Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I stay for just one night?
We allow one night stays for $150 plus tax year round if only the one night is available, i.e. that night is stranded with no possibility of staying two nights. (One nights are $175 October and Christmas holidays.) Normal check-in (3PM or later) and check-out (by 11AM) times DO apply as we will be cleaning the cabin immediately prior to your arrival and immediately after your departure.
We do strongly suggest on coming for a visit when you have at least two nights (or more) to really enjoy your cabin!
How many people can our cabins accomodate?
We have designed our cabins to be a romantic couple’s retreat. Our maximum occupancy is 2 adults, no children, by Madison County ordinance. We cannot deviate from this so please do not ask us to do so. (The futon/couch does NOT fold out.)
Is your pricing per cabin or per person or per night?
Our pricing is per cabin per night for one to two people. Packages are per cabin for one to two people for the number of nights indicated.
Do you have any Packages or Specials?
Three Night Long Weekend: Arrive on Thursday or Friday and spend three nights with us, checking out on Sunday or Monday . (Valid anytime except HOLIDAY weekends, or October and Christmas, starting Thursday or Friday nights only.)
Midweek Special: Arrive on Sunday or Monday and spend four nights in a cozy log cabin for two, checking out on Thursday or Friday. (Valid anytime except October, Sun-Wed nights or Mon-Thurs nights only)
Honeymoon Package: Arrive on Sunday to your cozy log cabin for two. Enjoy 5 nights of romantic seclusion, before checking out on Friday. Great for honeymooning couples, or those just wanting to indulge themselves with a lovely romantic getaway! (Valid ANYTIME Sunday-Thursday nights only).
Week Stays: Come stay with us for 7 nights beginning on a Friday or Sunday, with plenty of time to enjoy your hot tub and explore all that our area has to offer!
Do you offer AAA or Military discounts?
Sorry, there are no additional discounts for AAA, teachers, military, etc., as we strive to keep all our pricing low. (We do not charge a cleaning fee or hot tub use fee as many do, and we do donate a portion of the pet fee [if you bring pets] to the local charity.)
We regret we do NOT have any other packages with area merchants (like the Biltmore) as we are simply too small to be able to negotiate any discount for you. We strive to provide you with more and better amenities than anyone else in our area.
Do you have any age restrictions for renters?
We welcome mature adults 18 years of age and older. We cannot allow anyone 17 or younger on the premises as per our insurance.
Can I bring my pets? Do I need flea/tick protection?
Please, bring your pet to any cabin (except The Oak)! The Paw Print features a fenced yard and The Holly features an outdoor kennel. All four pet friendly cabins have a “doggie gate” on the porch. You are not required to keep your pet on a leash, although your pet must be under your control at all times. We have a lovely Meadow that is for all our guests to enjoy, both human and canine! We normally allow two pets to come with you, but contact us if you wish to bring more than two pets and we’ll do our best to accommodate you for an additional pet fee to cover the extra cleaning.
Your $25 pet fee is a one-time fee that covers both of your pets for the entire length of their stay. $50 covers 3-4 pets with prior approval.
We donate $5 of your pet fee to the local spay and neuter program. This means that every time you bring your pet to Hot Springs Log Cabins, you help the animals of Madison County. The animals thank you in advance!!!!!
You are required to have flea/tick protection on your pets. We have designed the cabins such that we can allow pets and also maintain our high cleanliness standards. They are also regularly treated by Terminex. However, flea and tick protection is required as we cannot control what your dog might encounter while using the bathroom outside or going for hikes with you. Nature here may have more insects than your urban/suburban dog normally encounters!
Do you have any breed or size restrictions for dogs?
We welcome dogs of all shapes and sizes! Dogs must be in sight and under your control at all times when outside at the cabins, unless they are enjoying the kennel or fenced yard. We normally allow two pets to come with you, but contact us if you wish to bring more than two pets and we’ll do our best to accommodate you for a small additional pet fee to cover the extra cleaning.
Can I bring my children?
