August 20, 2019
TripAdvisor Has Changed Travel
Every month, 456 million people visit TripAdvisor to plan or review a trip. That works out to about 1 in every 16 people on earth! For almost every place there is a review, even fictional ones. In fact the fictional Grant Budapest Hotel (from the movie) has more than 350 reviews and a 4.5 star rating.
The volume of consumer-sourced reviews has led to what some travel experts refer to as “reputation economy”. While positive reviews can boost a business, bad reviews can be devastating. Even before the days of print travel guides, people wanted to know everything about their destination before they got there. Those who post on TripAdvisor are doing their best to help their fellow travelers.
TripAdvisor Comments
At Buckhorn Inn we are fortunate that 865 reviews from our guests have given us and overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars and made us the #1 B&B/Inn in Gatlinburg! http://www.tripadvisor.comHere are some of our recent comments:
The view from Bebb House is spectacular.
Judy B said. Chef Allen was incredible with his selections for dinner. I must admit there was so much food I couldn’t eat it all. Well, I had to leave room for the dessert didn’t I?
According to Relax164989. Just a beautiful, happy place to unwind…with beautiful views…wonderful food and a very helpful and absolutely lovely staff.It’s in a great location right in the 8 mile loop of all the galleries, potters and cute restaurants and bistros.Will definitely return and experience a different season.
marcus1248 wrote. This was a most unforgettable experience. The drive down the entrance with the lush forest trees on each side of the road, the greeting by the owner Lee, as if we were long loss family, and sitting on the screened in porch of our cottage with a breath taking view of the Smokies, all created memories that will last forever. The entire staff was friendly and very accommodating. The breakfast and dinner meals were absolutely divine. This was our first trip, but definitely not our last.
October 8, 2018
More Favorite Food Scenes from Movies
In the last issue of our newsletter we celebrated some of our favorite movies scenes involving food. We invited our readers to contribute to the list, and many of you replied.
Our Readers at the Movies
Roger Meyer from Georgia reminded us of one of our favorite movies, “Tom Jones.” Roger captures the movie well: “One cannot forget the 1963 movie “Tom Jones” in which Tom, played hilariously by Albert Finney at age 26 is a rascal of the highest (or lowest) order. He attempts to seduce an older woman in a tavern over a plate of food such as oysters and lobster. The acting, photography, and dialogue are spot on.”
Many of our favorite movies have food scenes.
Roger also reminds us of the 2015 movie “Chef” which we have only seen recently. In the film Jon Favreau leaves his top shelf job as a chef de cuisine to start a food truck. “The food scenes, especially when he begins to cook for the food truck, will make you salivate and leave the movie theater dying for some good ethnic food.” We agree!
And who can forget “Tortilla Soup” from 2001. Hector Elizondo invites his daughters home to dine with him every Sunday. They discuss everything about life and love over these meals. Raquel Welch plays a widow trying to become a love interest of Elizondo. The food scenes look delicious. As Roger says, “You won’t need popcorn with this movie, the food scenes will sate you!”
Several readers mentioned “Goodfellas” from 1990. They called to mind the dinner scene in prison. Remember the garlic sliced so thin with a razor blade that it would “liquefy in the pan with just a little oil”?
A member of our own team chided us gently for not including “Leave the gun, take the cannoli” from “The Godfather”. This team member also referenced 1967’s “Cool Hand Luke” where Paul Newman earned the respect of his fellow inmates by eating 50 hardboiled eggs. In the words of one prisoner, his stomach was so swollen “like a ripe watermelon that’s about to bust itself open”.
We have plenty more scenes that you have submitted–keep watching this space for more!
November 20, 2017
We Are Thankful for the Buckhorn Family
We are so pleased that many of our long-time guests refer to themselves as part of the “Buckhorn Family”! When John and I purchased the Buckhorn, we expected to provide travelers with a respite from the rush of everyday life, and an opportunity to renew their spirits in the tranquility of nature’s bounty. What has delighted us most is that we also are providing a place for family and friends to connect and celebrate each other. Nothing pleases us more than to have a couple or a group announce to us that this is their 5th, or 12th, or 27th visit to the Buckhorn!
Over the last 20 years, Lee and John Mellor have added many wonderful guests to the Buckhorn Family.
Comments from Buckhorn Family Members
We gathered many comments from guests in the book The Buckhorn Experience”. Here is a sampling:
“The fireplace is the perfect backdrop for a cozy opportunity to chat with newly-made friends.” Cyndy
“We are sitting here tonight watching the fire, with a good wine. Everything here is peaceful. Why would you want to be anywhere else? This is and always will be my favorite place to stay.” Cindy and Lamar
“Our ninth visit is as memorable as ever. As my wife said to Lee, the Buckhorn trip is not like going away, it is like coming home!” Philip and Judy
“We do not leave this place behind, for in our hearts, we will always carry the love and beauty we found here.” Babe
“Our 12th trip to the Buckhorn was just as wonderful as the others. We look forward to returning next fall!” Grady and Cindy
“We have been coming here so long, we can’t agree just how many times we’ve been here!” June
“We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary here with four other couples who have also been married for 35 years. Just as good as it was 10 years ago when we were all here for our 25th!” Mel and Bobbie
“There’s magic here. It’s subtle. Worries and fears slip off like ill-fitted garments.” Suzan
“Every time I go to the Buckhorn Inn, I always come away with new friends. I don’t go to the Buckhorn to get friends. I have plenty already. But these are special friends, who have shared the Buckhorn experience.” Douglas
Thank you to all our wonderful guests for being part of the Buckhorn family. We wish you a joyous Thanksgiving!
August 28, 2017
Guest Poem Describes Buckhorn as “Sanctuary”
We are fortunate indeed to host many creative, talented guests who create a poem and or other artwork inspired by their surroundings
The Buckhorn Inn has inspired poems and other works of art.
. One of those is Charleen M. VonderMeulen. Charleen and her group of friends are regular visitors to the Buckhorn Inn. She crafted this lovely poem during her visit earlier this month. Her friends agree that it captures their experience here perfectly! Thanks so much for giving us permission to share your work, Charleen. Our favorite phrase is “takes our hand and trades it for a heart”–that will stay with us for a long, long time.
Mountain Sanctuary
This mountain sanctuary lights us up,
Engulfed with its love.
We meet as strangers, but seem guided from above.
There seems to be a wonder that leads us to a friend;
That takes our hand and trades it for a heart
And binds us into friendships we hope will never part.
Eclipsed by some Eternal Strength, no sun can ever dim.
We leave enwrapped–hugged–with this loving mist within.
Resources for Poet and Poem
Love poetry? So do we! One of our favorite resources is the Poetry Foundation http://www.poetryfoundation.org. This organization provides public programs and live events. They maintain a source of online access to Poetry magazine content–more than 100 years worth! They also have an easy-t0-access online archive of poet features, poems, and educational resources. Their awards and fellowships are designed to foster poets at all stages of their careers.
According to Writers’ Digest, there are more than 50 distinct types of poems. From abstract to epitaphs to free verse to sonnets, there is a style for nearly every taste. The emphasis on the aesthetics of language is one feature that delineates poetry from prose. Poets use metaphors, similes and other techniques to express emotion and open up a new world for their readers. Thank you again, Charleen, for taking us with you on this journey.
Gatlinburg Weather
Click for weather forecast