Montford Historic District, on quiet alley, 5 min walk to Downtown, 30 day min
This cozy two-story 1905 Carriage House was renovated over the last 50 years to function as a modern home while retaining historic integrity and charm (the main house burned down in the 70's). This was my architectural design studio while I lived in the cottage next door, during the construction of my new home on the front part of the property about 8 years ago (featured in Fall 2010 Fine Homebuilding magazine). Accessed by a quiet old narrow carriage alley, a short scenic walk to our vibrant downtown, UNCA, and convenient to I-240, yet in the middle of a registered historic neighborhood of lovingly restored homes and B&B's, huge hardwood trees, brick sidewalks and a greenway along a creek. Wood floors and windows throughout, tastefully furnished with leather couch, table for 6, W/D, fully equipped kitchen (incl utensils, pots/pans, cooktop, microwave, etc), (no DW), two sets of linens, comforters, etc., CATV, wireless internet, and all utilities included. 12mb wireless network is private, but shared with the cottage next door. The House is on two levels, with the larger bedroom and bath (with shower) on the lower level (unfinished storage bay makes up the remainder of the ground level), with a door spilling out to the covered stone patio. Other rooms are upstairs, including a second bedroom and bath, with a clawfoot tub, the living area flowing out to a large elevated deck tucked under a mature tree canopy, surrounded by lush landscaping creating privacy and shade. The Carriage House is adjacent to my circa 1940 rental cottage (#431599) 30 day minimum, unless gaps between reservations allow shorter stay, 2 week min. Also within 10 min walk to Wholefoods grocery, Trader Joes, YMCA and yoga studios. Montford has several great neighborhood restaurants, parks, and a historic cemetery. . This is a perfect place to stay while relocating. The driveway from the one-way alley is between two stone walls and is tight, so large SUV's or trucks are discouraged, others require a little patience until you get the hang of it. Parking for three cars is shared with the cottage, so one car each unit is preferred.
I live and work on the other side of a lush evergreen hedgerow, in case something needs attention.
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Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Property # 139941
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Asheville
Located in Historic Montford, a neighbourhood in Asheville, this holiday home is in the mountains. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Biltmore Estate and Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Entrance. Ready for a night out? Consider Grey Eagle and The Orange Peel. Take in the nearby slopes with skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as ice skating and sledging.
Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
Fired Up Creative Lounge Ashville - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
University of North Carolina at Asheville - 16 min walk - 1.3 km
The Orange Peel - 2 min drive - 1.7 km
Getting around
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 19 min drive
Restaurants
Chick-fil-A - 13 min walk
Shakey’s - 13 min walk
Five Points Restaurant - 8 min walk
Soprana Rooftop Cucina - 10 min walk
Battery Park Book Exchange And Champagne Bar - 13 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Montford Historic District, on quiet alley, 5 min walk to Downtown, 30 day min pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Montford Historic District, on quiet alley, 5 min walk to Downtown, 30 day min?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Montford Historic District, on quiet alley, 5 min walk to Downtown, 30 day min on 21 Oct 2026 start from AU$131, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Montford Historic District, on quiet alley, 5 min walk to Downtown, 30 day min?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Montford Historic District, on quiet alley, 5 min walk to Downtown, 30 day min?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Montford Historic District, on quiet alley, 5 min walk to Downtown, 30 day min?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Montford Historic District, on quiet alley, 5 min walk to Downtown, 30 day min located?
Located in Historic Montford, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau and Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville. Asheville Visitor Center and Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We loved the Carriage House! Central Montford location cannot be beat, and the property is exactly as listed. We were lucky enough to get a glimpse (from afar) of the neighborhood bear who occasionally visits the alleyway! Michael was a great host, very responsive and accommodating, we would love to stay here again.
Michael’s carrriage house was perfect for our stay. The house had everything we needed and was very clean. The neighborhood is awesome, beautiful historic houses very close to downtown.
Michael's cottage is the perfect place to spend a month in Asheville. Located in a beautiful historic area great for walking - Very quiet and residential yet only a short walk over the bridge to downtown. Very comfortable 2 level cottage.