No, we are a retreat for couples only.
Don't you have any cabins for families?
No, we are for two adults only.
Do all of the cabins have hot tubs and where does the water come from? How hot is the water?
Yes, each cabin has a private hot tub on the covered porch and they are open year round. (Especially enjoyable as snow flurries fall!) The hot tub water comes from our well. We rigorously maintain our hot tubs with bromine and proper filtration. And no, a swimsuit is NOT required! We set the hot tubs to 100 degrees although you are welcome to raise or lower the temperature. 104 degrees is the maximum temperature of our hot tubs (set by the manufacturer for health and safety reasons). We work hard to make sure your hot tub is ready and bubbling for you upon arrival as we know they are very important to our guests!
How far apart are the cabins?
The cabins are carefully placed on 11 acres with your privacy in mind. The closest cabins are several hundred feet apart and facing different directions. In summer, you will hardly see any of the other cabins. In winter, you may see the outline of another cabin, but no cabins are side-by-side or face-to-face. If you are two couples looking for two cabins, The Oak and The Hound Heaven (while very private from each other and facing opposite directions) are actually quite close. The Paw Print is the longest walk from the other cabins, but the drive is entirely paved. The Pine has the longest gravel drive and is the most secluded of our cabins.
What is there to do in the area?
Where do we start? There’s great hiking at Max Patch, Rocky Bluff, and the AT, plus rafting and The Hot Springs Spa. Hot Springs has several excellent restaurants too. Please see our Area Info page for details. We also have a “concierge book” in each cabin with maps, brochures, and ideas for how to enjoy yourself in our gorgeous area.
How far are the cabins from Hot Springs?
We are six miles south of Hot Springs on gorgeous NC Highway 209.
How far are the cabins from Asheville and The Biltmore?
We are “about an hour” from Asheville, The Biltmore, Waynesville, and Cherokee. See our Directions page for maps of the area.
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Are there nice restaurants in the area?
There are several excellent restaurants in Hot Springs such as The Mountain Magnolia and Iron Horse Station. Please see our AREA INFO page for details.
What should I bring with me to the cabins?
We have tried to stock the cabins with everything you might need except yourself and groceries. Please see our Amenities page for a complete list of what we provide and what to bring.
Can I do laundry at the cabins?
We have small apartment-sized washers and dryers in each cabin for your convenience only. (We do all the cabin laundry at home.) They are small and easily overwhelmed so we suggest that you only do laundry in them as needed; please do not plan to do a large volume of laundry during your stay. We provide dryer sheets for you to freshen up items or dry hand-washed clothes. For your convenience we do have an extra set of sheets and two extra bath towels in your cabin should you need them. (We would love to replace the washer and dryer with standard size conventional units but space does not permit us that option!)
Do I need wood for the fireplace or charcoal for the grill?
Nope, the fireplace operates year-round at the flip of a switch so you can enjoy the flames any time you like – even in July! The grill is a gas grill and propane is provided.
What about gas and groceries?
Please see our Directions page or your confirmation for suggestions on where to stop for groceries. You will probably want to get your main groceries before arriving at the cabins as Hot Springs does not have the large grocery stores that you might be used to.
Do the cabins have A/C?
Yes, we have installed brand-new high efficiency mini-split units in 2017. Choose your preferred temperature and the cabin will automatically stay at that precise number. They are super quiet but will keep you as cool or toasty as desired.
Do the cabins have a TV?
Yes, you have a 40″ Flatscreen HDTV with DirecTV and a DVD/Blueray player. We get most of the movie channels with the DirecTV Premiere Package. This is a satellite service so can be affected by weather – you will get most channels most of the time, but we cannot guarantee all channels all the time.
What about having a bonfire?
No bonfires, campfires, etc. are allowed on the premises. The risk of a fire spreading is simply too high.
The discharge of fireworks or firearms is also prohibited.
Are there any streams or creeks at the cabins?
