By KEVIN DONALDSON
It’s not often you can combine “getting away from it all” with “close to home,” but Grandview Mountain Cottages provides just that combination.
Innkeepers Phil “Papa” Bourne and daughter Ilaeka Villa have turned what was once just the family farm into a wonderful retreat featuring breathtaking mountain views and country style cottages.
Grandview is only about 30 minutes from Crossville, thus the “close to home.” The two featured cottages and farmhouse are located off Highway 68 between Crossville and Spring City, at the end of a “road less graveled,” as I once heard it phrased. Possom Trot Road winds through a heavily-forested area and opens up to some spectacular meadow and mountain views, thus the “getting away from it all.”
“It’s a little hard to find us, but in a good way,” said Ilaeka. “We are off the beaten path on purpose, but our loyal following know it is well worth the effort.”
Guests come from everywhere
While Grandview Mountain Cottages is located right in Crossville’s backyard, don’t get the idea that it’s just local people who are visiting. People literally come from across the country and around the globe to “relax, explore and unwind,” as Grandview’s slogan says.
It’s little wonder. The personal touches by Phil and Ilaeka, along with the amenities, sweeping views and privacy, have a wide appeal. The features of the Pinecone and Honeysuckle cottages are too numerous to mention, but here are a few: luxurious bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, hot tubs, fireplaces, fire pits, gas grills, porches and decks, spa robes and fine linens, fully-equipped kitchens and much more.
You can visit the Grandview website to find out exactly what each cottage offers. A three-day minimum stay is required and people who stay three days “say it makes them feel like they’ve had a week’s vacation,” says Ilaeka. “People who stay a week say they feel like they’ve stayed a month.” On a weekly rental, the seventh night is free. For those who might be interested in an even more extended stay, monthly rates are available.
Also included are views, which vary by cabin, that make you glad you brought your camera, or make you wish you had. You will notice many “little touches” during your stay, too.
Some of the great scenery at Grandview Mountain Cottages.
Guests interested in exploring the great outdoors are invited to use the extensive hiking trails at Grandview, highlighted by the Fern Forest and Stagecoach trails. “If you don’t want to get in your car while you’re here, you really won’t have to,” Ilaeka said.
Grandview is also becoming a popular spot for weddings, special events and family outings. You can have a spectacular outdoor country wedding on the farm, along with bridal and other photography shoots, honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, and picnics or retreats for companies or other groups.
About the Bourne farm and the inkeepers
Guests are invited to explore the 145-acre, eco-friendly farm, pond, streams and forests at their leisure. The Bourne family bought the 1800s farmhouse with 135 acres in 1972. Pinecone Cottage and additional adjacent acreage was purchased in 2007 and completely remodeled in 2008.
“For over thirty years, our family has followed organic and environmentally friendly policies,” Phil said. “Our mountain hide-away offers refuge to a large assortment of butterflies, lightening bugs (fireflies), and a wide diversity of birds including hawks, woodpeckers, cardinals, bluebirds, house wrens, hummingbirds and more. Our farm’s secluded spring-fed pond is full of brim and bass, so bring your poles or borrow ours, no license required.”
Papa Phil, as he is known to guests, is a retired IBM executive who now concentrates on whipping up delicious food for the catering services available to guests (more on that below).
Guests often notice a little touch of Europe when they visit, and there’s a good reason. Ilaeka lived and worked in France for several years as an international consultant, returning to the U.S. to care for her mother during her terminal illness. Father and daughter live in the farmhouse, just a short walk through the pasture from the cabins.
The Bourne family’s farm is home to a variety of wildlife: deer, wild turkeys, red foxes, possums and squirrels. If you visit Grandview in season, plan on sampling the blueberries, blackberries, grapes and fresh vegetables from their organic garden, along with strawberries and apples from nearby orchards.
Food, food and more food
If you’e interested in cooking on your Grandview getaway, that’s fine. As we mentioned earlier, you’ll find a fully-appointed kitchen with everything you need. There are grocery stores (and restaurants) nearby, or you can bring your own food.
If you really want to get away, Papa Phil is known for his great cooking, and there are many, many ways to enjoy it. Catering is available Thursday through Sunday, with day-in-advance notice required, and the “grub” takes many forms.
• Cottage Special – Hot biscuits and jam picnic, enough for two or four people,
• Full country breakfast at the farmhouse,
• Pancake farmhouse breakfast,
• Homemade pizza delivery to your cottage, for lunch or dinner.
You can also buy homemade country bread, fruit jams (low sugar and extra fruit versions), homemade pickles, fresh blueberries and Concord grapes (in season), canned “heirloom” tomatoes, mountain honey, Grandview Mountain blend coffee beans, and other seasonal produce (and workshops).
“We make every effort to cook with organic and all-natural, locally-grown food,” said the cook, “and we also use seasonally-available, fresh vegetables and herbs from our own garden.”
For more information
To make a reservation or schedule a visit to see what Grandview Mountain Cottages is all about, you can visit www.grandviewmountaincottages.com, or e-mail them at [email protected].
