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Mountain Gem I Pet Friendly Luxury Cottage in Cheshire Village

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Welcome to Mountain Gem!
Open-concept dining area with seating for 6.
Gather around the outdoor fireplace on chilly evenings to stay cozy.
Main-level living room with 55" TV (with sound bar), a Sonos music system, and a gas fireplace.
Chef's kitchen with a gas range, dishwasher, and Keurig coffeemaker.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Mountain Gem I Pet Friendly Luxury Cottage in Cheshire Village

Formerly known as Idle Awhile, this luxurious and exquisite "Mountain Gem" is tucked away in Black Mountain's charming Village of Cheshire. Stay in and enjoy the chef's kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, cookware, a wine cooler, and a coffee bar, or venture out to experience Beradu, Sake Sushi, or Cheshire Arms, all within walking distance.

About the Home
• Fully equipped chef's kitchen with a gas range, a dishwasher, a Keurig coffee maker, a wine cooler, and an additional coffee bar with an espresso machine
• Open-concept dining area with seating for 6; living room with 55" TV (with sound bar), Sonos music system, and gas fireplace
• Lower-level den with dedicated workspace, TV, and gas log fireplace
• Wrap-around porch with seating and dining area; back patio with Adirondack rockers, outdoor fire pit, and gas grill

Where to Unwind
• Main floor primary bedroom with a king-size bed, a TV, and an en suite bathroom with an oversized walk-in shower
• Lower-level bedroom with a king-size bed, a TV, and a sitting area; full bathroom with a walk-in shower
• Upper-level bedroom with queen-size bed
• Upper-level bedroom with queen-size bed; full bathroom, with bathtub and shower combination, can be accessed from the hallway

Where to Explore
• Beradu Specialty Market, Kitchen & Bar | < 5 minute walk
• Sake Sushi | < 5 minute walk
• Nearest Gas, Ingles iMarket | 3 minutes
• Nearest Grocery, Ingles Market | 3 minutes
• Downtown Black Mountain | 4 minutes
• Lookout Mountain Trail Head | 13 minutes
• The Blue Ridge Parkway | 13 minutes
• Downtown Asheville | 19 minutes
• The Biltmore Estate | 25 minutes

Please note: This home spans three levels, and the main entrance is accessed via two exterior staircases (approximately 14 steps total) from the parking area. The stairs are equipped with a handrail and lighting for safety and visibility. Due to the layout and number of stairs, the home is not recommended for guests with mobility concerns.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

Pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1750386vb
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, a first aid kit 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

Black Mountain

Located in Cheshire, a neighbourhood in Black Mountain, this cabin is in the mountains. White Horse Black Mountain and Black Mountain Center for the Arts are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Swannanoa Valley Museum and Arrowhead Monument. The Merry Wine Market and Ten Thousand Villages are also worth visiting. Practise your golf swing on a nearby course, or enjoy other activities in the great outdoors, such as mountain biking and hiking in the area.
View more Cabin rentals in Black MountainOpens in a new window
Map
Black Mountain, NC

What's nearby

  • Black Mountain Center for the Arts - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Swannanoa Valley Museum - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • White Horse Black Mountain - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • The Merry Wine Market - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Biltmore Estate - 19 min drive - 29.3 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Recess Coffee and Baked Goods - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Mountain Gem I Pet Friendly Luxury Cottage in Cheshire Village pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Mountain Gem I Pet Friendly Luxury Cottage in Cheshire Village?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Mountain Gem I Pet Friendly Luxury Cottage in Cheshire Village?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Mountain Gem I Pet Friendly Luxury Cottage in Cheshire Village?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Mountain Gem I Pet Friendly Luxury Cottage in Cheshire Village located?

Located in Cheshire, this cabin is within 2 miles (3 km) of White Horse Black Mountain, Black Mountain Center for the Arts and Swannanoa Valley Museum. The Merry Wine Market and Lake Tomahawk are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic property!

