Wow ...

Guest: Julee (Columbia, SC)
Date of Stay: 07/18/11 Review Submitted: 11/07/11

We had a relaxing time at Secret Falls Cottage! The weather was cool and crisp! What a relief from the Columbia, SC heat. Loved the hike down to the falls, and appreciated how you used the ropes to help navigate - you were able to kept the integrity of the property this way!

Recommended for:Pet owners, girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

WONDERFUL Family Getaway!

Guest: Julie (Statesboro, GA)
Date of Stay: 10/17/11 Review Submitted: 10/25/11

We spent three wonderful nights at the Secret Fall Cottage and loved every minute of it! Our 13yr old and 10yr old scrambled up and down to the waterfall mulitple times while my husband and I relaxed on the deck. The cabin is very secluded and completely quiet....other than the sound of the waterfall nearby. The hike up and down is difficult but WELL WORTH it. We traveled into Cashiers and enjoyed THE BEST hot chocolate and chai tea at Tommy's and also hiked a great trail in Panthertown. Thanks for a great mini-vacation! We will be back!

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

Just What We Were Looking For!

Guest: Eddie Mosher (Vero Beach)
Date of Stay: 07/22/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

Great house! It is far from the main road, but worth it! My wife, and my 3 kids (age 1,4,9) thought the house was perfect. Comfortable with every amenity! The hike to the waterfall is CHALLENGING, but was what we loved most! It was an adventure! The pictures don't convey how wonderful the house is, and how wonderful the location is! The sunrise and sunset from the back porch was the background for many photos!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

Just okay.....

Guest: Melissa (Charleston, SC)
Date of Stay: 09/21/09 Review Submitted: 03/27/11

Our family rented this cabin. It is in a lovely location and provides peace and serenity, however there are a few things you must know before going to this location. First, the cabin is WAY up on the mountain...very far away from town, restaurants, etc. Make sure you get all your groceries, supplies etc before travelling to the cabin, because it is not just a quick jaunt down to town. When we arrived, the cabin had been previously occupied and had not been cleaned. The lady who rents this relies on her cleaning person to come and clean and if she can't get up the mountain, then it doesn't get cleaned. So, before the vacation even began, I was cleaning and changing sheets. After we had the place cleaned up, it was a pretty nice evening and my kids and husband and I wanted to use the hot-tub, well, when we went down to use it, it was filthy. Apparently the pool man could not get there to clean it either. And, let's clarify the hike down to the private waterfall...it is not a hike...... it is a steep plunging hill that you have to hold onto ropes, trees whatever to get down to it...and once at the bottom, after you complete "hike"...you can't even get to the waterfall without going through mud, trees, leaves etc...what a mess!!! So, there was no splashing in the pool below the waterfall...or above the waterfall for that matter!! It's virtually impossible to get to. the waterfall unless you have major hiking gear. My kids were crying because they fell mulitple times trying to get down the hill. Very misleading information. After I complained, the owner did refund me some of my $$...but I probably wouldn't go again...pretty pricey vacation to clean, not use the hottub and not be able to enjoy all that the area has to offer in regards to quaint shops, other attainable waterfalls etc.

Owner response:In both in the listing and in the rental info packet, I spell out all pertinent info about the elevation, driving time, proximity to town, etc.; therefore, none of these factors should come as a surprise. It is true that some folks should not rent Secret Falls Cottage - it is in a remote, peaceful location and is intended to provide a true mountain experience - to get away from the fast pace and noise of our regular lifestyles, enjoy the views, wildlife, numerous waterfalls within moderate walking distance, and more. It is NOT meant to be a jump-off point for shopping trips. I understand some folks are looking for more of a resort feel - with paved paths and stairs everywhere; however, my family and friends have always enjoyed hiking and camping so prefer a more natural experience. As to the waterfall hike...my 75 year old mother routinely ventures down to the creek and falls. She grew up in the mountains, so recognizes the fact that mountain hikes to special spots can be strenuous and slippery, particularly after rainfall. Again, Secret Falls Cottage was built in a site, hand-picked after many years of deliberation, that provides cool weather, rest, relaxation, and communion with nature, and I have left the property as undisturbed as possible to maintain the character of what people enjoyed in the mountains a long time ago. I would also like to point out that I do my very best (living 3+ hours away) to keep my home and property clean and in good repair for my guests. There has been a glitch 3-4 times in 11 years with the cleaning or with a power outage - however, I have always attempted to make it right with my guests.

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

Great Place to Relax and Kick Back

Guest: Shatzy550 (Charleston, SC)
Date of Stay: 08/08/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

Fantastic mountain getaway. Our first trip to the NC mountains could not have been better. A little tough to get to and glad we toook out truck but quiet, clean and comfortable! Walking down to the waterfall was a bit treacherous but well worth it! We will definitely be back!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Guest: Alex (-)
Date of Stay: 08/05/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

If you could sell this place in a bottle, you'd be a millionaire!

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Guest: Debbie (-)
Date of Stay: 11/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

We had so much fun just listening to the waterfall, talking in front of the fireplace, learning our way around the roads. I managed to get the car in some mud and stuck in the ditch but we were too relaxed to worry about it. Called a local wrecker service and they were great!! Ha Ha! All we could do is laugh! We want to come back at least once a year for R&R and WOW - what a place for it! We walked down to the falls - SO beautiful! It had rained so we both ended up on our backsides - but again - so many laughs!

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Guest: Angela (-)
Date of Stay: 06/11/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

Your home is lovely and warm, and we all enjoyed the house and the view! The sounds of the waterfall and the weather were perfect...however, as a definite suggestion you warn people about these roads. They need to know there will be 15-20 minutes of a drive with a lot of it on rocky roads with sharp turns. This house needs to be advertised as a place for naturalists and hikers with vehicles that can easily handle the drive.

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Guest: David & Debbie (-)
Date of Stay: 09/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

We enjoyed the home and nature so very much that words just don't do it justice. The home is so beautiful & interesting. I love the antiques! The waterfall is so beautiful it is breathtaking. We visited it a couple times a day. Secret Falls Cottage is my dream home. I love the remote area. I could actually live here forever and wouldn't want to leave even to get groceries. This has been a wonderful getaway. I wouldn't trade the days I spent here for anything. I look forward to my return in the near future. Thank you so much for sharing this "Secret" with us!

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Guest: Betsy (-)
Date of Stay: 11/19/09 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

We arrived at the cabin and were so excited to find such a gorgeous cabin, very spacious and beautifully decorated. You were so sweet to call to make sure we found everything OK. On Saturday, we lounged around the house (I LOVE the fireplace), then took the walk to the waterfall...got some incredible pictures. I'm sad to say we're now packing for home and I'm just not ready to get back to reality. It was wonderful to be away from cell phones and email! Love the sound of the waterfall from the back deck. Can't wait to tell friends and family about "Secret Falls Cottage" and hope to return again very soon.

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