The Shire-riverside w/hot tub, fire pit, kayaks & fenced yard

I try to be that person that gives honest feedback when leaving reviews because I use them so much before I book a place. I also try and give grace where it’s due and not harp on the smallest of things. So here it goes……. We booked The Shire as a birthday present to kayak, kayak fish, hike, and relax. One of the things that stood out about this place was that it was on the water. We had 4 adults staying here and all of us were going to use kayaks. We brought two kayaks with us to equal 4 (1 for everyone) and were frustrated when we got there and found out that one out of the two furnished kayaks had a big crack in the bottom. So that left one person behind. There were also multiple pier and deck boards that were rotten. There is a huge rock right on the water so we ended up fishing off of that. If you bring bigger vehicles, get ready for the vines growing along the driveway fence to run down the side of your vehicle and get in the way when loading and unloading your bags. The driveway is small and has bushes growing alongside the opposite side of the driveway. All in all, the place worked for us but we would not necessarily book here again. I was sad not to see any fishing reviews before we booked, so I wanted to leave one for others. This little “creek” leads into a lake. There’s a historic dam on it, great for hiking. In the hot summer months, don’t waste your time fishing during mid-day. Fish small topwater baits at sunrise and sunset and you will have a blast.

We love the quiet and beautiful surroundings at the Shire. We enjoyed kayaking on the river and it was overall very peaceful. We took our dog for her first adventure away from home and she also gives it 5 stars!

We had a wonderful stay and would definitely recommend this cottage! One of our favorite parts was being able to kayak right from the property. Even our 8-pound toy poodle got to experience kayaking for the first time and loved it! We really appreciated how dog-friendly the cottage was. They even provided a dog bed, towel, and a blanket to cover the couch. We brought our own supplies, but it was such a thoughtful touch to have those available. The cottage was secluded, peaceful, and incredibly quiet, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. The bathroom was very clean and nicely updated, and I especially loved the shower with its great water pressure. The full-size washer and dryer were also a huge convenience, and the kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed. The location was excellent, with DeSoto Falls just a short drive away. We enjoyed hiking there and taking in the beautiful scenery. The only minor challenge was the driveway. Our son brought his own kayak, so he drove his truck, and because the cottage sits on a curve with a narrow driveway, backing in and parking was a little difficult. A wider driveway or slightly larger parking area would have made things easier. Overall, this was a fantastic stay. Between the peaceful setting, thoughtful amenities, dog-friendly accommodations, and nearby outdoor activities, we had an amazing time and would happily stay here again!

There were bugs and spiders, also not as clean as it should be. The rug in the livingroom was so dirty it should be replaced. Livingroom furniture was very uncomfortable to sit on.There were splatters on the window over the sink and food splatters on the side of the fridge.The entire place needs to be deep cleaned and trimming needs to be done along with other yard work. I realize it is in the woods and is pet friendly but it was not worth what we paid for the stay. I forgot to mention we had to wash the blanket before we could sleep under it, it had pubic hair on it, not good!!! We will not book this place again and we were celebrating my 77 birthday, there were times I just wanted to leave but we had paid for two nights so we toughed it out! Future renters beware.