Great Cabin Getaways for Winter Relaxation
January 29, 2018This winter, shake things up! Leave the house and enter the natural beauty of the Mountain State. Southern West Virginia ups the coziness factor with cabins, luxury B&Bs, and warm hospitality.
Four Fillies Lodge
Nestled in a woodland glen, the Peterstown retreat beckons with spellbinding charm. It unfolds before you like a storybook. There are mossy forests, gurgling brooks, and still ponds. But unlike a fairytale, this place is very real.
At Four Fillies Lodge, relaxation comes in the form of six “rustic chic” cabins. They date all the way back to the 1860s. But here’s the thing: each one has been luxuriously restored. Every abode has a theme, too, ranging from cowboys to boating. The Fishing Creek Cabin, for example, is an intimate 712 square feet. The soothingly dark home has a cozy loft, plump beds, and fat armchairs. Settle in and listen to a creek trickle outside. It’s a magical setting, one that “Barnyard Builders” featured on TV.
There’s also the masculine Cowboy Cabin. Tastefully decorated with Native American-inspired blankets, lanterns, and pioneer chic, the 1,500 square footer transports you out west. Don’t forget to ask about the Creekside cabin, either. Situated along a creek bend, it features a view of the swimming hole and willow tree. Inside, warm walls and “rustic” log beds invite you to curl up with a book.
You can also host events at Four Fillies Lodge. There’s a wooded venue for weddings, a barn for celebrations, and more. Each is just as enchanting as the cabins. The forest setting, for example, is inspired by Tolkien’s Rivendell. You follow a garden path, cross a bridge, and enter a hushed glade. Lanterns and natural “doorways” add to the magic.
The main barn is equally compelling, though for different reasons. It’s more like a Viking hall. There’s a massive stone fireplace, huge antler chandelier, and heavy wooden beams. Long dining tables fit plenty of guests. But if that’s not enough, extra friends can flow upstairs to an open gallery or sit beneath a screened patio.
Regardless of which venue you choose, it will be an event your friends and family won’t forget. And if you want to experience more than what’s available in the wooded wonderland, you’re just a few mountain bends away from the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in Union; the historic Laurel Creek Covered Bridge in Greenville; and the Fountain Springs Golf Course in Peterstown.
Comfortable, fancy, and relaxing, a getaway at Four Fillies Lodge is simply unforgettable.
Opossum Creek Retreat
Situated in the heart of one of the adventure capitals of the world is Opossum Creek Retreat. The Lansing hideaway is minutes from world-class whitewater rafting, climbing, and hiking. It’s also a stone’s throw from one of America’s “Coolest Small Towns.”
“Our proximity to Fayetteville and the New River Gorge makes our cabins, which are tucked away in a quiet area, a great place to rest and relax after a day of adventures,” said Geoffrey Heeter, Opossum Creek Retreat’s managing partner.
Opossum Creek Retreat has been in operation since 1995, when Heeter built the first cabin “from scratch.” Now there are 7 more. Each features private seclusion from the other cabins, plus a hot tub, kitchenette, comfortable beds, gas fireplace, wifi, gas grill and more.
“They’re elegantly simple and simply elegant,” Heeter said, referring to a former guest’s comments.
That’s his goal. He wants Opossum Creek to debunk the popular misconception that cabins are hunter shacks. Instead, Heeter and his team make each dwelling bright and comfortable. “Over the Hill” is one notable example. Perched on a rock outcropping, it rises above the forest like a grown-up tree house. In fact, canopies whisper and flutter beneath your deck and hot tub!
“El Gordo” is another favorite. When a powerful storm destroyed old-growth trees on his property, Heeter “recycled” them into a new cabin. “The Fat One” is the result! Even the headboards and end tables are handmade. It’s also very energy efficient. Award-winning technology makes this 10-person cabin snug yet environmentally friendly.
For big families or events, Opossum Creek features a house that can host up to 20 guests. “The Meadows” boasts a 1000-square-foot great room for family gatherings or business retreats. It’s perfect for weddings, too. A spacious kitchen—complete with lots of counter space—makes catering a cinch.
Vacation packages make your stay even more deluxe. There are specials for Valentine’s Day, families, bird watching, and recreation. Up for pulse-pounding adventure? Try the “Eat Your Wheaties” offer. Heeter will set you up with local outfitters for mountain biking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. You’ll also get lunch at Cathedral Cafe, a Fayetteville hangout with farm-fresh sandwiches and espresso. Count on a box of wheat cereal, too.
Not up for that much excitement? Heeter has vacation specials for fishing, lake kayaking, and yoga as well.
Whether you hit the trails, paddle the river, or just enjoy a pleasant day in and around Fayetteville, Opossum Creek Retreat is a great place to find yourself.
And while these two stand-out cabin retreats encapsulate the best of West Virginia, that’s just the beginning. If you have another activity planned in the region, check out these cabins and bed and breakfasts. Happy trails!