The carriage house is a perfectly sized space for friends or couples, with a separate entrance to the second bedroom/bathroom. It’s in walking distance to everything. I thoroughly enjoyed being there.
We loved our stay. The hone us furnished well and very comfortable. It was private and close to all that Asheville has to offer. The only drawback was the narrow entrance to the place from the alley. Otherwise it would have rated a 5.
We knew we would love this place when two little chickens met us at our car. Close to 3 great grocery stores and 2 restaurants we frequented a lot. So close to downtown that we found it easier to Uber than drive and park. No pay channels so we brought our IPad and watched movies on that. Thanks for a great stay!
The adorable house is nestled in an alley in a safe and gorgeous area. The historic homes are breathtaking!
You can right right out the door just a block or so to a paved trail that loops up through UNC. Perfect!
The owner is warm and friendly and has wonderful communication.
The carriage house location is perfect for walking to Downtown Asheville, grocery stores, UNC tailgate, neighborhood restaurants, historic cemetery, and parks. I loved the quiet neighborhood and the glorious sound of birds. It’s a quick ride to the Riverfront Arts District and other neighboring communities. Also easy ride to Blue Ridge Parkway and NC Arboretum. Our Asheville adventure was wonderful with the carriage house and it’s perfect location contributing to that experience.
We were scheduled to spend the month of October at Michael’s rental. Hurricane Helene and aftermath had other plans and we had to cancel. Michael went above and beyond what a lot of hosts would have done and after many (difficult to make with limited service) attempts, got our refund from VRBO and passed it on to us. A lot of hosts would not have done that and we can’t wait to stay next year!
I had a great month of August staying at Micheal’s property.The carriage was exactly like like the description .The house was fully equipped and everything worked.The Montford area is the best place to stay close enough to downtown to walk three great restaurants in the neighborhood.As for strange turkey walking around the neighborhood a bunch of goats around the corner and a morning meeting with a bear in the ally.Highly recommend staying at the montford carriage house your so close to everything.And Micheal even lent me a bicycle while i was there.
a wonderful glimpse into the pulse of the community
wonderful, aesthetically pleasing and well equipped hideaway ,close to town. Michael was very pleasant and helpful. (His binder of information was excellent.) and all this is within walking to 3 wonderful eateries.
my only problem occurred with the entrance drive to the ample parking area. It is a very tight, curved driveway, with rock wall on either side. I guess my car is too big. I needed my 4 side cameras each time to enter and leave. the home provided a wonderful introduction to Asheville.
laura j.
Stayed 22 nights in Feb 2024
Archival
8/10 Good
Steve H.
20 Nov 2015
Carriage House in great location
The carriage house is an excellent choice in historic Montford, a short walk to downtown. Michael did a good job making the early 1900's house into a rental. The 2 bedrooms and living/dining room are spacious but the 2 bathrooms and the kitchen are small as you would expect from that era. Everything worked and did not require owner maintenance/repair. He also nicely allowed us to have a daily paper delivered to his driveway on Montford Ave. Be very careful of the carriage house driveway on Cumberland Alley if you have a larger car like an suv. The Alley is a narrow single lane and the driveway is also very narrow (probably made for smaller vehicles of course) and flanked by a stone wall on both sides. Despite always going very slowly we scraped our car. Otherwise we enjoyed our stay and recommend the carriage house.
This is a cozy, comfortable and charming cottage located in a beautiful neighborhood that is perfect for daily walks. Walking distance to neighborhood and downtown restaurants and to Harris Teeter's, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods! Great access to everything Asheville! The Visitor's Center is a wonderful resource.
We enjoyed staying at this updated carriage conveniently located in Montfort. It was within walking distance of grocery stores (3), restaurants, downtown, and the visitors center. There was off street parking and our landlord was extremely responsive to our needs. We would definitely stay again. There is a ground level bedroom and on suite bathroom with another upstairs. Stairs were not a problem for us. The neighborhood is very quiet and we slept well.
