All Bear Paws

The conditions were deplorable. Bedding had large, disgusting stains, and the place was rundown and falling apart. Filth and trash from previous guests were left around. Extra bedding was covered in drywall dust and fiberglass insulation. The carpet and furniture were filthy, and there was a roach and roach droppings under the knife block on the kitchen counter. We tried to get another unit, but they wouldn’t work with us. I’ve spent three months trying to get a refund, with no cooperation. I’ll never use booking.com or this family’s properties again.

The townhouse was clean, comfortable, and had what we needed to cook, plus an outdoor grill. The views were lovely, and the little pool house was a nice extra even though we weren’t there for the pool. It’s only about five minutes from Dollywood, and you can hear the train and glimpse a coaster through the trees from the parking lot. We’d had a hotel disaster elsewhere in Pigeon Forge, but one call to Pinecrest sorted it out. They let us check in 10 hours early for a very reasonable fee. We’ll stay here whenever we’re back in the area. They’ve earned our business. Thanks again, Pinecrest!

The place was filthy and falling apart. Mold was everywhere, the vents were disgusting, and the carpets were so dirty that after our child spent about 20 minutes in a walker, their feet were black. Paint only went as high as someone could reach, and a ceiling repair had drywall mess over the furniture, carpet, and walls. The walkway handrails were dangerous too, with big rusty nails sticking out of rotting wood. I could keep listing things from this awful stay. We wouldn’t come back even if it were free. Not worth a penny.

Bringing our elderly dog along was a big deal for me, and the $50-per-pet nonrefundable fee with no breed or size limits made this an unusually good option. We had three dogs in our first townhouse. It had fresh laminate floors, nice wood furniture, comfy couches, and a well-stocked kitchen. There were washable low or no-pile rugs in the bedrooms, living room, and dining space. I may skip hotel rooms altogether if these townhouses are available. My dog has always loved trips, and I worry about her when I’m away, especially since she may not have many more chances to travel. The weekend plans changed twice. We’d booked a unit for Nov 1-3, expecting family to visit for a day and go to Dollywood with us Saturday. When five more relatives decided to stay overnight, Patriot Family Homes found us a matching unit at the last minute for one night without outrageous fees. Then my brother-in-law hit a curb Saturday night and got two flat tires. They let us add another night and gave us a discount. There was a bit of confusion about which unit I was extending, but they cleared it up quickly, so we could focus on getting the tires changed at Walmart and back on his car. Luckily, my husband always packs tools when we travel, and they’ve helped us more than once. Parking right by the units can be tight, though extra spaces near the Clubhouse were only a short walk away, maybe 1-2 minutes from the furthest unit. Someone took our assigned spot Saturday night, but people do what they want. The Clubhouse looked like it was being renovated, though we wouldn’t have had time to use it anyway. I’d suggest dog poop bag stations, since I carry my own bags but saw a few piles that might have been left by earlier guests. We also couldn’t find a broom or dustpan, and fall leaves kept coming in through the front door and patio. Maybe we’re fussy about sweeping, lol. The location worked really well for Dollywood and Splash Country, groceries, gas, restaurants, attractions, the main parkway, and the Island. You can see and hear Dollywood from the parking lot: the top of the Lightning Rod coaster by the clubhouse, some lights over by the dumpster, and sometimes the smell of park food. Burger Den came through at midnight Saturday for nine hungry adults. Thanks for a weekend full of memories and for being such good hosts.