Royal Oaks Cabins
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“We’re on a natural paradise... We’re surrounded by natural forest and the parkway. There are several trails that lead to waterfalls within a very short drive..." Says Keith. Love, Virginia, how much more romantic can you get? And if you cannot find love in Love, Virginia, you have not been to Royal Oaks Cabins! Bordering the Blue Ridge Parkway reputed for some of the most scenic vistas in the state, officially on the “Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail,” the location of the cabins—in the heart of Love—cannot be duplicated. “We’re on a natural paradise, and I really am not exaggerating. We’re surrounded by natural forest and the parkway. There are several trails that lead to waterfalls within a very short drive. The Appalachian Trail, the world-famous trail that traverses from Maine to Georgia, is within a mile and a half of my property. We have Sherando Lake, a Recreation Area, four miles from my property,” says Keith L. Smith, who along with his family about four years ago, keeping the Royal Oaks name, purchased the cabins, which are now 12 years old. For firsthand encounters with the scenery, the facility rents canoes and bicycles to guests. Depicting nearby Nelson County, Keith says that the idyllic (one stoplight) region draws visitors with, among other attractions, its eight wineries and restaurants. For history buffs, Monticello, Lexington, Charlottesville, numerous museums, and other appealing stopovers are in proximity of the cabins. Meanwhile, staying on premises has its advantages like sandpit volleyball, horseshoes and campfire and bonfire rings. Out of the nine charming cabins, Keith says that the “Great Room” cabins can augment any mood for romance. “It’s one big room with your bed; your Jacuzzi tub; your fireplace; your kitchen. They’re very popular with honeymoons and anniversaries; those are cabins six, seven, eight and nine.” The accommodations at Royal Oaks, wrapped in a generous amount of natural wood, are not your rustic campground-ish cabins. The décor is rich in deep greens and warm tones, flattering window treatments, floral arrangements, such as a graceful spray of wisteria over the fireplace in cabin eight. In the same cabin, lovebirds can crank up the sweet music on the stereo. Find a romantic movie on the television or flip one into the VCR/DVD. Simmer some steaks outside on the charcoal grill located on the large deck while taking in the panoramic landscape. Snuggle in the king-size bed accented with skylight above. The toasty gas fireplace will surely inspire cocooning night and day. Prefer wood-burning fireplaces? Some of the cabins at Royal Oaks have them too. Couples are welcome to bring pets. Cabins one through five with pine flooring in the living room as opposed to carpet are pet-friendly. “We find that there are a lot of responsible pet owners out there that want to bring their pets with them, and I’ve had really good success renting to them,” Keith explains. To really capture your fancy, consider the $75 Romance Package that includes fresh cut flowers, rose petals, box of chocolates, champagne on ice, romantic CD (which plays upon couple’s arrival), wedding beads, two candles and a complimentary gift. For couples who do not want to take advantage of, say, the romantic, candlelight dining at Wintergreen ski resort, three miles away, the on-property small store has a seasonal carryout deli. Of course, no one has to venture from the cabins, all equipped with kitchens complete with cookware and dinnerware. For couples traveling together and for larger groups, Keith says, “We’re expanding our business to chalets. I just finished two new mountain chalets that sleep up to 12 people each (number 11 and 12).” The buildings, impeccably furnished and sprawling 1,900 square feet, boast huge decks with hot tubs for optimal mountain viewing. The chalets are popular with groups skiing at Wintergreen resort, wedding parties and other groups. Keith’s title as a wedding celebrant allows him to perform marriage unions. He started the wedding business three years ago, and in less than a year, he already has married 16 couples. For couples who want to tie-the-knot, the wedding garden can double as a glossy magazine layout. Imagine 60 rose varieties in colors of red and white, emphasized by rose planters and framed with four concrete benches; two maiden fountains; a stonewall and arbor, among other garden accents. “We make it really easy for people to have a wedding here. Our average wedding party is 50 to 75 people, but we can host up to 200,” Keith elaborates. The wedding and hospitality business is booming. Royal Oaks plans a major 10-year expansion of six more large chalets and five more cabins. The next phase of development will be a social hall comprising 5,600 square feet that will accommodate up to 200 people for weddings, business meetings, church groups, family reunions and the like. “We’re just not a small little romantic getaway; we’re planning on truly being a resort in the next five to ten years,” Keith says. Next trip, go to Love, to a cabin far in the woods where love is meant to be planted and to grow strong like an oak for a lifetime.
© Copyright 2007 by McKenzie Communications/Stacy Maxwell | Royal Oaks
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