The Little Retreat on Buggs Island Lake

Must-Know Info



FAQs
Q: WHAT IS THERE TO DO AT THE LITTLE RETREAT?
A: Not much besides R&R, but check out our Activities Page
Q: IS THERE SWIMMING AT THE LITTLE RETREAT?
A: Guests are welcome to swim from the shore anywhere along the 800 miles of shoreline on Buggs Island Lake, but the shoreline at the Little Retreat is a somewhat rocky area, so we usually suggest that guests find one of the hundreds of sandy beach areas along the lake, or go to one of the many parks that have designated beaches and swimming areas.
Q: IS THERE HORSEBACK RIDING IN THE AREA?
A: Unfortunately, no. Occoneechee State Park has horse-riding trails, but no horses.
Q: ARE THERE BOAT RENTALS ON BUGGS ISLAND LAKE?
A: Yes. For pontoon boat rentals, you can try Clarksville Marina at 434-374-8501. For other types of boats, there's River Traders at 434-575-1022, which will deliver the boat right to our dock.
Q: CAN WE KEEP OUR BOAT MOORED AT YOUR DOCK?
A: Yes. Each cabin is guaranteed one boat slip, and often more than one is available for those bringing more than one boat. Unfortunately, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not allow electric hook-ups at the docks on Buggs Island Lake, therefore any battery charging will need to be done on land (i.e., in your driveway, in the boat/trailer overflow lot, or some people choose to just take their batteries out and charge them independently from their boats).
Q: WHERE CAN WE LAUNCH OUR BOAT?
A: There is a small, private neighborhood ramp within a mile of the Little Retreat, as well as public ramps at parks all over the lake, the closest of which is about 3 or 4 miles from us.
Q: WHAT SUPPLIES DO THE CABINS HAVE?
A: Most paper products are provided, such as paper towels, toilet paper, coffee filters, and napkins. Each cabin is supplied with dishes, utensils, and cookware. There is hand soap in the bathroom, and dish soap in the kitchen. All cabins have blankets, bedspreads, and pillows. Only the lakefront cabins are supplied with sheets and towels.
Q: WHAT DON'T THE CABINS HAVE?
A: Being of a rustic nature, the cabins do not include telephones or telephone lines for computer hook-ups, dishwashers*, Jacuzzis or hot tubs, washer-dryers*, or daily maid service. There is a telephone in the office which guests are welcome to use for local and calling card/collect calls, and laundromats in the nearby town of Clarksville. Non-lakefront cabins do not come with sheets and towels.

*The Lake House does have a dishwasher and washer-dryer.
Q: DOES THE LITTLE RETREAT ALLOW PETS?
A: Yes. (see "Pets" below)
Q: ARE THERE HIKING TRAILS IN THE AREA?
A: There are hundreds of miles of trails at regional parks, but nothing in the immediate area where we're located. We are surrounded by woods, however, and many guests will use creeks or back roads as their guidelines when trekking around the area.
Q: CAN WE BRING OUR BICYCLE, MOTORCYCLE, OR ATV?
A: You can, but there isn't anywhere in the immediate area to ride them. We are located off a couple of private roads (one of which is slippery gravel), and the people living along them don't much care for ATVs zipping back and forth, and tend to report it to the local police. There are parks in the Buggs Island Lake area that do have trails adequate for bicycle riding.
Q: ARE WE REQUIRED TO CLEAN OUR CABIN WHEN WE LEAVE?
A: We do not ask guests to clean their cabins when they leave (we're not a "leave-it-as-you-found-it" establishment that expects its guests to clean the bathroom on their way out), only to take out their trash and wash their dishes. Parties who leave their cabin in complete ruin will be charged a cleaning fee of $125.00.

Those bringing more than one dog are asked to sweep out their cabin prior to leaving.
Q: DOES THE LITTLE RETREAT PROVIDE WOOD FOR THE FIREPLACE, OR DO WE NEED TO BRING OUR OWN?
A: We provide wood, at no extra cost.
Q: IF WE WANT TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE THAN ARE ALLOWED IN THE CABIN, CAN WE PUT UP TENTS OR BRING CAMPERS?
A: Unfortunately, no. Since we are classified as a motel and not as a campground, health department and insurance regulations prohibit us from allowing tents, campers, or outdoor fires on the premises.
Q: CAN WE GET A REFUND IF THE WEATHER OR FISHING IS BAD?
A: Unfortunately, those problems fall under the "Act of God" category, so our policy is that there are no refunds for bad weather or fishing (we do of course make exceptions when something like a hurricane or a meteor or a new ice age are headed our way, or if all the fish in the lake up and die one day).


