Vacation Rentals by Owner

Total Package

Guest: Perfection (Mt. Pleasant)
Date of Stay: 04/07/12 Review Submitted: 04/18/12

The Bear Den is a total package vacation. Wish all vacation rentals was this nice. I didn't see one person the entire week. Can't wait to come back next year. Don was very helpful with places to eat and things to not miss in North Carolina.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

This is a great Cabin

Guest: lea (Alabama)
Date of Stay: 02/28/12 Review Submitted: 03/23/12

This is a great cabin - good views of the mountains - easy to get to and conveniently located in Maggie Valley near many great places to visit and things to do for a family. Everything is like new in the cabin and very well maintained.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Awesome place to stay

Guest: mick (Kentucky)
Date of Stay: 02/13/12 Review Submitted: 03/17/12

We agree this is an awesome place to stay - the best place we have ever stayed in Maggie Valley. The house is beautiful and so clean! I love all the bear stuff. The best places to eat are the Mountaineer, Granny's Chicken Palace, and Sagebrush has a great cheeseburger. The Blueridge Parkway is a must and Water Rock Knob has great sunsets. We did not care for Snappy's and Joey's is great. It was so nice to be away from it all. Thank you for making your home, our home.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Romantic Evenings!

Guest: Romantic (Macon, Ga)
Date of Stay: 01/29/12 Review Submitted: 02/08/12

What an awesome view! Great cabin! Love the Black Bear decor. Very close to everything, yet far enough away from others to be romantic. The hot tub and fireplace set the mood for the evening. Everything we needed was there. We look forward to a return visit

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

Great cabin in Maggie Valley

Guest: BGP (Louisiana)
Date of Stay: 01/05/12 Review Submitted: 01/17/12

We had a great stay at The Bear Den in early 2012. The cabin was very clean and Don, the owner, was very prompt and helpful with his communication. We had a great time at the cabin and wish we could have stayed longer!

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

Our stay at the Bear Den

Guest: Gary (Mississippi)
Date of Stay: 10/10/11 Review Submitted: 11/11/11

The Bear Den is a lovely home with a beautiful view. It was very clean and neat. Wonderful decor! Everything we wanted was there and in good condition. We will certainly stay there again when we are in the area.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

FANTASTIC!

Guest: boone (south georgia)
Date of Stay: 09/21/11 Review Submitted: 10/31/11

This was one of the nices and cleanest places we have stayed.the owner has took great time and money to make this a trully remarkable vacation rental.the views were allsome from the porch swing and the hot tub.it was exactly as listed.to make things even better we went to cherokee and won enough money to almost pay for the trip.if you are looking for a quiet vacation this is the place.looking forward to coming back in the near future!

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

Loved the Bear Den

Guest: Charlotte (Ladson, SC)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 09/10/11

The Bear Den met all of our expectations. The house could not have been any cleaner. The view was spectacular. It was hard to leave on our sightseeing expeditions as I just wanted to stay on the deck enjoying the view and watching the hummingbirds. The owner gave us step by step directions to the house. We had a fun dinner at Butts on the Creek. Fifteen minutes over the mountain and we were in Cherokee where we visited the museum and a short visit to the casino. While we were there we scheduled a train ride on the GSMR. Shopping and lunch in Waynesville was fun also. Thanks to the owner for sharing his home.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great for the Family

Guest: Wendy (Elgin, SC)
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 08/25/11

My husband, 2 kids and myself recently stayed at the Bear's Den. It was wonderful. The kids loved it. The owner had games, movies and a Wii for the kids to enjoy in the evenings. The home was very clean, very convenient and very welcoming. The owner has taken the time to provide locations of places that you are almost guaranteed to see wildlife. Great experience. Would recommend to everyone. We loved it so much that we wanted another weekend in September, but the one we needed was booked.

