stay: 04/24/09 Review Submitted: 04/23/09

We had a wonderful stay. You have an amazing cabin here. The eggs were wonderful & we never got too cold! Thanks again and we hope to come back here again. It is truly a special place; we love the rustic living.

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Guest: Carmella Billingsley (Greenville, SC)
Date of Stay: 11/05/08 Review Submitted: 11/05/08

My husband and I spent our 2nd wedding anniversery at the Americana Cabin and loved every minute of it. The cabin forces you to relax and to reconnect with the everyday life that we all take for granted. We have visited Asheville every year for the past 5 years and with the exception of our engagment 2 years ago, I would have to say that this trip was one of the best. My husband and I plan to return every year if not more.

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Guest: Cameron Williard & John Hogg (Charleston, SC)
Date of Stay: 11/03/08 Review Submitted: 11/03/08

What a wonderful getaway from it all! The scenery can't be beat and there are so many trails nearby to enjoy. The cabin is comfortable, yet quaint, and convenient to other towns and to Asheville if you want to check out some of the local attractions. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a break from the hustle and bustle of it all!

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Guest: Brenda & "Curly" Douglas (Aiken, SC)
Date of Stay: 10/03/08 Review Submitted: 10/03/08

We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in this secluded "cabin", and we will return! It was so much fun to experience this rustic setting. It was beautiful and peaceful. Actually, the pictures of the inside do not do this cabin justice. It is so cute inside. It's comfortable and everything you need for this kind of outing. I loved cooking pork chops and rice on the open pit. Fun and easy. Take your camera; this place is loaded with hummingbirds, ducks,fish, gorgeous riverock, and we saw a beautiful Blue Herron. The owners are a delightful young, hardworking couple who believe in the "green" and are very helpful. Thanks again, Liz and Paul, for providing this peaceful oasis. Brenda and Curly

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/09/08 Review Submitted: 09/09/08

What a beautiful, relaxing spot...truly an escape. I highly recommend the Americana cabin for a quiet, solo getaway, a romantic getaway or a get-together with a couple of friends. It's the perfect mix: privacy in a beautiful, natural setting with Asheville close by if you want to go out to dinner, etc. I will be back!

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Guest: Dominica Stolarcyk (Hilton Head Is. SC)
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/01/08

My boyfriend and I, being avid campers, loved our stay at the cabin. Building campfires, hanging out in the hammock and just being able to be out in the woods was the best for me. The setting was so peaceful with the river and all its wildlife. We couldn't have found a more perfect place to stay; very private(just a few fishermen in the river). We would definatly recomend the experience and we would love to go back again- for a longer visit!

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Guest: Drew and Shell (Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 08/14/08 Review Submitted: 08/14/08

What a wonderful getaway! For those who don't mind leaving behind creature comforts, like we who used to 'rough it' camp but are getting too old and lazy, this is a terrific destination. The cabin on the island provides shelter from the elements when needed, but otherwise it's splendid simply sitting by the river or cooking over the campfire grill, and taking life in serenely and in quiet solitude. It's roughing it, in comfort, perfect. We can't wait to come back again next year.

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Guest: Jeanette13 (Dubai, U.A.E.)
Date of Stay: 08/11/08 Review Submitted: 08/11/08

All I can say is "WOW!" We had such a wonderful weekend at the cabin. Being the second weekend in August, the weather was perfect, even a bit chilly at night so that we had to close some windows and snuggle up! My favorite time is early in the morning. Going out on the deck with my coffee, looking out on the river and watching cranes, herons and other wildlife waking up. Even the hummingbirds at the feeders were fun to watch. The river is so mesmerizing, calming to the soul, and spending time on the island gave me a real sense of peace. Driving up the road to just before Hot Springs, we parked and went hiking on this great trail, my teenager girls really got into that part. Hope we can visit again soon!!

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Guest: Meghan16 (Davidson, NC)
Date of Stay: 06/12/08 Review Submitted: 06/12/08

We had a great weekend at this cabin! We enjoyed fishing, cooking by campfire, and relaxing riverside on the hammock while our daughter explored the outdoors. We also found the location convenient to nearby trails for hiking. We very comfortably slept three, and look forward to returning soon!

