Our overall weekend was great and our experience at the property itself was okay, but it came with a few pros and cons that we think are important to know:
PROS:
-The hot tub was awesome and felt very new.
-The house is full of character and the owners clearly put a lot of time and effort to make it cozy/comfortable
-The fire pit
-There was a lot of space indoor and outside. We were a group of 2 couples and 2 children, and there was more than enough space. We could have had another family join us and still wouldn't have felt cramped.
-The beds were comfortable
-The house was well-stocked with kitchenware
-The washer and dryer (also very new) were nice given that we did a lot of hiking
-Close to grocery stores and places to eat
-Not a bad distance from Boone, Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.
CONS:
-The house was cold. Granted, we visited on a cold weekend in the winter, but the house is very old and difficult to heat. The owners did a lot to help (there are space heaters or gas heaters in most spaces), but staying warm was still a challenge at times. We were unprepared for this and would have brought slippers, long sleeves, hoodies, and sweatpants for loungewear had we known.
-The house was old, which the owners are very upfront about. It's not a good rental if you're looking for a more modern feel. Creaky floors, some doorknobs that didn't work and therefore doors couldn't shut tightly, etc.
-Not great for views. It overlooks a stream, which is nice, but it also looks right out onto a busy highway, a couple of businesses off that highway, and power lines.
Overall it wasn't a bad weekend at all. We had a great time, but we recommend you weigh the pros and cons before booking.