Who & Why: My extended family and I decided to make Thanksgiving extra-special last year. Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews – we all piled into one vacation rental cabin for our annual feast.

The Good: The bed configuration was perfect for a large, diverse group. The second floor housed several twin beds dormitory style, which worked very well - and very economically - for the kids. The cabin was also right on the river with spectacular views. The décor was cozy and warm, but not over-the-top. 

The Bad: Since the purpose of our trip was a Thanksgiving feast, the lack of kitchen utensils was a disappointment. There were also instructional signs seemingly everywhere. Some stated the obvious such as “throw trash in the trash can” or “do not have sex in the hot tub.” We found the latter especially inappropriate with the children in tow. The biggest issue to us was the vacation rental home was not dog-friendly, so we had to leave our two teacup Chihuahuas behind.

The Final Verdict: I would return to the same area but choose a different vacation rental home. What I learned: including our furry family members on a family vacation is an absolute must for me.

Who & Why: Tired of the big city event scene, my boyfriend and I and two other couples decided to do something completely different for New Year’s eve. We did a 360 to the mountains and a vacation rental home. Our plan was to cook together, play cards and games, catch up by firelight and do a little site-seeing.

The Good: Our vacation rental cabin seemed tailor-made to our plans. It had both a wood burning stove inside and a fire pit outside, plus a hot tub outside. The kitchen had it all – including a crock pot, blender and cast iron skillets. We ate like kings.  We played pool for hours and enjoyed many of the games in the well-stocked cabinet. The owners also included a very thorough guidebook that was essential in getting us out and about.

The Bad: Upon leaving our vacation rental home, my party was hit with several extra charges. One of them was for damage to the hot tub cover that we weren’t responsible for. Another was for rings left on the unprotected coffee table. We were also criticized for moving the pool table a few inches from the wall in order to actually play. This experience put a bit of a damper on what had been an excellent experience.

The Final Verdict: I would absolutely return to the same vacation rental cabin. The owners’ eagle-eyes for wear and tear ended up being a bit daunting, but they were reasonable with us in the end. What I learned: Having an ideal home base is well worth any minor miscommunications with the owner.

Who & Why: My boyfriend and I and another couple headed to the mountains to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday. We were looking to really get away in a romantic, secluded atmosphere where we could cook a big birthday dinner and simply hang out.

The Good: Secluded was an understatement. Our vacation rental cabin literally backed up to the Cherokee National Forest. It was amazing. The owners even thoughtfully supplied walking sticks. The bedding configuration was perfect for two couples, with two separate masters. Dogs were allowed, and a land line was provided in case of poor cell reception. Not only was the kitchen well stocked with everything we needed to cook the birthday dinner (including the cake), the large dining room was also the perfect celebration setting. 

The Bad: Everything was so perfect, we didn’t want to leave. Be careful what you wish for! Both our cars were completely stuck. We didn’t find out until the end of our vacation that we weren’t supposed to drive all the way down the driveway to park. A simple sign would have prevented a bit of a nightmare ending to our dream getaway.     

The Final Verdict: I would absolutely return to the same vacation rental home. Now we know the one “catch”, and the owners have remedied the situation for future vacation home renters. What I learned: always ask about any parking or driving pitfalls when dealing with remote terrain. 

Who & Why: Two girlfriends and I were working on a special project together and having a hard time coordinating our busy schedules. We thought spending an afternoon and evening in a secluded cabin away from our daily demands would be a great way to help us focus.

The Good: The vacation rental cabin was gorgeous. It had a modern kitchen, two decks and faced a lake. The décor was mountain-themed in a fresh, clean, uncluttered way.  The beds were comfortable, there were plenty of bathrooms, and even the water pressure in the showers was just right. It was a great atmosphere for getting “centered” and getting a lot done. Our cell phone reception was spotty, but a complimentary land-line was provided in advance for that very reason. It was a consideration that added much peace of mind.

The Bad: The cabin was perched atop a winding mountain, with the nearest source of groceries a small gas station at the very bottom. So once at the cabin, there was no easy or quick way to fetch provisions. We made the mistake of putting one of the women in charge of the food, then not thinking too much more about it. The only food she supplied was salad with no dressing. Breakfast and snacking had not been a part of this particular person’s meal plan.

The Final Verdict: I would absolutely return to the same vacation rental home. What I learned: always ask about the proximity of grocery stores in advance and either plan food better as a group and/or bring my own extra provisions.

Who & Why:  My mother, sister and I (who live in different towns) were looking to meet up for an easy, relaxing get-away at the beach where we could bring our dogs. The plan was to cook, eat, sun and soak We weren’t particularly interested in site-seeing or dining out for this trip.  Dog-friendliness, proximity to the beach and a luxurious hot tub were at the top of our wish list.

The Good: As promised, our first-floor vacation rental condo was right on the beach. The water was just steps from our back deck. The deck also had an outdoor table for four and a generous hot tub. Dogs were allowed on the beach, which made for some of my best vacation memories ever. “Discovering” sand crabs. Getting paddled with an unexpected wave. Sniffing at sea shells. Our “little ones” had the time of their lives.

The Bad: Our back deck was sandwiched between that of another guest on one side and the owners on the other. We ended up with more forced interaction than we bargained for, especially since the other guest’s dog died on the trip. The owner was kind in consoling the other guests – over drinks and for hours on end – but it didn’t make for the most cheerful aspect of our relaxing get-away. The bedding configuration was also not what we expected. There was only one separate bedroom with a double bed, plus a futon and a child’s bed in the main living area with a television. While our days were filled with beautiful views, a sandy beach and a bubbling hot tub, our nights were filled with tossing, turning and noise.

The Final Verdict: I would absolutely return to the same vacation spot, but choose a different vacation rental home. What I learned: always ask very specifically about the bedding configuration and let the owners know this is a very important aspect to me.