Girlfriend Getaways in Ohio’s Great Outdoors
A pampered escape in a cabin in the woods awaits in Hocking Hills, Southeast Ohio’s favorite vacation destination for outdoor recreation and natural scenic beauty.
By Laura Watilo Blake
A pampered escape in a cabin in the woods awaits in Hocking Hills, Southeast Ohio’s favorite vacation destination for outdoor recreation and natural scenic beauty.
By Laura Watilo Blake
Relax in a hot tub at Cabins by the Caves in the Hocking Hills, all photos by Kevin Kopanski unless otherwise noted
This is the moment you have been waiting for. Leaving the many to-do lists, work and regular life in the rear-view mirror for a few blissful days in the Hocking Hills with your besties. Curvy scenic byways link the hills, hollows, sharp cliff walls and waterfalls that define the region. When you finally pull up a long gravel driveway and reach Sleepy Hollow cabin, you feel like you’re far away from it all.
You may be leaving your cares behind, but you don’t have to sacrifice creature comforts when you book a wooded retreat from Cabins by the Caves, a family-run business established by Robert and Valerie Freda in 2006. The full-service cabin rental company has a portfolio of more than 60 gorgeous properties that accommodate families or groups of all sizes. The attentive staff can also help you find the perfect fit for your group, whether you need good Wi-Fi or want to bring your four-legged friends with you.
You may be leaving your cares behind, but you don’t have to sacrifice creature comforts when you book a wooded retreat from Cabins by the Caves, a family-run business established by Robert and Valerie Freda in 2006. The full-service cabin rental company has a portfolio of more than 60 gorgeous properties that accommodate families or groups of all sizes. The attentive staff can also help you find the perfect fit for your group, whether you need good Wi-Fi or want to bring your four-legged friends with you.
The peaceful Sleepy Hollow Cabin is tucked into the woods.
The Sleepy Hollow cabin, designed by Robert Freda, has space for up to six people in three bedrooms, all with king-size beds. It’s not the typical rustic log cabin from days of yore in the Appalachian foothills. The cabin’s design has modern, clean lines with a slanted roofline that leads your eye to sweeping two-story views of the ridge from either side of a wood-burning stone fireplace in the main living area.
Stepping outside on the large wrap-around deck, there’s another fireplace and outdoor seating, which is a great place to drink a cup of coffee in the morning or unwind with a glass of wine as the sun sinks over the hillside. The al fresco experience comes with a chorus of singing birds, the sound of the trees swaying in the wind and a faint hint of water trickling down the hillside. It’s forest bathing at its finest until you consider you could actually be lounging in the hot tub on the lower deck, located off the entertainment room equipped with a wet bar, a 75-inch television with stadium seating, a pool table and a pinball machine.
Stepping outside on the large wrap-around deck, there’s another fireplace and outdoor seating, which is a great place to drink a cup of coffee in the morning or unwind with a glass of wine as the sun sinks over the hillside. The al fresco experience comes with a chorus of singing birds, the sound of the trees swaying in the wind and a faint hint of water trickling down the hillside. It’s forest bathing at its finest until you consider you could actually be lounging in the hot tub on the lower deck, located off the entertainment room equipped with a wet bar, a 75-inch television with stadium seating, a pool table and a pinball machine.
Indulge Yourself
In addition to all the amenities that come standard in the cabin, you and your girlfriends can indulge in a host of little luxuries you didn't know you needed. Cabins by the Caves’ Gal Pal Package includes in-cabin spa services, plus a ready-to-bake pizza and soft drinks. Depending on the occasion, Cabins by the Caves can also arrange for roses, balloons, custom-made chocolate bars, birthday cakes and even a portrait photographer to capture the moment, whether it’s a bachelorette party, reunion or birthday celebration. It’s like having concierge service just a phone call away, even though you’re in the backwoods.
Dining Made Easy
You don’t have to leave the cabin to enjoy a great meal. Planning and preparing couldn’t be easier starting with the cart-to-cabin grocery delivery. When you place your order at least 24 hours in advance, everything on your shopping list will be delivered to the cabin and put away prior to your arrival. Nothing beats stepping into the cabin after a long drive and your favorite beverage is already chilled in the fridge and all the ingredients for dinner are ready to go.
Take a hike after zip lining with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours.
