What a magical and beautiful getaway. Photos can’t capture the breathtaking view – I never tired of looking at it. I spent five days at the Hidden Retreat and never once got into my car. I spent all my waking hours on the deck – eating meals outside, sitting in the shade, swinging in the deck swing, floating in the small pool, and lying on the deck after dark looking up at the stars. The deck is wonderfully secluded – surrounded on three sides by trees, offering visual privacy and so much beauty.
Patricia and Mike were lovely hosts – warm, generous, responsive, and caring. Patricia was wonderful about responding quickly and thoughtfully to my many advance questions about the cottage, even taking an extra photo to answer a question. When a couple of unexpected issues arose, she and Mike responded immediately, successfully resolving the issues. I felt welcomed by many small touches throughout the cottage – fresh flowers, edible treats of various sorts, even a beach umbrella and cooler should you want to take an excursion to the beach.
A few practical tips: the mattress is memory foam; the fridge is a half-fridge (4.4 cu ft) with no freezer. The internet was unpredictable – at times, loading a webpage was slow; at other times, I was able to video-chat. If extreme quiet is important to you, know that the pool pump which is rather loud runs for 2.5 hrs around lunchtime. Outside, I’d hear occasional neighbors’ voices, dogs barking, and power tools – the usual sounds of mountain life – none of it particularly loud. Inside the cottage, I could hear people walking in the main house (but not voices or tv).
I stayed an extra day at the Hidden Retreat and still didn’t want to leave. What a beautiful, soul-restoring place. I look forward to returning – soon!