Since we're five days into the New Year, we want to announce some plans for our Gatlinburg cabins in 2011.
First, the bad news. To help minimize the effect of increases in our costs for both repairs and upkeep, we have to raise our rental rates. So between February 20 and March 1, we will change all the prices on our reservation Web site (IVacationOnLine) to reflect a $10.00 increase in the nightly rates. This will cover all rates except our Holiday rates, which will remain at $179.00 per night.
Here's how it will look:
March 1 to May 26 - old price = $129; new price = $139
May 27 to June 30 - old price = $139; new price = $149
July 1 to Nov 22 - old price = $149; new price = $159
Nov 23-27 - old price = $179; new price = $179
Nov 28 to Dec 15 - old price = $149; new price = $159
Dec 16 to Jan 2, 2012 - old price = $179; new price = $179
Now the good news - and those of you who can plan ahead will really like this! If you make your reservation before we enter the price changes - for any dates this year - you will pay the current (old) price. And because you're a Blog/Facebook reader, we'll even beat that deal by giving you another 10% on all reservations made between now and February 15 - for anytime this year. Just enter the coupon code Blog10 on our reservation site (on the page that opens after you enter your dates). Remember, coupon codes are case-sensitive, so you must enter it exactly as shown.
We will have more to say about some other registration enhancements when we make our "official" announcement about prices. By the way, these prices are still lower than the prices we were charging in 2008 and before.
So if you book your 2011 vacation before February 15 at either Smoky Mountain Tower or All Decked Out, you will save up to 16% off the regular (increased) rates.
What else are we doing? The major work will be done at All Decked Out. We are going to repaint all the main areas (the ones that are yellow now), and we HOPE to be able to afford to replace ALL the carpeting! We also want to replace some of the furniture (especially the leather sectional in the main room). And here's where YOU can help. If there are things you think we should do at All Decked Out, NOW is the time to tell us. Just email us - but do it quickly. We're going to start on this work before the month is out.
At Smoky Mountain Tower, we're going to try to open up the award-winning view some more. That depends somewhat on the willingness of our neighbors to let us top off a few trees, but we'll do everything we can. Of course, both cabins will get a thorough cleaning and maintenance check during January and February. That's when we get fire extinguishers tested and we replace all the batteries in smoke alarms, TV remotes, etc.
As always, we value your comments. Again, just email us. And watch for more news later this month or early next month.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
The storm is over ... and so is the year!
The Gatlinburg Christmas Snowstorm finally ended, with snowfall somewhere between 11 and 15 inches. I can tell you I shoveled more snow in 3 days than I've shoveled in 20 years! But when the sun finally came out, it was beautiful. Take a look:
All Decked Out was truly "all decked out" with snow.
This is the main floor deck, looking off into the woods behind All Decked Out.
But the prettiest sight was the trees, with all the snow clinging to them.
These pictures were taken Monday afternoon. We actually couldn't leave until Tuesday afternoon, because the roads were still bad. I would have taken more pictures, but we were just too busy getting packed up so our guests (who were supposed to be able to get in Monday night) could arrive Tuesday afternoon.
Now the storm is just a memory. And 2010 is about to be the same. We want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who stayed with us in 2010. As we talk with other owners, it's clear to us that we have the VERY BEST guests! So we hope you will come back to stay with us at Smoky Mountain Tower or All Decked Out in 2011. Please keep watching here for some changes we intend to make - especially at All Decked Out. I'll give you just one little hint of something we got installed on this trip ... air hockey!
And here's one more bit of advice. Make your reservations quickly. Between our two cabins, we already have more than 70 nights booked in 2011. And we're getting inquiries every day. You will especially be glad if you make your reservations before February (hint, hint).
Whatever your plans, we trust that you have a blessed and prosperous New Year. We'll look forward to seeing you soon!
All Decked Out was truly "all decked out" with snow.
This is the main floor deck, looking off into the woods behind All Decked Out.
