Vacation Rentals by Owner

The Perfect Mountain Getaway

Guest: Steph (Charlotte, NC)
Date of Stay: 04/01/12 Review Submitted: 04/04/12

My husband and I wanted to tour Tennessee prior to an upcoming move to the New England area. We knew we wanted to visit a few of the major cities, but we also wanted to get a taste of the Tennessee country. The Grandview Mountain Cottages were the perfect fit for us. The beautifully decorated cottage with the screened in porch, hot tub, fireplace, and fire pit provided us with the relaxing atmosphere we wanted out of a vacation. The hiking trails, both on the property and nearby, gave us the opportunity to be active and explore the mountains of Tennessee. We had a wonderful stay and would highly recommend the cottages to anyone looking for an escape in the country of Tennessee!

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

Beautiful Cottage in a Beautiful Setting!!

Guest: Ian (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 03/26/12 Review Submitted: 04/02/12

My girlfriend and I found a great deal for two nights at the Honeysuckle Cottage through Living Social, so we decided to check it out during a trip we had already planned to Nashville and Memphis (our first trip out to Tennessee). We could not have been more pleased with our stay here, and it actually turned out to be one of the true highlights of our entire Tennessee adventure. The cottage itself was beautiful: very well kept, nicely decorated, and equipped with just about everything one could possibly need at a home away from home. We loved gazing up at the stars from the hot tub in the evening, then warming up by the fire afterwards (it wasn't even very cold during our stay, but as San Franciscans we don't often get the chance to use a real wood-burning fireplace!). Ilaeka and Papa Phil were super nice, and gave us a very good recommendation for a hike to nearby Piney Falls, which was gorgeous. The waterfall was really coming down hard, and there's a trail that ends up right behind it (careful--it's slippery!). We would definitely stay here again, and will recommend it to any of our friends who end up in the area. Thanks again, Ilaeka and Papa Phil!!

Owner response:It is great that folks from California and farther (England, France, Holland to name a few....) have found us and have the opportunity to see the beauty of Tennessee and enjoy the many attractions the state has to offer. Piney Falls is an hour hike and in spring it is really running...almost 100 feet high and has a carved out area behind it you go to and let the falls run over in front of you. In summer it doesn't run much (just a trickle) but that is when we like to hike and swim there at the large soaking pool at the base of Upper Falls. Lots of waterfalls and trails in our area as well as lakes and rivers for fun outdoor adventures!

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

Great Place to Vacation With Friends!

Guest: Tori (West Lafayette, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 03/11/12 Review Submitted: 03/16/12

Five of my friends and I were looking for an alternative spring break option, a place where we could relax, go hiking, goof around, make dinner together, and in general take a break from school work. (We're all mechanical engineers from Purdue, Boiler Up!) It is a family run cottage, Ilaeka and Papa Phil are both AWESOME. Honeysuckle cottage was the perfect place for us for five reasons. 1. The cottage itself was wonderful. With a hot tub, really nice kitchen, a loft with cute sleeping nooks, front porch, a beautiful view, and very very comfy couches, it was the perfect size for six college students. Or, I imagine, a medium sized family! 2. There's so much to do on the property. There is a pond, running (or walking, I suppose) trails, fishing equipment, croquet, horseshoe, a hammock, lots of open fields for running around, and probably more stuff we were too lazy to explore. 3. Papa Phil will make you delicious food. Seriously, it was so yummy. 4. There's fun stuff to do nearby! We went to Stonehaus Winery, 20 minutes away. There's also beautiful hiking with a rather large waterfall only 2 miles away! We felt like we were in Jurassic Park. It was really cool. There's lots more to do nearby, but we were having so much fun at the cottage we didn't want to leave too frequently. 5. It's a really good price. We're poor college students. We know deals. This place is an awesome deal. I can't say enough good things. We all had a really fun time. Whether you're a group of college students looking for a fun week with friends, or a family looking for a vacation spot to relax but still have lots of activities for kids, this is the place to go!

