-'Cardinal Cottage' is a cozy, lovely retreat located in a quiet, secluded, wooded area in the foothills of the north/ central section of the beautiful, rolling Massanutten Mountains, in the Luray Valley portion of the northern/central Shenandoah Valley.
-The 2-bedroom, 1-full bath, single-level, multi-season, fully-furnished cottage is located on 10+ wooded acres, accessed from a paved state road, by an all-season (well-graded, well-maintained, gravel) entrance road into a premier subdivision (SD), about 5 miles west of the town of Luray, VA. (Our SD's entrance road previously served as a logging and fire service access road up into the George Washington (GW) National Forest.) Note also that while we are located within an upscale residential subdivision, no other homes are visible from Cardinal Cottage. The Cottage is very private and mostly secluded.
-Cardinal Cottage is within 1/2 mile of a free, public river access/ boat landing/ launching ramp (with plenty of free parking) on the Shenandoah River (the South Fork, at a relatively wide and deep section), & is adjacent to the Geo Wash Nat. Forest (which is our Subdivision's back boundary/ property line, with informal hiking access). Nearby is a Forest Service/ fire service access road (with free access, but is unfortunately closed to the public during the snow season) up into the GW National Forest, with a number of well-marked/ blazed hiking, mountain biking & off-road vehicle trails, 2 great overlooks down onto & across the Shenandoah Valley, picnic areas, and plenty of free parking.
-We are close to: the world-famous Luray Caverns (approx. 4 miles); to an access/ entrance station of the Shenandoah National Park (approx. 10 miles) & the Skyline Drive (connecting to the Blue Ridge Parkway) & the Appalachian Trail; and only about 15 miles from the beautiful, new “Andy” Guest Shenandoah River State Park (with their wooded hiking/ biking trails, and tree-top ziplines) w/ miles of Shen. River access.
-Cardinal Cottage is Non-Smoking (please) within the cottage (ashtrays are provided on the front deck & on the back, screened porch).
-Amenities include: an all-season outdoor hot tub (seats 4, located close to, & directly behind the cottage); a screened back porch with picnic table & chairs; an open, front sun deck with picnic table, chairs & reclining lounge chairs; a full kitchen (with a full-size refrigerator w/ top freezer, a 4-burner stove and large oven, a toaster, microwave and toaster ovens, 2 coffee makers, ...) & a dining area; a gas-log fireplace in the Living Room; electric baseboard heat (with thermostats in each room); window A/C units (4); satellite TV (w/ many music channels); free, secure wireless internet access; phone (free local calls, & your cell phone will probably work, most do); AM/ FM stereo radio, DVD, Blu-Ray, VCR, audio-CD players; 2 charcoal grills (with 'grill'n' & 'smores tools) & a picnic table in the yard; & a small fire pit (w/ dry firewood available). Also, clock radios & 2 alarm clocks (if you really need them while you're on vacation).
-We generally have many "visiting" birds (including song birds, hawks, owls), deer, fox & other forest "critters", and many other shy wildlife, Bear have occasionally been seen in the Nat. Forest above our subdivision.
-Boating & fishing in the nearby Shenandoah River.
-Many scenic/ Indian/ native, historic & Civil War sites are nearby.
-Cardinal Cottage is an eco- & family-friendly/ energy efficient/ "green" building, w/ a level/ grassy side yard (for relaxing, tanning, outdoor games, dog walking, ...).
-Hiking access (informal) up into the GW National Forest. is close by. Many other hiking trails are also available nearby.
-Small pets are permitted (with permission, & for which a small charge is made).
-'Luray Caverns Packages' (which includes admission to the Caverns & most of their other attractions) are available, as well as discounts at some other local attractions, and with some local merchants.
-A REFUNDABLE loss/ damage/ security deposit is requested (if the optional VRBO-offered Property Damage Protection (PDP) plan is declined).
-The Bedroom setup: BdRm #1 w/ Queen bed + 1 twin bed; BdRm #2 w/ Double/ Full bed + 1 twin bed. Also, a Queen sleeper sofa-bed is in the Living rm. 1 full bath.
-Bed linens (sheets & pillowcases) & towels can be provided (by arrangement) at moderate cost (otherwise, please bring what you need + extra towels for use at the hot tub). A clothesline for drying is located on the screened porch. Blankets & pillows are provided.
-Shopping/ restaurants/ deli/ bakery/ food/ beverage/ pharmacy/ drug stores/ library/ post office/ movie theater/ coin laundry/ banks/ 24-hr access $$-machines/ used book store/ brewery/ wine & beer "tours & tasting"/ ... are located in/ around Luray, & in 2 shopping centers close to town (one of which has a large, 24-hr WalMart (w/ food & pharmacy departments), & a Food Lion (chain food store, with beer & wine sales), & an ABC state liquor/ package store). Also a large CVS Drug Store is close by, as are hardware, auto supply stores, & gas stations. A brewery & legal(!) distillery is located nearby. Many chain "fast food" outlets are available in & around Luray.
-Plenty of parking is available in the private, off-road driveway adjacent to the Cottage. The Cottage is set back from the SD entrance road, and is partially screened from the road by trees (as is the new hot tub (with 2 Tiki torches) behind the Cottage).
-A large, flat, grassy side yard exists (ideal for outdoor games), which is also partially screened/ surrounded by trees.
-While we do not claim to meet ADA guidelines, we are aware of the guidelines, and feel that Cardinal is "ADA-friendly". We have hosted some guests with physical limitations/ disabilities (and a number of wonderful senior citizens, most of whom are not disabled, but may need some extra accommodations or help), and a few brave, young, military recovering/ rehabilitating 'wounded warriors'. (We are retired military!) Please feel free to contact us (preferably by phone at (301) 524-5143) to discuss your needs; we will do our best to try to accommodate, and will answer your questions honestly.
-We try our best to make your visit most enjoyable. To that goal, we have responded to requests from guests, and have added the following:
-Arrangements have been established to provide flowers, chocolates, birthday and other "special event" cakes and cookies to guests from local merchants.
-A neighbor in the subdivision is a licensed massage therapist, appointments can be made at her house, and she is available to bring her portable massage table & equipment to Cardinal to provide relaxing massage(s) to guests.
-We have recently become associated with 'My Vacay Valet', a local service which can: unload luggage from your vehicle, deliver pre-ordered groceries, help set up special equipment (such as travel cribs), and load your vehicle upon departure. Please inquire to make arrangements.
- Cheers and enjoy!