A Luxurious and Secluded Getaway in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
I recently had the luxury of staying in Georgia’s gorgeous Blue Ridge mountain region for a birthday trip. Mike and I were seeking a nice quiet escape from the city and we definitely got what we were looking for here. This is a beautiful area nestled in the mountains. It’s the perfect base for exploring the Appalachian trail. Mount Laurel Cabin Rentals offers a wide range of wonderful rustic cabin rentals for your Northern Georgia Blue Ridge mountain vacation. Cabins range in size from studio to 7 bedrooms. Prices vary from budget friendly options under $100 to the more luxurious, larger options which can cost several hundred dollars per night. A variety of cabins are available, all within a 25 mile radius from Ellijay and Blue Ridge. Because all cabins are individually owned, amenities and decor may vary.
These are not your ordinary cabins!
All cabins include Satellite TV or cable. The majority also include a DVD player. Most include a washer and dryer. For all other desirable amenities (hot tub, pool table, scenic views), you will be able to individually select each while searching for your cabin. You can also sort your results based on number of bedrooms, location, and type of view.
We spent several nights in Appalachian Promise, a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath in Morganton, Georgia. The property was beautiful, the amenities wonderful, and the view very woodsy.
Appalachian Promise Amenities
- Secluded, wooded view
- Game room (pool table, Foosball table, TV)
- Wi-Fi
- Fire Pit
- Master Bedroom with a private bathroom (including jacuzzi and separate shower)
- Fully equipped kitchen
- 3 decks with rocking/lounger chairs
- 6 person hot tub
- Loft area with a sleeper sofa, game table, and selection of board games
- Movie room (Flat screen TV and couch)
- Gas Fireplace
- DVD Player, Dish Network
What’s included with your rental
- Linens and Bath towels
- A washer and dryer
- All kitchen utensils and supplies. A dishwasher, coffee pot, pots and pans, plates and silverware are all included.
- A starter supply of paper towels, toilet paper, bath soaps, trash bags, and laundry detergent are provided. This supply should be good enough for a 2-4 night stay. Anything longer, you may want to bring with extra supplies.
- A selection of board games (Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Outburst, Pictionary, and more!)
What’s Not Included with your rental
- Groceries/coffee
- Firewood (You can buy a bundle for $5 at Ingles).
- Movies (bring or rent your own at Ingles Redbox).
- Toothpaste
- Hair dryer
A wonderful retreat from the city
Our stay in this cabin was the perfect relaxing retreat escape from the city for a few days. This property is located in a mostly secluded location (we could only see one other property in the distance) and is very quiet. The wooded views are very beautiful. Those traveling from a nearby major metro area like Atlanta or Charlotte will truly appreciate the quiet vibe and the opportunity to relax in such a pristine, wooded setting. It’s the perfect getaway for couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway, families taking an adventure filled mountain vacation, and anyone else looking to get away from hectic city life for a few days.
The highlight of this 3 level rental is the gorgeous variety of decks which all face the beautiful woods. I enjoy relaxing in the Southern style rocking chairs, while taking in the serene views of nature. The hot tub on the lower level is a real rejuvenating treat after a day of hiking, rafting, or horseback riding. During the fall season, you can take in the beautiful fall foliage soaking in the hot tub and enjoying the cooler temperatures. Although Northern Georgia is beautiful any season, you can’t beat the crisp temperatures and bright colors of the dramatic fall season!
Lower Level Amenities
A bedroom (queen sized) with a flat screen TV and charming rustic themed decor. I loved the black bear wall hang and cute knick knacks.
A game room with a Foosball table and pool table. I am a fan of both of these games so this was a fun bonus. There is also a small flat screen TV, perfect for a fun night of football and games!
A movie room with a flat screen TV and Wii game system. A nice quiet room to kick back and watch a film after a long day outside. I love the Dirty Dancing poster.
A deck complete with lounger chairs, a hot tub, and a table. The hot tub complemented the cooler fall temperatures perfectly. The ideal place to relax your muscles after hiking, rafting, and other adventure sports. The setting was spectacular – nothing but the peaceful, quiet views of the woods. I imagine soaking on a cold winter day would be even more of a treat.
Main Level Amenities
A washer and dryer with a starting supply of detergent.
A bedroom (king sized) with a Flat Screen TV and full bathroom. The room was clean and simple. I liked the wood paneling on the walls. Not as much black bear decor as the other room though.
A full sized kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a full sized 6 person dining room table. The setup works out perfectly for longer stays as you can save a lot of money by avoiding pricey restaurants for every meal. It’s nice to have an oven if you do feel like cooking. With views like this who needs a restaurant?
The living room features a satellite TV, a DVD player, 3 leather sofas/recliners, and a gas fireplace. The couches were very comfortable. The fireplace can only be turned on seasonally which is a bit of a bummer. However, the outdoor fire-pit is perfect for warmer months. High ceilings and nice rustic touches added to the secluded mountain in the wilderness atmosphere.
A deck, complete with rocking chairs, a grill, and a small table. We didn’t have much extra time to relax outside, but sitting out here with a coffee or tea surrounded by the trees would be wonderful.
