Guestbook Comment

Guest: RONNIE ADKINS (SURRY VA)
Date of Stay: 12/01/06 Review Submitted: 12/07/06

12/25/05-01/01/05,The Sanchez Family, Thank you for opening your doors to our family. We had a wonderful time. May God continue to bless you, your family and home. 01/07/05-01/08/05, Thanks so much for allowing the Virginia Beach Masters commission to get away with God for a weekend. It has been a refreshing time for all of us and we look forward to visiting again. May the Lord richly bless you as he has blessed us. 01/29/05-02/01/05,The Redmon Family, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful mountain retreat with us. We had a completely relaxing long weekend! We would love to return in the summer to see the beauty of the area during that season. 02/04/05-02/06-05. The girls from Stafford, We had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing your home with us. We never left the whole weekend. We ate and played games (who could ask for more !). The view is incredible and we look forward to coming again. Your home is beautiful! We wish you much success! 02/11/05-02/13-05 We had a wonderful time here. It was so much more than we have ever imagined. You truely have a beautiful home and we are anzious to come back when it is finished. The view is to die for! Truely heavenly. Take care and God bless. 02/15/05-02/17/05, S & P Windsor,Pastors S & G Gregg, What a beautiful home the Lord has blessed you with...,And what a blessing you are to make it available to others. We had a wonderful time. The presence of the Lord was so awesome! May the Lord bless you a hundred fold for your generosity. 02/17/05-02/24/05 The Coates family, We had to leave in a hurry because snow was falling fast! We had an excellent stay in your beautiful Lodge. Great family reunion and get-a-way. 02/25/05-02/28/05 Nine people arrived, friends all, friends new, one about to return to UK. Thanks to the calm and tranquility that abounds around your home nine friendshipos were reaffirmed and strengthened. 03/04/05-03/06/05 Best Friends Weekend, Thank you so much for a "dog gone" blessed weekend. Heavenly views! 03/12/05 R & S Adkins, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful mountain retreat with us. We had a wonderful get-a-way. 03/19/05 T Bennet, Thank you for opening your wonderful home to us. We had a much needed break from city life, and this was just the spot for it.

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A great three days for our parent's 50th Anniversary

Guest: keith (Alexandria)
Date of Stay: 12/27/11 Review Submitted: 12/31/11

We rented this home for an extended family get-together for Christmas and our parent's 50th anniversary. The rental process was smooth, the accomodations were just as described, perhaps even better than advertised. It really is "pack lite" ready -- linens, paper products, even cooking spices are there. Plenty of games and videos! The views are wonderful, and Elkton is really very accessible (maybe 10 minutes) despite a feeling of getting away. Better than the pictures. I would give it 5 stars, but then there is nothing to improve, which is not usually true. The beds squeak, that is probably the only "issue" that came up. The home is a fantastic mountain (large) cabin with two great common areas.

Owner response:Thanks for your review and we hope to serve you again. Ed Shorter

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A Gem in the Woods!

Guest: Mel B and Family (The Nation's Capital, Washington DC)
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 02/17/11

This home was an absolute beauty! The pictures of this home can not compare to the experience of seeing this home in person. My family and I had a wonderful weekend here. This home left no detail unturned. There were plenty of games and movies for the kids and plenty of movies and entertaining space for the adults. There was plenty of space to move around, so a large group will never feel crowded. The Kitchen had eveything a cook would ever need. The fire pit was an added bonus. The children roasted marshmallows, while the adults shared great stories. I can tell that your home was a labor of Love; it shows in every detail. ( The pictures were great!) I would recommend that you own a four wheel drive to access the property, if you have front wheel drive, you can park at the bottom of the driveway and walk up (well worth it!). Communication with the owner was great. He quickly answered any questions or concerns that we had. I appeciate that. This home is close to Massanutten Resort and close to grocery and shopping areas. I could go on and on, but I challange you to try it for yourself. I would highly recommend this home for your getaway.

Owner response:Thanks!! I built Hensley Hollow Lodge myself and I maintain this home for family reunions and church retreats. And even during a recession, feedback like this keeps me going. Ed Shorter

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

mountain retreat

Guest: tp (illinois)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/20/10

the property is EXACTLY as depicted on the homeaway site. very quiet retreat, we enjoyed smores around the firepit each night.

Owner response:Thanks!!