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Guest: Brian129 (Long Island, NY)
Date of Stay: 06/12/08 Review Submitted: 06/12/08

We live on Long Island, so we qualify as "Flatlanders"- you can't get much flatter than the South Shore of Long Island! The experience of staying in the American Cabin, nestled among the mountains of NC alongside the French Broad River was truly rejuvenating. The River is fantastic: whether at dawn, dusk, or high noon. We waded, floated, rafted and generally revelled in its uplifting rush. The sense of privacy without actual privation cannot be matched by any other vacation spot I've visited. My daughter christened the outdoor rainwater fed shower the "Moonshower"; and you ain't lived 'till you've taken a night-time moonshower, then relaxed by the fire. You feel cocooned by the trees and river, yet have instant access to the "real world". Paul and Liz are accomadating, but "leave you your space". If you love the idea of a "Rustic Retreat" without Rough Living, this is the spot for you!! Brian and Family in Long Island, NY

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/12/08 Review Submitted: 06/12/08

This was the perfect combination of river, air, fire, earth and conveniences that still required attention and full mind and body and spirit investment. I loved it. I would most like to know more about the design and set up of the outdoor shower as this was a wonderful and actively meditative experience for me.

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Guest: Joe Kindred (Charlotte, NC)
Date of Stay: 04/04/08 Review Submitted: 04/04/08

My fiance and I spent a romantic weekend at the cabin on the river and loved it! The sound of the river and smell of a wood stove truly puts ones soul at rest. Thanks for a wonderful weekend. We will be back.

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Guest: Craig & Joanne Simmons (Lusby, MD)
Date of Stay: 10/22/07 Review Submitted: 10/22/07

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this wonderful place. We had a full weekend planned in the area, but ended up cancelling a good amount of our agenda just to spend more time enjoying the cabin, island, and river. The cabin had everything we needed, and was perfectly located. We could not ask for a better weekend getaway. Highly recommended.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/19/07 Review Submitted: 09/19/07

My wife and I could not have selected a better place to spend our first anniversary than at Riverside Escapes. We spent Labor Day weekend 2007 sitting by the fire (with supplied firewood, thank you!) cooking, laughing, and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. The cabin itself is exactly as described - comfy and rustic in all the right places. This place is perfectly situated on the river and very close to Asheville and all its attractions. The owners made sure that we had everything we needed, from towels, to coffee, to cooking supplies. I highly recommend this cabin if you are looking to explore Asheville

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Guest: Josh Griffey (Oakboro N.C.)
Date of Stay: 08/15/07 Review Submitted: 08/15/07

The area was quiet with the sound of the river around it. Great place to get away for a while. We stayed for two nights in August and had a blast. The owners could not have been more pleasent, everthing was ready for us when we walked in, including bathroom supplies, a fridge, water, they had already built a fire for us and supplied firewood fro us which, if you have ever been camping cutting your own firewood is not the most exciting thing. We went to mainly kayak and fish but the water level was down (due to a slight drought) but to our surprise our two mile trip on the river was not a slow one. we managed to find a decent rapid and caught a few fish. The island was what I needed for a break. So if you feel like taking a break in alexander which is near asheville I suggest this one.

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Guest: Adam26 (-)
Date of Stay: 08/13/07 Review Submitted: 08/13/07

When we got to the island, everything was ready for us. They even had a fire burning when we arrived. Dishes, cookware, bug spray, everything you could need was provided. The cabin itself was great! It was larger than I expected. The view was awesome. We went for a relaxing kayaking/fishing trip and the cabin is perfectly positioned on Section 8 of the French Broad River. Drive 2.5 mile upstream and put in at the park and kayak down to the island. We definitely would like to come back.

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Guest: maggie28 (cornelius, nc)
Date of Stay: 07/27/07 Review Submitted: 07/27/07

The Americana cabin was such a great vacation for my boyfriend and I. Our favorite part was sitting on the porch during the evening and during our morning coffee looking out on the river and mountain side. The cabin was a great place for me, as someone who enjoys the outdoors, but not technically in a tent! My boyfriend loved the fishing, canoing, and "outdoor-sy" feel!! STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!

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Guest: carrie56 (sarasota fl)
Date of Stay: 07/27/07 Review Submitted: 07/27/07

The location of the cabin could not be better, on a large island in the middle of the river.I loved the view from the cabin. I also loved the cabin, it was very comfortable. It was a great camping expernice with out roughing it too much. There is no AC but i was suprised that in the middle of July the cabin never got really hot the fan was enough to keep it comfortable. I had a great time there with my daughter we enjoyed playing in the river in the day and sitting by the fire at night. It was five days of total relaxation!

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