Beware when renting from this company. They have "owner rentals" that they have no interest in except a financial interest. They do not care if the rental is clean or if everything is functioning. We had an awful experience in the owner cabin that we rented called "Arrowhead Ridge." The photos on their website are quite deceiving and are not current. The place is run down, and quite dirty. The well needs some maintenance. Run the water and soon the smell of rotten eggs permeates the entire cabin. If you shower in that water, you smell the same. It's gross. We bathed and brushed our teeth with bottled water. They offer an outdoor grill that is so caked with grease it's dangerous. As soon as we walked in the door the smell of mildew slapped us in the face. While this might be expected if the place had been closed up for a long while but according to the website, the cabin was rented everyday throughout the summer. That tells me it's a maintenance issue. We left and found a hotel in Pigeon Forge because we all got sick due to allergies - dust and mold. We called the company to tell them we'd left early so they could send someone to deep clean. The cleaning that we paid for, we were told, consisted of wiping the floors, cleaning the bathrooms, and changing the linens. I didn't ask for a refund, but the first words out of the rental agent's mouth were "well sorry you feel that way but there are no refunds." What a disappointment. We were really looking forward to this vacation and cabin retreat but in the end, it was a very expensive mistake. I prepared a similar review on their website, but they chose not to post it. read more

The cabin was clean and the location was excellent. It had been snowing a lot, and we still managed to arrive safely without chains. We stayed at Bear Mountain Hideaway, Bob and Keri were always very polite and answered the phone all the time. Thanks for everything!! We'll be back!! read more

‼Warning!!!!!!‼ This was one of the worst Cabins that I have ever rented. My family and I lease a cabin in the mountains 1-2 times a year. We are pretty familiar with cabins and the little quirks that may come along with them. This cabin was the ABSOLUTE WORST! The moment we walked in the door there was a puddle from a leak in the ceiling. The entire place had a stench and no matter how much febreeze we sprayed it kept coming back. It was unbelievably cold downstairs and we had the heat up as far as it could go. As well as the small heaters. The water smelled like rotten eggs so we found out that the stench was due to the water. After looking into the situation it appeared that there was bacteria in the water. We had to buy gallons of water to wash with/ clean dishes/wash hands/brush teeth! It was horrible. We attempted to notify the management group and the response for the downstairs temp was it's not their fault, we attempted to advise of the stinch. She stated they use well water. [ Many cabins that we have leased in the past use well water and NEVER smelled bad.] The water actually made the entire cabin stink! The response from this team was totally unacceptable as they took no responsibility in the condition of this property! Please be warned! read more

Pros: the cabin was clean. Cons: outdated, packed into a cul-de-sac with a bunch of other "cabin" rentals (pictures online made you think it was a lonely cabin in the woods), the hot tub was on the upper level but out in the open (when a wall or privacy screen could have easily been built there or easily added onto the bathroom) and could not be used because we had another couple with us. The tv's were all very small and no way to watch a movie on them. The worst part was the beds, both beds seemed to have had matresses from the 70's on them and felt like they'd been used for that long, we barely slept and every move that was made on the bed could be felt by the other person (think water bed) and springs stuck into back. The thing is I could overlook everything except the beds. Because of hardly any sleep over the weekend it made our trip less enjoyable. read more

I rented a cabin from this company for 2 nights. The overall cleanliness of the exterior of the cabin was not the best. We had to clean pation furniture before we could use it, the hot tub area had lots of spiders and webs. I understand this cabin is in the woods and there are thing in nature that occur. HOWEVER...... Upon leaving the cabin, we removed the sheets from the bed to find urine stains all over the mattress cover. I was disgusted beyond belief. When I called to report my finding it was taken very lightly and I was told the mattress covers were laundered as needed. Apparently not..... I will never rent from this company again and make sure my family and friends do jot as well. read more

More to say later about Honey Bear. I would ask more questions if I were to ever rent this unit again or work with this company.

For my birthday we decided to rent the timeless view cabin from this company. We were excited to find an open cabin since we had waited so long to rent. Images online were perfect. When we pulled up to the cabin we were immediately pleased by our choice and at first glance inside was clean. That night I laid my two year old son down to sleep and followed him shortly after. When my boyfriend came in about and hour later and turned down the sheets he noticed not only one but several bugs! I immediately put my son in the bath. We began to search them on the Internet and sure enough they were BED BUGS! We showered and left all of our clothes that we had worn in the bedroom and left our luggage out on the back porch. We had to find a new hotel and finally laid our heads down at about 5am! The next morning we spoke with Kerry (who was a complete bitch) from this company and were told we would receive a full refund but laundering expenses and the $300 we spent in groceries we"as not their issue! They also had the audacity to make it seem like WE had brought these bugs! REALLY? We spent most of that day laundering clothes so days one and two of vacation had been ruined not to mention I started showing bites that day!! Lucky for them I have not seen any on my son! I wouldn't wish this mentally and physically draining experience on my worst enemy and trust me this company has NOT heard the last of us! If I find out they have been brought to my home they will be paying a lot more than laundering and grocery bills! I don't recommend this AWFUL company to ANYONE!!!!!! read more