No, we do not have any on our property although there are many in the area! The Spring Creek Nature trail is just a few miles from the cabins (at The Rocky Bluff Campground) and features a lovely walking trail beside Spring Creek that gets “4 paws” from our pet guests for exciting smells and swimming! There is also a lovely waterfall on the way to Max Patch.
Can I bring my motorcycle or trailer?
Many guests have enjoyed our cabins on motorcycles. Some have found the access daunting. We want you to enjoy your stay with us so we ask that only return guests who are familiar with our cabins and driveways bring motorcycles. (If you have not stayed with us before and wish to arrive by motorcycle, please consult with Mike prior to making your reservation.) Please no trailers or motorhomes.
Do you have any brochures you could mail to me?
Sorry, we do not have any printed materials or additional pictures as we have included everything on this website.
Do we have our own full bathroom?
Believe it or not, this has become a popular question! Please put your mind at ease that in addition to the full kitchen, hot tub, and washer/dryer, each cabin also has a toilet and 5′ shower (with seats). No trips to the outhouse at Hot Springs Log Cabins!
The interior pictures are all the same, how can I tell which cabin is which?
All five cabins feature the same cozy interior layout and amenities!
How do I make a reservation or contact you with questions?
Please click on the “BOOK NOW ” here or anywhere on our site. You can then access our real time availability program and reserve your cabin safely and securely online at any time 24/7. When you make a reservation with us, we give you our home phone number. If we cannot answer our home phone (for example we are working at the cabins), the calls forward to our cell. You can also use this CABIN INQUIRY form to request a cabin if you would like to mail us a check or pay by paypal. (We will give you our paypal/mailing address.)
EMAILS are the best way to communicate with us! If you have questions that I haven’t addressed on this website, please send us your SPECIFIC questions via our CONTACT US form. You will hear back as soon as the email shows up on Amy’s phone! (Emails come and go more reliably than voicemails when on the edge of service as we often are.) This system allows us to communicate with our guests without any possibility of mistakes/misunderstandings or garbled messages due to poor signal or games of phone tag. Making your reservation online ensures that you get the exact cabin and dates you request, and eliminates the possibility of a mistake on our part!
We want our guests to have looked thru the website and seen all the pictures so that you are reserving a cabin that is right for you! We try to provide you with as much information on our cabins and area activities as possible to help you plan your stay. Once you have reserved your cabin, we will send you an extremely detailed confirmation with lots of information to assist you in having a wonderful mountain getaway. We try to answer all your questions before you can even think of them – including some that might not have crossed your mind! We want you to have a fantastic time during your stay with us and return again and again!!!
Giving our home number only to reserved guests allows Amy or Mike to personally ensure quality customer service for our guests. We are “on call” for our guests 24/7/365. Thank you for your understanding.
Are your availability calendars really accurate? What about cancellations or a waitlist?
Please click on the “BOOK NOW” here or anywhere on our site to access our real-time availability, including any cancellations or reservations made today. (The calendars that are displayed throughout our website are automatically updated every few hours. Similarly, I update the website ASAP if I have dates advertised on the homepage, but there may be a few hour delay between the time a guest makes a reservation online and I am able to update the homepage – sorry!)
If you would like us to notify you if we receive a cancellation, please email us at [email protected].com and we would be happy to do so!
What is your cancellation policy anyway?
Cancellations a month or more before arrival will receive a refund minus a $50 booking fee. Cancellations less than one full month prior to arrival will receive a refund (less $50) ONLY for the days we are able to rebook the cabin.
No shows or early departures are due no refund.
If you do need to cancel, we will make every effort to rebook the cabin if you allow us enough time to do so. Please realize that if you cancel less than a month before your reservation, it may not be possible for us to rebook the cabin. We do not overcharge to compensate for empty nights, hence last minute cancellations affect us greatly. All cancellation notices must be by email. We will respond promptly!
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What is the best time of year to visit?
