CITS

The C I T S P l a n “Cabins In The Smokies” Plan

Step One: Familiarization with Explosive Growth Syndrome “EGS” (Know it or Blow it!!!): Everyday there are new cabins built in the Great Smoky Mountains, some close to civilization, and others are joining the wildlife. There are well over a hundred and growing Property Management Companies in the area. Both cabins and Property Management Companies combined have created an overwhelming supply within a short amount of time, creating what we call the Explosive Growth Syndrome “EGS”, resulting in an increased chance of a “vacation gone bad”. Step two of the “CITS” Plan will explain how to avoid problems and enjoy your Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg cabin rental.

Step Two: What in the world is a real Luxury Cabin? The definition of Luxury is as follows: Something inessential but conducive to pleasure and comfort. To most people Luxury comes with a price. That said, shouldn’t that price include the very thing you’ve purchased – Luxury?! Most Companies offer Luxury Cabin Rentals, but what is offered? A brand new cabin with a movie theater, surround sound, hot tub, Jacuzzi tubs, and game tables do not necessarily define “Luxury”. These items (for some guests) are Luxury while others would consider it an amenity that you are paying to use, not Luxury you are paying to receive.

Step Three: When searching for Luxury Cabin Rentals in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, they should meet the following criteria:

1. Customer Service: Without 100% Customer Satisfaction luxury is just an amenity. This may very well be one the most common faults of rental agencies in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas. You as the guest expect to get what you pay for, do not settle for less. Some of the biggest problems when staying with companies that offer Luxury Cabin Rentals is that the communication from the start is lost. Then throughout the entire process even after you depart you will receive little to no communication. You leave with unanswered questions, and a feeling of neglect. If Customer Service is not the Property Management Company’s #1 priority, you will not receive the luxury you desire.

2. Sanitation: How are the cabins cleaned? Are the hot tubs drained and sanitized with every departure? Does the prospective Property Management Company list what has been cleaned and sanitized prior to your arrival? Chances are, you will be sleeping under a comforter that the last couple or child slept under, or using a remote control that has been handled like currency. Sanitation is NOT a Luxury. It’s a right that has been literally “mocked” by the traveling industry world wide! Have you seen the reports on 60 Minutes or Dateline? Most owners/companies can’t afford to provide their guest with a sanitary cabin as this often leads to inspections and additional time! Leaving your vacation with another guest’s germs is not a luxury!

3. Reservation Process:

A. The reservationists should be kind and courteous at all times! Further, he or she should be willing and able to answer any questions that may arise about your cabin in the smokies.

B. You should receive your confirmation immediately after booking any Luxury Cabin Rentals. You should receive follow-up e-mails and/or courtesy calls prior to arrival to ensure 100% customer satisfaction.

C. A dedicated Hot-Line Number should be displayed; to call when a question or problem would arise. Let’s face it, this is not a hotel and the concierge is not on the main level. Chances are when you depart you are required to complete a list of tasks, before you leave? You just PURCHASED A LUXURY VACATION, not the company! Read over your contract and it should state whether or not you are required to perform job duties before you leave. Take a vacation… not a new job on vacation!

4. Craftsmanship: Take a good look at the pictures your prospective Rental Company is displaying. Are they crystal clear? Do they offer a variety of shots, close-up, and wide-angled? If not, it’s possible that things are being hidden for a reason! Do the exterior shots show the landscape (paved driveway, plants, shrubbery), or just the home with a beautiful view (a good sign you are hanging on the edge of the mountain)?

5. Interior Design: Who decorated the home? Most cabin owners will decorate the home themselves in effort to save money and cut costs. This is the area that has the most impact, but gets the least amount of attention. Take another look at the photos being displayed. Are the walls bare with just a few visible pictures? Are there window treatments, and décor on the walls, tables, and mantels? The worst thing when trying to enjoy Luxury Cabin Rentals is to have a cabin that feels uninviting, and cold. Look for a cabin that is warm, and rich in color with lots of décor, something that feels like home.

Luxury Cabin Rentals should provide you, the guest, an experience, a vacation to remember, not a vacation that costs a lot of money