We understand no one likes a bunch of rules to follow, especially while on vacation. So…we made some anyway!
Ponderosa Cabin Rules
Check-in Time: 4:00 PM
Check-out Time: 10:00 AM
Visitors/Gatherings: The Ponderosa is a mini resort-like property with many fun on-site activities to do. We want you to share your cabin & property with loved ones, play horseshoes, or have a BBQ, but we must place some limits for all our guests' enjoyment. Therefore, only paying guests who are staying in the cabin based on your reservation are allowed on the property. Ridesharing/food delivery services are allowed at anytime. If you wish to have invitees/guests join you, you MUST contact Brandi or Kevin with your request prior to their arrival. A fee may be requested for this service.
Smoking: Smoking or vaping inside cabins, decks, or hot tubs is prohibited. Please dispose of butts properly, not on the ground. We will assess a $500 fee for smoking in a cabin.
Safety and Security: Guests acknowledge that the property rented is a rustic log or log-like cabin & may have unfamiliar hazards. These cabins & trails have wood stairs & decks, slippery surfaces, ice, & uneven walking terrain. Cabins are located in wooded areas & are subject to bugs, deer, bears, & other critters & hazards not stated here. The guest acknowledges they will make all guests & visitors familiar with the dangers of these types of cabins & hold harmless the owners or employees above from any claims by injury or loss.
These properties are protected with Ring Doorbells & Floodlights, with video & sound capability. There are NO cameras in the cabins or anywhere with an expectation of privacy. We do not normally monitor these camera’s unless there is an “event” that requires it. Do not unplug or cover them, or you may be asked to leave.
Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors are installed in every cabin for your safety. If an alarm “Chirps” occasionally, contact us to change a battery. Do not remove the batteries or otherwise disable any installed detectors, locks, or doorbells.
Property/Grounds: Guests are encouraged to walk & explore the beautiful Ponderosa grounds, including the pond & dock, driveways, woods, trails, game areas, & hayfields, but please stay at least 50 feet away from other cabins. The maximum driving speed is 10 mph. Please observe street signs & directions. The upper gravel road (Tennessee Vols Ave) is One Way only.
Hot Tub/Pond: Guests shall not permit any use of the hot tub or pond by unsupervised children, & use them at their own risk. Guests understand certain inherent risks to persons on properties near water. GUESTS MUST KEEP HOT TUB COVERS ON WHEN TUB IS NOT OCCUPIED! Oils added to the tubs will require draining and refilling at a minimum charge of $400. After use, add 1/2 capful of Oxy Spa (white container) located next to your tub once per day. This will keep your tub sparkling clean. Do not add the Oxy Spa if you do not use the tub for the day. We have advanced “Frog” cleaning floaters in our Hot tubs. Please do not remove them. In addition, hot tubs are cleaned and chemicals are checked weekly, usually on Wed mornings.
Pets: No unauthorized pets. If approved, pets are $25/per pet per night & must be on a leash when outside, except in off-leash hayfield. Constant dog barking or aggressive dogs are not allowed. We prefer you not leave pets alone in cabins, but if it is necessary, animals should be crated. Please clean up any poop from your pets on the property (bags are provided) & place it in a trash can. You are responsible for all costs associated with pet damage. Keep your animals under your control at all times.
There are barn cats on the property, Ollie, and Molly. They should not be allowed in the cabins, but they are de-flead & have all their shots. They love treats and all the attention you are willing to give! Please let us know if they become a pest, and feel free to shoo them away!
Fishing: Fishing in the Bass Pond is seasonal. We are strictly catch-and-release with barbless hooks. We attempt to keep some poles around, but they often end up in someone's cabin, so we encourage bringing your own gear. Please get the fish back in the water as soon as possible. Please be courteous and clean up all fishing lines, trash, etc. Do not leave children unattended near water.
TV/Remote Control: TV is a smart TV , or supplied with Roku, and we provide a YouTube TV subscription. Simply push the red button on the remote to turn on or off the tv. To watch live TV toggle and press the OK button on the black Youtube TV icon on the screen. Use the arrows to move around the guide. Additionally, if you have Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime, or most other pay services, you can log into your account and watch your services.
Emergency Phone Numbers: In case of Fire, Medical, or another emergency, CALL 9-1-1. There is a Knox Box for the fire/police department on our gate so they can get in. If you have an issue with your cabin:
Call Kevin @ 865-770-1430 or Brandi at 865-770-8708
Wi-Fi Internet Access: High-speed internet access if available in your cabin. The network and the password is also located on the sign next to the TV. If you have Wi-fi issues, try unplugging the router power cable for 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait a few minutes and try to reconnect to the Wi-fi. This usually clears up issues.
Door Locks: The door locks on your cabins are state-of-the-art Wi-Fi-based locks with an access code chosen just for you. The code is only good for the duration of your stay, & expires at 10 am the morning of your departure, as does the gate code. It is secure. If you need your combination changed for any reason, contact Brandi @ 865-770-8708 to request a new code. When leaving your cabin, simply push the Lock icon on the keypad to lock the door. No code is required to lock the door.
Trash Service: Trash cans are located by the shop, or in the lean-to, depending on cabin. Please do not remove the cans; they are picked up every Monday afternoon at their designated locations.
Lights: The Porch hanging lights are set to come on around dusk and shut off automatically around 10 pm. If you would rather them be off, just text 865-770-8708 & we can turn them off. Please do not unplug them as it makes them unusable for the next guests. We recommend you turn on a porch light when you leave for the evening, as it is very dark at night.
Thermostats: Our cabins are equipped with Nest Thermostats. You can manually turn the dial on the thermostat to your desired temperature. Please note that we are on “heat pumps.” It provides heat & air conditioning. Please do not turn on the air conditioning when it is cooler than 50 degrees outside, as it will freeze the entire unit. Opening up the windows will give you cooler air safely. They revert to eco-mode when you are away from the cabin for more than a couple of hours. We want you comfortable while in the cabin, so text/call if you need help.
Fireplace: Your cabin has a fireplace. We do not supply wood. You can purchase firewood on site from our wood kiosk (cash only), or bring your own. Please do not leave a fire unattended.
Firepits: Feel free to use your designated fire pit. You can purchase wood on site from our wood kiosk (cash only), or go on a treasure hunt for some dry wood in the woods. Do not use fire pits during wind events, and do not leave a fire unattended.
Cleaning: Our family makes it a point to stay in these cabins a couple of times a year to make sure they are up to our standards. Our cleaners even stay in them once a year as well. Every towel, blanket, comforter, and sheet is cleaned between every guest. Deep cleans are done every 3 months. If you see something that does not meet your standards, please text us because we can’t fix it unless we know.
Check Out: We want you to feel like you are on vacation. We just ask for a few items when you leave.
- Take trash to the cans located by the shop.
- Please start the dishwasher.
- Please turn off all the lights.
Respect Our Owner’s Property
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Mechanical Failures
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Fireplaces
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TV Internet Phone
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Pet Policy
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Supplies & Linens
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Hot Tubs – Jacuzzis
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Damage – Excessive Cleanup
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No Show Policy
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Check-Out
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Check-In
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Cancellations
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