THE CRAFTSMAN LODGE - A UNIQUE DESTINATION IN BIG CANOE! At an elevation of nearly 3000 feet, you’ll enjoy breathtaking 50-mile views of the Georgia piedmont and the City of Atlanta (a MUST-SEE at night!)
IMPORTANT! FIRST, in order to make the home affordable to large and small groups, variable pricing is in place and automatically calculated in your quote. The guest will pay an additional $40 TIMES THE NUMBER OF NIGHTS OF THE RENTAL for EACH occupant above a quantity of 5.
SECOND, my house rules are in place to protect the property, to keep my housekeeper's workload at a reasonable level, to conform to community laws, and to keep the home ready to receive guests". All rules and expectations are clearly presented in this listing., expected to be understood by applicants before booking, and will be enforced. As you read them, you should ask yourself if you'd set the same expectations for unfamiliar persons entering YOUR home. .Remember, you are a guest in MY personal residence, even though you are paying to be here. It is not a hotel.
Tour the Lodge:
MAIN FLOOR: Entering from the front garden, and through the leaded glass entry door, n your right is a staircase to the upper level. On your left is the formal dining room, plus a bar and a half bath. Further into the hallway is the laundry. Take a right into the fully equipped granite/stainless chef’s kitchen, featuring Bosch and Wolf appliances; Mt. Oglethorpe appears right outside your window. The kitchen includes an elevated peninsula with seating for five, PLUS a large windowed nook with seating for six more. There is a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the great room, with 25-foot vaulted beamed ceilings and a massive stacked-stone see-thru fireplace. These windows look out over the main veranda, with dining table, and seating for your entire group. On the other side of the see-thru fireplace is the FIRST of 3 oversized master king bedrooms, with fireplace, ROKU TV, a master bath that’s larger than most kitchens, (with walk-in shower and raised jetted tub) , and an enclosed deck.
UPPER FLOOR: The staircase will take you up to the balcony overlooking the great room Turning right takes you to the upper gathering area, with a 65” ROKU TV and extensive seating. From here you can either enterthe home office, or exit to the sun deck overlooking Mt Oglethorpe, with long-range views of the mountains and piedmont. On this floor is the SECOND master king bedroom, with a sitting area with ROKU TV, and full bath.
LOWER (THIRD) LEVEL: The lower staircase takes you to the lower (or third floor) level. Here you’ll find the THIRD king master bedroom, with TV and full en-suite bath and private deck. This level also has 2 more queen bedrooms (one with an additional bunk bed, one with a private deck) and jack-and jill double bathroom.
TERRACE LEVEL (the LOWEST level or FOURTH floor). Proceed down the staircase to the billiard room with full-size pool table and into the bar/gathering area with a THIRD fireplace, ROKU TV and seating area with rustic lodge and live-edge furnishings. This level exits onto a deck, a level back yard, and a fenced play area.
This luxury executive guest house features high-end appointments, furnishings, and amenities. Unlike most short-term rentals, it is also the private residence of the owner when not hosting guests. Guests will have private and complete access to the entire home, but the detached carriage house across the breezeway is unavailable, as it may be used periodically by the owner. All guests will be required to exercise standards of care and behavior consistent with the quality of the property, per the rental agreement.
The following are YOUR responsibilities, before requesting a reservation:
1. RESEARCH THE AREA. Big Canoe is a MOUNTAIN community w/ PAVED, CURVY, INCLINED ROADS. If bothersome, this community may not be appropriate. Make sure the activities, and availability of stores and restaurants fit your needs. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, and review the Big Canoe POA website and internet videos. There are 3 SUMMER OUTDOOR POOLS, 1 YEAR-ROUND INDOOR POOL, FITNESS CENTER, 3 LAKES, 27-HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF, TENNIS, PICKLEBALL (FEES APPLY TO ALL). 25 MILES OF FREE HIKING TRAILS, streams and waterfalls.
2. COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND my listing and rental agreement. This is a large, beautifully-furnished/maintained, fully equipped PRIVATE RESIDENCE - NOT a cabin or hostel. It is subject to community and county laws and house rules. Guests must certify to have read the rental agreement, and concur that their stay will conform to all terms and conditions, before arrival. Guest agrees to pay for Big Canoe violation charges (usually speeding).