Owner response:We were a little hesitant about renting to college kids on spring break as normally we get couples or families but they lobbied hard to come and we are so glad they did! Makes you have faith in the world to come to meet kids like this! Honeysuckle normally sleeps 4 but with airbeds we made 6 work... The nearby waterfall takes about an hour hike but in spring is really worth it! Study hard folks and come back and see us again!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Hidden Gem in the Tenness Mountains!

Guest: Tilly L. (-)
Date of Stay: 03/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/07/12

My Husband and I stayind at the Honeysuckle Cottage for a long weekend and could not have been more pleased. We shared the cottage with relatives and stayed in the precious loft. It was quite a treat! We opened the windows to sleep in the fresh mountian air and could even hear the train go by off in the distance. It was very soothing to say the least and got the best night's sleep in quite sometime! Morning came and we walked down to the farmhouse to a scrumpious breakfast of Papa Phil's biscuits and sasuage gravy and hot coffee. On our walk we spotted a flock of giant geese flying over. My husband who is an avid birdwatcher had never seen these particular geese in flight and listening to their calls from the sky was as sound we shall never forget. We went in to town to the flea market in Crossville and found a few treasures there as well! We especially enjoyed locating all of the constellations from the hot tub at night! What a great addition! We only stayed for 3 nights but truly could have stayed forever! It's not a matter of IF we will return its a matter of WHEN! Definately a hidden gem in the Tennessee mountains that you don't want to miss!! Cape and Tilly Lee Manning , SC

Owner response:These folks had a family reunion here and lots of good memories were made eating, laughing, hiking and chilling out on the Plateau!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Peace of Heaven in the Tennessee Mountains

Guest: Ms770 (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 02/26/12 Review Submitted: 03/01/12

The Honeysuckle Cottage has been the most luxurious, calming and peaceful stay of my life! The photos provided are extremely accurate, but still pale in comparison to the actual experience of walking into the cottage and becoming overwhelmed by the simple beauty and elegance of all it has to offer! There was such a very welcoming touch to everything, from the fresh flowers on the kitchen table with the welcome basket of honey, bread, and jam, to the fresh-churned butter and country eggs waiting in the fridge, and even the cute rubber ducky posted atop the towels in the bathroom. We were blessed enough to arrive at the cottage just as the sun was setting over the mountains, and I promise that was one of the most breath-taking views of my life, as the sun turned a mostly cloudless sky into hues of blue, purple, and red, and the golden prairie grass seemed to glow as it swayed in the breeze. Whether you sleep downstairs or take the ladder to the loft upstairs, your view first thing in the morning when you open your eyes is of that gorgeous mountain range. The cottage is already set to a fairly comfortable temperature when you arrive, but Ilaeka is very thorough in explaining where all the controls are located in case you need to adjust anything. The hot tub on the porch facing the mountain range is amazing at any time of day! Walking the property, from the farmhouse to the stagecoach trail, really makes you appreciate the beauty of land conservation. And I was particularly impressed by the commitment to organic and eco-friendly products throughout the cottage, from the dish-washing liquid to the hair shampoo and conditioners, and cleaning products. The cottage even has straw brooms! Lovely! I would certainly recommend this cottage (and already have) to anyone looking for a sweet haven to find some real peace on earth!

Owner response:WOW is all we can say to this review! We hope we can live up to it for future guests! This couple ordered a special "Farm Basket Stay" for their midweek stay when our catering kitchen is not open and I guess they enjoyed all of our farm goodies. Thank you so much for a lovely review and hope to see you again soon!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Perfect Retreat

Guest: Matthew and Stephanie (Chattanooga)
Date of Stay: 02/09/12 Review Submitted: 02/13/12

My husband and I were able to plan a quick get away for his birthday and the Honeysuckle was like a dream come true! We were even lucky enough to experience a little snow. We played horseshoes, took a beautiful walk and just spent a wonderfully relaxing time....just the two of us. The cabin is the perfect mix of modern convenience (full kitchen, DVD when we stayed in, and hot tub) mixed with the serenity of the quiet mountains and warm country hospitality. Any couple wanting to reconnect and enjoy some peace NEEDS THIS PLACE!!!! We cannot wait to return in the fall to see the wonderful colors!!!

