Smoky Mountain Vacation Rental Near Bryson City!

Reviews

• Great House but Wildfire Interrupted Trip; Road Issues

  3/5

  The house is beautiful — well-stocked, clean, great view as others have said. We won't ever go back because of some major issues due to a wildfire:

  1. There is only one narrow neighborhood road to get to the house. The road is steep and often hugs ravine curves (beware anyone who gets carsick!). So, if something happens (tree limb, accident, fire), getting in or out can be delayed—or you can get stuck.

  2. The house is not set up for a power outage. There was a very close wildfire during our stay that cut power & water (electric pump) to the house. There's no generator or water on site, and even though the local contact offered to bring some flashlights, local emergency crews were not letting people in—and that's not the vacation we'd paid for. (We had 2 elderly folks and 2 young children with us. If we wanted to rough it, we would have happily gone camping for hundreds less.)

  3. The rental agency refused any refund for the night we had to evacuate—full or partial. The agreement had a natural disaster clause, which is standard at a lot of places so just be aware of this as a possibility. Stuff happens!

  Honestly the best part of our trip was the whole fam bonding over checking into a hotel with just the clothes on our backs. Thankfully, the fire crew said no one was hurt & they got it out in 1 night. So a good story to tell. But this won't be one we ever go back to. Next time, we'll be camping in the state park!

  PS: Not the best place for young kids if you want a yard!

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Hi K, the right vacation home is everything, and we're disappointed if this wasn't the one for you. We followed up with the homeowner after reading your feedback, and they wanted to share the following:
  - The road leading to the property is narrow but wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles and semis carrying building materials. This is typical in the Appalachian Mountains, where winding narrow roads are common for accessing homes. To help guests plan their route accordingly, we provide a map on the listing showing the approximate location. This allows guests to research routes and determine if the roads leading to the property meet their needs.
  - The electricity went out due to fallen trees and electric poles. Duke Energy was able to restore power by the next morning. Although we don't have a whole-house generator, we do offer LED lanterns and flashlights in case of an outage.
  - Regarding the fire, it was a controlled brush fire set by the local fire department, which unfortunately got a little out of control due to the wind carrying embers across the road. Our guest contact offered to take you around the other side of the mountain to gain access to the property since there wouldn't be GPS or cell service. However, you declined and opted to return to town, intending to try again later. Subsequently, you contacted the guest contact, asking if there was a smoke smell. They advised that while it was possible to smell smoke, the wind had changed direction, so it might not be persistent. At this point, you chose to secure a hotel room for the night.
  - Regarding your request for a refund through Evolve, they reiterated the unforeseen circumstances/force majeure policy outlined in the rental agreement. Unfortunately, this situation was beyond our control, and we made every effort to accommodate your group to ensure the most pleasant guest experience possible.
  - The photos on the listing showcase the backyard, including an aerial photo displaying the entire property, providing guests with a clear understanding of what to expect and the size of the yard. We've previously set up a badminton net and held games so the yard is spacious enough for family fun. We encourage guests to thoroughly review the listing before booking to ensure they find a property that best suits their preferences.
  We truly go above and beyond for our guests and are confident that future guests will have excellent stays.

• Beautiful house with a view

  5/5

  We had a wonderful family getaway at this beautiful home. The place felt warm and cozy and we can't express enough about the incredible mountain views in every room of the house! Our family will be returning in the future!

• Can’t top that view!

  5/5

  Enjoyed a very relaxing week here. On our favorites and hope to return one day.

• Relaxing and comfortable

  5/5

  Spent a couple of wonderful nights at the house - beautiful views. Location worked well for us. Everything was clean and in good order.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

• 5/5

  This was perfect for our family of 6 with 4 boys. They loved the foosball table and the trundle bed. Plenty of room and access to numerous places to see.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo