Author: Cabin Joe

10 Pet-Friendly Cabins across the United States
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10 Pet-Friendly Cabins across the United States

Due to the craziness of the years that followed the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, more people have pets now than ever! Although traveling with your furry friend can complicate things a little, it doesn’t mean that you can’t stay in some amazing cabins across the United States! 

It’s Cabin Time has numerous Pet-friendly vacation rentals across the US. We put together a quick list to get you excited for your next vacay! 

Share which property you can’t wait to visit this year in the comments below. 

Wisconsin:

This pet-friendly cabin is just 20 Miles East of Downtown Hayward, so even when the snow piles up, visits to town and Hayward’s beautiful lakes & National Forest trails are easy.

Tennessee: 

From the moment you step into Dancin’ Bear Ridge, its lustrous wood floors, ceiling beams, and stone-stacked fireplace will enchant you, your group, and your pet!

Michigan: 

The surf cottage sits atop a 130’ bluff where you will witness panoramic views! You and your pet will enjoy over two acres of privacy with 150’ of Lake Michigan frontage with plenty of room to roam.

Minnesota: 

This modest cabin has an enormous water park out the front door and a large yard, perfect for playing games with your pet and other members of your party.

New York: 

This newly renovated, pet-friendly, cabin allows for privacy, while still being only a short distance from all the shops and restaurants!

Montana: 

The Sunny Slope Lodge is just a few miles away from Yellowstone National Park. Tucked into the Absoroka National Forest you will find numerous pet-friendly outdoor locations nearby.

Kentucky:

Ready for a Kentucky outdoor adventure for you and your pet? This cabin is perched on the northwestern part of Lake Cumberland and is perfect for skiing, fishing, exploring, and more. 

Colorado: 

This comfortable base camp cabin is near some of the state’s best rock climbing, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding featuring numerous options to explore with or without your pet. 

Oklahoma: 

Surrounded by the quiet country of Oklahoma this original log cabin will be a true get-a-way for you and your pet.

Texas: 

This farmhouse rental is located in the stunning Texas Hill Country. Ideal for a family looking for a private, quiet, and spacious getaway near lots of outside recreational space for their family and pets.

It is our hope that It’s Cabin time can be a helpful tool in helping you plan your next vacation with or without your furry friend! Whether you are looking for a cozy cabin on a lake, a large house for multiple people, or a big fenced-in yard for your pet to burn energy, we have something for everyone.

Ten Reasons to Book a Cabin in 2023
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Ten Reasons to Book a Cabin in 2023

Cabins are excellent places to get away from it all and have a relaxing vacation. Here are 10 reasons to book a cabin this year.

[Browse ALL It’s Cabin Time Rentals!]

  1. Cabins contain all the fun of camping, without the hassle of putting up a tent. You will not have to worry about inclement weather or lumpy terrain under your back as you sleep.

2. A cabin will give you the space to relax, whereas hotel rooms only provide a space for sleeping. Play a game of cards at the kitchen table, or read a riveting novel in the bedroom. You will be able to maximize the amount of time you spend at your cabin because you will like being there, and will have a space to do activities you enjoy.

[Browse Minnesota Cabins!]

3. Cabins include cooking facilities, so you can make meals you and your family would love. You can skip noisy, busy restaurants, and stock up on your favorite groceries. Cooking as a family can be fun, too.

4. Cabins provide space for you and your family to spread out, so you will not need to be in the same area all the time. You and your family can enjoy as much alone time or togetherness as you desire.

5. Cabins offer peace and quiet, and are generally tucked away from highways and other noisy areas. You won’t have to worry about thin hotel walls, or hearing the sounds of people walking past your room at night.

[Browse Texas Cabins!]

6. In a cabin, you can enjoy nature without sacrificing the benefits of home. Cabins offer an ideal vacation experience because they can be as comfortable or as rustic as you would like. You won’t have to sacrifice hot showers or home-cooked meals if you do not want to.

7. Cabins offer beautiful picturesque surroundings, since they are not in populated urban areas. You can enjoy time in the woods, by a lake, or near a river.

8. You can bring your furry friend along. Pet-friendly hotels are few and far between. Booking a cabin ensures you can find a property that will welcome your four-legged friend as well.

[Browse Montana Cabins!]

9. No matter what you are looking for in your next vacation, there is a variety of settings and styles to choose from—looking for an A-frame cabin with a lake view? We’ve got that. Want a vacation home with a pool, hot tub, or fire pit? You can find that here, too.