But the prettiest sight was the trees, with all the snow clinging to them.
These pictures were taken Monday afternoon. We actually couldn't leave until Tuesday afternoon, because the roads were still bad. I would have taken more pictures, but we were just too busy getting packed up so our guests (who were supposed to be able to get in Monday night) could arrive Tuesday afternoon.
Now the storm is just a memory. And 2010 is about to be the same. We want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who stayed with us in 2010. As we talk with other owners, it's clear to us that we have the VERY BEST guests! So we hope you will come back to stay with us at Smoky Mountain Tower or All Decked Out in 2011. Please keep watching here for some changes we intend to make - especially at All Decked Out. I'll give you just one little hint of something we got installed on this trip ... air hockey!
And here's one more bit of advice. Make your reservations quickly. Between our two cabins, we already have more than 70 nights booked in 2011. And we're getting inquiries every day. You will especially be glad if you make your reservations before February (hint, hint).
Whatever your plans, we trust that you have a blessed and prosperous New Year. We'll look forward to seeing you soon!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
"The Worst Storm Ever..."
That's what our next door neighbor called this snowstorm - and he has lived up here for more than 15 years. In our area of Chalet Village North, it just stopped snowing - after more than 36 straight hours of snow. I just measured our deck railing - take a look:
That's almost 11 inches - and that's after we cleaned the railing off yesterday afternoon, when it was about 4 inches! If that's true, we have almost 15 inches!
Here's a view of All Decked Out this morning (yes, those white dots are snowflakes):
This afternoon, we walked up to Smoky Mountain Tower to clean it because we had guests arriving today and Ingrid could not get up the mountain. Turned out that our guests couldn't get up either, but it's ready for them when they can. Standing in front of Smoky Mountain Tower is our "cleaning crew" - Kathy, Lindsey, Kyle and Phyllis.
While there, I grabbed a quick picture of the "view" toward Ober Gatlinburg.
Uhhhh - it seems the view is "temporarily unavailable." But it will be back when the weather warms up. Meanwhile, we're stuck - guests can't get up and we can't get down. Kathy and the kids may make it out tomorrow afternoon if it clears up. But I think Phyllis and I may be here for another day or two. And I'm not sure how we'll take care of our guests, who have been so understanding. Stay tuned.......
That's almost 11 inches - and that's after we cleaned the railing off yesterday afternoon, when it was about 4 inches! If that's true, we have almost 15 inches!
Here's a view of All Decked Out this morning (yes, those white dots are snowflakes):
This afternoon, we walked up to Smoky Mountain Tower to clean it because we had guests arriving today and Ingrid could not get up the mountain. Turned out that our guests couldn't get up either, but it's ready for them when they can. Standing in front of Smoky Mountain Tower is our "cleaning crew" - Kathy, Lindsey, Kyle and Phyllis.
While there, I grabbed a quick picture of the "view" toward Ober Gatlinburg.
Uhhhh - it seems the view is "temporarily unavailable." But it will be back when the weather warms up. Meanwhile, we're stuck - guests can't get up and we can't get down. Kathy and the kids may make it out tomorrow afternoon if it clears up. But I think Phyllis and I may be here for another day or two. And I'm not sure how we'll take care of our guests, who have been so understanding. Stay tuned.......
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas from All Decked Out
It's Christmas at All Decked Out in Gatlinburg. Two of our three daughters and their families have arrived and Phyllis is busy fixing our traditional Christmas Eve buffet. As you can see, the tree is decorated and the presents are ready to open...
Phyllis has also temporarily hung her Christmas wreath quilt...
We brought decorations from home, especially our collection of Byers Choice carolers. These special statuette represent our whole family - from left, Tim & Angie, Dave & Phyllis, Kathy, and John & Marcia (plus all the kids). We always display the carolers on the mantle and, as you can see, a few of our stockings are "hung by the chimney with care."
One of the beauties of celebrating Christmas in Gatlinburg is the extra things we can do. For example, as I write this, our grandson, Kyle, is enjoying some quiet moments in the hot tub...
