[2008] Where to find "a cabin in the woods"

[GetawaysRus]

I make nearly all of our travel arrangements. Each year, I ask my wife for suggestions about where she'd like to go and then I head off to the computer to see what I can do. And each year, she says that she'd like "a cabin in the woods." We live in a suburb to the east of Los Angeles - it's congested, the freeway traffic is getting worse, and the pace is just too fast. So what I think she means by "a cabin in the woods" is a place to get away from it all and just relax, slow down, and feel close to nature.

So I'm going to ask all of you to recommend timeshares that would meet her request. The only requirements are that we generally exchange through Inteval International. I'm looking for rustic, mountains, forest, streams, peace and quiet, relaxation, feeling close to God.

We're in Sedona right now, and this year's pick was a hit, but it's still not the "cabin in the woods" feeling that she talks about.

 

[Passepartout]

I sympathize with you. There are some individual cabins at Island Park, Idaho. About 20 miles from Yellowstone Park. I can't remember the name or what exchange they use. If I come across it I'll follow up. I checked VRBO and there are lots of rentals in that area, but that's not exchange. TPI (I think) handles Island Park Village. These are fairly rustic condos, not cabins, but the reviews are pretty good for the feeling you are looking for.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

Jim Ricks

 

[ricoba]

Have you thought about simply going up to Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear and renting a cabin? We have done that, and it's a nice get away from LA.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Snowater in Glacier, WA might work.

 

[eal]

Glacier Wilderness Resort unfortunately exchanges through RCI but it is literally 11 cabins in the woods, near Glacier National Park in Montana.

 

[debraxh]

That's why we bought our unit at Mountain Retreat. It's not a cabin, but a duplex in a small "resort" of about 30 units. It's not isolated, but the area of big trees in the mountains isn't overpopulated either (at least in the summer when we travel). But, it doesn't trade through II

 

[urple2]

I think if you looked thru the wyndham collection of resorts, you'd find several that would fit the bill.

https://www.wyndhamvacationresorts.com/ffr/resort/details.do most of these though, do trade thru RCI, not II.



A recent stay at Fairfield bay in Arkansas was just as you described. It was a wonderful trip.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

I would second Mountain Retreat in Arnold, having done an exchange there. Very peaceful and quiet and near some small towns and some great lakes and near Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
Liz

 

[Black Diamond]

Try Apple Valley in Ohio!

Apple Valley is as far off the beaten path as they come. The deer are seen amongst the cabins every evening.

 

[freewheelin01]

If you feel like seeing the other side of the country - check out Rangeley Lake Resort (RGY on II). It's in Maine and might work for you...

 

[Sallylee]

Kohls Ranch

Kohls Ranch in Payson, Az has Cabins in the woods overlooking a creek but you have to be specific in your reservations to get the older cabins that are 2 bed 1 bath. They have a few newer manufactured homes 2/2 with wood siding they call cabins but the older ones are the real thing. They also have studios and i beds in the lodge but they are NOT cabins. We are pretty picky about the places we like to go and my DH says that this place is the one place where he can really relax. The older cabins feature a back deck overlooking the creek with a personal hot tub. Not a lot to do there but relax and maybe hike or horseback riding, they have a pool and mini golf. Have seen some bad reviews but we like it a lot....they are cabins in the woods.

 

[labguides]

Westgate Gatlinburg has some units that look like cabins (4 units to a bldg) Our unit backed up to the woods.. we truly felt like we were in the woods.. with the luxuries of a timeshare. Only thing..traffic can be bad in Gatlinburg.

 

[JLB]

When you stop and think about it---having looked at this thread a couple of times before replying---you would think a cabin in the woods would be highly desireable. We know of a number of resorts, including some mentioned and a few here in the Branson area, that are designed to feel like a cabin in the woods, but they really are not.

For instance, Apple Valley, complete with your own personal raccoon and deer, is a cluster of duplexes in a clearing next to the woods.

It would be a great idea, a resort with paths leading to stand-alone cabins actually in the woods. In some places you could have your own personal bear.

My BIL's family has a cabin really, really in the woods, on a National Scenic River in Southern Missouri East of us. It is an absolutely beautiful setting that we have never been able to get a cell phone signal at. We own the lot next to it, riverfront, and were planning on building a home on it.

But it was too in the woods, so we bought here instead.

We have toyed with the idea of re-doing that cabin and using our lot to put up vacation rentals, a truly rustic float-trip/fishing wilderness experience. It is somewhat convenient to St. Louis, Kansas City and Little Rock.

