This was our first RCI exchange, and we got a GREAT place! Wish we could have just moved in and lived there forever! We were in a loft which is basically a house separated from all other units though it is in a circle with other such units. The houses are built on a mountain rather like those in Eureka Springs.
When we first entered the loft, the kitchen was to the right. Had more dishes than we were used to at the resorts plus everything we needed and then some. VERY clean! Only thing that did not work well was the can opener. Kitchen included a dishwasher, garbage disposal, oven, electric stove, microwave, and refirgerator with freezer. On the other side of the sink/ dishwasher counter was the dining area with a large table and 6 chairs. From the dining area you walked out on the balcony jutting out over the side of the mountain with LOTS of trees!
To the left of the front door is the 2nd bedroom with a queen bed, 2 windows, 2 side-by-side closets, a dresser, a TV, and a nite stand with a lamp. One of the closets had various cleaning equipment: mop, vacuum, ironing board, laundry basket, etc.
When you exit the bedroom or (across from the) kitchen, there is the 2nd full bath. There are plenty of drawers and cabinets for storage plus a shower.
Past this bathroom is a closet with the washer/dryer unit. VERY HANDY! First time I have not had to come home and do all the laundry!
Beside the laundry closet is the stairwell leading to the loft. There are 2 closets, 2 twin beds, and a window in the loft (but no TV). In addition, there is a wall beside the stairwell both for safety and privacy. If you stand in the loft above the stairwell, you can look down into the living room area. (There is a safe standing area so you do not just fall off the ledge.)
The living room has a closet under the stairwell with a CD system that can play music throughout the house. There are also wine glasses and an ice bucket in the closet. Behind the TV (and VCR/DVD player) in the living room there is a wall timer for the gas fireplace. There are windows all along the outside wall of the room with great views of the woods. While you can see the balcony next door, there was never anyone there. The living room has a large couch with end tables and table lamps on each end, 2 swivel recliners, and a coffee table.
In the master bedroom there is a king sized bed with a headboard that has a shelf for whatever you might want to store (kleenex, hubby's C-Pac for his sleep apnea, books to read, TV remote, etc). On the wall is a switch that lights a panel of lights above the bed. Or you can turn on either or both lights above the bed that swing around for better late night reading as needed. On both sides of the bed are windows, and in front of one window there is a chair. There is a corner closet with sufficient room for what we had (though it was smaller than either closet in the other bedroom). On the other side of the room from the chair and closet there is another balcony. (BOTH balconies had chairs so you could sit out and relax. The balcony off the kitchen had a small table as well, but the bedroom balcony did not.) Between the door and corner closet there is a large dresser, a TV, and the master bathroom. I cannot remember if the TV had a VCR or DVD player, but I think it had one of them. Do not think the TV in the 2nd bedroom had either. Since we never used these anyway, we really did not need them in the bedrooms AND the living room.
The master bathroom had drawers and cabinets for storage, a jacuzzi tub, and a shower large enough for two. (This comes in handy when showering our special ed adult child so we used this shower and never needed the one in the other bathroom.)
There are ceiling fans in both downstairs bedrooms and the living room. I think there is also one in the loft, but since we only went up there to look around and never used the area, I am not certain about the ceiling fan.
When we checked into the resort or went to the activities, even the staff were impressed we were in the loft unit. Everyone kept telling us we were in a great spot. They were RIGHT! It was WONDERFUL! Peaceful, beautiful, out in the woods yet in total comfort - the best of both worlds. And just as advertised in the RCI resort directory - the resort is isolated in the woods away from the crowds and noises of the city, yet within a few minutes drive of EVERYTHING! We could see Gatlingburg, Pigeon Forge, even Sevierville with only a short drive. And if you drive the Roaring Fork Motor Route just a few minutes away, you are actually driving through part of the national park.
There is currently a problem in the park with rabid raccoons, but we never saw a raccoon or bear at the resort. We were just told to be certain there was no food left on the balcony and that the doors were locked when we left the unit. We have been told bears are in the area, but we never saw one.
Activities? WONDERFUL! We paid $6 each to go to the activity center and have one of the local shows (Patty Waszak) perform with her partner: singing and playing 15 insturments! For free we had someone bring birds from the Parrot Show. Ever week there is a covered supper for all visitors who want to attend: you bring veggies, salad, or desert, and the resort furnished everything else. We played bingo and attended a pancake breakfast ($4 each) --- just TONS of things to do! We could have just done things at the resort and never had to leave had it not been for so many things luring use away! Want to go to the shows or aquarium or other area activities? You cannot beat the prices for tickets available through the resort. Just go to the activity center and let them know what you want to see or do! You pay the resrot, and they make your reservations. Take the receipt to the show and you are checked through with no problem! The activity staff are SUPER friendly and helpful!
I have already started an ongoing search through RCI for our next trip to this resort. Got home last night - started the search today! This is a MUST do if you like mountains, shows, nature, or just some good old peace and quiet! EXCELLENT PLACE TO VISIT!
-Review courtesy of Gail Christian
(stayed during Sep, 2006) |
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