Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's
- Accessibility
- Winter Road Conditions
- Winter Activities
- Summer Activities
- Shopping
- Medical
- How many people can the house comfortably sleep?
- How do I book?
- Cancellation policy
- Secondary deposit
- Pets
- Handicapped
- Rental best designed for
- Hosting parties/entertaining
- Is there a daycare available?
- Smoking
- What should I do if damage occurs?
- Can I tour the property prior to booking?
- Can extra guests sleep over?
- Will you rent to young adults (<25 years-old)?
- What are the check-in and check-out times?
The Hidden Valley Resort is located about 10 miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike exits (Donegal/Exit 91 from Western PA or Somerset/Exit 110 from Eastern cities such as Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington). Latrobe and Nemacolin have landing strips for private jets (up to G5).
There are several major resorts in this area and the PA Turnpike is the major East-West highway in Pennsylvania. The roads in the area are promptly plowed and salted. Hidden Valley’s climate can vary even from the close surrounding areas. It is not unusual for the resort to have major snowfalls when there is little to no snowfall in areas as close as 10-15 miles. The resort roads are efficiently cleared, however, during periods of heavy snowfall, 4-wheel/AWD is recommended. For snow clearance of the driveway and sidewalks the owners have contracted with the main maintenance company of Hidden Valley, who has historically been very reliable. They will plow, shovel, and salt for any snow fall over three inches. The owners and property managers have no control over the timing or order in which the roads are plowed.
The Hidden Valley ski slopes and resort atmosphere are considered by many to be more family oriented. Nearby Seven Springs has more technically demanding slopes and often attracts a younger crowd. The Hidden Valley slopes are accessed via a 5 minute drive or a resort shuttle bus. The Seven Springs slopes are approximately a 20 minute drive from the house.
There are a host of other activities in the area, including sledding, tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice climbing. Please see the activities page for a more complete listing.
A full spectrum of summer activities are available, including hiking, swimming, fishing, bike riding, dirt/quad trails and golf throughout the resort and bordering state forest and parks. The closest swimming pool is only a mile down the road from the house. Please see the activities page for a more complete listing.
There are close by grocery stores, however, full spectrum grocery stores are most convenient in Somerset (about a 20 minute drive). Somerset (20 minutes), Ligonier (40 minutes), Bedford (60 minutes) all offer a variety of quaint, artsy, specialty shops. In addition, each has traditional retail outlets.
Nearby Somerset has a well-equipped community hospital. Pittsburgh (an hour away) has a number of world class medical facilities.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL THE HOUSE SLEEP COMFORTABLY?
Sleeping accommodations are as follows (6 bedrooms, 7 if you include den with pull-out sofa):
| TOP FLOOR | ||
Sleeps |
||
2 |
Master suite with private bath – King size bed. | |
4 |
Second Master suite with private bath – Queen size bed and two single person pull-out love seats. Attached private 2 person Jacuzzi overlooking the forest. |
|
3 |
Children’s room – Two bunk beds and a pull-out trundle bed. Note: the bedroom has a main entrance door to the hall but also has a lockable door to the master suite and as such, is ideal as a nursery or room for parents with young children. | |
3 |
Teenagers’ room – Two twin beds and a pull-out trundle bed. | |
| MAIN FLOOR | ||
2 |
Master suite – King size bed | |
2 |
Den – Pull-out sofa | |
| GROUND FLOOR | ||
2 |
Master suite – Queen size bed | |
2 |
Family room – Pull-out sofa | |
20 |
Twenty people can sleep comfortably. | |
Check calendar for availability and then register on-line, via e-mail or phone to confirm a date. Once your $500 non-refundable reservation deposit is received, the rental will show as “booked”. The balance, is due in two equal installments at 60/30 days prior to arrival. The $500 rental deposit will count towards these payments. Once you have secured your reservation with the reservation deposit, a rental contract will be sent to you. You must sign and return this contract within 10 days. The contract must be signed by the responsible individual or married couple who will act as the primary renters. A security deposit of $1,000 and a credit card number to hold, in case of any unpaid charges or damages, will also be required 30 days before your arrival. Miscellaneous charges are paid upon departure or when a final bill for a-la-carte items is generated (generally within 48 hours of departure).
The reservation deposit is non-refundable. If the home can be rented at the same rate, then any additional payments will be refunded in full. If
the rental must be discounted or remains un-rented, then the balance, minus the discount amount, will be refunded. If the home was not able to be rented, the renter who is cancelling will be given credit towards a future (non-holiday) rental that is within the previous price range that renter originally booked.
SECONDARY DEPOSIT (i.e. Damage/Security Deposit)
A security deposit of $1,000 and a credit card number to hold, in case of any unpaid charges or damages, will be required 30 days before your arrival. The deposit will be returned within 10 days of departure presuming no damage past normal wear and tear. The home, though eloquently furnished and equipped, was designed to accommodate large groups with children. Though being rented for the first time, the owners have never had problems with guests. A modicum of care and treating the property as you would your own or as a stay at any high end hotel will result in little likelihood of problems.
