Sweetwood Lodge overlooks the majestic Blue Ridge Mountain Range. Enjoy the ever-changing mountain view by day and marvel at the brilliant stars against the inky black sky at night. Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River, is directly in view. The property is located in Gateway Mountain, a 3,000-acre hardwood forest and preserve, which offers a peaceful respite from hectic day-to-day life. In addition to the varied and breathtaking vistas, guests within Gateway enjoy unspoiled, woodland surroundings and amenities including hiking trails, a private lake in which you can swim if you'd like, a spectacular and private waterfall park and picnic area, and even a small catch and release trout pond (no license required). We find that time spent on the mountain is always uplifting and restorative and would love for Sweetwood Lodge to be the home base for your getaway.

House Layout: MAIN FLOOR: Open living room and dining area, artfully appointed, with sliders opening onto the spacious upper deck. The living room has a 70" TV (Direct TV included) and a fireplace with gas logs. There is a bedroom with a queen bed across from the full hall bath with a jacuzzi tub and hand-held shower. A very fully equipped kitchen makes the preparation of anything from a simple snack to a large holiday feast a pleasure for the cook(s) in your group. The master suite has a king bed and opens onto the screen porch, (which is also accessible from the upper deck), and a full bath features a multi-jet shower. A laundry/mud room with a washer/dryer is also on this level. LOWER LEVEL: Den with a sectional couch, 50? TV with DVD player, game table seating 4-6, and a collection of board games, playing cards, puzzles, and books. An electric Franklin Stove provides both extra warmth and charm to the space. Sliders open onto the lower level deck and a bedroom with a queen bed has a full hall bath (shower only, no tub). The library contains books, travel brochures, local reference materials, and a wireless printer for guest use. A "mini gym" with a spin bike, exercise bands, and free weights are available for use as well. OUTDOORS: Gas grill off the kitchen door, bistro seating for two on the front porch, two large mountain-facing decks, and a screen porch. The upper deck has a dining table with seating for six adjacent to the wood-burning chimney. The lower deck is furnished with four Adirondack chairs and another bistro set seating two. The screen porch is outfitted to seat four, but can easily accommodate six with extra folding chairs.

Sweetwood Lodge is a true mountain retreat, yet its close proximity to the community gate (just 1 mile) on a gently sloping, paved street provides easy access to main roads. It's a comfortable and often very scenic drive to a great variety of active outdoor pursuits, charming mountain towns, small artisanal farms and markets, artist studios/galleries, restaurants, breweries, and historical sights.

I40: 10 minutes
Black Mountain: 15-20 minutes
Asheville: 35-40 minutes
Lake Lure/Chimney Rock: 30 minutes
Blue Ridge Parkway: 25 minutes
Lake James: 40 minutes

We love animals, but NO PETS in this home please, and NO SMOKING. Please note: During the colder winter months, icy and/or snowy road conditions and delayed snow plow operations are possible within the development. From December through March, please come prepared with AWD or 4WD vehicles. We also recommend travel insurance for those staying in the Gateway Mountain development during the winter months. Garage is NOT included in the rental. No parking is allowed on roadways or at gate entrances. No RVs, boat trailers, camping trailers, or trailers of any kind are permitted in the Gateway Mountain Community.