We'll try to post more pictures from Christmas Day. It promises to be interesting, because we're
under a winter storm watch and could get up to a foot of snow.
Of course, Christmas is more than just decorations and presents and stockings and relaxing. It's REALLY about the the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Some 2,000 years ago He was born in a stable in Bethlehem. He came as the Son of God because I am a sinner and needed Him to be God's perfect sacrifice for my sin. Through His death, I now KNOW that I will spend all eternity in Heaven. That's the true Christmas story! So we hope you also have that assurance and will have a very, very "Merry Christmas!"
Phyllis has also temporarily hung her Christmas wreath quilt...
We brought decorations from home, especially our collection of Byers Choice carolers. These special statuette represent our whole family - from left, Tim & Angie, Dave & Phyllis, Kathy, and John & Marcia (plus all the kids). We always display the carolers on the mantle and, as you can see, a few of our stockings are "hung by the chimney with care."
One of the beauties of celebrating Christmas in Gatlinburg is the extra things we can do. For example, as I write this, our grandson, Kyle, is enjoying some quiet moments in the hot tub...
We'll try to post more pictures from Christmas Day. It promises to be interesting, because we're
under a winter storm watch and could get up to a foot of snow.
Of course, Christmas is more than just decorations and presents and stockings and relaxing. It's REALLY about the the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Some 2,000 years ago He was born in a stable in Bethlehem. He came as the Son of God because I am a sinner and needed Him to be God's perfect sacrifice for my sin. Through His death, I now KNOW that I will spend all eternity in Heaven. That's the true Christmas story! So we hope you also have that assurance and will have a very, very "Merry Christmas!"
Monday, December 20, 2010
The best Christmas present ever!
It's Christmas week. Have you finished your shopping? If not, we've got a suggestion.
How about the gift of a 2011 vacation in the Smokies?! Make a reservation this week at either All Decked Out...
...or Smoky Mountain Tower...
...and we'll give you a Christmas discount!
This is a special offer ONLY available to our blog and Facebook friends. It's not even listed on our Web site! Here's the deal:
Book at least 3 nights between January 2 and May 26 and we'll take 10% off the already-low-price of $129.00 per night. That means you'll only pay $116.10 (plus tax).
That's almost certainly going to be the lowest price you'll pay this year. Because we're pretty sure prices will have to go up in either February or March. When we announce our price increase, we'll give past guests the opportunity to book at the current rate. But YOU have the best choice of dates if you book THIS WEEK. And you get the discount!
To get this special price, enter the coupon code CHRISTmas10 exactly as shown (see instructions below). Remember, you must book at least 3 consecutive nights, and you have to make your reservation by Christmas night. If you have any questions, write to us.
Now, here are the instructions:
-Select your vacation property and go to the Web site:
-All Decked Out - www.SmokiesRentDirect.com/All-Decked-Out
-SmokyMountainTower - www.SmokyMountainTower.com
-Click the "Book Online Now" button on the Web site. This will open a new page at our IVOL reservation site.
-Enter your arrival and departure dates, then click "Review & Book."
-On the page that opens, scroll down to the "Coupon Codes" section. Enter the coupon code shown above. Be sure to enter it exactly as shown - coupon codes are case-sensitive. After entering the code, click "Redeem." You will see that the price has changed to deduct the 10%.
-Now just complete all the information requested, click "Book Online Here" at the bottom of the page, enter your credit card information and make your reservation.
If you have any questions, please contact us immediately. We'll get back to you as quickly as we can (we have some travel planned this week and will be away from the computer at times).
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
How about the gift of a 2011 vacation in the Smokies?! Make a reservation this week at either All Decked Out...
...or Smoky Mountain Tower...
...and we'll give you a Christmas discount!
This is a special offer ONLY available to our blog and Facebook friends. It's not even listed on our Web site! Here's the deal:
Book at least 3 nights between January 2 and May 26 and we'll take 10% off the already-low-price of $129.00 per night. That means you'll only pay $116.10 (plus tax).