10. Renting a cabin can be a more affordable option. When you book through Its Cabin Time, you will be booking directly with property owners or local managers. This will save you the fees that other vacation home rental platforms charge.

What’s on the Horizon in 2022?
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What’s on the Horizon in 2022?

It’s Cabin Time® had a big year in 2021 — we’re talking “expanded into three new states and migrated all of our websites to secure servers” big.

Growth years like the one we’re coming off of are a lot of work, but they’re exciting too! Our team put in a lot of effort over the past 12 months to bring all of our legacy sites over to AWS and to launch three new state sites at the same time, in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado.

The result of these projects means a lot more regional, book-direct vacation rental options for travelers, and a lot more user-friendly dashboard capabilities for members. Some of the things we’re most excited to have under our belt in 2022 include: 

  • updated search functionality
  • resort capacity information at your fingertips
  • unlimited images in the photo gallery
  • a more detailed amenities list
  • better security for communications
  • links to owner websites for online booking

These improved web features will enrich the onsite experience for property owners and vacationers alike, on all of our regional listing websites.

We’re also excited to grow our brand presence in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado! A positive early response in all three states has resulted in an already diverse selection of vacation rentals. We look forward to getting to know these regions better as we partner with local business owners and grow our property selection state-by-state.

And we’re not stopping there!

It’s Cabin Time® already has big plans for 2022. With domains newly purchased in Georgia and North Carolina, we’re expanding our East Coast reach — think of it as starting to connect the dots between our already flourishing book-direct websites in New York and Tennessee.

If you’re a traveler who loves beach vacations, keep an eye on www.ItsCabinTime.com for a full-fledged website launch in Georgia and North Carolina, COMING SOON!

If you’re a vacation rental owner or manager based in these states, qualify for an early bird sign-up special at 50-percent off by submitting your contact information at www.RentCabinsInGeorgia.com or www.RentNorthCarolinaCabins.com/.

These are uncertain times, but that doesn’t mean we can’t spend the New Year fantasizing about the perfect vacation destination in 2022. Whether it’s a yoga retreat mountain yurt in Upstate New York or an authentic Swiss country cabin in Hill Country Texas, vacation rentals in the United States offer a unique opportunity to plan a relaxing, drive-to vacation and enjoy the scenery and some outdoor recreation with loved ones.

Choose from It’s Cabin Time’s 10 (and counting) regional vacation rental listing websites to find your ideal cabin, cottage, lodge or home in the U.S. — then BOOK DIRECT to save on traveler fees! Plan ahead for the best availability in 2022. Start your search at: 

www.RentWisconsinCabins.com | www.RentMichiganCabins.com

www.RentMinnesotaCabins.com | www.RentMontanaCabins.com

www.RentTennesseeCabins.com | www.RentTexasCabins.com

www.RentOklahomaCabins.com | www.RentColoradoCabins.com

www.RentKentuckyCabins.com | www.RentNewYorkCabins.com

You can also view all of our cabin rentals together in one place on our It’s Cabin Time® Map!

#itscabintime #bookdirect #wisconsincabins #michigancabins #tennesseecabins #minnesotacabins #newyorkcabins #montanacabins #kentuckycabins #texascabins #oklahomacabins #coloradocabins #georgiacabins #northcarolinacabins #NYE22

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New Regional Listing Sites in TX, OK, CO

It’s Cabin Time® in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado! After a year of setbacks for small businesses everywhere, ItsCabinTime.com is working hard to expand its collection of vacation rental listing sites into new states, bringing the book-direct experience to independent vacation rental owners and property managers of all sizes across the United States.

With our launch of a regional book-direct listing site in Texas (www.RentTexasCabins.com), Oklahoma (www.RentOklahomaCabins.com) and Colorado (www.RentColoradoCabins.com), It’s Cabin Time® is reaching out to independent owners and managers with low introductory rates to help build a robust selection of cabins, cottages, lodges and homes in new areas — and keep travelers coming back to rent with small business owners, without commissions or hidden fees.

Following its launch in May of this year, RentTexasCabins.com welcomed its first small resorts to its membership: Barons CreekSide Swiss Village in Fredericksburg, Country Woods Inn in Glen Rose, and Crystal River Inn in San Marcos! These pioneers of the Texas book-direct movement have since been joined by unique accommodations at Cool Water Acres in Bandera and most recently, River Road Escapes in New Braunfels. Visit RentTexasCabins.com to browse these rentals using our interactive map and search tool.

Also launched in May 2021, RentColoradoCabins.com was up and running this summer with its own early-adopter resort members: Loveland Heights Cottages in Estes Park (right at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park) and Hideout Cabins in Allenspark and Lyons.

In the summer of 2021, It’s Cabin Time® welcomed its latest members to the brand-new RentOklahomaCabins.com — Log Cabin Escape in Caddo and Persimmon Creek Cottages in Sharon.

It’s Cabin Time® is excited about new opportunities to deliver its low-annual fee, commission-free, book-direct listing service to independent vacation rental owners and managers operating their small business in the western United States. We extend our hearty thanks to our new partners in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado for helping to realize its book direct mission. 

Still looking for a reliable book-direct option in your state? It’s Cabin Time® has several more regional listing sites in its sights, including an imminent expansion into Georgia (www.RentCabinsInGeorgia.com), and North Carolina (www.RentNorthCarolinaCabins.com)! These states are currently offering new members a “pre-launch” sign-up discount of 50-percent off the annual subscription rate.

Vacation rental owners and local managers in Georgia or North Carolina can visit these fledgling state listing sites and enter their contact information to secure an early adopter discount.

Have questions for our founder, Joe Mogensen? You can contact him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemogensen1/

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Introducing Regional Websites in Texas and Colorado

It’s Cabin Time® is expanding westward! 2021 has us launching NEW book-direct regional vacation listing websites in Colorado AND Texas.

Our extensive research into search volume across the United States has shown that there is plenty of vacationer interest to support our book-direct partners as we keep growing the It’s Cabin Time® brand on a national level — and early adopters in both Texas and Colorado are already putting pins on our new state maps!

Inaugural members of RentTexasCabins.com and RentColoradoCabins.com are enjoying a special listing rate for being the first to list their unique cabins, cottages, lodges, resorts and homes. Click on the links above to explore unexpected vacation experiences out west.

We’d like to extend a big “Thank you” to our first members to hop aboard the It’s Cabin Time® train in Colorado for helping us bring lower-cost, better-option #BOOKDIRECT services to the state: Loveland Heights Cottages in Estes Park, CO, and Hideout Cabins in Allenspark, CO!

Loveland Heights Cottages in Estes Park offers 19 unique riverfront homes for rent right on the Big Thompson River. This picturesque Colorado cabin resort is also just five miles from Rocky Mountain National Park!

Fish the Big Thompson River right over the edge of your private deck.

Hideout Cabins in Allenspark and Lyons offer a private and remote Colorado getaway in a one- or two-bedroom cabin, surrounded by trees and water features. Best of all, these cozy vacation homes are pet-friendly!

Hide out with a special someone in your own private Colorado wilderness.

In Texas, we’re experiencing a miniature land rush as resort owners and property managers compete to be the first to populate this new corner of the map. Pay a visit to Barons CreekSide Swiss Village in Fredericksburg, TX; Country Woods Inn in Glen Rose, TX; Crystal River Inn in San Marcos, TX; or Cool Water Acres in Bandera, TX, for a one-of-a-kind Lone Star State retreat to the Hill Country!

Barons CreekSide Swiss Village in Fredericksburg has 16 Swiss-inspired cottages located on resort grounds with a pond, a private vineyard, and a jazz club. This scenic spot is the ideal backdrop for a destination wedding.

Plan a romantic getaway to the Texas Hill Country.

Country Woods Inn in Glen Rose offers a variety of family-friendly accommodations and activities onsite, from breakfast in the barnyard to arts and crafts. Choose from remote vintage Airstreams or beautiful country cottages — all are well equipped to host your stay.

Make it a trip to remember with a family cottage right in the llama pen.

Crystal River Inn in San Marcos is a traditional bed and breakfast experience complete with manicured garden walkways and mystery dinner events. It’s also close to exciting water sports on the sparkling San Marcos River!

Book ahead to reserve your room at the NYE mystery dinner.

Cool Water Acres in Bandera sleeps three or four per cabin, with covered porches looking out over 54 acres and a private lake. This is the perfect extended stay for anyone still working from “home,” as it comes with a small desk in the “corner office.”

Enjoy an unrestricted view of these relaxing pasturelands from your private deck.

THANKS AGAIN to our new partners in book direct! Reach out directly to these Colorado and Texas vacation home owners and property managers to SAVE on booking commissions and traveler’s fees. It’s Cabin Time® out west!

There are even more new states on the horizon as It’s Cabin Time® picks up steam. NEXT UP: Oklahoma, Georgia and North Carolina! #ItsCabinTime #BookDirect

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Book Direct Coming Soon to 5 New States

It’s Cabin Time® continues its #BOOKDIRECT success story with an upcoming expansion to Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and North Carolina!

With regional travel to remote locations more popular than ever — and an increase in site traffic to match — It’s Cabin Time® is anticipating the rollout of book-direct listing websites in FIVE NEW STATES in the near future.

If you are a vacation rental property owner or manager in CO, TX, OK, GA or NC looking to expand your book-direct marketing portfolio, CONTACT US TODAY to be added to our mailing list! Early adopters will receive a 50-percent discount on their first-year annual listing fee of $118.

Ready to start your membership today? Add your pin to our map at itscabintime.com for a one-time cost of $50, and receive an additional $50 discount from your listing fee when we launch in your state!

Be one of the first in your area to benefit from no-hassle direct booking connections and targeted regional traffic.

Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and North Carolina will join the ranks of our popular regional listing sites in Wisconsin (launched in 2009), Michigan (2013), Minnesota (2013), New York (2014), Montana (2015), Tennessee (2016), and Kentucky (2019).

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#BookDirect Guest Education Day 2021: 10 Reasons to Book Direct

This Wednesday, February 3, 2021, book-direct advocates in the vacation rental industry are taking the opportunity to celebrate the fourth annual #BookDirect Guest Education Day by sharing the many ways in which making the switch to a direct booking model has enriched both their customer relations and their bottom line. ItsCabinTime.com has been gathering feedback for years from cabin owners, local short-term rental property managers and vacationers alike — Here are their top 10 reasons to embrace direct booking in 2021:

  1. Book at the lowest rate

When you book directly with the local owner or manager of a vacation rental, you are paying the person whose right it is to decide the rate. Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) may have leeway to mark up those prices, but they NEVER charge you less than the owner’s rate.

  1. Avoid fees and commissions

When you book directly with the local owner or manager, you cut out the go-between. This means no paying for the privilege to send messages or view an availability calendar, and no traveler’s fees tacked on at the end of the transaction for using the booking service.

  1. Learn about special offers

Owners and managers who use a book-direct business model often have repeat customers that they keep in contact with to inform previous visitors about upcoming specials. Owners/managers can also share these specials on their website, social media or listing sites like www.itscabintime.com.

  1. Choose from more options

Many owners and managers dislike the way OTAs (such as Vrbo, FlipKey, TripAdvisor, AirBnb, Booking.com or HomeAway) take control of their booking calendars and messaging. This means some of the most experienced hosts aren’t even available through large travel sites.

  1. Communicate openly

When you book directly with the owner or manager of the home where you will be staying, you can enjoy complete transparency in regard to house rules, cleaning policies and rates. Many homeowners love to get to know those who will be staying at their rental cabins and homes!

  1. Get personal attention

When you have the chance to communicate with someone who knows the home you are renting inside and out, it’s easier to accommodate specific needs. You’ll also have access to a real person who takes responsibility for your experience and sees it through from start to finish.

  1. Benefit from local insight

Above and beyond chamber websites or tourist brochures, a local owner or manager who knows the area can help you plan a personalized vacation you’ll remember. They can also give information on favorite hunting and fishing spots — you won’t find that in the guidebook!

  1. Find last-minute availability

Speaking directly with the person in charge of a vacation rental’s booking calendar means you’ll have access to the most up-to-date information on availability. This includes any last-minute cancellations that the rental owner/manager may be eager to fill — sometimes at a discount.

  1. Minimize risk of fraud

Transparency between the vacation rental owner/manager and the vacationer minimizes the risk of accidentally booking a fraudulent property by allowing each party to perform standard security checks. See tips and tricks to protect your vacation rental reservation deposit here: http://www.rentwisconsincabins.com/payment-protection.php

  1. Support small businesses

Many vacation rental homeowners, resort owners and small property managers are family-run businesses with a long history in the industry. Help protect their right to keep control of their business and keep doing the work they love by cutting out middle-man OTAs!

About Guest Education Day

Guest Education Day is a non-branded, annual event that began in February 2018. On this day, vacation rental owners and managers — as well as commission-free listing sites and other invested industry leaders — come together to support each other and promote the #BookDirect movement by educating future guests about the benefits of direct booking.

In 2020, participants using the hashtag #BookDirect shared more than 78,500 posts on Guest Education Day, and made more than 166 MILLION impressions on Instagram and Twitter alone (Source: vrmintel.com). In 2021, supporters are hoping to build on that engagement, bringing word about the benefits of book direct to even more potential vacation home renters.

Looking for a cabin to BOOK DIRECT?

You can see all of our listings brought together on one map at www.ItsCabinTime.com. Happy direct booking! #ItsCabinTime