Owner response:We love having families reconnect with each other out here in the countryside and are so glad you found us. We look forward to seeing you in the fall. Don't wait too long to reserve though, as fall is a busy beautiful time and we book up fast for that time of year!

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

Cindy

Guest: Cindy (Chattanooga,Tn)
Date of Stay: 12/09/11 Review Submitted: 12/22/11

We have always stayed in the PineCone, but decided it was time for a change... All I can say is WOW.. The Honeysuckle was gorgeous.... All I can say is Ileaka and Papa Phil have got it right... Why would anyone want to go anywhere else when you have this right at your back door... Its really hard to make a choice because they both are well maintained and you need nothing but your clothes and food. They even have that, which is prepared and brought to you... Thank you for such a wonderful visit.. Definatley will be back after first of the year......

Owner response:We have two cottages on our property and both are listed on VRBO. #208199 is the Honeysuckle and #191274 is the Pinecone. Folks love them both and each are very unique. Honeysuckle has a more "European country home" feel and Pinecone is a more "Americana designor" feel.... They are private from each other and Honeysuckle has wide open country views whereas Pinecone is a wooded mountain country view. We are glad you enjoyed your stay at both and look forward to your next visit!

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

A wonderful stay two years in a row...

Guest: alexis paulson (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 10/14/11 Review Submitted: 10/17/11

My husband and I have come to Honeysuckle Cottage for the past two years for our anniversary. We love disconnecting from our cell phones and laptops and enjoying the amazing views and breathing in the crisp country air. We especially love that we can bring our dog, and he can roam around the extensive beautiful trails with us. The cabin is cared for with immaculate precision, everything you could need is already available. It is clean, well-stocked, and easy to maintain. Ileaka and Phil couldn't be more welcoming. We plan to come back next year as well.

Owner response:We love having couples celebrate their special celebrations with us and are glad to welcome them back year after year!

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

A Retreat Like No Other

Guest: Sonia (Ohio)
Date of Stay: 09/01/11 Review Submitted: 10/07/11

I was looking for a quiet place where I could set up camp for 30 days and complete two courses of study for continuing educational credits. I found just that and more at the Honeysuckle. I was first drawn to this property via the pictures and reviews. When I arrived, I was welcomed by two fabulous folks ... Ileaka and PaPa Phil. By the time I unpacked my car, I was feeling at home. OH! my! the view from the deck either morning or dusk was calming. I even found the daybed in the screened in porch way to comfortable for reading a textbook as I woke up from an hour nap one day ... YAAA! I had ample opportunities to use the entire cottage to it best possible advantage. Sleeping a week in the loft bedroom during and after a visit from my daugther and grandsons. What a cozy place. Waking up to see the sun come up as I snuggled in the master bedroom bed was a treat to behold. Making tea and a Southern breakfast in the morning was so easy in the well equipped kitchen. My daughter, family and I had the special treat of enjoying a breakfast basket and handmade pizza delivered from the Farm House. My grandson's loved it .... The oldest grand loved the jam so much he put spoonfulls of it on pancakes the following morning. After my studies the surrounding area provided me with lots of towns and festivals to explore and enjoy. I came home with all sorts of jars filled with southern food goodies. If reading a good book, lounging in the hot tub, or walking several miles on a local park trail was not excitment enough...... I just jumped in the car and drove somewhere to have a culinary experience. I just love good Southern cooking and there was plenty to find. I would return to the cottage to enjoy an evening sunset or snuggle on the couch to watch TV. I have rented via VHBO before, but I must say Honeysuckle is NO. 1 on my list. Thanks Ileaka and Papa Phil for the best 30 days of my life. It is my hope to return to the area again.

Owner response:Thanks for the great review! We loved having you and meeting your family as well. Every once in a while we get an "extended stay" guest at our cottage taking advantage of our monthly rates available in off season months. A month gives folks a lot of time to see the many sites around here and get to know the local way of life. So if you ever need an extended retreat or home away from home during an lengthly work project think of us! Extended stays are available Sept plus Nov-March depending on availability.

