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The Inn at Apple Valley Sevierville Review

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Back in June, my mom and I stayed two nights at The Inn at Apple Valley in Sevierville. So, I thought I would write a review of it.

The Inn at Apple Valley

The Inn at Apple Valley

The Inn at Apple Valley is now a member of the Ascend Collection of Choice Hotels. This means it has extra touches that makes it nicer than a standard Choice Hotel. It’s in the same category as the Graystone Lodge I stayed at in May. Both of them have been recently updated and offer a free breakfast. This location was previously the Comfort Inn Apple Valley but the name changed after the refurbishment.

Double Queen

All of the rooms in this hotel are considered suites due to their size. We stayed in a standard room, which we preferred. This came with two chairs and ottomans in addition to the beds. We also had a view of the orchard from the balcony. The Superior rooms appear to have a sleeper sofa and a view of the parkway or outdoor pool. Personally, we preferred a view of the orchard and the chairs. However, it’s nice to have options, particularly for larger families.

You can tell that the hotel recently underwent a refurbishment as all of the furniture looks newer. However, we did have an issue with the shower not draining properly. We never did notify the front desk though. We just handled it ourselves. The free breakfast was a nice perk that we enjoyed one morning of our stay. However, it was a busy breakfast with lots of folks partaking.

Pros

  • Affordable – This was a last minute trip and we encountered lots of elevated room prices. Thankfully, this was $202/night.
  • Good location – It’s about middle of the strip on the main drag. It’s not far from anything in Pigeon Forge/Sevierville.
  • Spacious rooms – It appears that every room here is a suite, so you get extra space compared to other hotels.
  • Recently updated – The beds were pretty comfortable and the furnishings were in great shape.
  • Free breakfast – We enjoyed the waffle maker that created an imprint of an apple on it.
  • Extra sink – There’s an additional sink and mirror outside the bathroom. That was useful for both of us getting ready.
  • Free apple cider – There’s free apple cider at breakfast and in the lobby!

Cons

  • Heater in bathroom fan – I’m not sure why, but they added a heater inside the bathroom fan. Unfortunately, you can’t run one without the other. That wasn’t ideal for a hot summer day.
  • Tub drainage issue – It was a slow draining tub and you ended up standing in water.

Is the Inn at Apple Valley worth it?

There’s a lot to like at The Inn at Apple Valley and it’s easy to see why it’s a popular place. It’s got affordable rooms with free breakfast. Plus, it’s been recently updated. Overall, it’s a solid choice.

24 Hours in Charleston South Carolina Guide

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Back in April, my mom and I spent 24 hours in Charleston, South Carolina! So, I thought I would outline what we did in case someone else in wondering what they can do with a short amount of time in the Holy City.

24 Hours in Charleston

24 Hours in Charleston

As I mentioned in my Indigo Inn review, we added a night in Charleston on to our trip to Myrtle Beach. It was also our first time visiting. So, we looked at lots of different activities and restaurants before deciding what to do and where to go. We ended up picking the things that were of the most interest to us and tried to stay in a hotel near where the stuff we wanted to do was located.

Charleston Tea Garden

We began our visit to the city by going to the Charleston Tea Garden. I’ve already written a whole Charleston Tea Garden Guide detailing our experience there. However, suffice it to say that we enjoyed it and found it to be fun and educational. I will say it’s ideal for folks with a car as it’s not really located in Charleston proper. Also, you need to devote time to getting there and back.

Charleston Carriage Ride

After checking into our hotel, we headed over to Old South Carriage Co. for a carriage tour of the historic area. We booked this carriage ride online ahead of time to ensure we didn’t miss it if they sold out. I don’t know if it makes a difference or not, but they did place us in the front of the carriage ride. There are several companies in the same area offering a carriage ride and they have divided up the city into areas so that the carriages aren’t all in the same area. So, you can repeat the carriage ride and potentially see something new each time.

It was so nice to sit down and learn about this historic area. Everyone was free to ask questions as we went too. So, it’s truly a unique experience that I highly recommend. It was also the perfect way to begin our stay here as it gave us the lay of the land.

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row refers to a block of houses that are brightly colored. It’s often featured on merchandise or other images of the city. We rode over to see them, just to be able to say we saw them. I took a few pictures and then we headed back up the road. It’s not necessarily a must-see experience, but it is nice to say you’ve been there.

Foodie Paradise

We had a difficult time deciding where to eat because there’s a plethora of options! Virtually every corner has a highly rated restaurant. We ended up eating at Hyman’s Seafood for dinner. Lots of famous folks have eaten here over the years and their picture is up on the wall to prove it! I enjoyed my lobster and shrimp roll.

Charleston City Market

The Charleston City Market is a historic landmark. First established in the 1790s and stretching for four city blocks, it’s a must visit. There are countless vendors to visit and you can easily spend hours here. We started our morning here and I got Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit for breakfast. Then, we did some shopping before heading home. I think it was the perfect way to end our quick trip to Charleston.