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

Worry Free Vacation

Guest: fefe (Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/25/11 Review Submitted: 08/08/11

My husband, children, and I spent a wonderful, peaceful week at the Bear Den. We had the best time driving on the Blue Ridge. The location is perfect. Just minutes from the Blue Ridge, only 15 minutes to the Casino in Cherokee and great restaurants in Maggie Valley. The cabin had everything we need for a worry free vacation. Flat screen TVs, big comfortable beds, fully stocked kitchen, super clean linens, books to read, and brochures to local attractions to help you plan your daily adventures. Our favorite part of the vacation was sitting on the covered porch, drinking coffee, looking out at the mountain view watching the humming birds drink from the feeders. One morning we saw a beautiful deer walk thru the yard and it stopped to check us out as we were checking it out. We will definitely be back for another stress free, worry free visit. Thank you so much for sharing your cabin with us and where to spot wildlife.

Owner response:Owning the Bear Den in Maggie Valley has been a great source of joy for us. We have been vacationing in Maggie Valley since 1988 and have rented many homes until we purchased the Bear Den in 2007. Some of the homes we stayed in was very nice and some of them were not so nice, so when we purchased the Bear Den we decided we would turn it into everything we wanted a vacation home to be. We have worked hard to make it one of the nicer two bedroom vacation homes in Maggie Valley, so when we hear you enjoyed the Bear Den as much as we do it pleases us. If your idea of a great vacation is hanging out at the house, swinging on the porch and enjoying the mountain view or soaking in the 6 person hot tub the Bear Den is perfect for your vacation. We recently added a fire pit in the back yard and a picnic table for you to enjoy. As FeFe mentioned in her review, the humming birds are so much fun to sit and watch. They fly within a few feet of the swing as long as we are very still. It is not uncommon to see a dear or rabbits in the front yard if you get up early. We saw bear tracks in the back yard this past winter. If your idea of a great vacation is sightseeing there are many great things to do in the Maggie Valley area. Don’t miss Joeys Pancake house or Clogging at the Stompin Ground right here in Maggie Valley. The Blue Ridge Parkway is 5 minutes away with hiking and waterfalls, Cherokee Casino is 15 to 20 minutes away, Santa Land is 15 minutes away, mining for gyms in Cherokee is 20 minutes away, The Great Smokey Mountains National Park Visitor Center is 20 to 25 minutes away and they have an old farm to visit with live animals and vegetable gardens. (Free) Soco falls is 8 minutes and it is a beautiful water fall with easy access. There are many places to picnic along the Blue Ridge Parkway or at the Great Smokey Mountains National Park Visitor Center. If your children enjoy tunnels there are 5 tunnels between Maggie Valley and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park Visitor Center. There is also a tunnel to nowhere near Bryson City you can walk thru to the other side and back. (Take a flashlight) Come and enjoy your stay and my commitment to you is I will do my best to make your stay perfect. I live in South Carolina, but if you need anything while you are at the Bear Den all you have to do is call me and I will make it happen. My cleaning lady and hot tub guy are the best. Don 843-330-2700 or email me at donruckersr@gmail.com

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

Family Reunion

Guest: Betty (Hollywood, Fl)
Date of Stay: 07/20/11 Review Submitted: 08/12/11

I was a little nervous about what I would find; as I am used to renting homes with 3 or 4 bedrooms and we downsized this year. But let me tell you.... this house was phenomenal! Absolutley breathtaking; and huge, with tons of sleeping accomodations. This guy...thought of every possible detail anybody could have asked for; and more. The decor was so cute; bear everything! Even notebooks and pens for guests to jot down memories. Porch swing; hot tub, BBQ, I don't know where to begin. I loved it; and didn't want to come home. The pictues don't do it justice. Thank you so much. And by the way; the owner was available online and on the phone. to answer questions before, during and after our stay.