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

Sooooo wonderful!!!

Guest: Katie (Cumming, Ga)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

We had the best stay at the cottage! Loved papa phil's breakfast and pizza, highly suggest it! Ilaeka really thought of everything, from the detailed guides to the area to the nice gift basket. We enjoyed a cool hike on the property and also hiked the nearby piney falls and ozone falls. They were amazing and so close! The cottage was decorated beautifully with lots of French touches. My favorite moment was reading on the porch while my dog ran around outside exploring everything! Oh yeah, the hot tub was very clean and nice, if you turn off the lights you can see every star in the sky. And they also had a great water purification system, I am very picky about my water so I loved this. Our stay was divine!

Owner response:Our Honeysuckle Cottage has wide open views and the sky and stars are spectacular ! The house has a whole house water purification system so you can bath in chlorine free sparkling fresh water and drink purified water straight from the tap! There are lots of waterfalls in the area to explore and each with their own swimming holes...We are glad you enjoyed yourselves and hope to see you again soon.

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

Human friendly

Guest: Merrie (New Orleans)
Date of Stay: 07/30/10 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We go on vacations every summer with our four legged "kids." Most of the "pet friendly" places we have stayed at are not always "human friendly." Our experience far superseded our expectations. The kitchen was stocked with all the proper utensils and accouterments to make really nice meals. The linens, and bed were first rate. And the views were beautiful. Had it not been for the fact that the cottage was booked we probably would have stayed longer. Ilaeka and Pappa Phil, the owners, are incredibly warm and inviting. We feel like we made two new wonderful friends. Sadly, our three dogs have been sulking since we got back to city living.

Owner response:With each new arrival, we find new friends... these folks and their 4 legged "kids" (who loved our pond) came from New Orleans to recharge their batteries and sounds like they did. It has not been easy for folks from New Orleans recently, as we all know, and we love that our country getaway gave them the break they needed and we wish them all the best with what the future may bring to that region of the country...We love welcoming "city folk" and seeing those shoulders relax, the laughter kick in and the slow lifestyle of Grandview Mountain work its way into their souls... just something about a little country time and a cozy cottage to melt those worries away!

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

Wonderful Food, Amenities and Atmosphere

Guest: ariel (Cookeville, TN)
Date of Stay: 06/09/10 Review Submitted: 06/18/10

We had a great experience at the Honeysuckle Cottage. It was everything we hoped for and more. Our two dogs loved it too. Traveling from Cookeville, TN it was only about an hour away. We got the grand tour from Papa Phil, then we settled in and cooked dinner. We brought supplies, but the kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed. It was nice to relax with the satellite HDTV too. The next morning we enjoyed the fresh baked biscuits and jam picnic that was delivered to our door. Love the strawberry jam, I wish we had gotten a jar to take home! We explored the river and hiking trails that are a 5 min drive from the cottage, as well as the spring-fed pond at the farm. The dogs got to run and play in the pond and go swimming. The view from the front porch was great, both in the morning and the evening. The pancake breakfast on the second day was excellent, then we decided we couldn't pass up on Papa Phil's famous pizza. On our final morning there, we went down to the farmhouse and had a lovely breakfast on the screen porch where we chatted with Ilaeka and Papa Phil, the owners. We left stuffed but relaxed and happy after a refreshing little mini-getaway. What was really nice was that we were still so close to home - even though it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. Highly recommended!

Owner response:We are glad to see that more and more folks who live close by are finding us a great getaway without a lot of travel. We get folks from far away too (Florida, Great Lakes, Alabama, Texas, Mid-West and even Europe!) but it's always nice to know the "locals" like us too!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Honeysuckle Cottage was Fantastic!

