Relaxing Wooded Retreat

Guest: Matt (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/05/11 Review Submitted: 09/20/11

Five O'Clock Somewhere was the perfect holiday getaway. Upon arrival I was amazed at the home's decor and expansive deck. There are miles of hiking trails and outdoor activites for those who seek adventure and exploration. Nightfall brought fireflies and outdoor grilling while watching the sun disappear over the trees. My second day was bogged down by rain, but the house is so inviting I was able to catch up on reading in the large sunroom off the kitchen. The sound of raindrops on the windows added to the overall aura of my wonderful weekend escape. I will definitely return to Big Canoe and can't thank Ellen enough for her hospitality!

Owner response:Thank you for taking the time to send a review and describe your wondeful experience at our mountain home.

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

Big Canoe's Southern Charm

Guest: Jack (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/04/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

Flanked by epic mountain terrain and sustained with natural lakes, waterfalls, authentic southern comfort and replete with dozens of hiking trails and activities, Big Canoe, GA is known for its prodigious beauty. Ellen’s home is a sophisticated portal into relaxation, comfort and perfect for spending time with family and friends. Its unique blend of exterior textures of stone and wood walls give the sense that the home was born from the mountain it rests on. Downstairs, guests will be delighted by an inviting marble square marble dining table, with large dining chairs, and an elegant seating area which make up the dining and living areas on the first floor. A towering stone fireplace graces the room and seems to push the A Frame vaulted wood paneled ceilings even higher. The family room has cathedral ceilings, and the kitchen it’s connected to makes it perfect for entertaining. Outside, a spacious deck wraps around the entire first floor of the back of the home connecting the living area to the living room, sun room, and another private deck outside the master bedroom (which has an en-suite bath with a separate shower). Inside Ellen hasn’t missed a beat with iPod speakers & a home entertainment system perfect for enjoying music while either inside or outside enjoying the beauty of Big Canoe. Upstairs there are three more bedrooms with a large shared bathroom. One of the bedrooms opens a deck with views of the soaring mountains of Big Canoe as well as offers a view down through the tree line to a large and beautiful lake and marina area. The layout and design of the upstairs and downstairs are balanced by a vestibular division of the shared living areas from the bedrooms. Exquisite rich wood flooring runs throughout the home and guides guests to a dark, beautiful wooden staircase that is almost hidden between the two levels. The result allows for total enjoyment of the living areas versus the privacy of the bedroom areas. I was only lucky enough to stay for 2 days in September, but Ellen’s home and Big Canoe’s beauty have borned in me a desire to return during each of the distinct seasons offered by the Southern climate to enjoy its magic in all its forms.

Owner response:What a wonderfully written review and mental picture of Five O'clock Somewhere. Thank you very much.

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

Great Home

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/01/11

We stayed in this beautiful mountain home over July 4th 2011. We sat on the back deck and watched one of the best fire works show I've have ever seen. This home is nothing less than perfect from the way the kitchen is so well stocked with any kind of dish you could want to the most confortable soft beds and linens. I would recommend this home to any one looking for a family vacation. Not to mention how close it was to the golf and hiking trails which we went on every day. I can't wait to go back.

Recommended for:Pet owners, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.

Wonderful and Absolutely Charming Stay

Guest: Frank and JoAnn (Atlanta)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 07/25/11

Our family arrived late Friday afternoon, just in time for 5:00 cocktails! The stay was truly amazing. Plenty of room to roam around and get lost in a book or take a nap, the kids played outside for hours and the open floor plan of the family room made dinners and entertaining very fun and easy. The beds are comfortable, the place extremely clean, and plenty of amenities within the house as well as the golf, tennis, hiking trails, Clubhouse, swimming pools, lake beach and workout facility. The place is gorgeous and we would highly recommend staying at this wonderful and unique home. Trust me when Monday morning rolls around you will not want to leave this place!!!

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