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

A nice family getaway

Guest: Family Americana (Chesapeake, Va)
Date of Stay: 04/02/10 Review Submitted: 05/15/10

My family finally located a house that could accommodate all 21 members. Pros: - We had a great time away from the distractions of our city and suburban lives. - The lodge was beautiful, clean and presentable - The lodge was well equipped with linens and towels, cookware, flatware and dishes. - Shelves were conveniently labeled so that items could be returned and located later. - The views were incredible and afforded us the opportunity to take great family photos Cons: -The lodge was beautiful but a little scary to get to if you don't drive an SUV or truck. Minivans are not ideal for the road conditions. - The lower level game room only had one (1) arcade game NOT THE THREE PRESENTED IN THE PHOTOS. (But the air hockey table was fun as well.) - Wireless signals were difficult to come by for some family members, they had to sit by windows or out on the deck to get good signals for their devices. - Delivery is not a possibility (at least that was the impression we got from the local restaurants) so it is important to buy your groceries before settling into the lodge. - Some items needed to be serviced (one of the stove top burners was not functioning) - The advertised video games were not in the best condition and one would work at all (it was a good idea that we brought along our own PS2 and Wii and games from home). We were unable to find many board games, maybe 1 or 2 but they were incomplete so they were of no use. - The child gate provided may work for doorways BUT IT WAS VERY FLIMSY. For small children (4 under the ages of 4 were in our party) a suitable child gate would have been a great help for the purpose of blocking off stairways. - The winding staircase is very convenient for accessing the loft but young children (ages 3 to 7) were very shaky coming from and going to the loft. (Adults were a little unsure of the staircase as well) We would recommend this property to others, but families with young children should make inquiries about CHILD SAFETY to the owner. (Stairways were the main issue for our family, child gates were a necessity but unavailable, had we known in advance we would have brought our gates from home)

Owner response:Thanks!! I had two different maintenance teams look at the itrems you mentioned, including the oven burner. Both reported that it worked, but the knob was out of align. I made it up there a few weeks ago and found the burner worked, but the control knob was missing a 9 cent screw and I made the repair. Both maintennace teams told me that 2 child gates were adequate, but, I ordered, recieved and delivered a nicer one for $85.00 I a sorry about the pin ball machines. The guests destroyed all 3 of them ($3,600.). Not a good idea to keep antiques up there I suppose. That is why I moved the air hockey table up there. The spiral stairway to the loft, is a must for such a log cabin and is built according to the strictest building standards. Both of my cleaning teams reported there were many board games up there, but we only sort through them every few weeks. And my play station II games are a couple of years old, so it is as you suggested a good idea as you suggested, to bring some of your own. Yes, it is a mountain retreat some 19 miles from the Verizon antena and reception is poor, so we include unlimited long distance on the house phone. Thanks!! Ed Shorter

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

Christmas vacation

Guest: black knight (spotsylvania, va)
Date of Stay: 12/22/08 Review Submitted: 01/12/09

We enjoyed our week-long stay very much. The house has everything you need and is very livable. The road up is steep but accessible and there are many activities in the area to keep everyone occupied. Highly recommended.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/13/08

Wonderful place for our family reunion. We loved the view, talking and singing around the fire pit at night. The night stars are the most beautiful I have ever seen. Lots of things to do for people of all ages (we were 83 to 2 years) and all interests. Loved it!!

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Guest: Ed Shorter (-)
Date of Stay: 02/21/05 Review Submitted: 02/21/05

12/19/06, The Davis, The Billers & Mr. Meyer. Thank you for making you lovely home available for our use. We had a lovely Thanksgiving week. Thanks for keeping the memory of our kin down in the cemetary. 11/17/06-11/18/06, The Taylors, We had an amazing time, We'll be back. 11/08/06-11/11/06- The Austrians, Being Austrians, we have an idea about log homes and yours is great!! It's a pity it's just too far away for coming back again, But who knows..., 11/03/06-11/05/06, T & T R. Everthing was great, thanks for allowing us to stay at your beautiful house. We enjoyed our weekend, your cabin is amazing. We had a wonderful time, the house is amazing, along with the views. 10/26/06-10-29/06, The Burning Bush Christian Church. We had an awesome time. Thank you for allowing God to use you and your resources. There was so much room to utilize and all 11 women enjoyed the great view. 10/19/06-10/21/06, The Annex, We came at a great time to see the fall foilage. Everthing was beautiful. 10/13/06-10-15/06, The Martellas, Radeckes & Stievators, Thanks so much for a wonderful weekend. The house met all of our needs & desires, and the location was great for hiking at Skyline Drive. We hope to visit again. 10/05/06-10/08/06, The Wathen Family, We had a good time. Played lots of games and cards adn traveled to Staunton, Harrisonburg, and Waynesboro & played mini golf at Massanutten. We saw a few dear, no bears, and some lady bugs. Your cabin is very spacious and pretty. 09/28/06-09/30/06, Lisa & Family, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you for opening your home to us. All had a wonderful time. Many memories created. 09/22/06-09/25/06, The Bryants, We had a great time again coming to your cabin. We did not want to leave. Bless you. 09/15/06-09/17/06, I appreciate your divine witness of the Bible through Scriptures on the wall, and the generosity of opening your home. Truely enjoyed our girls weekend. The architecture and decor are so harmonious with the gorgeous landscape. Thank you for sharing your blessings with others. You have a beautiful home and I will never forget my experiences here. Only complaint "no bears". 08/19/06-08/26/06, The Andrilenas Family, Family gatehring for our 50th anniversary. Everyone enjoyed the quiet and the views. 08/12/06-08/19/06, Thank you for sharing the gift of your hospitality. It has been said that Christian hospitality is "creating sacred space for another's soul". The grandeur of God's majestic w

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