That's almost certainly going to be the lowest price you'll pay this year. Because we're pretty sure prices will have to go up in either February or March. When we announce our price increase, we'll give past guests the opportunity to book at the current rate. But YOU have the best choice of dates if you book THIS WEEK. And you get the discount!
To get this special price, enter the coupon code CHRISTmas10 exactly as shown (see instructions below). Remember, you must book at least 3 consecutive nights, and you have to make your reservation by Christmas night. If you have any questions, write to us.
Now, here are the instructions:
-Select your vacation property and go to the Web site:
-All Decked Out - www.SmokiesRentDirect.com/All-Decked-Out
-SmokyMountainTower - www.SmokyMountainTower.com
-Click the "Book Online Now" button on the Web site. This will open a new page at our IVOL reservation site.
-Enter your arrival and departure dates, then click "Review & Book."
-On the page that opens, scroll down to the "Coupon Codes" section. Enter the coupon code shown above. Be sure to enter it exactly as shown - coupon codes are case-sensitive. After entering the code, click "Redeem." You will see that the price has changed to deduct the 10%.
-Now just complete all the information requested, click "Book Online Here" at the bottom of the page, enter your credit card information and make your reservation.
If you have any questions, please contact us immediately. We'll get back to you as quickly as we can (we have some travel planned this week and will be away from the computer at times).
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The weather and the VIEW
In my last post, I promised a weather update. We intended to be back in Gatlinburg earlier this week. But God decided otherwise. The roads were too icy on Tuesday for us to get up the mountain, so we just came on home. We're praying for our guests who are arriving today, because there was freezing rain in the area overnight. Please, God, make it warm up so Rachel and her group can get up the mountain. They already switched from Smoky Mountain Tower to All Decked Out on the possibility that the road up to Smoky Mountain Tower will be icy!
Speaking of Smoky Mountain Tower, I promised you the latest pictures of the view. So take a look:
Looking west toward Ober Gatlinburg (the white patch left center just below the top of the mountain is one of their ski runs)
A zoom shot of Ober Gatlinburg.
Here's a panoramic shot showing the whole view. See, we're correct when we say "from Mt. LeConte to Ober Gatlinburg and beyond!" (Click on the picture for a larger view.) And you can also see why TripAdvisor named this view one of their "Best Vacation Rental Views" - the only one they chose in the Smokies!
And here's one more shot, showing the road as it comes up to Smoky Mountain Tower. Yes, there are other houses along the road, some occupied by permanent residents. But there is still plenty of privacy.
Of course, all these were taken last weekend before the snow fell. We expect to be back in Gatlinburg next week, so we'll try to get some "snowy" pictures. Meanwhile, have a wonderful Christmas season!
Speaking of Smoky Mountain Tower, I promised you the latest pictures of the view. So take a look:
Looking west toward Ober Gatlinburg (the white patch left center just below the top of the mountain is one of their ski runs)
A zoom shot of Ober Gatlinburg.
Here's a panoramic shot showing the whole view. See, we're correct when we say "from Mt. LeConte to Ober Gatlinburg and beyond!" (Click on the picture for a larger view.) And you can also see why TripAdvisor named this view one of their "Best Vacation Rental Views" - the only one they chose in the Smokies!
And here's one more shot, showing the road as it comes up to Smoky Mountain Tower. Yes, there are other houses along the road, some occupied by permanent residents. But there is still plenty of privacy.
Of course, all these were taken last weekend before the snow fell. We expect to be back in Gatlinburg next week, so we'll try to get some "snowy" pictures. Meanwhile, have a wonderful Christmas season!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Smoky Mountain Tower weather
It's Sunday night, December 12. We were at Smoky Mountain Tower Friday night to put up some Christmas decorations - including our small Christmas tree in the Sunroom.