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My two children and I rented the Awesome View cabin in October 2013. The cabin was clean, well-maintained, in a great location, and lived up to its name. The kitchen was well-stocked which was great since we cooked a lot. Our experience with Great Outdoor was smooth. Soon after we confirmed our rental they sent us clear directions to the cabin. When we arrived we called the office to get code for the lock box. Someone answered right away and was friendly and helpful. If you have children, there is a great collection of children's stories downstairs in the pool table room. I wish I had discovered it earlier in the trip. Another tip - try tuning in to the bluegrass music channel on cable to add extra atmosphere. The cabin faces east, so don't miss the sunrises. Fascinating to watch the 'smoke' burn off in the morning. Finally, I recommend Friendly Falls, a cool mom & pop restaurant on Wears Valley Road. You'll pass it on the way to the cabin. Great place, good food, beautiful waterfall view. We'll rent from Great Outdoor again, probably the same cabin. read more

This is not a company I will rent from again. We had problems from the beginning. When my husband called to book the rooms he asked at the start of the conversation if there would be a minimum night stay for the cabins because we were booking during the Thanksgiving holiday. He was told no they did not have a minimum night stay. Couple weeks after booking I reviewed the confirmation to find that they charged us for four night stay instead of the three nights which is what we requested for two cabins. Some of the people in our party could not do four days and after speaking with someone at Great Outdoor Rentals I canceled one of the cabins. We had to pay a cancelation fee for that. Even though I know my husband specifically said three nights. The first person I talked to said that who ever booked our reservations had it in a mess and I would have to speak with a manager to get it fixed. When we made it to the Bear Mountain Hideaway cabin it was not very clean. The beds had pet hair all over the sheets in both bedrooms. There was even pet hair on the extra bedding that was stored in a cabinet. We called to let the office know and someone called my husband back saying the owners were the last ones to stay at that cabin and that they must not have done a good job cleaning. They did send someone out and replace the bedding. However, I still found a pebble of some sort in the bed after that. There were also little things that were wrong. For example we went to get in the hot tub and most of the lights on the porch were not working. The mattresses on the beds were terrible. They were bumpy in some spots and sagging in others. read more

This was not the way we intened to spend our vacation. The following email was sent to the company the very night we checked in. To Whom It May Concern, This email is to establish the confrontational and unnecessary attitude that I, Jonathan L^&%^& and my significant other, Patricia K$%^&^, experienced from Dianne while attempting to locate our cabin from Great Outdoor Rentals. We were under the impression that it was necessary to stop at the main office to get directions to our cabin; when we arrived there and it was closed, we decided to call the number from our confirmation page. The call was taken by Dianne, who responded with a rude, unnecessary attitude about how we would have received the directions in an email and how 'We NEVER tell people to meet us at the office'. That is fine, we explained that we never received an email containing directions...her attitude did NOT improve. So we drove back into town to Starbuck's to get on our computer and see if we did in fact somehow miss the email. WE DID NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL OTHER THAN THE CONFIRMATION OF PURCHASE. WE DID NOT HAVE DIRECTIONS. So we called Great Outdoor Rentals back, on both lines and could not get ahold of anyone for almost ten minutes. Finally, Bob picked up and we explained the situation to him. Bob was very polite and told us we would simply have to write them down. As Bob was trying to talk, we could hear Dianne in the background shouting, "If someone else calls you're just gonna have to hang up!" Then, instead of Bob, Dianne got back on the phone to give us directions. As she was reading us the directions, she continued to do so with great attitude and disrespect. When asking about S. Clear Fork, we asked, "S...as in sierra?" We couldn't understand if she said S or F. She replied, in a very rude, sharp tone, "S! As in S-O-U-T-H!". We then asked her if she still had the email with the directions up and if it was possible to resend the email. She said, "Yes, I have it up...yes, I can resend it to you." We also asked her to repeat back the email address, thinking perhaps it wasn't typed correctly the first time. She stated curtly, "I sent it to the same one you gave me," and she read it back to us correctly. We then finished with the call, saying, "Okay, thanks...I appreciate it." She then interrupted me, saying, "Wait, I just have one question for you..." I stated, "Okay..." She then said, "How many people are staying at the cabin?" I looked at my girlfriend, unsure of what this question was pertaining to. "Two." I replied. Dianne then went on to state, after a LONG PAUSE, "WOW. We usually don't have just two people rent that cabin. You're not planning on having any parties are you? Because you know the cops are up there all the time." I looked at my girlfriend and shook my head in disbelief, then I stated, "Well I guess you didn't hear me the first time because I said that there's only two people." Dianne replied, "Well I'm just making sure you're not having a party!" HER TONE WAS ACCUSATORY AND DISRESPECTFUL. This greatly upset my girlfriend, who then proceeded to speak into the phone, stating, "Maam, maam! You are speaking to two people in the military right now; this is the only time we have to get away for a vacation, so I suggest that you check your attitude at the door." After this statement, she mumbled something we could not hear and said, "You have a nice day!" and hung up the phone. Keep in mind, Dianne was speaking to a decorated veteran of the war in Afghanistan as well as a reservist in the Marine Corps. We are both educated with several degrees each from four year institutions. WE ARE GREATLY OFFENDED BY THE HORRIBLE ATTITUDE AND BLATENT DISRESPECT WE RECEIVED BY YOUR STAFF MEMBER DIANNE. We have made Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge trips more than six times within the last year. We have rented large cabins every time we came. NEVER WERE WE SUBJECTED TO THE CONDESCENDING AND ACCUSATORY STATEMENTS THAT DIANNE STATED TO US THIS DAY. In fact, we are so upset by this that we are taking time out of our first night here to write this email and to let you know how offended we are. THIS IS THE FIRST AND DEFINITELY THE LAST TIME WE WILL EVER DO BUSINESS WITH YOUR COMPANY. WE WILL ALSO BE TELLING OUR CO-WORKERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT THIS UNSETTELING EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS POSTING THIS EXPERIENCE ONLINE TO TRIPADVISOR AND SEVERAL OTHER TRAVEL RANKING WEBSITES. WE WERE ALSO CONSIDERING CANCELLING OUR RESERVATION, DISPUTING IT ON OUR CARD SIMPLY SO WE COULD GIVE OUR BUSINESS TO ANOTHER ONE OF THE NUMEROUS, PROFESSIONAL, POLITE CABIN RENTAL COMPANIES IN PIGEON FORGE. Do not waste your time with them. Go somewhere where your money is appreciated. read more

We have rented numerous cabins through Great Outdoor Rentals and have NEVER had any issues with them. Bob is a very sweet, helpful, and knowledgeable gentleman. He has always gone above and beyond to help us out with our accommodations. We would recommend them to anyone! read more

I rented a cabin from this company for two nights, Champagne and Roses. It was far from champagne or roses by any means. Neither morning or night did we have any hot water. The first night we went to use the jacuzzi tub and there was no hot water. As there is no one in the office after hours, we could not call anyone to come out. The next morning my husband called the office and told them about the issue and they laughed at him. They said there was no way for them to know it didn't work and it probably blew the breaker and they would be up to fix it. So, I boiled water on the stove so we could wash with hot water. So, we were gone the whole day sightseeing and enjoying Dollywood. That night when we returned the water was warm but not hot. So, once again, we were unable to use the jacuzzi tub and had no hot water for showers in the morning. There obviously is a problem if the breaker keeps blowing. We didn't even bother calling the second morning beings you have to check out by 10:00am. There also was a bag of something left on our couch. Never got brave enough to open and see what it was. The ottoman was broke to the glider and the cushion would fall off on the floor. And we have traveled too many places and have never had to take our own sheets off the bed and put in clothes hamper. This company needs to learn about good customer service. I am a travel agent and will never recommend this company to anyone. read more