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The house was just as described. Very relaxing! We will definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Aug 2022
Christine, we're delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic and relaxing stay at Idle Awhile! We appreciate you taking the time to share your complimentary feedback with us and future guests, and we look forward to helping you plan your next mountain getaway soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Phyllis M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

All lived up to expectations.

Wonderful property to spend a fall vacation with family.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Oct 2020
Phyllis, we're so pleased to hear that you and your family had such an amazing Fall getaway at Idle Awhile. We really appreciate you choosing Greybeard Rentals and taking the time to share your feedback with us, and we hope to welcome you back to the area soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing visit.

Beautiful property. Good layout with lots of privacy. Comfortable beds, great location, nicely equipped kitchen. Close to other homes but feels tucked away and private.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May 2021
Kelly, we're pleased to hear that you had an overall amazing stay at Idle Awhile and loved the comfortable, well-equipped interior and convenient location. We really appreciate you choosing Greybeard Rentals and taking the time to share your valuable feedback with us, and we hope to welcome you back to the area soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Devry L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Black Mountain

We had an amazing time, house was beautiful and well-appointed!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Sept 2023
Devry, we're delighted that you had an amazing stay at Idle Awhile! We appreciate you reviewing and recommending Greybeard and this home to future guests, and we look forward to hosting you again soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Home!

Very cozy house that is perfect for multiple guest. We enjoyed walking around the neighborhood and cooking in that beautiful kitchen.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Feb 2022
Kim, we're delighted to hear that you and your group had such an exceptional getaway at Idle Awhile and loved the cozy, well-appointed interior and charming location within the Village of Cheshire. We appreciate you taking the time to share your complimentary feedback with us and future guests, and we hope that we'll get the chance to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carrie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house with easy access to hiking and activities in Asheville.

The rental process was easy and the rental company was very responsive to questions. The house was perfect when we arrived and set the tone for a relaxing week.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2022
Carrie, thank you for your amazing review of Idle Awhile and shoutout to Greybeard's team. We appreciate you taking the time to share your valuable feedback with us and future guests, and we look forward to helping you plan your next mountain getaway!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

As advertised

Beautifully appointed and appreciated the comfortable bedding.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Feb 2021
Robert, we're delighted to hear that you had such an exceptional stay at Idle Awhile and loved the cozy, well-appointed interior. We really appreciate you choosing Greybeard Rentals and taking the time to share your feedback with us, and we hope to welcome you back to the area soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kellen B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing home

Beautiful home with so much charm. Really loved the outdoor spaces. We spent most of our time on the porch or around the fire! Perfect for a small group!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 8 June 2022
Kellen, we're delighted to hear that you and your group had such an exceptional getaway at Idle Awhile and loved the charming interior and fantastic outdoor spaces. We appreciate you taking the time to share your valuable feedback with us and future guests, and we hope that we'll get the chance to host you again very soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful. Super clean.

Loved it! Comfortable, pet friendly enviroment!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2022
Linda, we're delighted to hear that you and your pup had such an amazing getaway at Idle Awhile! We appreciate you taking the time to review and recommend us to future guests, and we look forward to hosting you again soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Always a great stay here

House is spacious, well maintained, well stocked and in a beautiful neighborhood. Easy access to Black Mountain and Asheville. Always feel very safe here and the neighbors are very kind and welcoming. Deck is great for afternoon cocktails and morning coffee. Highly recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Apr 2023
Thank you for your five-star review and recommendation of Idle Awhile, Lisa! We're delighted that you had another exceptional stay at this home, and we hope that we'll get the chance to host you again very soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brandon H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet

nice home in a nice quiet neighborhood
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 June 2023
Brandon, thank you so much for your five-star review of Idle Awhile! We hope to welcome you back soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lander C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place!!

Such a nice house and Greybeard is a step above as a property manager. The Cheshire area is super nice and you can walk to a small store and 2 restaurants. The restaurants aren’t opened every day, so check the times. All around, a fantastic experience.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 18 July 2023
Lander, we're delighted that you had such a fantastic getaway at Idle Awhile, and we're pleased to hear that your interactions with the Greybeard team just enhanced your experience that much more. We appreciate you reviewing and recommending us to future guests, and we look forward to hosting you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!