We left Smoky Mountain Tower yesterday afternoon to drive to Lebanon, TN for our grandson's church Christmas program. The plan was to attend the program, then go back to Gatlinburg tomorrow (Monday) and finish the decorating at Smoky Mountain Tower - and to get some decorating done at All Decked Out.
But we may be stuck here in Lebanon for awhile. It's snowing VERY hard and is very slippery and ... wait, it's worse than I thought. Marcia just called (she had taken Nathan to the church) to tell us the program has been canceled! She said it's really coming down and the roads are treacherous.
And take a look at this forecast for Gatlinburg:
JOHNSON-COCKE SMOKY MOUNTAINS-SOUTHEAST GREENE-UNICOI- SOUTHEAST CARTER-BLOUNT SMOKY MOUNTAINS-SEVIER SMOKY MOUNTAINS- SOUTHEAST MONROE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.MOUNTAIN CITY.CEDAR CREEK.ERWIN.ROAN MOUNTAIN.CADES COVE.GATLINBURG.COKER CREEK
We'll keep you posted - especially if we ARE able to get back to Gatlinburg in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, I took some pictures of the view at Smoky Mountain Tower yesterday and I'll post them in a couple of days. Then you'll see again why TripAdvisor named Smoky Mountain Tower as one of the top 10 vacation rental views in America!
We left Smoky Mountain Tower yesterday afternoon to drive to Lebanon, TN for our grandson's church Christmas program. The plan was to attend the program, then go back to Gatlinburg tomorrow (Monday) and finish the decorating at Smoky Mountain Tower - and to get some decorating done at All Decked Out.
But we may be stuck here in Lebanon for awhile. It's snowing VERY hard and is very slippery and ... wait, it's worse than I thought. Marcia just called (she had taken Nathan to the church) to tell us the program has been canceled! She said it's really coming down and the roads are treacherous.
And take a look at this forecast for Gatlinburg:
JOHNSON-COCKE SMOKY MOUNTAINS-SOUTHEAST GREENE-UNICOI- SOUTHEAST CARTER-BLOUNT SMOKY MOUNTAINS-SEVIER SMOKY MOUNTAINS- SOUTHEAST MONROE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.MOUNTAIN CITY.CEDAR CREEK.ERWIN.ROAN MOUNTAIN.CADES COVE.GATLINBURG.COKER CREEK
257 PM EST SUN DEC 12 2010
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST TUESDAY.
* TIMING: SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. SOME SNOW SHOWERS MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES. DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS CAN BE EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH TUES MORNING.* ACCUMULATIONS: EXPECT TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION BY MON EVENING OF 4 TO 8 INCHES IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS.WITH 8 TO 16 INCHES POSSIBLE OVER THE HIGHER MOUNTAINS.
* WINDS: SUSTAINED WINDS WILL BE BETWEEN 15 & 25 MPH SUN NIGHT & MONDAY.WITH GUSTS BETWEEN 30 & 40 MPH AT TIMES. BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED. WIND CHILL VALUES WILL DROP TO BETWEEN 5 BELOW & 15 BELOW ZERO AT TIMES.
* IMPACTS: SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS.BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW.& DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE EXPECTED IN THE MOUNTAINS. ROADS MAY BECOME EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS.& ANYONE OUTDOORS SHOULD PREPARE FOR BITTER COLD CONDITIONS. BLOWING SNOW MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE AT TIMES.
So I don't think we'll be going back to Gatlinburg tomorrow! Why am I writing about this? Because weather CAN be a problem during this time of year. That's why we really encourage our guests to purchase the travel insurance offered by our reservation site, IVacationOnLine. You can get more details through our Web site - www.SmokiesRentDirect.com/travel-insurance.We'll keep you posted - especially if we ARE able to get back to Gatlinburg in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, I took some pictures of the view at Smoky Mountain Tower yesterday and I'll post them in a couple of days. Then you'll see again why TripAdvisor named Smoky Mountain Tower as one of the top 10 vacation rental views in America!
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