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

[Idahodude]

Worldmark resort in Pinetop, AZ is kind of "cabinny". All the units are surrounded by Ponderosa pines and there's forest all around. There are multiple units per building, so not exactly a "cabin in the woods".

Some of the larger units at Giant's Ridge in Biwabik, MN also are full cabins with forest very close, right on a local lake.

Pines resort in Island Park mentioned above would fit the bill best (if sticking with timeshares), but very hard to find. (I've been trying for a while.)

Lots of great cabins throughout the Rockies if you just want to rent one.

 

[applegirl]

I second Warner Springs Ranch

rhonda suggests Warner Springs Ranch, not too far from Temecula. I would also suggest this as a possibility. It's not far from your location and it's a totally different world! It's not quite as mountany and foresty as maybe you would envision, but it has plenty of trees and other fauna and flora to satisfy your wife's desire for out of city experience. According to rhonda, there is lots to do at this resort including natural hotsprings which I did see the one time I stayed there 7 years ago.

We have also stayed at Lagonita Lodge in Big Bear Lake. This was a really great resort located right on the lake (the only t/s property located right on the lake). It's fairly close to the village and lots of nice activities on site. Our favorite was the pontoon boat ride for 2 hours for only $10 a person. What a deal! The guide knows so much and give a wonderful tour and these things normally cost like $100 an hour to rent, so it's a bargain.

These are my two suggestions!

Janna

 

[Carolinian]

Portsmouth Village, Portsmouth Island, North Carolina.

Portsmouth was settled in colonial times and finally abandoned in the 1950s. The island, immediately south of Ocracoke Island, has been uninhabited since. The Park Service took it into the National Seashore system and maintains the village houses, church, and other buildings. The houses can be rented through them. Boat service across the inlet can be arranged in Ocracoke, itself a very out of the way, and laid back place. Ocracoke Island itself is reached by ferry, either from the mainland or from Hatteras Island to the north.

 

[mikey0531]

LOL

Is that me you're referring to? You're right -- I didn't realize it was an old thread. I just looked at the month -- not the year. I usually just open up TUG and read "New Posts" -- I don't know how I ended up there! Let's just blame it on the cold medicine -- I've been sick



Debi

 

[Jeff Pierce]

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.

Here's one for ya. Causway on Gull Lake just north of Brainerd, MN. Beautiful cabins that sit on Gull Lake that connects to 30 more miles of lakes. Rent a pontoon boat right on site and go to lunch. Bikes, paths, trees, great golf nearby. A really beautiful place and well built. I worked there for a few months one summer on my way from Cabo to Hilton Head.

Jeff

 

[Lee B]

Another for Mountain Retreat

I own at Mountain Retreat which, as others stated, is virtually in the middle of a pine forest. Every time I arrive there the fragrance almost makes me cry.

The duplex units have space and amenities, but I love how I can sit outside in three separate parts of my Unit 4 and rejoice in the peace and beauty of the Northern California foothills (4K feet elevation).

Too bad it's with RCI but I've also seen one listed with, I think, DAE.

Lee

 

[PigsDad]

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.

I couldn't agree more. When someone mentions "cabin in the woods", a timeshare resort is the last thing I think of. State, national, and county parks are great resources for a "cabin in the woods". One that I am very familiar with is Hermit Park close to Estes Park in Colorado. In fact, I recently volunteered my time for a day and we did several work projects up there, including building some horseshoe pits. Hermit Park has basic cabins (read: no water / electric) in a fantastic park in the Rocky Mountains. It is about a 15 min. drive to Estes Park, so close enough for food, etc. But it is tucked away in a valley where there is absolutely no noise or light pollution -- fantastic star viewing! Each cabin is far enough away from each other that you can't see or hear other visitors.

Now that's what I call a "cabin in the woods"!

Kurt

 

[MuranoJo]

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

I toured this place shortly after they were built, and they indeed were very nice inside--top-flight set-up for a 'rustic' area. As I recall, they were log cabin construction and individual buildings (vs. condos), and a short jaunt to Yellowstone. However, they aren't right close to water, lake, etc. All t/s in this area are very hard to pull, and I've never seen The Pines online.

Years ago, we rented an old '40's cabin built right on Hebgen Lake (before we got into t/s)...it was a dump in t/s standards, but had indoor plumbing and we loved the little porch overlooking the lake and the tranquility. It has since been torn down.

 

[easyrider]

go to creigslist.com and look at vacation rentals for the area you want to go. We found a few beach houses doing this. There are lots of cabins here to.

Worldmark has quite a few mountain locations. www.worldmarktheclub.com resort gallery

 

[Carolinian]

You also might want to look at some of the country cottages in France, Ireland, and the UK that come up for timeshare exchange at DAE.

 

[Deb from NC]

Ram's Horn Resort in Estes Park, Colorado is another one that comes to mind...

 

[luvsvacation22]

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

Smart minds think alike! We think Mountain Retreat is a hidden gem. My husband likes it better than our Disney timeshares because it is peaceful and quiet-a cabin in the woods. Calavaras Big Trees State Park (the Giant Sequoias) is the next exit off the highway and Lake Alpine is a little further up the highway.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551

http://www.lakealpine.com/
Sorry I just saw the age of the OP! Whoops, but I still feel the same.

 

[pranas]

I second Snowater in Glacier WA. It trades with II but I have been able to pick it up using RCI points (week reseverations section). Place is lovely, fairly isolated, with a mountain stream very close to the units. You can hear the running water from your unit.