Grand Vue Park is now renting recently finished Tree House cabins.
WHEELING, W.Va. — This winter, staff at Marshall County’s adventure park crafted a plan to marry the area’s natural beauty with the convenience of luxury resort and hotel themes.
Tree House cabins, the newest attraction at Grand Vue Park, recently welcomed their first guests. The new accommodations, funded completely by millions of dollars in oil and natural gas royalties, are located at the end of Cabin Road. White Oak and Red Maple Tree House cabins sit 50-60 feet off the ground, while Black Walnut and Blue Spruce are closer to ground at 20-25 feet.
Black Walnut and White Oak have two bedrooms, while Blue Spruce and Red Maple each have one. The cabins are booked as daily rentals with reservations available months in advance.
The cabins boast a scenic view for every season, with each providing a full kitchen, living room, high definition television and a hot tub on the balcony. Although all of the new cabins can be accessed with a wheelchair, Black Walnut is accessible under American Disabilities Act standards.
According to park Manager Craig White, the tree house cabins will offer a cozier appeal compared to the traditional and deluxe cabins, which sleep 12 people each. The park’s Eagle Cabin sleeps 18.
Planning for the new additions began in January during board meetings, which White said involved plans for keeping a wild and wonderful theme at the park.
“Two years ago, the board sat down and created a new master plan for the park. Of that master plan, we were able to accomplish two things: the Aerial Adventure Park and the treehouse style cabins. We recognized one of our biggest issues was lodging. We were missing out because although our cabins are nice, they sleep 17 people. We wanted to get that small family or a husband and wife getaway in a very luxurious style.”
Contrary to their names, White said the new cabins are nothing like the childhood getaways locals may think of when they hear the term “treehouse,” as the lodgings require no climbing or rope swinging departures.
“We say treehouse, but most people have just been wowed when they walk in,” White said. “There’s no tree growing through it. It’s more of a Fallingwater-type facility, breathing the beauty of the outside in.”
Marshall County Commissioner Bob Miller, who attended the opening ceremony, said the new addition to the park will be another tourism boost to the area.
“The pictures of the new cabins were beautiful, but I had no idea how nice it would be until I saw them. They’re like luxury hotel rooms,” Miller said. “It was really exciting to see how they’re breaking into this market….I think it will have a positive impact on tourism in the county.”
