We Wandered everywhere, but found home at Smith Mountain Lake + now, we invite you to do the same.
Hi there! We’re Nicky and Rhys—partners in adventure, in life, and now, in creating a place where you can make lifelong memories.
Before settling down, we spent years traveling the world, working in different countries, and saying yes to every adventure. We stayed in every type of accommodation imaginable—hostels, boutique hotels, home stays, couch surfing spots, even the occasional train station floor. And through it all, we learned something important: The best places weren’t just about the view or the amenities—they were about the people who welcomed us in and made us feel at home.
Like Mr. Min Young at the Grape Garden Guesthouse in South Korea, who stayed up all night with us, playing guitar, laughing, and singing karaoke.
Jungle Johnny in India, who invited us into his home deep in a tiger reserve, where we cooked together, swapped stories, and listened to wild elephants in the distance.
The Nguyen family in Vietnam, who treated us like long-lost relatives, sharing meals and beers by the river, giving us a sense of belonging we’ll never forget.
These weren’t just places to stay—they were experiences that shaped us.
Fast forward a few years, and we traded in our backpacks for a home base to raise our three boys. With our growing family, we quickly learned the importance of creating spaces where people can come together, slow down, and make lasting memories.
That’s why we created The Hidden Box—a place where you don’t just visit, but truly experience Smith Mountain Lake. We want this to feel like your second home, where you can relax, laugh, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
The Hidden Box is a perfect blend of our two biggest passions—travel and family. We wanted to take everything we loved about our adventures—the warmth, the connection, the feeling of being truly welcomed—and create a vacation home that feels like your second home.
So whether you’re here for a weekend escape or a long, lazy week by the water, we hope you feel at home, surrounded by the people you love most.
Welcome to our happy place. We can’t wait for you to experience lake life at The Hidden Box.
See you on the water!