Thirst for Adventure
When you’re ready to venture out from your haven away from home, there’s so many things to do and see in the Hocking Hills region that you’ll keep busy for days. Hocking Hills State Park has seven different hiking areas to explore, all of which are within a 15-minute drive of the cabin. You can’t miss the stunning hike through Conkle’s Hollow, a deep fern-laden gorge with towering cliffs on either side. See the forest from a different perspective with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours, which has two zip line courses, plus off-road Segway tours. After a day of activities, the cabin’s hot tub and cozy indoor and outdoor fireplaces will be a welcome sight. End the day outside around the fireplace to rest after a long day of hiking. Look for stars and enjoy the quiet surroundings.
Book an exclusive trip with your friends through Cork and Tap Excursions to visit the area’s wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries. The trip covers up to 150 miles in four or six hours, which gives you plenty of time to sit and sip at the Hocking Hills Winery’s cozy outdoor patio, get a taste of Appalachian boot-legging history at Hocking Hills Moonshine in downtown Logan and make stops for food at Millstone BBQ or glass blowing at Jack Pine Studio. You can rest easy on your excursion knowing you’ll be delivered back to the cabin safely.
Book an exclusive trip with your friends through Cork and Tap Excursions to visit the area’s wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries. The trip covers up to 150 miles in four or six hours, which gives you plenty of time to sit and sip at the Hocking Hills Winery’s cozy outdoor patio, get a taste of Appalachian boot-legging history at Hocking Hills Moonshine in downtown Logan and make stops for food at Millstone BBQ or glass blowing at Jack Pine Studio. You can rest easy on your excursion knowing you’ll be delivered back to the cabin safely.
Take to the Hills
It's easy to fall under the spell of the Hocking Hills. In fact, Cabins by the Caves is a family-run business that got its start from a genuine love of the region. The Fredas bought their first cabin, The Firefly, as a vacation home. A year later, they bought a second cabin, then built three more — and the rental company grew from there. Today, the company employs a staff of 35, including Freda’s two daughters and many there since Cabins by the Caves opened in 2006, and its 60+ rental portfolio includes everything from classic one-room cabins to luxury Jubach log homes and luxury lodges with space for up to 15 people.
In addition to managing a variety of properties for home-owner clients, Valerie, a real-estate agent, and Robert, a civil engineer, have combined their talents to develop 73 acres on either side of a wooded ridgetop. Sleepy Hollow, which sits on five private acres, is one of several of the cabins designed and built by Robert on the property. When complete, the resort-like complex will be able to accommodate up to 50 guests in multiple log cabins spaced well apart to ensure privacy for guests. The various cabins are available for individual parties, but the property is especially tailored for family reunions, corporate retreats and weddings in a gorgeous outdoor setting.
No matter what occasion brings you to the Hocking Hills, you will be in good hands with Cabins by the Caves knowing that the key to your cabin unlocks way more than your front door.
In addition to managing a variety of properties for home-owner clients, Valerie, a real-estate agent, and Robert, a civil engineer, have combined their talents to develop 73 acres on either side of a wooded ridgetop. Sleepy Hollow, which sits on five private acres, is one of several of the cabins designed and built by Robert on the property. When complete, the resort-like complex will be able to accommodate up to 50 guests in multiple log cabins spaced well apart to ensure privacy for guests. The various cabins are available for individual parties, but the property is especially tailored for family reunions, corporate retreats and weddings in a gorgeous outdoor setting.
No matter what occasion brings you to the Hocking Hills, you will be in good hands with Cabins by the Caves knowing that the key to your cabin unlocks way more than your front door.
Ready to Learn More?
Book a Cabin
When you want to get away from it all in the Hocking Hills, Cabin by the Caves has the ideal luxury escape for your family and friends.
When you want to get away from it all in the Hocking Hills, Cabin by the Caves has the ideal luxury escape for your family and friends.
More Activities to Experience
Adventure doesn’t stop when the trail ends. When you’re in the Hocking Hills, try gliding through the treetops on a canopy tour, visit the area breweries, wineries and distilleries, go horseback riding or take a glass-blowing class.
Adventure doesn’t stop when the trail ends. When you’re in the Hocking Hills, try gliding through the treetops on a canopy tour, visit the area breweries, wineries and distilleries, go horseback riding or take a glass-blowing class.
Ways to Enhance Your Stay
Let Cabin by the Caves take charge so you can relax and recharge. The staff can deliver your groceries, help you plan a special event and connect you with a traveling massage therapist or a French-trained personal chef.
Let Cabin by the Caves take charge so you can relax and recharge. The staff can deliver your groceries, help you plan a special event and connect you with a traveling massage therapist or a French-trained personal chef.
