Sweet Retreat Cabin - Big Canoe

Big Canoe is a gated community. Guest must submit drivers' names before check-in to be added to the gate attendant's list.

Guest must sign a rental agreement before check in. Code for front door will be activated on morning of check-in only if signed rental agreement has been received.

By choosing to book, guest agrees to abide by the following house information and rules.

1. The front door code will be sent to you the day before check-in once all payments have been made and this Rental Agreement has been completed, signed, and returned. We assign a new code for each guest, so your privacy and security are protected.

2. Big Canoe is an 8,000 acre, mostly-forested community that’s recognized by Georgia Audubon as a nature preserve. Our cabin sits on a mountain ridge surrounded by forest all around it. Even though we have regular preventative pest control service, such service cannot keep out 100% of the bugs, especially with doors open to load/unload, and deck doors frequently opened to enjoy the mountain air. Although we would like to be notified if you see any bugs in the house, please be aware that a bug here or there does not constitute grounds for a refund—either full or partial.

3. The cabin will contain a complimentary supply of soap, shampoo, toilet paper, trash bags, and coffee, along with the staples you would expect like salt, pepper, sugar, pots & pans, skillets, dishes, etc. If you have any specific questions about what’s available, please ask. We know how hard it is to pack for a vacation, so we’re always open to answering any questions you may have. We stock the supplies with quantities that should suffice for your entire stay with “average” use. If you expect your traveling party may use more than average, please supplement by bringing an additional supply (example: if several people in your group drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day, you may want to bring additional coffee.)

4. Our cabin is one of the original “Plummer Cabins” in Big Canoe. It was built with large pine tongue-and-groove plank floors, which have settled and contracted over the years causing a squeak here and there and a couple spots that are just slightly uneven. This is one of the things we love about the cabin that gives it that rustic, lodge feel that you don’t get with new construction.

5. Please let us know immediately of any problems, issues, or broken/missing items upon arrival or during your stay. We will make every effort to resolve the issue to cause as little impact on your stay as possible. We inspect the cabin, utilize a supply checklist, and have a video of the cabin taken after every cleaning to ensure we’re offering you the best accommodation from the very beginning.

6. Please utilize common sense to keep valuables locked when not in your possession. By utilizing the cabin, all guests acknowledge the owners are not responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of guests’ personal property, and are not responsible for any personal injury.

7. All our TVs are connected to the internet via a FireTV or Roku device and allow streaming. Although there are numerous free channels offered through these services, including many movie channels, you may prefer to bring your own streaming log-in credentials. If you use your account, please be sure to log out before you leave. We do not clear TVs of all accounts in between guests and are not responsible for future guests that may use your account if you forget to log out.

8. Beginning summer 2023, a house is being built (roughly 100 feet away) on the lot beside us, and you may experience some construction noise, especially if outside on the decks during the day. The work usually ends by mid-afternoon, and has been hardly noticeable from inside the cabin for previous guests.


House Rules

1. No smoking/vaping of any kind in or around the house or property (to include, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping, etc.). Property includes driveway, decks, porches, etc. Violation of this rule will result in all guests being asked to leave immediately with no refund of past or future nights. Upon cleaning, any evidence of smoking will result in being charged an additional ozone/cleaning fee of not less than $150. If anyone in your traveling party cannot agree to this rule, please take advantage of the 48-hour free cancellation now.

2. No pets are allowed. We love pets too, but we don’t love the messes they make, and we want to help make sure our cabin is inviting even to people with severe pet allergies. Plus, the gaps in our pine plank flooring can be susceptible to snagging little pet claws. If there is evidence of a pet at the cabin or on the premises, you will be asked to vacate the premises immediately with no refund of past or future nights. You will also be charged an additional deep cleaning fee of no less than $150. If anyone in your traveling party has to travel with a pet, please take advantage of the 48-hour free cancellation now and change to a pet-friendly location.

We absolutely recognize the difference in pets and true trained service animals which provide a medical service to their handler. Although we strongly feel our cabin is not conducive to animals, we do follow the ADA law to allow service animals. If anyone in your group will be bringing a service animal on your trip, please answer the following legally-allowed questions before you occupy the cabin. Failure to answer the questions before arrival will constitute forfeiture of any rights given to service animals, any animals present will be treated as a pet, and the above pet policy will apply.

a. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
b. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

A service animal must be under the control of its handler. They may not be left alone without their handler for any significant amount of time. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. Service animals are not allowed on any furniture unless required to perform their medical function. Any damage caused by service animals is not protected by the ADA, and repair may be charged to the responsible party. Any excessive cleaning required because of a service animal is not protected by the ADA and may be subject to an additional cleaning fee charged to the responsible party.

3. Do not flush any products down the toilet except toilet paper. No tampons, feminine napkins, paper towels, etc., as these products can severely damage the septic system. All trash cans have plastic liners and should be used to dispose of these items.

4. Do not disconnect or otherwise disable any internet or WiFi connections. Our thermostat, TVs, and front door lock all depend on an internet connection. Do not disconnect, obscure, or otherwise disable the front porch security camera. Deliberate and/or repeated violations of this house rule could result in a reconnection fee, cancellation of your reservation without refund, or both. The exception to this rule is our Amazon Echo device in the living room (internet café cubby). You can use the Echo device to play music, control the TV in the living room, and much more. The wake work is "Alexa". Although we would never use the Echo as a listening device or save any recordings, we completely understand that some people are uncomfortable with any smart speakers being utilized. If you prefer, feel free to unplug the Echo at the device itself. Just pull the cord from the back of the unit (it's the small round black device in the front of the shelf).

5. Any children allowed on the deck must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Even though a sturdy wood railing is in place, our deck is quite high in some places, and children have a tendency to want to climb. You can never be too careful with the safety of young children at such heights.

6. We reserve the right to not rent to individuals under age 25, and to require an adult over 25 to sign as the responsible party. The responsible party must remain at the cabin the entire length of stay. We reserve the right to require an ID before check-in. Regardless of age, the person(s) signing the rental agreement is/are responsible for all damages to the property caused by anyone staying or visiting the unit.

7. Big Canoe has community-wide quiet hours of 10pm-7am. Most residents in Big Canoe are full-time residents, and may complain if noise is a problem. We want you to be able to enjoy your vacation; however, noise complaints can severely jeopardize our ability to continue renting our cabin, so we must strictly enforce this noise ordinance. If a complaint is received, the guests will be contacted and politely reminded of the quiet hours. For any additional complaints, we reserve the right to cancel the remainder of your reservation without refund. We certainly don't want to take this approach, but will choose to do so if we feel our rental permit may be in jeopardy.

8. Big Canoe prohibits outdoor fires, with the exception of propane fire pits like the one on the back deck. Do not attempt to burn any material in the propane fire pit. Do not start or attempt to start any other fires on the deck, yard, or property.

9. You will likely see various forms of wildlife in Big Canoe. Deer, turkeys, and even bears make this pristine area their home. Do not attempt to feed or otherwise interfere with any wildlife you encounter. For this same reason, please do not place any trash outside of the cabin, including on the deck or inside the screen porch. Excess trash can be taken to the waste facility near the North Gate if necessary.

10. Please only park in the driveway or parking pad at the top of the driveway. There is ample room for parking at least 5 vehicles on property.
No smokingNo petsNo parties or eventsCheck-in is anytime after 4:00 PM