GOLD MTN RETREAT

We had a soccer tournament in town the weekend of September 7th. We couldn't find a hotel room due to the fact that the tournament had a record number of teams sign up. I started looking for other options and came across Gold Mountain Retreat! I am so happy I did. What a beautiful place! The house was immaculate, views are gorgeous and ammenities perfect. The price was very reasonable. In fact we split it between two families and it made it cheaper than staying in the hotel. Our soccer team ended up making it to the finals and we called the owner to see if it would be alright to stay a little longer in the day. They were extremely cooperative and friendly. I would definitely stay here again and reccommend it to anyone. Thanks so much! By the way, the girls took 2nd! Not a bad weekend.

From the time you pull off the main road and begin the rustic, scenic, drive up the mountain, you know that this is something special. It is. The information in the listing very accurately reflects the house. The pictures don't capture just how large and neat the house is and just how wonderful the view is. We rented the Gold Mountain Retreat for a family reunion. We needed a place where 4 different families could come together and have a place to be together while also having enough space to not be cramped. This was the place. There are 4 very nice separate bedrooms and several fold out couch's if you need additional sleeping spaces. The retreat is everything you would want in a vacation rental. The retreat is very clean, well maintained, wonderfully decorated, with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, bicycles, hot tub, deck overlooking the lake and mountains, fireplace in the living area, recreation room downstairs and more. There are numerous walking, hiking, running, biking, skiing roads and trails you can pick from. Four of our favorite things that we did while there was visit downtown Sandpoint, hiking at the top of Schwietzer Mountain, spending a couple of days at the Sandpoint City Beach, and taking the history tour of Lake Pend Orielle on a tour boat leaving from the marina. The owners are nearby and were VERY and QUICKLY responsive when we had a couple of questions during the week. If you are going to the Sandpoint area, I would strongly encourage you to consider this property if you want something within 10-15 minutes from Sandpoint but also want to enjoy the scenary and quiet. If so, it doesn't get any better than this. Our family loved our time there and it would not be a hard sell to convince them to return to the Gold Mountain Retreat for our next family reunion. A totally wonderful experience.

I took my partner to Gold Mountain Retreat to celebrate her 59th birthday over the weekend of March 16, 2012. I wanted to make it the best birthday of her life, and afterward she told me it was. We found this retreat simply stunning. It is impeccably maintained, warm, charming, and comfortable, with every convenience attended to, cozy details everywhere you turn. The place just glows with care and love. The real grace note for me was the incredible view of lake and mountains. We were treated to a lovely spring snow, and in the morning the view was monochromatic in grays and radiant silvers. It was like a gelatin silver photograph, except the scene was ALIVE and filled with drama, constantly shifting from one moment to the next. There was "news" in that beautiful prospect, very good, soul-lifting news indeed. Sunset was bathed in rouge, magenta, gold, purple deepening into blackness against which icy stars came out through windows of clouds. It always took a real act of will for me to pull myself away from that view, and I could never stay away for long. For our field trial English Cocker spaniel, the grace note was the intoxicating scents in the quiet woods surrounding the cabin. He almost forgave me for not having a shotgun. We had some happy, tail-wagging walks. Noting that one guest recommended bringing bottled water because of a metallic taste in the water, I did. We didn't use the bottled water, however, because we found the ice cold tap water delicious--fresh, sweet and pure. I was tempted to bottle some of it and take it home. Whatever caused the metallic taste seems to have been cleared up. I agree that the road in can be a challenge in muddy March when we visited. Our Volvo Cross Country handled it without difficulty, but did almost get stuck in the last short pitch to the house when we came home from dinner Friday night. A two-wheel-drive car wouldn't have made it, and the ruts we left will need repair. Still, I consider the road part of GMR's charm, because this is a place you choose for quiet luxury and beauty away from the hurley-burley of the world below. I can't recommend GMR highly enough. You're pretty close to heaven up there, and it's hard to leave. If you're looking for a great meal out, I recommend 41 South. If you want a beautiful floral arrangement for your sweetheart, give Nicole at Petal Talk a call. We had an unforgettable visit. We'll be back.