Fleeing Hurricane Florence and an interrupted beach vacation, we stayed at Ridgetop Cabin for a three-night detour on the way home. Helen was very prompt in responding to our last-minute booking request and attentive to our questions when we arrived. The furnishings were of good quality and many amenities were provided, including toiletries, towels and robes, and baby furniture. The hot tub, little trails through the rhododendron, and firepit are great features. The cabin is conveniently located just off the Parkway near Mabry Mill and close to Floyd. We would stay here again under different circumstances, but . . . the only drawback was that the cabin should really be listed as a two-bedroom rather than three, and the square footage (listed at 2100) should not include the loft. After looking quickly through listings as we were being evacuated, we were surprised when we arrived to find that the sleeping loft was located above one of the (two) bedrooms. That would work fine for a couple with teenagers, but made for awkward arrangements for us The small galley kitchen with minimal storage (though high-quality appliances) meant that we had to leave our food in bags and ice chests on the floor. There is no dining area, just a folding gate-leg table and four folding chairs. When unfolded, the table has adequate space but its design, with legs in the middle, make it exceptionally unstable if anyone leans on it. Folks can also sit on the sofa and use the coffee table, but there is no way for the rated seven guests to eat together. Also, oddly, there is a stovepipe for a wood stove, but no stove or fireplace, which would be a drawback in the colder months. The grill is on its last legs. So, overall, prospective visitors should just make sure that the space fits their needs and expectations -- this would be a great place for two couples hiking and visiting the winery who don't plan to cook much, or a family with kids who are going to sit on the couch and eat pizza while watching Netflix. Finally, although an AWD vehicle may not be necessary at all times of the year, recent rains have eroded the steep driveway somewhat and made us doubtful that one of our two cars (a hybrid with low clearance) could make it back up; we used our AWD car to ferry luggage to and from the cabin from the top of the driveway.