Prior to your occupancy a detailed cleaning and inspection of the property will occur to ensure its readiness. Operation of mechanical devices (TVs and other electronics), plumbing check, linen count, beverage count, etc. will all be documented in writing. You will be asked to acknowledge the results of this inspection by signing a form. This is an absolute requirement for occupancy and specified in your rental agreement. Late arrivals can pre-sign and dispute any issues within 12 hours (i.e. next morning), but a special trip by the housekeeper will entail a $40 fee.
A well behaved pet is welcome, but the renter takes full responsibility for damage, including the scratching of furniture, staining of linens, etc. The pets must be kept off of beds and other furniture, otherwise, you will be charged for extensive professional cleaning. All pets must be pre-approved, in writing, by the property manager. The renter is responsible for clean up of any/all pet refuse (including clean up of the driveway, walkways, and grass in the yard). All pets must be up to date on rabies vaccination and flea medicine. In accordance with Hidden Valley rules, when outside, all pets must be on a leash or under owner’s control.
Access to the first floor is via the garage or two 36-inch framed front entrances. All involve a minor step- up of 6-12 inches. Interior halls and doorways are all 36-inches or greater. The first floor has a master bedroom and adjacent bathroom. The bathroom has a pedestal sink, however, access to the toilet and shower (with an integral seat) will require some mobility. In mild weather there is access to the ground floor via a backyard path (no steps) to the deck (2 steps). The ground floor bedroom and bathroom are also handicapped friendly with wide halls and 36-inch door frames. The bathroom set-up allows wheelchair to toilet transfer better than first floor suite.
This three floor, 7,500 sq.ft. rental is designed to accommodate large families, multiple couples and their families, and multiple couples alone. Four of the six bedrooms are suites geared to adults. One of these has two pull-out love seats to sleep two extra children. The main master bedroom has an adjoining bedroom decorated and equipped for younger children. The remaining bedroom is geared for adolescents/teenagers; twin beds and a trundle bed.
The main living spaces are compartmentalized to accommodate large groups. There is a first floor office/den which can be converted to a bedroom through a pull-out sofa. The kitchen/dining room/living room area is a large open space to accommodate gathering of the whole group. Off of this area is a sun room with two sets of double doors, allowing privacy or further expansion of the main area.
The ground floor has a large family room with gaming activities (TV, Xbox 360, pool table, wet-bar) and is largely sound proofed. In addition, there is an adjacent exercise room fully equipped with mirrored walls.
Certainly feel free to host guests for any sort of activities, however, it is required that you adhere to the maximum accommodation rule for overnight guests. In addition, social activities should consider both the local resort ordinances on noise, parking, etc. Furthermore, the renter, per contract, takes all responsibility for damages caused by guests.
During the winter months, when the ski slopes are open, there is a ski and snowboard camp that includes lessons, lunch and other activities. There are currently no daycare services available at Hidden Valley during the spring through fall months; however the resort is currently looking into adding this service in the near future.
There is no smoking permitted in the house. However, smoking is allowed on the attached decks or in the heated garage. If there is any evidence of smoking in the house (i.e. smell, ashes, etc.), you will be charged for extensive professional cleaning.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF DAMAGE OCCURS?
If any damage to the house occurs during your stay, we ask that you document the damage on the provided damage report forms (available at the house) as well as take a picture with a digital or disposable camera. If needed, you may call or e-mail to immediately notify the property manager of the damage. Otherwise, you can inform the property manager of the damage upon check out. You will be charged the full cost (including taxes, shipping and time) to repair or replace any damaged items.
CAN I TOUR THE PROPERTY PRIOR TO BOOKING?
The website provides accurate pictures and descriptions of the property. However, if you would still like to tour the property prior to booking, we can arrange a tour within two weeks after the payment of your $500 deposit. We require payment of the deposit before permitting a tour because of security reasons.
There is no problem with extra guests, as long as the total number of people staying in the house remains under 20. Over 20 people, extra overnight guests will only be allowed with prior written approval of the property manager and will be subject to an extra fee per person per night.
WILL YOU RENT TO YOUNG ADULTS (< 25 years-old)?
We will rent to people under 25 years of age on a case-by-case basis. Anyone under the age of 25 will be subject to a higher security deposit (secured by a parent/guardian) and a lease co-signed by a parent or guardian. Additionally, any renters under the age of 25 must sign a form agreeing to no parties with outside guests and permission for the property manager to conduct a spot inspection. If any extra guests or any other terms of the lease are found to be violated during this spot inspection, then the property management reserves the right to terminate the lease while retaining full payment.
WHAT ARE CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT TIMES?
Check-in time is 4 PM and check-out time is noon. Any early check-ins or late check-outs must be pre-approved by the property manager.