24 Hours in Charleston

Charleston is a place that I’ve been wanting to visit for a while. So, I’m happy I was finally able to see what the hype is all about. It’s a relaxing place with lots of good food. It’s a city I hope I can return to someday. Have you ever visited?

Bush’s Beans Visitor Center Guide

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Back in June, my mom and I visited Bush’s Beans Visitor Center for the first time. So, I thought I would provide a little guide/review of that experience.

Bush's Beans Visitor Center

Bush’s Beans Visitor Center

Just before you get to the Sevierville, TN exit (coming from Virginia), you can take an exit to visit Chestnut Hill. It looks to be an rather desolate exit without much to see. However, the exit sign promises a Bush’s Beans Visitor Center and Cafe can be found here. If you keep driving, you will eventually find a little out of the way experience that the whole family can enjoy!

Museum

You can easily spend an hour or two at the museum. You learn about the Bush family and the creation of the company. There’s even a short video showing their factory and how the beans are canned. My mom really enjoyed that since she has experience working in a factory. I enjoy learning about how things work. So, it was a hit with both of us. It reminded us a little bit of the Charleston Tea Garden Tour we did a few months prior.

The museum also has some information on their marketing over the years and where their beans come from. There’s even an interactive display showing the different varieties of products you can purchase from Bush’s.

Gift Shop

As with any good museum (or theme park attraction), you end the experience in the gift shop! This one is a great gift shop though. There’s all kinds of Bush’s beans and other products to be had here. They are also pretty affordable too. Following that there’s lots of Bush’s/beans/Duke merchandise to look at. My mom ended up purchasing a Duke (as in the dog) Christmas ornament and a t-shirt.

However, I was impressed with their little kitchen themed area. They had several other non-branded items. My mom and I were influenced to purchase a kitchen dish rag because another woman was getting an armload of them. She said they really were the best she’s ever had! I think it’s a really good dish rag and it’s fun to wash our dishes while remembering our trip to Bush’s.

Bush’s Family Cafe

While we really liked the museum and gift shop, the real star here is the Cafe! Yum! While it’s a tiny restaurant that can get loud, it has good food. We had to wait 15-20 minutes for a seat and ended up being placed at the dessert bar. There was a loud youth baseball team that added to the noise. However, once they left, it was much quieter.

Everyone is given a free sample of Bush’s product when they eat here. We were lucky enough to try the Rustic Tuscany Chickpeas. We both ate the entire sample they gave us and had no complaints. For an entree, my mom got the Bush’s Chili Pie. It looked like a taco salad to me. She said it was “so good.” Everything in it looked fresh and tasty, but I didn’t try it.

I selected the bean burger for my entree. I don’t see it on the online menu, but it was on the menu at the Cafe and I highly recommend it. It wasn’t real spicy, but it had some spices in it. It was a pretty good sized patty with a good amount of moisture (not dry unlike some bean burgers I’ve had). In fact, it was probably the best bean burger I’ve ever had. I guess it makes sense that Bush’s makes a mean bean burger. Haha! I also got the fried apples for my side, which were also tasty!

The Chocolate Pinto Bean Pecan Pie

I couldn’t leave the Cafe without trying Bush’s Chocolate Pinto Bean Pecan Pie! My mom and another lady sitting to my left at the dessert bar thought I was crazy for ordering it. However, I am pleased to report that it was really good! It reminded me of a gooey brownie with nuts! I made my mom try a little bit and she agreed it was better than she thought it would be. They also have a non-chocolate Pinto Bean Pecan Pie as well as some other simpler pies that looked good. While seated at the dessert bar, we got to watch them prepare the brownies and they looked yummy!

Should you visit Bush’s Beans Visitor Center?

Bush’s Beans Visitor Center is a little ways out from Pigeon Forge. However, it’s not too far removed. Tip: Get gas before you arrive as the nearest gas station is a few miles away. The food is certainly worth a trip for anyone who likes beans or southern/country food. The museum is great for people who like to learn. The gift shop is interesting for anyone looking for a unique/cheap side dish to serve at dinner or anyone who wants a shirt that says they were there.

I’m fairly certain I’ll make a return visit here someday. I’d love to take my husband so he can try the pie. So, I think it’s worth a visit.

Canceling an Orlando Trip Due To Weather

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Are you considering canceling an Orlando trip due to weather? If so, I have some advice for you.

Canceling an Orlando Trip due to weather

Canceling an Orlando Trip Due to Weather

As you may know, hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. However, it typically peaks sometime from mid-August to mid-October (aka September). Now that it’s September, you may be considering canceling an Orlando trip due to weather (either to Walt Disney World or to Universal). Unfortunately, I have now had two planned fall trips impacted by hurricanes. During those experiences, I learned about the severe weather policies at each resort. So, I thought I would highlight those policies and share what my experience was like.

Canceling a Universal Orlando Trip

In general, Universal will you allow you to cancel a hotel room 5 days before your arrival for a refund of the deposit paid. However, tickets are not typically refundable, although you may be able to change their dates.

