Folks in Blue Ridge - Ellijay, Georgia area.

[Annette Holbrook]

I’m still in the research phase of this venture. I have a cabin in Cherry Log right on the Ellijay river. I am planning on a renovation to upgrade the whole cabin. It will end up 4 beds, 3 with king beds the 4th will be a bunk room that will be 2 lower queens and 2 upper twins. All will have en-suite bathrooms. I’m adding a hot tub and firepit area. But here is my question for those already renting in the area. Do people actually do week long stays, especially those with kids? I mean, I love it here but do they really stay a full week and have things to do? There are many wineries, ok for adults, but not a kid destination. The mountain bike trails are very popular, but also not a kid thing I’m guessing. The blue ridge train is a good kid thing, but that’s just a half day activity. Do people take kids hiking?(sounds like torture to me lol) I have seen a few listings that have a pool, which would be a good way to entertain kids in the summer, but a very costly add on. I have a basement room that I was planning on turning into a movie room, but it’s not huge, so seating would be for 6 or 8. I have a ground level screened porch that is long and narrow, but it can fit a ping pong table or something. 

Do you just count on 2-3 night weekend stays and price high enough to make up for the vacant mid week? 

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Annette Holbrook. I can't speak to your area, but as someone who has a similar sized lake house that is rural I can comment on family stuff.

We have it all setup for families. There is the lake of course and the bike trail right in front of our house. There is hiking, hunting for garnets, fishing etc.

Maybe we have more to do, but I am betting that your area has as much if not more.

Our average length of stay is about 5 days. Almost all families. We get 3 days stays (our minimum) pretty often. It just depends.

I will say that mountain biking is HUGE with kids and families.

I would set the minimum length of stay at 3 days.