Beautiful home with lots of space, great outdoor areas and access. Thank you so much!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Mar 2023
Jessica, we're delighted to hear that you had such an amazing getaway at Idle Awhile and enjoyed the beautiful interior and outdoor spaces. We appreciate you taking the time to review and recommend us to future guests, and we hope that we'll get the chance to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay

Idle Awhile was the perfect place for our family gathering. With bedrooms on each of three floors we all had our privacy. We loved the fact that we were close to Asheville and Montreat. Black Mountain was a delightful town with lots of great eating places. The house had all the amenities one needed. My only concern was having to stand up to use the remote control for the tv on the main floor.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 19 July 2023
Mark, thank you so much for your five-star review of Idle Awhile! We're delighted that you and your family had such a fantastic getaway and enjoyed the quick access to the charming towns of Black Mountain and Montreat. We appreciate you choosing us at Greybeard, and we hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

keith and camille s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

College visits and vacation

The property was spotless and beautifully decorated. It fit 4 of us great. Neighborhood is gorgeous and the management company is very professional, accommodating and friendly. Wish there were more lights, a view of the mountains and the tv wasn’t so awkward. Would recommend!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Aug 2023
Keith & Camille, we're thrilled that you had such an amazing getaway at Idle Awhile, and we're so happy to hear that the excellent customer service from the Greybeard team members just enhanced your experience all the more. We appreciate you sharing your feedback with us and recommending us to future travelers, and we hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous cabin in the woods

Idle Awhile was a fabulous cabin tucked in the woods - a wonderful retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Asheville. It was conveniently close to town, the Biltmore and other tourist spots, but isolated enough to allow for a nice glass of wine on the front porch while listening to the sound of wind in the trees. The house had everything we needed for our stay and plenty of room for our party of 6. Would highly recommend it!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Dec 2022
Colleen, we're delighted to hear that you and your group had such an exceptional getaway at Idle Awhile! We appreciate you taking the time to share your valuable feedback with us and recommend us to future guests, and we look forward to hosting you again when you return to the area.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect home!

We travel to Black Mountain every year and this has been our best house so far. It is in a beautiful and serene neighborhood. The house is gorgeous and the listing was accurate. We had an ac issue during our stay and the property manager quickly responded and resolved the issue. There are little trails throughout the neighborhood and a little creek. We really enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend this home. We will likely stay here again!
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 19 June 2024
Linda, we couldn't be more pleased to hear that Idle Awhile is the best home you've stayed in while visiting Black Mountain. We appreciate your kind review, and we're glad our team at Greybeard was quick to resolve the AC issue during your stay. We hope to host you again next time you're traveling to the area!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An amazing house in an amazing setting

This house was absolutely perfect for our mini-family reunion. Three master suites on three different floor put us all together under one roof with privacy. The kitchen appliances are high end and the kitchen is well stocked with pots, pans, cookware, plates, glasses, etc. The porch was perfect for playing board games and cards. The Village of Cheshire is idyllic. We all want to come back! Kudos to the homeowners for thinking of everything.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Aug 2021
James, we're delighted to hear that you and your family had such an exceptional and memorable getaway at Idle Awhile and loved the high end amenities and charming location within the Village of Cheshire. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your complimentary feedback with us and future guests, and we look forward to your return!
Verified