Owner response:Owning the Bear Den in Maggie Valley has been a great source of joy for us. We have been vacationing in Maggie Valley since 1988 and have rented many homes until we purchased the Bear Den in 2007. Some of the homes we stayed in was very nice and some of them were not so nice, so when we purchased the Bear Den we decided we would turn it into everything we wanted a vacation home to be. We have worked hard to make it one of the nicer two bedroom vacation homes in Maggie Valley, so when we hear you enjoyed the Bear Den as much as we do it pleases us. If your idea of a great vacation is hanging out at the house, swinging on the porch and enjoying the mountain view or soaking in the 6 person hot tub the Bear Den is perfect for your vacation. We recently added a fire pit in the back yard and a picnic table for you to enjoy. As FeFe mentioned in her review, the humming birds are so much fun to sit and watch. They fly within a few feet of the swing as long as we are very still. It is not uncommon to see a dear or rabbits in the front yard if you get up early. We saw bear tracks in the back yard this past winter. If your idea of a great vacation is sightseeing there are many great things to do in the Maggie Valley area. Don’t miss Joeys Pancake house or Clogging at the Stompin Ground right here in Maggie Valley. The Blue Ridge Parkway is 5 minutes away with hiking and waterfalls, Cherokee Casino is 15 to 20 minutes away, Santa Land is 15 minutes away, mining for gyms in Cherokee is 20 minutes away, The Great Smokey Mountains National Park Visitor Center is 20 to 25 minutes away and they have an old farm to visit with live animals and vegetable gardens. (Free) Soco falls is 8 minutes and it is a beautiful water fall with easy access. There are many places to picnic along the Blue Ridge Parkway or at the Great Smokey Mountains National Park Visitor Center. If your children enjoy tunnels there are 5 tunnels between Maggie Valley and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park Visitor Center. There is also a tunnel to nowhere near Bryson City you can walk thru to the other side and back. (Take a flashlight) Come and enjoy your stay and my commitment to you is I will do my best to make your stay perfect. I live in South Carolina, but if you need anything while you are at the Bear Den all you have to do is call me and I will make it happen. My cleaning lady and hot tub guy are the best. Don 843-330-2700 or email me at donruckersr@gmail.com

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

Nice Views

Guest: MCJJ (Gaston, SC)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

We had a relaxing stay and decided to settle with our selection of this rental. We were two couples looking to simply wind down However, there were a couple of cleanliness issues at this home. The ceiling fans in the bedrooms were covered with dust and were greasy as they will become without proper cleaning. We were unable to use the fans as the dustballs would fly off on to the bed. We needed to clean the dining fixture (chandelier) before our first meal as it was covered with cobwebs, The front of the kitchen cabinets were covered with food and liquid spills and very sticky. The dust and dirt clung to bottoms of chair and table legs. If this were a hotel, we certainly would have left. But families put a lot of effort into planning vacations like this and it is not easy to just pick up. We chose to grin and bear it. We did have to inquire about the return of the deposit after not receiving it for over 30 days...the owner had "forgotten". When the uncleanliness was mentioned, the owner simply stated that we should have called him and he would have sent housekeeper. We did not go on vacation to watch the housekeeper clean the home..it was not a duty to be accomplished in less than 2 hours. The owner did not make any concessions after learning of our complaints but did mention he thought they may be a problem as housekeeper was sending daughter to do the cleaning. We were charged full price and full fees. We would not recommend this home.

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Very Convenient

Guest: Rick (Jacksonville, Florida)
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 06/20/11

Very convenient to everything in Maggie Valley and only a 20 minute drive to the casino in Cherokee. Kids loved the Wii and we enjoyed all the movies available on netflix. We loved the short drive to the Blue Ridge the great drive to the national park. If you like black bears you will enjoy staying here.

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

Best Vacation Rental in Maggie Valley

Guest: flyboy (Jacksonville, florida)
Date of Stay: 01/11/11 Review Submitted: 01/26/11

My family visits Maggie Valley every January to ski at Catloochee and this was our 2nd visit to the Bear Den. The view is awesome and my boys enjoy playing in the snow. My favorite is the fireplace, my wife loves the hot tub. Most comfortable place I have ever stayed. Stay here and you will not be disappointed.

Owner response:I rarely visit in the winter, but I am so glad other people can enjoy the Bear Den. Don

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

Guest: Keren & Michael
Date of Stay: 03/07/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

We had a wonderful stay at the Bear Den. It was the perfect get away for our 10 year wedding Anniversary. We loved the comfy bed & couch & giant TV. We also enjoyed the hottub which relaxed our muscles after a full day of skiing. Thank you for sharing your home on VRBO. Keren & Michael P.S. We enjoyed all the pictures too! You are so artistic!

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