Staying in a Cabin

Cab·in
ˈkabən/

Noun
1. A private room or compartment on a ship.
2. A small shelter or house, made of wood and situated in a wild or remote area.
Synonyms:
Cottage, Log Cabin, Shack, Chantey, Hut

Verb
1. confine in a small place.

 

When I think of the history of the Western United States I often visualize caravan wagons, homesteaders building log cabins and a landscape full of wildlife. I am a connoisseur of Western literature and also devour Western movies, so my images are aided by fiction and Hollywood. But the reality is the West was discovered and developed by people traveling in caravans and building log cabins. And the West was full of wildlife and still is.

When I analyze the traffic to our Avalanche Ranch website we rank our key-words, the words people enter into the search engines that will pull our site up. “Log Cabin”, “Colorado Cabins”, “Cabins and Hot Springs” rank high on the list. That means people that find us are looking specifically for a cabin. I assume that they know the general meaning of what kind of accommodation a “cabin” is.

What if our prospective guests search us strictly for “Hot Springs” and they see our reviews, the beautiful pictures and then, they book… but, they have no experience with the “cabin” genre of lodging accommodations.

It is a genre. In the lodging industry, there are different types of lodging. More familiar to people is the difference between a Motel and a Hotel. Or between the Holiday Inn Express and the Ritz Carlton. Most hotels have daily service and expected conveniences (like a gym or breakfast included). If a person that has frequented many hotels, but never a “cabin”, what will they expect when they come?

I have frequented many cabins. And we have lots of guests who have done the same. The guests who are familiar with “cabins” usually call and ask the following questions: Do you provide linens and towels? Do you provide wood for the wood-burning stoves? Is there heat? When I field these questions I know they will be pleasantly surprised when they arrive. Because like me they have been to cabins that when you open the door you feel like you should have spurs on your boots, dirt in your nostrils and no expectation of a shower.
The cabins that are just a shelter and an access point to the great outdoors. Our cabins, within the context of “cabins”, are well appointed and clean. But they are not at the top of the ladder. We pride ourselves on providing a top-notch cabin experience at an affordable level. Our cabins are “cabiny” on the inside and outside, the decor and themes picked out by myself and my mom, with love.

Recently, we have experienced more people finding us and staying with us who are not equipped for “cabin” life. If you don’t know how cabins differ from a typical hotel I imagine there is no way to properly form a mental image. We want to find a way to better inform our guests.

We have posted the definition of a cabin on the splash page of our website to start. But a definition may not be enough. Because the definition truly starts when the cabin was built. Our cabins were built between 1889 and 1950. Building codes didn’t exist. They are not built on foundations. Other elements influence the definition as well. Where it is located. We are in the mountains, on a ranch and near trees. So part of the cabin experience includes the residents of the mountains, forest, and ranch. We have deer, bear, mice, squirrels, bugs, and birds. The sheep, llama, and chickens reside nearby. Our goal is to keep all wildlife out of the cabins. But you may see them on the property and must be prepared.

Maybe… the best way to preface a stay in a cabin is to suggest it as a sampling of Western history. The homesteaders who built Cabin #13 and the barn started a legacy. Fortunately, we have upgraded the cabins and they now have plumbing, electricity, heat and modern comfort. But they still retain the authentic rough-hewn wood, tin roofs, mountain views and access to the outdoors. There are dramatic differences between present day and 1889 (there are motorized vehicles on the road!). However, the astounding beauty is the same, still attracting people to this area today as it did in 1889. No need to remember your spurs, but please remember we are a cabin resort!