The current self-isolation has forced us to slow down considerably, so I’m trying to catch up on some blog writing this week. I got so behind in 2019 that I never shared about the sweet vacation cabin we acquired last spring over near Shepherdstown.
Knott Cabin had been a popular listing on Airbnb for about three years, marvelously hosted by Ginger Hankins. When she heard last January that we were building a tiny cabin on our property, she mentioned that she and her husband were thinking about selling one of her two Airbnb listings. She asked if we might be interested, and my first thought was, “No way could we manage a property that was a 20-minute drive away.” I decided to see the place, though, just for the heck of it.
I walked into Knott Cabin and immediately discovered what Ginger and a couple hundred of her guests already knew. It’s a special place. Situated about a tenth of a mile from the Potomac River, sporting a cedar-clad exterior with front porch and patio, the cabin sits next to a rural road and is surrounded by nearly 3 acres of woodland.
Inside, the cabin feels spacious and comfortable with an open-concept main floor and a loft sleeping area. It is beautifully decorated with midcentury modern furnishings, and Ginger had recently renovated and enlarged the bathroom, adding heated floor tiles.
Next, Christian came along with me to see the cabin and agreed that it is a gem. Let’s try to make it work, he said. By mid-April we were signing papers. We devised a plan to transition Ginger’s Airbnb listing to a new listing in our name. There was hardly a break between guests booking with her and booking with us.
Buying Knott Cabin has been a great business decision. We’ve worked super hard to keep it in great shape for guests along with our three other listings, but we don’t mind the drive and love the peacefulness of the setting. Sometimes we take a lunch to eat on the patio or grill burgers for dinner – BONUS for us!
A few guests are choosing to stay out at the cabin as a means of enjoying a change of scenery during their self-isolation. The cabin has books, magazines, puzzles and games, WiFi and an Echo Dot smart speaker, plus an oldschool CD player and CD library (there’s plenty of room to dance!).
Guests can enjoy drinking coffee on the front porch, grilling meat and veggies on the patio, roasting marshmallows at the fire pit, exploring the 3-acre property for wildflowers, or walking the rural road that leads to the river. A few local restaurants are still offering great takeout meals.
If you are interested in visiting Knott Cabin either now or once all the restrictions have been lifted, look us up on Airbnb at airbnb.com/h/knott-cabin.
Watch our Instagram account @harpersferryglamping for recent photos as the seasons change and we continue to update and refine the accommodations. We’re always thinking about ways to improve the guest experience at all our accomodations!