Guest: DVM (Fayetteville, TN)
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/17/10

My wife and I wanted to get away for a few days to celebrate our 22nd anniversary, and I stumbled upon the Honeysuckle Cottage ad through VRBO. I was intrigued by all the details that Ilaeka included in the description of the cottage, the farm, and the area. Could it really be this good, I wondered? I must say, we were pleasantly surprised with our experience! Yes, it was as good as advertised -- and even better! The Honeysuckle Cottage was tastefully decorated and was stocked with everything you could possibly need for a short stay. We ordered the pizza the first night, and Papa Phil made an excellent pizza that really hit the spot. Later in our stay we enjoyed the deluxe breakfast, and it was just wonderful! The view from the cabin is excellent -- especially in the evenings as we watched thousands of lightning bugs light up the sky from our view in the hot tub on the deck -- just awesome! Ilaeka and Papa Phil were very nice and helpful, and they provided a ton of information about local activities (hikes to waterfalls, local festivals, golf courses, nearby lake, antiques stores, etc.), but we were mostly contented just to hang around and relax. The cabin was very private, and we were really able to get away from it all for a few days. It was exactly what we were looking for! One thing that I noticed in looking over the advertisements for the Honeysuckle Cottage was the great attention to detail that Ilaeka put into everything she wrote about. After we arrived at the cottage for our stay, we noticed that same attention to detail in every aspect of the cottage and Grandview Mountain property -- the way the cottage was decorated, equipped, and maintained reflected this same attention to detail. Things were clean... they worked... it is obvious that Ilaeka and Papa Phil take great pride in their properties. So yes, I can wholeheartedly recommend Honeysuckle Cottage to anyone! It is a great place to enjoy a time of relaxing! I could say much more, but I will just say "Thanks, Ilaeka and Papa Phil for a wonderful and memorable weekend." We hope to come back some day in the near future!

Owner response:We hope all our guests enjoy themselves as much as this nice couple who celebrated their wedding anniversary here and we hope they come back again soon! Thanks for a great review!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Comfortable Place to Stay

Guest: Ohio Guests (Delaware Ohio)
Date of Stay: 04/29/10 Review Submitted: 05/04/10

My husband and I had a very comfortable stay at the Honeysuckle Cottage. It was peaceful and relaxing. We enjoyed sitting on the deck looking out over the hills. The breakfast was wonderful.

Owner response:We loved having our Ohio guests spend a few days with us while visiting family in Crossville. We think their dog enjoyed his vacation too! Thanks for coming and look forward to seeing you on your next trip this way.

Recommended for:Age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway.

What a relaxing weekend!

Guest: Steve/Lisa (Lenoir City, TN)
Date of Stay: 04/02/10 Review Submitted: 04/06/10

Dear Ilaeka and Papa Phil, I just wanted to say "Thank You" again for a wonderful relaxing weekend! We absolutely loved everything, and it was more than we expected. Our plans were to get checked in, and spend the weekend visiting nearby sites. After we got there, our plans obviously changed -- we never left. We truly enjoyed the hiking, exploring, pond, hot tub, movies, and mostly... no cell phone service! We look forward to returning, and I would definitely recommend Grandview Mountain Cottages for anyone who needs a break from the real world. Ilaeka, thank you for the hospitality, your kindness, the picture, and all the info you provided. And last, Papa Phil, you are the best cook ever! Your breakfast could win awards. We wish you both the best, and look forward to seeing you in the future. Sincerely, Steve & Lisa

Owner response:We loved having Lisa and Steve stay with us and they enjoyed the lack of cell phone service at the Honeysuckle Cottage as a way to disconnect (some carriers work at that cottage and others don't, although our farm and the area has good cell phone coverage in general. If you prefer to stay connected we recommend you try our other cottage The Pinecone which is listed 191274 as it gets great cellphone coverage. We have lots of working folks who stay at both cottages with their families and find they can connect when they need to and disconnect when they want to!

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

Guest: Jamie Polk (Athens, AL)
Date of Stay: 01/19/10 Review Submitted: 01/19/10

So sweet and serene. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Honeysuckle Cottage. The decor is charming and the setting was soooo relaxing. The owners of this property are exceptionally thoughtful and kind. We will not only recommend this property we hope to revisit soon! Out pets loved the wide open spaces and had a vacation too. A great place to rejuvenate.