Upper Level Amenities
Master bedroom with jacuzzi bathroom. Also, you get access to a deck with 2 lounger chairs and beautiful wooded views!
Loft area with daybed, games, and a game table.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Appalachian Promise despite generally preferring hotels and resorts over cabin rentals. There are a few areas that need improvement, however, as a whole we enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to others. For the affordability and great amenities, it is definitely a steal. Take a look below at some of my pluses and minuses of the cabin.
Pro’s
*We did not see a single bug in the house. They use electronic bug repellents, which really seemed to work as there were hundreds of bugs on the deck, yet not a single ant spotted inside. I am considering buying a few for my own place.
*The cabin is located in a nice shady, wooded area. Great views from the deck, no sun shining in through the cabin or on the decks. It’s a very peaceful setting with not much in the way of noise. You really feel alone in the woods here. It’s definitely perfect for those looking to get away from it all.
*Plenty of space. The cabin can sleep up to 8. There are so many extra rooms, decks, and amenities to enjoy during your stay. You will not feel cramped whatsoever.
*Very affordable
*Easy and fast check in. Easy check out procedures. Friendly staff at check in office.
*Hiking sticks included. Be sure to bring one with on any area hike. They are great for extra balance, especially trekking up and downhill.
Con’s
*Tons of daddy long legs outside, especially by the patio and fire-pit at night. At times, it was hard to walk due to the heavy infestation.
*TV’s are a bit outdated and could use a major upgrade.
*More rustic/mountain themed decor would be nice in the following areas: bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, and entryway. The rustic theme throughout the house is a bit inconsistent.
*The solar powered lights by the fire-pit were not working. This is unfortunate as it would have been much easier to see at night had they been working.
*The kitchen faucet needs to be repaired – it was not shutting off all the way.
*The hot tub took a long time to heat up.
*Larger windows to take in the wooded views would have been nice. The cabin lacks windows, especially in the living room area.
*Fireplace only operates seasonally.
Things to know
*No pets are allowed.
*Because it is so secluded and you need to take a gravel road, you will want to plan for at least a 20 minute drive into the Blue Ridge downtown area.
*Pricing does not include a mandatory $85 cleaning fee. You must also provide a $200 security deposit when booking (you will receive it back as long as there are no damages).
*A minimum night stay applies throughout the year (for example 4 nights are required during Thanksgiving and 3 during the winter holidays)
*Be prepared for possible wildlife sightings (black bear, etc.) due to the secluded, wooded location. A list of bear safety tips are included with your paperwork at the cabin. We did not see any bears during our stay.
*Most restaurants and shops in the Blue Ridge downtown area close a bit early and some are closed on Sunday. Check individual websites before making the drive.
*Check in time is 4:00pm and check out is 11:00am. Call ahead of time for early check in. You will check in/check out at the Cabin Rental Office and receive/return your keys.
*You may or may not be able to get cell phone service, depending on your provider.
Tips for a great visit
*Be sure to follow check out procedures completely to avoid loss of your deposit.
*Don’t overplan trip activities. After arriving at your beautiful cabin, you will want more time to relax and take in the gorgeous views.
*Bring with your own bottled water or 5 gallon jug.
*Plan anything you need for the trip in advance (food, sunblock, sporting equipment, extra supplies, water) so you do not have to waste your vacation shopping around.
*Pick up a Direction Vacation Guide, located in various locations around the Blue Ridge Main Street area. Here you will find valuable coupons for local restaurants, shops, and activities.
*Plan all activities in advance. Many popular activities like rafting and horseback riding require advance reservations.
*Plan an itinerary in advance. This will ensure that you have more time for fun and relaxation, rather than planning and wasting time searching for activities on the laptop during your trip.
*Leave the laptops, ipads, and cell phones at home! Enjoy a quiet, technology free escape. Hopefully, you are here to relax, not work! Enjoy the secluded, natural views around you at the cabin and at the various activities found throughout the county.
*Check for special promotions on the cabin’s website.
*Ingles Market, with a convenient location in Blue Ridge, is great one stop shop for picking up everything you need (snacks, water, firewood, video rentals, etc.). Save some time and pick up everything at one location.
Recommended Area Activities
Shopping and dining on downtown Main Street in Blue Ridge. You can also schedule a train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail. Check out the short 2 mile round trip hike to beautiful Long Creek Falls, a scenic 50 foot waterfall.
Wildwater Ocoee . Wildwater is the oldest company on the Ocoee River and one of the most popular and exciting rafting adventures around. They offer a range of trips (we took a Class III and IV adventure which was pretty intense). It is located about 30 minutes away in Ducktown, Tennessee. This was actually my first time rafting and I really enjoyed the experience.
Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain in Georgia. You have the option of walking a short very steep trail or taking a shuttle up to a beautiful observing area. Plan plenty of time for the hour drive there and back. This is probably my number 1 recommended activity if you are short on time.
Reservations & Location
For reservations, visit the Mount Laurel Cabin Rentals website.
Check in is located at: 1844 Old Highway 76 Blue Ridge, GA 30513. You will receive all information by email after booking your cabin.
