Notes from the host
The Craftsman Lodge
THE CRAFTSMAN LODGE - A UNIQUE DESTINATION IN BIG CANOE!
IMPORTANT! In order to make the home affordable to large and small groups, variable pricing is in place for 6-12 overnight occupants. The guest will pay an additional $40 TIMES THE NUMBER OF NIGHTS OF THE RENTAL for EACH occupant above a quantity of 5, up to the maximum of 12.
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”
This quote from Gustav Stickley, a leader of the Arts & Crafts Movement over 100 years ago, reflects a concern with quality, simplicity, utility, beauty, and tranquility. You’ll experience this and more at THE CRAFTSMAN LODGE, the MOST UNIQUE guest house in Big Canoe. (Your host also owns and manages “Galt’s Gulch”, one of Big Canoe’s most popular homes, with 200 5-star reviews) 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!) The authentic Stickley prairie-style furnishings and floor coverings succeed in integrating the inside of the home with out-of-doors. When you’re ready to retire for the evening you’ll find that THREE huge master King bedrooms, 2 additional queen bedrooms, and FIVE baths await you.
Tour the Lodge:
MAIN FLOOR: We begin in the front garden, up the stone steps and through the leaded glass entry door and into the slate foyer. On your right is a staircase to the upper level, and on your immediate left, surrounded by massive Craftsman columns, wainscoted walls, and a hand-painting of Big Canoe’s wooded mountainside is the dining room, plus a bar and a half bath. Down the hallway leading to the covered breezeway 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. Note the open floor plan as you continue past the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows into the hardwood-floored 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 grill, dining table, and seating for your entire group; they bring the mountains "into the home".
On the other side of the see-thru fireplace you’ll find the FIRST of several oversized master king bedrooms, with fireplace, ROKU TV, a master bath that’s larger than most kitchens, tiled completely in blue slate (with walk-in shower and raised jetted tub) , and an enclosed deck.
UPPER FLOOR: Now, return to the staircase that you passed upon entry, which will take you up to the balcony overlooking the great room you just visited. Turning right takes you to the upper gathering area, with a 65” ROKU TV and extensive seating. This room leads you either into the home office, or out to the uncovered sun deck overlooking Mt Oglethorpe, with long-range views of the mountains and piedmont. Turning left from the stairway takes you to the SECOND master king bedroom, complete with a sitting area with ROKU TV, and full en-suite bath. This level also has hardwood floors throughout.
LOWER (THIRD) LEVEL: Head back down the staircase to the main floor, and down another flight to the hardwood-floored 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 Bose stereo system, and from there 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.
Before requesting a reservation:
1. Research the area. Big Canoe is a BEAUTIFUL, LARGE, NATIONAL PARK-LIKE NATURALLY PROTECTED MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY WITH PAVED, MAINTAINED, CURVY, INCLINED ROADS. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Review the Big Canoe POA website and internet videos. Your vacation is YOUR responsibility. There are 3 SUMMER OUTDOOR POOLS, 1 YEAR-ROUND INDOOR POOL, FITNESS CENTER, 3 LAKES, 27-HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF, TENNIS (fees applicable to all), plus 25 MILES OF FREE HIKING TRAILS, streams and waterfalls.
2. Completely read my listing and rental agreement. This is a large, beautifully furnished, well-maintained, fully equipped PRIVATE HOME. You will find complete guides and instructions in the home in compliance with the new Dawson County and Big Canoe Short-term Rental Ordinances, which levy significant financial penalties on homeowners whose guests violate community or county laws. If the homeowner is cited for the actions of his guests, the guest will be charged.. Guests must certify to have read the rental agreement, and concur that their stay will conform to all terms and conditions, before arrival.
GUESTS WILL:
1. NOT SMOKE IN THE HOME, DECKS, OR ON GROUNDS.
2. NOT DEVIATE FROM THE NUMBER DECLARED AT BOOKING, WHICH SHOULD REFLECT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS ON ANY DAY OF YOUR STAY. THE NUMBER OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN MUST AGREE WITH THE RESERVATION. The total cost of the rental is based upon the TOTAL number of guests, including infants and children, who will occupy the home over the course of the booking period. Ad-hoc guests/visitors coming onto the property are NOT allowed. The home may NOT be used as a "meet-up" place or dinner/banquet site for unpaid occupants, including bridal parties or pre/post wedding gatherings.
3. NOT BRING UNDECLARED OR UNPAID DOGS TO THE HOME. When booking the property, adding a NON-SHEDDING, 20-LB MAX DOG will generate a $250 weekly charge. Owner MAY approve a larger dog based upon the situation. A second dog, ONLY if approved, will generate a similar charge. Falsification of the booking and bringing non-disclosed or unpaid day or overnight occupants or animals to the home will result in termination of the rental without refund, and eviction from the home.
4. OBSERVE STANDARDS OF CARE AND CLEANLINESS IN THE HOME. I provide plenty of drink coasters, disinfectant, rags, and grill-cleaning materials. BEFORE DEPARTURE, GUEST WILL RETURN ALL COMPONENTS OF THE GRILL AND 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.
5. Completely remove all PET HAIR. Monetary penalties apply per rental agreement.
6. REMOVE TRASH DAILY to the common facility. It may not be placed outside.
7. PARK THREE VEHICLES AS SPECIFIED IN THE RENTAL AGREEMENT. Additional vehicles must be parked in the Big Canoe chapel lot. NO on-street parking.
8. NOT PERMIT PARTYING IN HOME OR ON GROUNDS, AND NO NOISE BEYOND THE PROPERTY LINE OR PUBLIC DISTURBANCES.
9. TRAVEL CURVY, INCLINED, UNLIGHTED ROADS.
10. NOT BRING MOTORCYCLES, RVs, FLATBEDS, BOATS, TRAILERS, OR OTHER TOWED VEHICLES. NO ON-STREET PARKING. . The driveway will accommodate 4 cars, but large pickups and SUVs may reduce that.
11. SUPERVISE THEIR CHILDREN AND PETS WHILE IN THE HOME OR ON THE GROUNDS. PETS MAY NOT ROAM FREE IN THE HOME. VARIOUS HARMFUL PRODUCTS, INCLUDING CLEANING AND DISINFECTING SOLUTIONS AND PEST DETERRENTS, MAY BE PRESENT IN CABINETS AND CLOSETS.
12. WASH ALL DISHES, start a load of towels, remove perishable food, and lock doors upon departure.
13. Notify owner immediately upon arrival of any cleanliness/neatness issues.
14. Determine if they wish to use the outdoor grill. If so, a refundable cleanliness deposit will be collected through this rental company, and returned upon completion of the rental if the grill is left in the same clean condition as found at check-in.
15. Review the home honestly, fairly, and appropriately. Your review should reflect the cleanliness/neatness of THIS HOME, and whether it conforms to the photos and description in this listing. It should NOT penalize the homeowner for things that are out of his control and unrelated to the home, such as Big Canoe roads and amenities, the weather, power and internet outages, accidents or injuries, and minor maintenance issues that do not impact the stay. It is also unfair to criticize the house rules, which were presented to the guest and agreed BEFORE BOOKING. Placing responsibility for these things on the host, or ignoring/circumventing his house rules, is unacceptable. If this is your inclination, I would prefer that you select an alternate property.
IMPORTANT! The stated cleaning fee is $300, a bargain for a home of this size. This covers normal "between-stay" cleaning of the home including towels, linens, basins, fixtures, glass, floors,and countertops. THE GUEST is responsible for returning the kitchen and grill to the clean condition provided at check-in.
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.