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Guest: Frankie4 (Chattanooga, TN)
Date of Stay: 12/14/09 Review Submitted: 12/14/09

Just spent this weekend at the Honeysuckle cottage! It was so charming and cozy! We had a relaxing time and our Australian Shepherd "Sunny" absolutely loved the place. Our hike on Saturday was so peaceful and beautiful. We saw many wild birds and especially enjoyed seeing the Pileated Woodpeckers. It is the PERFECT place to "clear the mechanism" and get back to basics. The organic details, the earth friendly approach, the peace and quiet... all the ammenities cater to fun and relaxation.

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Guest: Rhonda McPherson (Whiteville, NC)
Date of Stay: 10/21/09 Review Submitted: 10/21/09

The pictures on the web page do not come close to the reality of this place! The farm and cottages are beautiful. All you need, you find here - relaxing views, meadows, trails, pond, great food, well appointed cottages -I could go on but not enough space. Perfect place for children. My grandchildern (age 6, and triplets, age 4) enjoyed their stay so much that they were not ready to leave! My son and his lovely bride were married in front of the Pinecone cottage. It was the wedding of their dreams! God's amazing mountain vistas and beautiful fall color in the trees. Words fail me...but tears for a perfect wedding did not (and I was not the only one with tears in her eyes)! Ilaeka and Papa Phil (our wonderful hosts) went out of their way to make the wedding and our stay as perfect as possible. Again, many thanks to Ilaeka and Papa Phil for all their efforts to make our stay a unique and pleasant time, Rhonda McPherson and family

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/20/09 Review Submitted: 10/20/09

Our daughter's wedding ceremony was recently held at the Grandview Cottages and we think the vistas and amenities are absolutely superb; but the hosts, Ilaeka and Phil, are the "heart" of this wonderful place. The groom's family stayed at the cottages and the children loved it so much, they wanted to stay. Though the weather was very chilly, the hearts were very warm. We would recommend the cottages to anyone who loves the beauty of nature complete with a fishing area and hiking trails and simply lovely, comfortable cottages! You will love it!

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Guest: Tim and Sam (Mt. Juliet, TN)
Date of Stay: 10/01/09 Review Submitted: 10/01/09

What a totally relaxing weekend. No complaints whatsoever ... an absolutely beautiful place, with every luxury provided. Can't wait to go back!

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Guest: John145 (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 09/02/09 Review Submitted: 09/02/09

We found everything we were looking for at the Honeysuckle cottage; comfort, peace & quite and privacy. There was plenty to do, including walking the grounds, playing horse shoes, fishing in the pond and relaxing in the hot tub. This place could not have been more perfect for us, and we will be back. Thank you so much for a great get-a-way

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Guest: Laura and Jason (Winter Park, FL)
Date of Stay: 08/13/09 Review Submitted: 08/13/09

My fiancé, 115 lb 9 yr-old German Sheppard, and I arrived at Honeysuckle on a sunny afternoon with little expectations of having our dream vacation fulfilled after being disappointed by the condition of the previous cabin we’d rented for a few nights before our stay here. (As usual, the description sounded much better than reality.) After a nice welcome by the proprietors, Papa Phil and his daughter Ilaeka, we were shown the cottage. To say that the pictures do not do this cottage justice is an understatement!I was overwhelmed (in a good way) with amazement and wonder as my eyes roamed over the interior, which looked professionally decorated. From the breathtaking antique stained glass door that separated the master bedroom and bathroom from the rest of the cottage, to the original oil paintings on the walls, to the reverse osmosis water filtration system in the kitchen, to the bookshelf lined with classics and more current best-selling novels, it was obvious that no small detail was left out. To top it all off, a goodie basket filled with additional treasures and welcome literature sat on the dining room table. After a nice soak in the hot tub and a restful sleep in the World’s Coziest Bed, we moseyed on down to the farmhouse for a real country cooked feast of a breakfast. And as we gorged on the heavenly provisions that would sustain us through our hike later that day, Papa Phil and Ilaeka were kind enough to chat with us, answering any questions we had and filling us in on the history of Grandview Mountain Cottages and the surrounding organic farm. I only wish I had two stomachs to contain the goodness that Papa Phil cooked up. Honestly, I would highly recommend that everyone take advantage of this special treat—it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.My only hesitation in writing such a positive review of our stay and Grandview Mountain Cottages is purely selfish--that Honeysuckle will be booked up for years to come and we won’t be able to stay there again. p.s. I’m positive that our stay at Honeysuckle added an additional ten years onto our aged city dog. He’s had a buoyant spring in his step ever since he got back that we haven’t seen since he was a puppy!

