Hastings on Hickory

Stayed July of 26 and overall, our stay was good. The house itself was great, clean, lots of amenities, and spacious. The linen package was a nice touch that saves a lot of time and packing space. The check in/out process is seamless. We did have two plumbing issues, that obviously couldn’t have been predicted, but did cause a little minor disruption. The plumbing issues were a broken toilet phalange in the basement and a cracked pipe in the basement wall that led out to the rear spigot. The leaks caused puddled water in that corner of the house where the pipe and toilet were, which we contained with beach towels. When noticed, we reached out the SML Rentals, and received prompt service. Within a few hours, a plumber showed up and spent a couple hours at the house fixing the leaks. The response to the problem was excellent. The outdoor space on the rear of the house was great, with nice furniture. The path to the dock was nice and short. The dock itself was a little older, could use some TLC. Simple things such as driving in nails that are sticking up a full inch, and paint. Access to the water is the main reason I am leaving this review. Please know that we were well aware of water levels, we tracked it, and we tried to prepare for it. All the while knowing, this house is marketed as having 20’ water at the dock, which I still believe is accurate. The problem was the fact that we were unable to get to the floater from the water because there is no ladder or steps. We ended up buying a 10’ step ladder from a local hardware store to get from the floater to the fixed dock. With the 10’ ladder, we felt comfortable with kids and older people using it. The metal ladder off of the end of the fixed dock that you see in photos was about 2’ out of the water, meaning you couldn’t climb up it when in the water. This was all with lake levels around 789-790. All in all, great house, great amenities, dock could use a little TLC.

The house was amazing with plenty of room for everyone. Plenty of parking. It is in a great location, with plenty to do nearby. We love the layout, we had plenty of space to be together. But we also had space for some quiet time or to do some reading. The water access was a challenge due to the low water levels, but we managed. There were a couple of light bulbs out in the main floor master bath. It was really helpful having the light switches labeled (there are a lot of switches). The winding path helped with the slope, it was easier to manage than properties we have rented with stairs. It was still a bit of a climb when carrying supplies, kayak, etc. I am 68 with one lung which doesn't help. Overall we were very satisfied and would not hesitate to recommend it to others. The rental company was great to work with and answered all of our questions. Cannot wait until our next visit.

Hastings on Hickory is simply fantastic. The house itself is spacious, comfortable, and perfectly set up for families or groups. Every detail feels thought out—from the chef’s kitchen, which makes it easy to cook for a crowd, to the multiple living areas, where everyone can relax without feeling crowded. The location could not be better. The cove is quiet but still gives you wide, open views of the main channel and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The dock setup is excellent for swimming, boating, or just sitting by the water, and the outdoor fireplace and patio areas make evenings just as enjoyable as the days. Inside, the bedrooms are well designed for groups of all sizes. The kids loved the bunkroom, while the adults had comfortable suites with great views. The lower level with the bar and game area was a huge hit and gave us plenty of room to spread out. This is one of those homes where everything just works—easy, comfortable, and set up so you can focus on spending time together. We have stayed at several lake houses over the years, and Hastings on Hickory stands out as one of the very best.

Our stay at Hastings on Hickory was everything we hoped for in a Smith Mountain Lake getaway. Mornings with coffee on the porch overlooking the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains were very relaxing. The home is large and beautifully designed, with plenty of room for everyone to spread out and relax. We loved the open main level, especially the kitchen and large dining area that made cooking and gathering so enjoyable. The King suite on the main floor was a peaceful retreat with fantastic water views. Downstairs quickly became a favorite spot, with the pub-style wet bar, card table, and access to the stone patio for chilling outdoors. The path to the dock was short and convenient, and the deep water made swimming, fishing, and boating easy. Our kids had the best time in the upstairs bunkroom, and the older kids liked the outdoor fireplace. Hastings on Hickory is a five-star stay!