Jefferson Retreat w/ Backyard < 1 Mi to Lake!

Reviews

• Lack of Response

  1/5

  The property was clean & looked just like the pictures. Unfortunately, we had a few small issues that would have been easily resolved but the manager did not respond to any of our correspondence until after check out.

  Prior to checking in, I sent two chat messages to the property manager in the VRBO - no response.

  Upon arrival, we entered the property & the smell of air freshener was very overwhelming. The home had 5 plug in air fresheners all on the highest scent level. We moved the air fresheners outside & that solved the problem.

  The first night was ok except the flange in the toilet was broken causing the toilet to run all night. In addition, the Wi-Fi did not work.

  The next morning I called the manager and left a message regarding the two issues. I never received a call back.

  That next night, we turned the water off to the toilet and had to turn it back on and off every time we used it. That evening, while taking a shower, a scorpion bite my uncles foot.

  I contacted the manager again the next morning and left a second voicemail message. She later return my call and noted the Wi-Fi sometimes has issues (as noted in other VRBO reviews) and the toilet was working fine they day before when she was at the property. She informed me that my voicemail message was not returned because she was at church when I called.

  I understand all stays are not perfect but I give the 2 star rating due to the lack of response and the lack of accountability for to fix the issues.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Hi Jessica, the right vacation home is everything, and we're disappointed if this wasn't the one for you. We followed up with the homeowner after reading your feedback, and they wanted to share the following:
  - We understand how important communication is to our guests. We sincerely apologize that our communication and response times impacted your stay. We take our guest experience seriously and strive to provide an enjoyable stay for each guest.
  - Thank you for reaching out to the Guest Contact during your stay. We did everything we could to resolve your concerns immediately so that you could enjoy the home. The running toilet issue has been fixed.
  - As the home is located in East Texas, scorpions can be prevalent in the area and occasionally enter if doors are left open. We have ongoing pest control that manages and protects the home from these issues. We’re sorry to hear about your experience with these pests.
  - Considering our property is close to a lake, and is not in the middle of town, sometimes there isn't the best internet connection. Unfortunately, this is out of our control and we apologize for the inconvenience.
  - We’re happy to share that no issues were reported by the guests who stayed the following weekend. Your feedback assists us in understanding our guests' perspectives and improving wherever possible. Thank you for sharing your review!

• I little slice of heaven!

  5/5

  My son and I went for a father son weekend. It was going to be cut short by a day due to me not feeling well but the owner was super nice and extended the stay a day at no charge! The property is nice and clean and the neighborhood is super quiet. We enjoyed cooking out, amazing Star watching, and constant deer watching right in the yard. We are looking forward to returning soon for a longer visit.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

• Cute Property, Nicely Decorated. Great Service!

  4/5

  Our stay at this charming bungalow near Lake of the Pines was truly delightful. We were greeted by the sight of deer roaming the picturesque neighborhood, adding a touch of nature's beauty to our vacation. The proximity to the stunning Lake of the Pines was a major plus. Sassy, the neighbor's dog, paid us a visit a couple of times.

  April and her husband were incredible hosts who went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. They diligently addressing the minor issues we encountered during our stay (more on that below). The bungalow itself boasted modern appliances, upgraded cabinets, and fresh linens, making our stay even more enjoyable. Having a washer/dryer available was a definite convenience. Additionally, we appreciated the thoughtful touches like snacks, water, and the choice of two coffee makers (drip and Keurig), as well as essentials like a new dishwasher, detergent, and cleaning supplies.

  There's a fenced dog run complete with a dog house. Although we initially planned to bring our two Bearded Collies, we opted against it due to the sweltering Texas heat. The outdoor conversation fire pit looked inviting, although we couldn't use it due to a burn ban in effect.

  Only Hiccup (Swiftly Resolved!):

  Upon our arrival, we noticed that the indoor temperature was on the warmer side, but considering the scorching Texas weather exceeding 100 degrees, it was somewhat expected. The house's HVAC system consists of a larger window unit for the common areas and two portable units, one for each bedroom. Initially, we noticed that one of the portable units was blowing warm air. We promptly contacted April. Oddly enough, after making the call, the unit that was previously blowing hot air suddenly started cooling. However, the portable unit in the other bedroom began blowing warm air, which reported to April. Consequently, the whole cabin was quite warm when we first arrived.

  We were attending the Diamond Don's motocross races and had plans to meet friends at the track. When we returned around 9 pm, April's husband was on-site, diligently replacing one of the units. He stayed until 10:30 pm. At that point both units were operating well and we had no more issues. The level of service was truly outstanding!

  The wifi service was a bit spotty, but considering the dense forest location, reliable internet can be a challenge to come by. Thankfully, our phones were able to fill in as hotspots most of the time.

  Overall, a great trip!

• Mother/ Daughter Get Away

  5/5

  We really enjoyed the Jefferson Retreat. It was off the beaten path and that is what we were looking for. We loved all the nature around us. We saw deer and a racoon. (That is exciting for us City Folks!) We met the neighbor's dog, Sassy. She is a white Golden Doodle and is precious! We were able to take her on walks with her leash. We enjoyed swimming at Dangerfield State Park. We rented a paddle boat and a canoe. We enjoyed evening swims a little closer to the property (no water rentals there). We enjoyed the shops and restaurants in Jefferson. If you are a coffee drinker, The Hive is a must. The Jefferson Retreat and surrounding area would be stunning when the leaves change colors in the fall.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

• Nice

  5/5

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  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo