Should I start with what went right or what went wrong?
Right, it is...This is one of those unique lodging options I've wanted to try with the family for years. Hello, sleeping in a treehouse. How great is that?!? However, during the high season (summer), it frequently requires a 2- or 3-night minimum which doesn't work with our driving trips to and from California.
This Spring Break we decided to take a more leisurely drive south and had time to stay at some interesting places along the way.
There are many different tree house options and after browsing the website, I thought the Swiss Family was best for two adults and two children. It was pretty cool, but the kids' tree house was definitely tiny. My 10-year old could reach out his arms and touch every wall, so it really works better for younger kids.
The grounds are pretty cool. They offer horseback riding, zipline tours, a swimming enclosure that is a segregated part of a stream in the summer, fire pit, stage and large field for disc golf or just romping around. Even though we didn't sign up for the zipline tour, across the field there is a large rope swing (by the Profanitree) and mini zipline that was really entertaining for the kids.
Breakfast was very good. Definitely far surpasses your average continental breakfast. There were scrambled eggs, two types of quiche, muffins and waffles, in addition to cereal and fruit. It was a highlight of the visit. We didn't take a zipline tour because it was raining buckets, but my son did take a one-hour trail ride ($40) and had a good time.
On to the not-so-good part of the review. The staff was really 'interesting.' From my very first conversation on the phone to make a reservation and continuing throughout our stay, there was not just oddness but open hostility between staff members. None of this was shielded terribly well from the guests. After all, everything is open air here. So I know we all have times we aren't thrilled with our co-workers, but wow, the things I heard. And it wasn't just me. The other guests and I would look at each other and mouth, "Did you just hear that?" repeatedly.
It is especially odd because this place is going for the hippie, peace, love and happiness vibe, but there was a lot of tension around the place.
I think the Treesort would be most enjoyable with a group, otherwise your mileage will vary depending on the other guests. One of the other reviewers mentioned that members of their group were being hushed by the caretaker. Our tree house was one of the closest to the fire pit and I can confirm that if people are chatting by the fire late into the night, a number of tree houses will hear it. Even though the group was trying to 'keep it down,' some voices just carry. We didn't complain because we packed earplugs, so it wasn't that big a deal.
The other issue was a staff member's dog that roamed the resort and more than once jumped up and bit a child. One of those kids was mine. It required parental intervention to get the dog off my child and when I reported it to the staff, I was brushed off. They knew right away which dog I meant and said, "Oh, it is just a puppy." Which I totally get as a dog owner, but as a guest and parent I think, then maybe this dog shouldn't be allowed to roam off leash until it is under control. People have all sorts of levels of tolerance when it comes to animals and what one person views as playfulness and a torn sweater, another views as a threat, especially young children. They also go out of their way to say "No Pets" for their guests.
Overall, a very interesting stay. I would return, especially now that I know more about what to expect and I'll be more prepared to fully enjoy what Out'n'About has to offer.
A few tips:
-- It is essentially camping. But rather than pitch a tent or stay in a yurt, you will climb or sway (swinging bridge) into a tree house and there is bedding. Tree houses are warmed by space heaters.
-- You are really away from it all. I knew Cave Junction was a small town, but I didn't realize it was 10 miles away from the resort. So you really need to plan ahead and bring all your own food and toiletry items. There is no general store on site, so anything you forget requires a long drive into town. Grills are provided at the resort for a BBQ.
-- Print out a map. I figured I could get to Cave Junction, then just follow signs to the resort, not realizing (a) it is so far from town with multiple turns, and (b) there are no signs. So definitely print out the directions or you'll need to call and get them from the staff.
-- Bring earplugs. Voices carry at night. read more