The beauty of our area is the seasons!!! Everybody knows that the mountains are a cool respite in the summer and gorgeous in the fall. To many of us who live here, the winter is the prettiest time as you can see forever in the crisp air during the day, then snuggle up and feel cozy at night. Spring is quite a marvel too as you can still see very well through the trees, plus have the bonus of the daffodils, dogwoods, apple trees, forsythia, etc. greeting the new season in a riot of vibrant color.
What is the winter weather like?
A vehicle appropriate for winter mountain travel (4WD or AWD) is nice, but most of our guests arrive in regular cars without incident. Generally, the roads are clear and travel is easy most all winter, although there may be days of heavy snowfall. Please plan to arrive before dark in the winter, especially if there is any chance of inclement weather. We are very happy to offer you an early check-in during the winter to ensure that you reach the cabins safely! It’s also a good idea to arrive with all your groceries and beverages so that you can enjoy a day or two “snowed-in” if you get that lucky!
NC Highway 209 from Hot Springs is kept very clear and our main drive is paved so that we can plow and salt as needed. Mike will be over to clear the drive for you on your scheduled departure day and make sure you can get out safely.
If snow is likely or you are arriving after dark, you will probably want to arrive at the cabins via Hot Springs (25/70 from Asheville via Marshall) as this route does not involve any high altitude mountain passes.
What kind of wildlife will I see or hear?
We have deer and turkey around the cabins almost daily, along with squirrels, possums, raccoons, etc. Black bears do live in the mountains but only the very lucky few spot one at the cabins. We are in a country area so you might hear a hound dog or rooster. We love hearing the local rooster crow in the distance!
We have a natural mountain meadow that all of our guests are invited to visit. Perhaps enjoy the sunset with your honey, or a game of frisbee with the pooch? Please expect there to be taller grass and wildflowers during the spring and summer – it is a mountain meadow! You will be rewarded with birds and butterflies and likely deer and turkey too!
Flea/tick protection is required for pets as they will likely encounter more insects here in the mountains than at home. No wildlife will threaten your dog when he is with you. An enterprising dog allowed to roam might find a skunk or porcupine, but we know our guests love their pets and will keep them under their control at all times.
Do cell phones work in the area? Is there a phone at the cabins?
Although we had planned on having a phone in every cabin, our first guests said, “No, we like the peace and quiet!” So we listened to them and put a shared phone on The Pumphouse porch that you can use at anytime to call locally or back home. You can also receive calls on this phone (828-622-9351) if you are there to hear it ring!
USCellular has a tower in Hot Springs so most phones will have some service at the cabins. (AT&T/T-Mobile phones won’t work off this tower.) You may not have enough signal to have a lengthy conversation, but the Pumphouse Phone is available for you to use anytime 24/7. Most phones can send and receive text messages just fine. (Mike/Amy/Lisa all text each other at cabins on iPhone/Android on both Verizon/USCelluar service.)
What about email/internet?
Most people come to our cabins to get away from it all and really enjoy their “Unplugged Vacation”. (Just tell your boss/sister/mother that you have zero reception.) The town of Hot Springs has Bluff Mountain Outfitters and a public library with computers with internet access, or take your laptop/iPad/tablet/phone to The Iron Horse Station and enjoy their free Wi-Fi and a great lunch.
If you have your email on your device as an app, you will most likely be able to send and receive emails from the cabins as Amy does on her Verizon iPhone. AT&T/T-Mobile phones won’t work off USCellular tower in Hot Springs.
What is your minimum stay?
2 nights is our minimum stay. Some 3 night openings will require all three nights to be rented. (One night stays allowed if only one night is available = $150 year round/$175 October & Christmas.) Thanksgiving is a four night minimum stay. Holidays have 3 days or more as a minimum stay. (4 night minimum if 4 nights are stranded.)
What do you consider to be holidays?
Martin Luther King Day (mid-January)
Presidents’ Day (mid-February near Valentine’s)
Memorial Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Thanksgiving (No arrivals/departures on Thanksgiving Day please)
Christmas through New Year’s (No arrivals/departures on Christmas Day please)
Why can't I check in or out on Saturday, or some holidays?