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Guest: bryan and margaret parker (murfreesboro, tn)
Date of Stay: 08/05/09 Review Submitted: 08/05/09

Our goal in coming to the Honeysuckle was total relaxation and peace and quiet and the Honeysuckle cottage WAY exceeded our expectations. We, along with our 14 year old daughter and her best friend had a spectacular time. Unlike most cabin vacation rentals, the Honeysuckle cottage offers total privacy and the only thing within view is the spectacular scenery. The owners, Ilaeka and Papa Phil are close enough to be in reach and offer wonderful tidbits of local informaton and they are so friendly and welcoming that as soon as we arrived we felt as if we were family visiting from out of town. Papa Phils breakfast is enough to feed an army and outbeats any restaurant offering. The first day was hot tub, relaxing on the day bed reading and watching the scenery and just enjoying the homey feel of the cottage. Day two was a hike around the farm trails and we saw some unusual mushroom formations and we all waded in the creek and wound up at the farm pond where we did more wading. Then to Piney Falls just moments away where the waterfall was putting on a spectaular show due to the large amounts of rain lately. Then it was more hot tub and cooking smores (ingredients provided by Ilaika and Papa Phil) over the fire pit. Day 3 we decided we had to get worms at Carrolls Country Store and he entertained us with some wonderful guitar picking. Then Ilaeka told us there were some blueberry bushes on the farm pasture if we would like to pick some so of course we did that on the way to the pond to fish!the fishing was great fun and we all caught either bass or brim. Then more hot tub and more relaxing. The kids thought the loft sleeping area itself was a great adventure and i just cant say enough about the entire expereince and the true uniqueness of the cottage and it's owners. WE LOVED IT!!!!!!!

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Guest: The Jones family5 (Nashville, Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 05/03/09 Review Submitted: 05/03/09

Honeysuckle is a great place to rent whether you want to be lazy and relax or be active and hike the many trails in the area. We enjoyed both during our stay. The central location of the cottage makes for a short drive to Fall Creek Falls State Park through beautiful country and for quick jaunts to several State Natural Areas and trails. But if you don’t want to drive anywhere during your stay, the farm is a great place to explore. You can hike the trails on the farm, fish or relax at the pond, or hang around the cottage playing horseshoes, reading, or taking a nap on the porch. We took advantage of all of it!The cottage really is equipped with everything you need and is beautifully appointed and very relaxing as many have commented. The hot tub is great for soaking sore muscles from a long day of hiking and a great spot to stare at the stars on a clear night. Do not pass on Phil’s full country breakfast. It is delicious and filling. Ilaeka and Phil are great people and make your stay as comfortable as possible. We really love this place and plan to visit it again.

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Guest: Rania Frem (Paris, France)
Date of Stay: 04/28/09 Review Submitted: 04/27/09

Deluxe Little House on the Prairie ;-)Many adjectives come to mind when I remember my stay at Honeysuckle: Romantic, exquisite, elegant yet homey, welcoming, relaxing, inviting and peaceful.A gorgeous sunrise sitting on the front deck one morning is a vivid memory that I keep with me for rainy days.Coming from urban highly stressful Paris, it took me less than 24 hours to be so relaxed I had trouble remembering what day it was.The house is so exquisitely furnished and has all the amenities you would ever want. The midnight hot tub experience is one of the highlights of my stay: an absolute delight!I definitely recommend Honeysuckle for a romantic week-end or even a solo “recharge your batteries” experienceBefore I forget, do not miss the amazing catering service: Breakfast delivered to your door in the cutest little basket (the homemade biscuits are finger licking DE-LI-CIOUS). The pizza is also high up on "my favourite pizza’s" list; make sure you order one for the night you arrive, I don’t know about you but I am in no mood for shopping on the first evening of a getaway week-end !