 

[Pit]

Hmmm.... maybe Little Sweden (II code: LSW) in Door County, WI?

http://little-sweden.com/Home.aspx

Or, if you really want to get away from it all, go to vrbo.com and rent a cabin in the north woods of WI or MN boundary waters.

 

[swift]

Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, MT http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?...ResortCode=BSK

From newsletter of Big Sky Condominiums (RCI), which is down the road.

SUMMER

We have had a wonderful, busy summer season. Full to capacity every week! It’s always fun to renew acquaintances and meet new friends from around the country.

To the delight of everyone, Mamma moose and baby have made many appearances on the property, along with the bear and fox. Of course, the beaver are still performing at the waters edge.

 

[Cathyb]

How about Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear -- that's close to you and there are a handful of timeshares in both places???

 

[Elan]

I sympathize with you. There are some individual cabins at Island Park, Idaho. About 20 miles from Yellowstone Park. I can't remember the name or what exchange they use. If I come across it I'll follow up.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

Jim Ricks

I believe you're thinking of The Pines at Island Park. Definitely fits the description of "cabin in the woods". Awesome place, awesome units, and no hints that you're at a timeshare. Good luck finding one, however. I was fortunate enough to rent one from a very nice Tugger a few years back.

Jim

 

[Canuck]

How about Canada! What about Banff, or Canmore? There are time shares, but not cabins. However, you can't get much closer to mountain life then the Rocky Mountains. Very beautiful, tons of nature.....bears as well, cute village of Canmore and Banff for shopping! If you want ocean and forest try Vancouver Island. Tofino is AMAZING, you can rent cabins of all types, there isn't much going on in this area....surfing (yes, believe it or not), hiking, little village but tons of NATURE! Also, another great area is Qualicum or Parksville. This area is more commercial and busy but really lovely and you can rent cabins through www.vrbo.com and there are Time Shares.

http://www.vancouverisland.com/parks/?id=405

Oh ya and I almost forgot Whistler! Tons of Timeshares, but not cabins....great biking paths, hiking, swimming in the lakes. I like Whistler just as much in the summer as I do in the winter! If you golf, there is great golfing. Again, you can probably find cabins on www.vrbo.com

Not sure I helped with Cabins but here in Canada we have lots of great out doors! If I wanted to get away from it all I would pick Tofino!

 

[eal]

Hey Canuck - thanks for the reminder. Our family spent an overnight in Tofino one year while staying for a week at Pacific Shores (timeshare) on Vancouver Island. We stayed in a two-bedroom "cabin in the woods" - here is the link:
http://www.tofinoredcrow.com/cottage.html

 

[pjrose]

Most timeshares are probably more "civilized" than you want. They just about "have to" have pools, kitchens, air conditioning, a front desk, internet, and all the other stuff you may not want in this case.

Most national and state parks rent cabins, quite possibly for much less than a timeshare MF and exchange fee.

 

[lprstn]

The Presidential Resort in Chancelorville, VA has 2 bed, log cabins in the woods and on the lake...

 

[mikey0531]

Cottages at Port Stanton -- about an hour north of Toronto, canada. You probably won't find anything during prime summer -- but maybe at the end of the summer -- or June.

It's a beautiful cottage atmosphere -- very peaceful.

http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=1503&resortCode=OTA&parentResortCode=OTA

Debi

 

[akp]

Check out Bluegreen's Wilderness Club at Big Cedar

WCBC (Wilderness Club at Big Cedar) has cabins and has the feel you're looking for, I think. WCBC is about 15 minutes south of Branson which definitely DOES NOT have the feel you're looking for

WCBC is on Table Rock Lake with boating, hiking, fishing, and a general outdoorsy feel. It is a beautiful resort, but in the cabins, especially the ones along the back side of the resort, feel like you're in a cabin alone in the woods.

Anita

 

[BevL]

Just a note that this thread is a year old - these folks may have been to the cabin and back!! I saw a post by someone who hasn't been around in a while that twigged me that this must be an old thread.

If you're still looking, the post about Snowater in Glacier near Mt. Baker in Washington State would fit the bill. I would think of it as a week in purgatory but it's beautiful country here - only about 40 minutes from where I live.

 

[rhonda]

How about Warner Springs Ranch in north east San Diego? The units are darling adobe casitas (rather than cabins) -- but they have plenty of personality. Relax in the hot springs pool, hike the trails, enjoy the breakfast ride (horseback), try a spa treatment ... or do nothing at all.

WSR does trade through II and if sometimes available as an II Getaway week. You may also book nights through Expedia and other travel websites.

(Disclaimer: Yes, I'm an owner. The ranch is my absolute "happy place" away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. We go often ... )

Edited to add: Oops! Just saw the age of this thread. Sorry ... but my recommendation stands.