FYI
The cabins are not handicap accessible.

Since we are located on a bluff overlooking the lake, the walk down to the dock and water is a breeze, but the hike back up the hill can be difficult for the elderly or those with health problems.

The Little Retreat is not a party resort, so if you're looking for a place to get loud or throw a big party, you're looking for somewhere else. We are nestled in the woods along the shores of one of Virginia's quietest and most secluded lakes, and we take pride in contributing to that serenity. Since we like to ensure our guests have a quiet place to come to, we ask everyone to keep all unnecessary noise-making to a minimum.


OCCUPANCY LIMITATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
Fire laws and insurance regulations require that a single-loft cabin is limited to a maximum of 5 persons, and a double-loft cabin is limited to a maximum of 6. Occupants include children, babies, and all visitors. To ensure all laws and regulations are adhered to and that other guests are not disturbed by a large gathering, we strictly enforce the occupancy limitations. Penalties can range from eviction to an additional $200/day charge.

We have limited parking areas, so if you have more than 2 vehicles in your party, please check with us for specifics prior to booking your reservation. Each cabin's driveway will hold 2 vehicles, and we have an overflow lot exclusively for boat trailers and additional vehicles. Likewise, each cabin is guaranteed one slip at our dock, but we might have extra slips available if you're bringing more than one boat, just check with us first.


PETS:
The Little Retreat is a dog-friendly establishment, and our guests are welcome to bring up to 2 dogs with them at no extra charge, provided they are house-broken, have all required vaccinations, and are free of fleas and mange.

We have no leash requirements, but we ask that guests not allow their dogs to roam the premises unaccompanied, or be left in your cabin unattended (in other words, dogs must be supervised). Sorry to sound biased, but those who bring dogs with a reputation for violence, such as pit bulls, may be asked to keep their dog leashed, especially if other guest convey discomfort at the sight of such a dog being outside and unleashed.

We have lots of woods around us, where we encourage guests to walk their dogs, but in the event yours does his business in the yard of any cabin we ask that you be willing to pick up after him.

Dogs are allowed to be kept tied up outdoors or on the cabin deck provided they don't bark or otherwise disturb other guests. None of the cabins are equipped with dog pens.

Those guests bringing puppies or incontinent older dogs must keep their dogs crated when indoors.

For those of you who bring more than one dog and stay for more than 2 nights, we ask that you give your cabin a good sweeping prior to leaving.

Sorry, but due to the extreme allergies of one of our owners, cats are not allowed in the cabins at the Little Retreat, but we do make exceptions for exotic pets such as birds, rabbits, etc., provided they are kept caged.


RATES:
  • A deposit of one half the base rental amount is required to hold any unit. Balance (plus tax) due at check-in.
  • Check-in and check-out times are 12:00 noon. For the loft cabins, weekly rentals include 6 nights and run from noon Monday until noon Sunday, or from noon Friday until noon Thursday. The Lake House rents only from Noon Sunday until Noon Saturday, the only exception being a rental of 2 weeks or more.
  • CANCELLATION POLICY: Since we only have the 6 units (as opposed to a 200-room hotel), we encourage our guests to reserve a cabin only if they're relatively positive they'll be arriving on that date. Prepaid deposits will be refunded in full provided we can fill the vacancy. If you cancel more than 3 weeks prior to your arrival and we cannot fill the vacancy, we will retain the deposit. If you cancel within 3 weeks of your arrival date and we cannot fill the vacancy, the full rental amount must be paid.

    A credit card number is required in lieu of a damage deposit. We can accept reservations with credit cards only and not with debit (check )cards.


The Little Retreat is largely a self-service operation, as you'll see when we invite you to go directly to your cabin before settling up the balance due. We have an on-site office where you'll find videos, board games, telephone, literature on area activities, and miscellaneous items for guests to use (such as life jackets, outdoor toys, iron, blow dryer, etc.). If there is no one in the office when you arrive, there will be signs posted on the check-in counter instructing you on which cabin to go to, or how to contact the owners at our home office (which is right around the corner).



Toll-free 800-843-0633 or Locally 434-374-8303

or
EMAIL: LittleRetreat@kerrlake.com
| Home | Take A Tour Of Our A-Frame Cottages | Area Activities |
| Must-Know Info | How To Get Here |