We have found that most people want both Friday and Saturday nights together, not just one. This also tends to cluster our cabin cleanings on Friday and Sundays so we can schedule Terminex and repairs/maintenance and mowing for when the cabins are mostly empty during the day. Fridays & Sundays frequently find Amy and Lisa both cleaning, Mike doing hot tubs and maintenance, and Greg doing mowing or other groundskeeping. While we usually do lots of cabin laundry and answer emails and take new reservations on Saturdays (and our on-call for our guests of course), we do also take that as our “weekend” day to make midday plans with friends and family.
(We don’t offer check-ins or check-outs on Thanksgiving or Christmas so that we can spend time with our families.)
How do I pay for the cabin?
50% deposit due at time of reservation with the balance due one month prior to arrival. We accept Mastercard, Visa, or Discover. Reservations cannot be confirmed or “dates held” until payment is made. Full payment is due at the time of reservation for stays within the next 30 days.
What is your tax rate?
6.75% sales tax plus 5% Madison County bed tax.
Are there any cleaning fees?
No, there are no extra cleaning fees with our cabins! We have a washer and dryer in the cabin for your convenience only – we’ll take care of the laundry! (Bring Laundry soap if you wish to use the washer.) We do ask that you do the dishes prior to departure, or leave $ behind for the housekeeper’s extra time.
There is a one-time $25 pet fee, $5 of which we donate to the local spay and neuter program. The animals thank you in advance!!!!!
I am interested in a cabin, but I am not bringing a pet and I don't want to smell any previous pets!
Of course you don’t and of course you won’t!!! We clean the cabins very thoroughly and you would never know by smell or sight that a pet had previously enjoyed the cabin, other than seeing the “pooch pail” of toys. The cabins are mostly wood, with no carpeting or upholstered furniture so they clean up quite well and easily. The floors are a rustic distressed pine.
How old are the cabins?
Our first three cabins opened in August of 2005, with The Hound Heaven and The Pine opening in May of 2006. The Arabian Nights cabin was completed late 2008 and it is a really neat getaway too. All of our NC cabins got brand new shiny stainless kitchens with granite counter tops and sinks and a new bath vanity with a vessel sink in February of 2017. They will also be getting new HVAC systems and fireplaces summer of 2017. So we will be even better than new!
Whose idea was this anyway?
We’re very proud of our cabins and hope you will enjoy them and all the personal touches you will find within!
We moved here from The Keys, wanting to escape the uncertainty of tropical weather systems and erratic Corporate mismanagement. Mike’s background is retired Air Force and a mechanic. Amy’s degrees were in French, English, & Anthropology, Would you like fries with that?
We both worked for 5 years for a very upscale resort in The Keys as scuba instructors, boat captains, and managers. When it came time to flee the hurricanes, we could find no prettier place on Earth than Hot Springs, NC! We bought the land, designed the cabins, created the website, and just made them into our idea of the elusive “perfect vacation cabin for couples” with everything we always looked for in a log cabin. Our cabins are our dream and we invite you to share it with us.
We make our home on a 20 acre farm (Austin’s Acres) run completely for the comfort and convenience of our Arabian horses. We are also owned by numerous cats and I completely blame any typos on the website or in email correspondence to the quantity of feline assistance I receive on the computer!!!
What airports are closest to Hot Springs Log Cabins?
Asheville Airport is well south of town so allow 1 hour and 15-30 minutes.
Knoxville, TN, and Greenville/Spartanburg, SC, are about 2 hours away.
Charlotte, NC, Nashville, TN, and Atlanta, GA, are about 4 hours away.
What state are you in?
We are in NORTH CAROLINA. If you call us at 8pm on a Friday night from Hot Springs, ANY OTHER STATE, we regret we are unable to physically move the cabin any closer to you. NC and North Carolina are used liberally throughout the website. (I cannot exclude people from TX, AR, or TN from making a reservation with us in NC.)