FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
We understand that plans may change, but please note our cancellation policy. We will offer a full refund, minus a 6% transaction fee within 24 hours of booking if you find the rental agreement, identity verification, cabin location, or house rules incompatible with your expectations. Cancellations outside of this 24-hour grace period are subject to the following policy:
-Cancellations made at least 30 days prior to the arrival date of the reservation will receive a full refund, minus a 6% transaction fee. For cancellations made within 30 days prior to the arrival date, no refund will be issued. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
-In the event you wish to terminate your booking, Travel Insurance, Damage Protection and any processing or administrative fees are non-refundable. All refunds will incur a 6% credit card processing fee.
-It is the Guest’s responsibility to purchase trip cancellation and/or interruption insurance for unforeseen circumstances such as family emergencies, funerals, bad weather delays, flight/rental car cancellations, job loss, snow/ice, Covid-19 bans/restrictions, early departures, etc. The cabin is in the mountains and may require an All-Wheel Drive vehicle during freezing, snow, and/or ice conditions. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, forest fires, etc. and cannot make your trip, you should seek reimbursement through your travel insurance. No refunds will be given unless there is a mandatory evacuation for the rental location. There will be no changes/refunds due to illness/fear of heights/mountain road conditions/ inclement weather/natural disasters/power or internet outages/acts of God/events beyond the host's control. The guest acknowledges there will be no refunds provided for utilities and amenities affected by severe weather to include power outages and events beyond the host’s control to include mechanical failure of any amenity or component of the rental property.
WHAT ARE THE CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT TIMES?
Check-In / Check-Out Times are in the time zone of the location of the Rental Property. Check-in starts at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM. If you plan on arriving early, please reach out before reaching the cabin as we may be able to accommodate an early check-in. This is NOT GUARANTEED and is based on our cleaning team's schedule. If we can accommodate, we will, if not please be patient with our team as they are working diligently to ensure the cabin's cleanliness for your arrival.
HOW WILL I GAIN ACCESS TO THE CABIN?
To ensure a seamless check-in experience, we've equipped our cabin with a state-of-the-art smart lock system. 48 hours prior to your arrival, you'll receive an email containing detailed instructions on how to access the property, including your unique entry code for the smart lock. This code will grant you hassle-free entry upon arrival, allowing you to start enjoying your mountain getaway without delay. If for some reason you have issues with your code, we can grant you a new code or provide access to physical keys.
ARE THE ROADS TO THE CABIN STEEP AND NARROW?
This cabin is easily accessible and offers a smooth drive with minimal elevation gain. The first part of the road is paved, with only one small uphill section. The final quarter mile transitions from pavement to gravel and includes some narrow turns. We recommend driving at 5MPH through these turns for safety. The gravel portion is relatively flat and, under most conditions (excluding severe winter weather), does not require 4WD or AWD vehicles. After the first drive, navigating to and from the cabin is a breeze. We’ll provide a video of the driveway upon booking to ensure you feel confident and prepared.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING AND WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED?
Due to various tastes and needs, we do not offer toiletries, disposable, or consumable products other than a STARTER kit of toilet paper, paper towels, hand/dish soap, detergents, and garbage bags. We provide enough linens, hand towels, spa/bath towels, and washcloths for the number of guests. Extra blankets can be found in the baskets around the cabin. There is an extra set of bedding for each bed located under the primary bedroom's bed. The cabin is also stocked with dishes, glasses, utensils, and cookware.
NOT PROVIDED: bring charcoal, shampoo/conditioner, firewood, zip locks, foil, coffee/filters, cream/sweetener, tea, etc. should be brought by the guest or purchased locally. Instacart or Doordash can be a convenient option for anything you might have missed.
WHAT KIND OF WILDLIFE FREQUENTS THE PROPERTY?
Spurling Valley Retreat is nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, so it’s not uncommon to encounter local wildlife during your stay. Our property is home to a variety of animals, including deer, wild turkeys, and smaller creatures like squirrels, racoons, and rabbits. Black bears are also occasionally spotted in the area, as they are common in the Smokies. While these bears are typically shy and avoid human interaction, we recommend taking precautions such as securing food and trash, and keeping a safe distance if you spot any wildlife. Rest assured, with a little awareness, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of nature safely.
WHAT ARE THE HOUSE RULES?
No smoking
No pets allowed
No events, parties, or large gatherings
Guests must be at least 21 years old to book
Rental contract must be signed
A refundable $300 security deposit is required for all bookings
Only the authorized number of guests per reservation is allowed
No candles or open flames are permitted within the Rental Property.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES?
You are on vacation, so no cleaning is required. We only ask that guests lock up and remove the trash to the provided bear bins.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL CHARGES?
CLEANING FEE: A cleaning fee of $140 per stay is applied to cover the cost of preparing the cabin for your arrival and ensuring a pristine environment throughout your stay. This fee is already included in your booking/inquiry price.
SECURITY DEPOSIT: For your peace of mind, a rental agreement and a refundable security deposit of $300 is required. A hold will be placed on your card 48 hours prior to your reservation. The hold will be released to you within 5 business days following your stay, provided there is no damage or excessive cleaning required.
FAILURE TO VACATE: No late Check-outs are allowed. If Guest does not vacate the Rental Property by 10AM on their scheduled day of departure, the fee for failing to vacate is $100.00 for each half hour that Guest fails to vacate the Rental Property.
UNAUTHORIZED PETS: Pets are not permitted on the Rental Property. Bringing a pet on the premises is strictly prohibited and will result in a $500.00 charge and immediate eviction from the Rental Property and forfeiture of rent.
SMOKING: No Smoking/vaping/drug use. Smoking/vaping/drug use is not permitted in the Rental Property or within 50 feet of the cabin. Guests who violate this policy will be charged an additional $500, plus the expense of any necessary cleaning. Violations may also result in immediate eviction and forfeiture of rent.
CANDLES/OPEN FLAMES: No candles or open flames are permitted within the Rental Property. Guests who violate this policy will be charged an additional $500, and immediate eviction from the Rental Property and forfeiture of rent.