Common Questions about Vacation Rental Homes

Q.  What is this Security Deposit Protection Plan and why do I have to pay for it?

A.  This is basically a "waiver" to the more traditional Security Deposit at a cost of $39.  It is an insurance policy that covers any incidental damage that may occur during your stay, up to $3000.  You simply let us know when it occurs, and you won't be charged, we'll simply file a claim on behalf of the owner against the policy you've purchased.  You need not deal with estimates, repairs, and charges, we take care of all that.   You should not hear any more about the issue after reporting it. 

Q.  Is there an alternative to the Security Deposit Protection Plan?

A.  Yes.  You simply give us a call, and say you want to opt out of the Security Deposit Protection Plan, and you'll be refunded the $39.  You will be charged for damages as you won't have the insurance coverage of the Security Deposit Protection Plan.  In lieu of  the $39 insurance plan, we must receive a traditional Security Deposit in the amount of $500, by check, money order, or we can charge it to your credit card.  This Security Deposit will be returned, less any deductions for damages or extraordinary wear and tear, not later than 45 days after your departure.  We think you'll agree, this is simpler, far less messy, and does not require us to tie up your hard-earned cash for more than 45 days. 

Q.  What if I want Travel Insurance?  I have an elderly mother that could at any time become ill requiring me to cancel my vacation?

A.  Up until your actual departure date from home, you can contact me to issue you a Travel Insurance policy.  It costs about 6.5% of the cost of your reservation.  If mom gets ill and you have to cancel, or return home, it will help you recover all deposits and costs, even the cost of your rental car, your plane reservations, etc.  For some that travel long distances, with overnight stays enroute, the actual vacation rental cost is a small part of the overall package.    Note that it does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Q.  Are your cabins furnished with linens, and pots and pans, toilet paper, etc?

A.  All our cabins except Celo River House come fully furnished with linens, cooking utensils, paper products.

Q.  I just filled up the refrigerator with sodas, beer, watermelon, and lots of other groceries, now they're all warm and I've moved the setting to colder, and it doesn't seem to be working.  What can I do?

A.  You've probably just overwhelmed the system, and running constantly doesn't allow it to work efficiently.  Refrigerators are great at keeping things cold, not chilling them from room temperature, at least not everything at once.  Take out everything that won't spoil, let the most important cool first, then add enough drinks and things for the next day, and as these things cool, you can add more.  Do not move the cool setting up, it just defeats the purpose by not letting the compressor rest and cool from time to time.

Q.  I used my GPS to get to the cabin, and after many miles on a winding twisting dirt road into the wilderness, and couldn't find my cabin.  What should I have done?

A.  GPS often will find you the shortest route, but it may not have any common sense for the roads that they choose.  Also, here in the mountains, some of these back roads are closed during late fall sometimes right up into May.  None of my cabins are more than a mile or two off a paved North Carolina State Road.  If your instructions includes miles of gravel road, then ask it for an alternative route.

Q.  Should I make the beds when we depart?

A.  Please don't, we need to know which beds have been slept in.  If you make the beds, we clean ALL the linens presuming that all beds must have been slept in.

Q.  I paid a cleaning fee, so what do you expect from me other than just walk out at the end of my stay?

A.  You're certainly right, but you'll notice that our fees are quite less than the actual cost of cleaning the cabin.  We hope that as a minimum you'll put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher and get it started.  We also appreciate it if you can put all towels and similar items into the washing machine the final evening before you go to bed, and into the dryer on the morning of departure.  Waiting on towels is one of the biggest time-wasters the cleaning crew experiences.  DO NOT WASH Sheets and pillow cases, we prefer to do that ourselves so we are always 100% sure they have been washed.

Q.  Should I throw out all the condiments and things that I brought with us?

A.  No, you may leave anything you wish in the refrigerator, our cleaning crew will take out what might spoil, and will leave most common condiments which saves the next guest from running down to the store for small things like catsup and mustard.

Q.  Should we leave a tip for the cleaning crew, and if so how much is traditional?

A.  We always try to do as good a cleaning job as you'd find in an excellent hotel.  If we exceed your expectations, a tip will help to encourage my cleaning crew to keep up the good work.  $10 is not uncommon for a 3 night stay, but if we don't do a good job, do not leave a tip.  We do hope you'll leave a note if we don't meet expectations.

Q.  What kind of wildlife can I expect to encounter?

A.  Most common is the polecat (skunk), usually if you leave them alone, they'll wander away.  If you leave garbage or food out on the porch overnight, you're likely to see Racoons, sometimes a possum will visit.  On occasion, you might even get a Black Bear.  Along the roads, you'll often see deer particularly along the Blue Ridge Parkway just at dusk, so drive slowly and watch the sides of the road for several carlengths ahead.  Usually when you see one, there are more, so don't concentrate on the one on the side of the road as you might just hit another one in process of crossing.  Turkey are also common on the parkway and back roads, and they don't get out of the way very quickly, so slow down when  you see them.  All of them are pretty harmless, as they are more frightened of  you than you are of them.  A little noise will scare a Bear away, but don't try to chase them.  Let them have their snack and they'll move on when finished.  Keep food (and trash) indoors.

Q.  What do I do with my trash?

A.    Well, don't leave it outside.  We'll take care of it, but it would be a great help if you could drop it at one of the "convenience centers" on your way out of the valley.  Your book in the cabin will give information on where these are located.