I stayed on Feb. 14th thru the 17th in 2014. I call the rental agent and spoke with an older lady. I wanted to rent another cabin that is runned by this rental company. She was very nice to tell me that I should not rent it now because of the snow that was coming that evening. And told me to call the next morning and check the road conditins before I rented to make sure I could get there. Then my husband told to rent it that we would walk to it if it was to bad. I call her again she talked me out of it one more time. Told me I would not want to walk to it, that it would be to far. Then my husband told me to just go ahead and rent anyways. One hour later called back and she had rented the cabin. Yes, I was upset at the time. But I went ahead and rented a different cabin for more money. 100 dollars more. ok, I'm over and ready to have a good time. I rented a cabin that had a Hot tub and a jaquzzi bath tube. I was offered and cabin without and hot tub for less money. But I really wanted the hot tub. So I payed more. So we get to the cabin at first its great. I did notice that the cabin had not been stayed in, in a while. because there was cob webs in every corner and smelled very musky. I went to the bathroom and when I flushed the water was black. so I turned on the water in the sink, also black and the smell would over take you.. We let the water run for one hour before it started to get clear looking. After I killed a few spiders and some moths. We went to bed. They only had a sheet and one thin quilt on the bed. I went to the closet to find another blanket and the blanket that were in the closet. Were nasty and not fold and throwed in the bottom of the closet. So no extra blankets. I had to go upstairs and get the one off the other bed. I am looking past all this. I do realize that I rented the cabin and 5 o'clock on a Fri. Next morning: deside I would like to take a bath in the jaquzzi tub. start to feel the tub, the water is nasty, brown looking. So had to run the water some more before I could even take a shower. Ok, another thing I am looking over. Me and my husband left went into Pigeon Forge and eat some dinner. Around 6:30 decided that we would rent some DVD's and take back and have a movie night. Wrong, the DVD player does not work. The TV does have cable, But all the movies playing that are R rated has a parent control code on them. So we were pretty mush not having an movie night. So we go to bed after the motion detector above the door scared me to death. I thought it was picking up someone walking around outside. But instead it was picking up me. Why in the heck does the cabin have a motion detector picking up people walking around inside. Day 2: Get up, made breakfast. only 1 plate in the cabinet. Descovered that most of the dishes in the cabin are in the dish washer. There is a sign that says that I have the put away the dishes or there is a 35 dollor charge. Me and my husband used 2 plated and 2 forkes the whole time there. I washed them in the sink. But I went ahead and empted the dish washer anyway to make sure they did not think I left the dishes in the dish washer. And charged me 35 dollars for not washing and putting away the dishes. After breakfast I told my husband lets get into Hot Tub. The night we got there the tub was setting on 91 degrees. I turned it up to 100 degrees. And left the cover on the tub. It had been 2 days now. It was bearly warm. the degree said 95. Our body temp is 98. So not very warm. We get in I turn on the jets. and stuff started coming up to the surface (TRASH). there is stuff that looks like spit balls floating around. So wow, can't use the hot tub I payed for either. Got out and had to let the water run again before I can take a shower. And decide I have had enough and I am going to call and let that nice lady that I rented the cabin from know about whats going on. I CALL: she answers. I said I would like to say something about the cabin I am staying in. She said: wait a min please. Then a man gets on the phone. He lets me tell him all the things that are going on with the cabin. He said they have been trying to get that water fixed up there, they do have bad water. What? So they knew this and knowed that I cant use the jaquzzi because of that reason. I told him about the cob webs, the blankets, the dishes in the dish washer. Oh, and the fact that I had to vacuum the floor in front on the couch because there was crumbs all over the floor. And He says. The house keeper most not be doing a good job. Yea, I get that. I wont to tell the rest about that nice older lady that turn into a witch. But only have so meny words. Bottom line is DO NOT STAY HERE! read more

Never stay in any cabin rented by GREAT OUTDOOR RENTALS. Reservations for: A Secluded Bearaside, in Oct. 2013. We arrived after office closed. We called the only other contact phone number we had. We were very rudely told the directions were in an email. Luckly, we took our laptop,so looked in email. Not there. Called back, phone answered by a polite man named Bon, but she hollered at him and took the call away from him, and proceeded to berate us and be rude. I told her to just please resend directions. She did, and kept up with the attitude. By this time it's later and raining. The directions were unclear and THERE ARE NOT EVEN, STREET LIGHTS AT THE INTERSECTIONS, so we drove around in what seemed like circles for a very long time. Finally located our cabin at the highest point of this mountain, we had no 4 wheel drive, and the driveway was wet, and leaves so deep you could not get any traction. We made as many as 4-5 attempts before we were able to get up to this driveway. It was a nightmare, and I was very scared that our car was going to slide off the driveway into the steep ditches! It was very late, so our first night was a waste. We had our small dog with us, that I had paid a high price to bring her. She has been on every vacation we have taken since we got her. She has been to Florida 2 times, and Pigeon Forge hotels numerous times. Comments have been what a perfect lady she has always been. Quiet, never has an accident, has never chewed on anything, because we always take her chew toys from home. We got inside and knew we had better look around for any previous dog damage, since we sure this horrible woman would want to do anything in her power to cost us more money. Only thing we found were scratches by a larger dog that was way up on doorframe, and since our Peaches was a very short dog, we knew she could not blame her for that, but we neglected to make a picture of the damage. Stupid, I realize now, since we were unaware of the noose she had around our neck. I had signed papers that we would pay for any damage our dog did. When we left she called my cell phone and proceeded to rudely tell me how much damage our dog had done. I told her EXACTLY where the damage had been and that our dog could not even reach up that high! Didn't matter, she proceeded to charge my American Express that maximum allowed by the contract! Lesson learned! You will pay for any damage, even if your dog didn't do it! Worse thing about entire ordeal was this woman being so mean and hateful on every encounter we had with her! Never stay with GREAT OUTDOOR RENTALS again. Other companies appreciate your business read more