Anyone considering a trip to UO during hurricane season, show know about their severe weather policy and page. They typically update that page when a hurricane or tropical storm is predicted to impact the resort. While they make every effort to remain open, they do sometimes close the parks and cancel Halloween Horror Nights for hurricanes. UO will allow you to cancel the portion of your trip booked directly with them whenever a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued for Orlando OR your place of residence if it’s within 7 days of your arrival for a full refund.

I had a trip booked last October to experience HHN solo again. However, Hurricane Milton had other ideas. While I was at home, under a water boil notice thanks to Hurricane Helene the National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning for Orlando. I immediately called UO to cancel and was able to get a full refund for my hotel, park tickets, and HHN tickets. Universal did have a long wait to speak to someone. However, they were very nice and didn’t give me any grief for canceling.

Canceling Walt Disney World

Similar to Universal, you are able to cancel a Disney World trip 5 days out. They also have a hurricane policy about being able to cancel for a hurricane warning for Orlando or your place of residence within 7 days of arrival.

In September 2022, my mom and I visited Universal/SeaWorld Orlando for a few days. The plan was to spend a night at Walt Disney World for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ian interrupted that trip. We checked out of Aventura Hotel as planned, rented a car, and drove back up to Virginia. On the long car ride back, I called Disney to cancel that portion of the trip. After a long wait, I was able to get the hotel room refunded. The tickets for MNSSHP were turned into regular park tickets that we had a year to use. I was also able to cancel our dining reservations without penalty. The only annoyance is that we had to make a return trip within a year to use those tickets or lose the money.

Tips for Canceling for Weather

  • Wait for a warning to be issued – If you wait until a state of emergency or hurricane/tropical storm warning is issued for Orlando or your place of residence, it is policy for your hotel money to be refunded. It also makes it easier to get a refund or extension on your park tickets.
  • Be patient – You will probably have to wait a while to talk to someone to cancel your trip. Be patient and nice to the person on the other end of the phone. Also, know that it may take a few days to receive your refund.
  • Airlines may also issue a refund – Last year, American Airlines gave me a credit that I had 12 months to use when my trip to UO was cancelled. When my mom and I drove ourselves back early, we were able to get a refund for the return flight when it was canceled.
  • You will have to contact whichever company you used to book the trip – If you didn’t book your trip directly (or you used a travel agent or booked on a site offering a discount), you will have to contact those people instead and hope they have a good severe weather policy too.

Canceling an Orlando Trip Due to Weather

Traveling to the southern states during September and/or October can be fun. It can also be stressful with hurricanes impacting travel. Just be aware of the policies of the place you are visiting before it becomes important and you should be good. Also, keep an eye on the weather.

Graystone Lodge Boone Review

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Back in May, my husband and I spent the night at the Graystone Lodge in Boone, North Carolina. Seeing as how there’s not too many reviews on it, I thought I would post one.

Graystone Lodge

Graystone Lodge

When my husband and I visited Tweetsie Railroad back in May, we opted to spend a night at the Graystone Lodge in Boone. It’s a recently refurbished and re-branded hotel in the Choice Hotels chain. It’s a part of their Ascend Hotel Collection, signaling it’s a touch nicer than some of their other hotels.

King Bedroom

We spent the night in one of their King rooms. We loved having a huge bed to spend the night in! I was impressed with the refreshed room. The lighted picture of the mountains on the headboard was a nice touch! It felt authentic to the area.

The room was more than sufficient for our one night stay. The bed was ok, not the best or the worst. The sheets were a little scratchy on my skin, but nothing too bad. I appreciated how quiet the room was, as that’s not always the case in hotels.

The best part was probably the free breakfast! I loved the selection of bagels and donuts from a local bakery! They even had biscuits and gravy! I will often skip a free hotel breakfast, but this one is worthwhile!

Pros

  • Had hot water – Some hotels have just warm water. Not here. You can get legitimately hot water here.
  • Nicely decorated – We enjoyed the subtle decorations about the hotel that really suited the area.
  • Beekman toiletries – I was thrilled to discover the Beekman 1802 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the bathroom. It’s a nicer brand that I was tickled to try and made for a luxuriating experience.
  • Great breakfast – It’s nice when a hotel comes with a free breakfast. This is one of the better ones. I love that they get bagels and breads from a local bakery.
  • Recently refurbished – I didn’t notice anything broken or in dis-repair. Everything looked well done.

Cons

  • Water can get too hot quickly – While I appreciate the hot water, it did get too hot a little quick. So, be careful.
  • Sheets were scratchy – I have sensitive skin and had just shaved my legs that day. I found the sheets to feel a little scratchy on my legs in particular. It may be just me though. Also, it didn’t keep me from sleeping.
  • Small sink counter – If you are someone who needs a big bathroom sink to spread out, that will be a problem here. If you don’t require much space, then you should be good.

Is the Graystone Lodge worth it?

We paid $190.77 for the night we stayed. I think it was totally worth that amount, especially if you think about how much breakfast can cost. I enjoyed my stay here, but I might also look at other options in the area if I visit Tweetsie again. So, have you ever stayed here?