Light-filled carriage house with lots of character.
This charming and well-appointed carriage house checked off most of my boxes including proximity to downtown, within walking distance of Trader Joe’s, and location in an established, walkable neighborhood. The windows surrounding the main living space let in an abundance of light throughout the day from early morning on. I especially loved taking in the gorgeous sunsets from the kitchen windows. A few friends and relatives visited while I was there and they enjoyed all of these wonderful features too.
Ideally located in Montford, cozy property with two bedrooms, one on each floor. Well supplied kitchen, and the washer/dryer are extra helpful. Owner is next door, and available if you need him, but you've got a big hedge between properties, so you don't feel on top of each other. As others have noted, the driveway is very tight; even in a Honda Fit we had to be careful getting in and out past the stone walls.
I couldn't have asked for anything more with this property. It's exactly as posted and was definitely what I needed for a getaway. I used this as a space for exploring the area with my dog, for visiting family in TN, and for gathering a few friends together after the long year of covid.
As a single woman, I was totally comfortable in the place and in the neighborhood - everyone is wonderfully friendly but not intrusive. There was plenty of space for guests, as well.
The neighborhood is ideal. There are a couple of restaurants and coffee shops in close walking distance, but this is more of a residential and not touristy neighborhood. That helps keep it nice and cozy quiet, but, yet, downtown Asheville bustling with activity is an easy walk away.
This stay made me realize that I'd like to spend more time in Asheville, and I hope to return soon!
Secret carriage house down a European-inspired alley
We spent one month in the carriage house and enjoyed every moment. The house is tucked away down a narrow, flower-filled alley. It's super quiet (just some bird song to compliment your morning and evening), yet super convenient to downtown Asheville and the greater Montford neighborhood. You will need a car to see all of Asheville and the surrounding towns, but most amenities are within walking distance to the house (3 grocery stores, a cute cafe, cocktail bar, restaurants). The layout of the house was great for working from home, as there is wifi access on the patios and 2 bedrooms comfortable for separate Zoom calls. The house has all the basics, plus charm - we had want for little more.
We'd definitely consider staying again.
It is a wonderful thing to be able to call a place a "home away from home." This is one of those places. My wife and I came to Asheville to become familiar with the local culture and to see if it might become our future home. The cottage was a very cheery and comfortable, 2-story structure located in the heart of the historic Montford district. It is a great location from which to experience Asheville. Within walking distance is downtown, local parks, restaurants and all the charm of the area. When relaxing at the cottage, you can watch the birds and squirrels in the lush trees surrounding the property. The cottage itself has a great deck and the downstairs area has a nice little patio for reading and relaxing. All of this became more important during the time of "stay at home" and "shelter in."
Since our stay was during this time, the necessity to be able to cook meals and work from the cottage was important. The small but efficient kitchen served our needs well and WiFi was plentiful. Our host was able to help us with local contacts and where best to shop.
Overall, this cottage is a most pleasant place to stay. I would highly recommend staying here no matter the length of your visit.
We enjoyed our stay at the charming carriage house on Cumberland Alley. It was comfy with wonderful outside spaces to enjoy the cool mornings. All was as portrayed on line. The owner and the neighbors were friendly. Asheville was as fun as it always is! Definitely I would recommend it.
Sarah K.
Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2019
Verified
8/10 Good
Joy L.
24 May 2019
Life in the alley. A beautiful alley. Our blog has many beautiful photos taken in the alley.
The location, house, furniture and accessories make this home charming and relaxing. It has some missing closets and kitchen storage but who cares it just makes you feel like settling in for a long winter's nap. But spring is beautiful in Asheville so your world is beautiful inside and outside. We hope to return for another beautiful experience.
Joy L.
Stayed 48 nights in Apr 2019
About the host
Hosted by Michael McDonough
Busy Architect with small firm, father of two, active in local Civic & Cultural issues, President of neighborhood association, tennis, volleyball, mountain-biking.
Why they chose this property
In the center of the Historic district, 10 min walk to downtown, on quiet alleyway location, Owner lives next door.