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Guest: Clay Eller (Canton, North Carolina)
Date of Stay: 02/24/09 Review Submitted: 02/24/09

What a wonderful place to spend our anniversary. We had a great time. House was perfect, quiet, and just what we wanted. You have to get "Papa" Phil to cook one of his pizza's. You will not be disappointed. It was wonderful. The hot tub on the porch was great with beautiful views at night. The sky looks so huge across the large meadow in front. You can see for miles. The proprietors have thought of everything. With menus from local eateries, to binoculars for nature viewings, to local things to do and places to go. The bed was the most comfortable bed we have ever slept in. We did not want to get up. We were very pleased with this trip and house. We will be back again and bring more people to stay in both houses. Loved it!!!

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Guest: Family
Date of Stay: 01/02/09 Review Submitted: 01/01/09

What were the chances of finding a secret, perfect "place" to rest, be restored and cherish one's family? What do you do when you need to get away and you can't go far? You google and find Honeysuckle Cottage.... Hot tub! Fish Pond! Coziest bed! Loft for our kids! Pulley basket for the kids! All the "Farm and Fun" we've yet to explore for our stay was much too short! (A family from our county rented both cottages and wrote this in our Honeysuckle journal)

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Guest: Sander, Milan, Yvonne & dog Belle
Date of Stay: 12/28/08 Review Submitted: 12/27/08

No words. So many thoughts,so much love. Looking at the mountains sitting by a fire. Sitting in the hot tub surrounded by quiet clouds. Just a wonderful moment in our lives. (A family from Ohio left this note in our cottage guest book)

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Guest: George and Theresa Tindell (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 12/10/08 Review Submitted: 12/10/08

We found the cottage to be very warm and inviting in a very peaceful and scenic setting. The amenities were delightful and the decorations and furnishings exceptional. The tiled spa was a highlight of our stay, and was tremendously relaxing after a day of exploring the farm. We would recommend it to anyone seeking either a short getaway or extended visit.

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Guest: Cece Ralston (Nashville, Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 11/20/08 Review Submitted: 11/20/08

What a perfect place for a quiet weekend away! The cottage is lovely and well-appointed, with many unique and beautiful touches in every room. The view is beautiful, looking out over the field to the mountains beyond. It was shrouded in fog the day we arrived but still lovely. An even better treat was waking the next day (in an oh-so-comfortable bed!) to a view o the trees still in fall color. We took a walk around the farm, enjoyed a cozy fire in the afternoon, and indulged in the hot tub at night. The cottage is secluded and private but close enough to a local general store if there's some forgotten item to pick up. Our hosts were gracious and accomodating. This listing is everything it promises and more!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/30/08 Review Submitted: 10/30/08

What a beautiful place - we were actually staying at the pinecone, which in itself is awesome, but we happened by when this place was getting ready for its grand opening - it is the perfect place for a romantic hideaway where you can get back in touch with nature while appreciating the interior of this beautiful home. I would highly recommend it!

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Guest: Owner Ilaeka and her father Phil
Date of Stay: 10/13/08 Review Submitted: 10/12/08

We've just opened the Honeysuckle Cottage so we don't yet have any comments in our guest book but we hope you visit us anyway. We have another cottage rental (191274) called The Pinecone Cottage that has been opened since June and you can take a look at those comments to get an idea of how much everyone liked it as well as exploring our 145 acre farm. Both Honeysuckle and Pinecone Cottages are situated on our family farm a short hiking distance from each other. Each has its own private hot tub and all the modern amenities yet each also its unique features and charm. So please give us a try!

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