Exceptional stay at Benzine Farm in Beech Mountain. Cabin was clean, organized, and well stocked. Indoor and outdoor areas were both well cared for, and we had everything we needed for a great stay. We went hiking each day on nearby trails and saw beautiful rivers/waterfalls.
Things we loved about the property:
- Three bedrooms plus a full loft providing ample sleeping space. There would be plenty of room for 4 couples (8 adults) to sleep comfortably.
- Cabin was well stocked with supplies and activities. The outdoor firepit had plenty of dry firewood stashed under the deck, and the cornhole and horseshoe pit activities were in great shape. Bath towels were high quality and plentiful. Cleaning service provided a generous starter set of toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, and dishwasher detergent.
- Great location. Cabin is located in a neighborhood but sits on a private, heavily wooded lot (approximately 3/4 acre). Homes are spaced well apart, which provides plenty of privacy and a sense of solitude. However, it's also a quick 20 minute drive to the grocery store, and the cabin is even closer to a few restaurants and other supplies.
- Plenty of wildlife. We saw tons of deer (including bucks) during our stay. The deer are obviously comfortable with people, and many would not move until you approached within 3 feet of them.
- Strong wifi and cell signals. Wifi in the house was very strong, and it was even sufficient to support video streaming when seated around the outdoor firepit. Cell signals were also strong in the area. I went on a 2+ mile run around the neighborhood, and my GPS never lost connectivity.
- Close to outdoor activities. We went hiking each day on nearby trails. The trailhead for the Lower Pond Creek Trail is located just a 5-minute drive from the cabin and offers amazing views of the creek, including some small waterfalls. Other trails are located a short (30-minute) drive away, including the Elk River Falls Trail, Jones Falls Trail, and Splash Dam Falls Trail.
Areas for potential improvement:
- Kitchen was relatively small. It was fine for three adults but might be challenging for larger groups. In particular, there was no pantry, so we had to place dry goods above the fridge or in the dining area.
- Electronic key entry was located only on the 1st floor door. There was also a ground floor door that was convenient from bringing in luggage, but you could access that door only with a hardcopy key.