3. Read my reviews/ responses. Guests CONSISTENTLY rate my home as sparkling clean and completely consistent with the pictures and description in the listing, with clear and easily understood HOUSE RULES. Certain guests have also left retaliatory negative reviews when I have been required to enforce the rental agreement and cleanliness commitments. GUESTS WILL:
1. NOT SMOKE ANYWHERE ON PROPERTY, IN THE HOME, OR ON DECKS,
2. NOT DEVIATE FROM THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS DECLARED AT BOOKING. WHICH IS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS ON ANY DAY OF YOUR STAY. Ad-hoc guests/visitors coming onto the property are NOT allowed. The home will NOT be used as a "meet-up" place or dinner/banquet site for unpaid occupants.
3. NOT BRING UNDECLARED OR UNPAID DOGS TO THE HOME. If approved, a MAXIMUM 20-LB, non shedding, house-trained DOG will generate a $250 weekly charge. Falsification will result in termination of the rental, and eviction from the home.
4. OBSERVE VRBO/ABB STANDARDS OF CARE AND CLEANLINESS IN THE HOME. Drink coasters, cleaning supplies, rags provided. BEFORE DEPARTURE, GUEST WILL RETURN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES TO THE CLEAN STATE FOUND AT CHECK-IN. GUEST WILL ADDRESS ANY SCUFFS, GRIME, DIRT, FOOD, OR LIQUIDS LEFT ON WALLS, FLOORS OR FURNITURE. DUE TO ABUSE OF GRILL PRIVILEGES, USE IS SUBJECT TO A CLEANING FEE OF $25/NIGHT, MINIMUM $100 PER STAY, ONLY APPLICABLE IF GUEST ELECTS AT TIME OF BOOKING TO USE GRILL. GRILL AVAILABLE MEMORIAL DAY thru LABOR DAY ONLY.
5. Completely remove all DOG HAIR. NO DOGS ON FURNITURE or in tubs.
6. REMOVE TRASH DAILY to facility. NO TRASH PICKUP. May not be placed outside.
7. PARK MAX 4 VEHICLES IN DRIVE. Additional vehicles in the Big Canoe Chapel lot. NO on-street parking.
8. NOT PERMIT PARTYING IN HOME OR ON GROUNDS. NO NOISE BEYOND THE PROPERTY LINE. NO PUBLIC DISTURBANCES. Guest willreimburse host for any fines or charges for violations of Big Canoe rules and regulations, including speeding, parking, and noise. These charges may not appear until after guest's departure.
9. TRAVEL CURVY, INCLINED, UNLIGHTED ROADS.
10. NOT BRING MOTORCYCLES, RVs, FLATBEDS, BOATS, TRAILERS, OR OTHER TOWED VEHICLES.
11. SUPERVISE CHILDREN. Safety is YOUR responsibility.
12. WASH ALL DISHES, start a load of towels, and comply with departure checklist.
13. Notify owner immediately upon arrival of any cleanliness/neatness issues.
14. EXPECT minimum $100 grill cleaning charge before grill privileges will be granted.
15. REVIEW THE HOME honestly, fairly, and appropriately. Review should reflect the cleanliness/neatness of THIS HOME, and its consistency with the photos and description in this listing. It should NOT penalize the homeowner for things that are out of his control, unrelated to the home, and of which guest is advised (such as Big Canoe roads and amenities, the weather, power and internet outages, accidents or injuries, and unavoidable maintenance issues). It should not criticize the house rules, as these have been presented to the guest and agreed BEFORE BOOKING. If this is your inclination, I would prefer that you select an alternate property. I am more interested in attracting quality guests than in maximizing my occupancy percentage.
Payment: 50% at booking, balance 30 days before arrival. Cancellations: full refund of amount paid if cancelled 60 days before arrival date.
Please message me through VRBO before requesting a booking. Kindly provide some information about your group, your plans while in Big Canoe, and your prior VRBO rental experiences. Thanks for your interest.