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy

Up and Down

Neither the pictures nor the listing described the stairs adequately. Three levels, very steep stairs, treacherous stone steps especially when wet. No keys provided and passcode lock on main (2nd) level only. Construction on houses going up behind not mentioned until past the cancel date. Entire house needs power wash badly, spiders, cobwebs, moss, dust on porches. Great location but quirky items, e.g. a wall switch required to turn power on the dishwasher, a noisy ice maker that could not be turned off, AC difficult to control, too warm or freezing. It’s a 3.5 star listing with a 5 star price. One parking space only adjacent to the basement level. And, the trash can opening instruction is incorrect.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Sept 2023
We are so sorry to hear that your experience at Idle Awhile was a poor one. We do our best to be completely transparent in marketing our property’s features, location, and important things to note (including house layout and ongoing construction nearby which had been added to this listing prior to your booking), so we’re sorry to hear that your experience was anything short of excellent despite our best efforts. While the photos adequately show the exterior and interior staircases, we have added a more detailed note to the description to ensure this is clear to future guests. The switch for the dishwasher is labeled, and the bear-proof trash can has factory instructions posted on top that we've confirmed are accurate and completely up-to-date. We appreciate you sharing your honest feedback and recommendations with us on how to improve the guest experience moving forward, and we hope that you will consider staying with us again when you return to the area. We have a large inventory of homes, and our reservationists would be happy to discuss and make recommendations to help find the best home for you and your group's needs/desires!
Verified

6/10 Okay

RoU70PCxYWk0unhY4IPiKRUA3qOdM7ixggGtHN92EhwH+7QFM4FmEQZiAAAAcDBuBgkqhkiG9w0BBwagYTBfAgEAMFoGCSqGSIb3 H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just one thing….but big

Everything was just as it was supposed to be. It was our fourth rental in this neighborhood. BUT on the first night the windows were rattling and it sounded like a truck was parked outside the master to make such a noise and effect. We turned the entire hvac off and could not figure out the noise. Sleeping on the couch in the middle of the house helped but it was a terrible night. The next morning we did tell property management. They did come out to claim they found nothing wrong. There is a compressor outside the master windows. Well the noise was gone when we go back but clearly something was broke and fixed. We were frustrated at the misery of one nights sleep and the effort and coordination needed the next day when we were supposed to be relaxed on a fishing trip. They offered $100 off a $3k booking only. I declined that and they said that was just dandy. Recommended we check out for a full refund and go to a hotel. Pretty snarky especially if you’ve been to black mountain. There’s one hotel. I think the maintenance team missed a regular maintenance on the compressor and then lied to the management team who then gaslit us. Should have been handled better.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2024
Pamela, we’re so sorry to hear that you had a negative experience at Idle Awhile, and we appreciate your honest review. As you mentioned, our maintenance worker was not able to find the source of the window rattling, but it was not our team’s intention to gaslight you. Sometimes certain issues are elusive and cannot be duplicated, but we have every confidence that our maintenance team did their due diligence to find the problem and provide a solution. Since there was no issue to be found, our $100 refund was a peace offering for an uncomfortable night. Our other offer of allowing you to check out with a full refund and stay in a hotel was not meant to be snarky at all. We did not want you to feel stuck or unhappy in our rental and wanted to give you an alternate option that would ensure your comfort. It’s so important to us that our guests feel heard and taken care of, and we hope that the call from our Rental Manager reinforced that intention. We do hope that you will consider staying with us again when you travel to the Asheville/Black Mountain area so we can provide you with an amazing stay.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Black Mountain Retreat

Beautiful comfortable house with a great location. A no hassle check in process and everything about the house was above our exceptions.
Response from VrboOwner on 16 June 2021
Thomas, we're delighted to hear that you had such an exceptional getaway at Idle Awhile and loved the seamless reservation process, well-appointed interior, and beautiful location. We really appreciate you choosing Greybeard Rentals and taking the time to share your complimentary feedback with us, and we hope to welcome you back to the area soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful house in a fabulous neighborhood

Spent a long weekend in this property and could not have been happier. House and property are as depicted in listing, is well appointed with amenities, very comfortable and nicely decorated, room for everyone and in a wonderful, safe neighborhood. We loved the proximity to downtown Black Mountain and Asheville but liked that it was less crowded in this area. The little village is very cute and provides a nice option for a meal and the gourmet grocery store was stocked with nice items and the personnel were very helpful. Walking around the neighborhood is lovely and everyone was very nice. Will return to this house again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 June 2021
Lisa, we're delighted to hear that you had a fantastic weekend getaway at Idle Awhile and loved the charming neighborhood, well-appointed interior, and close proximity to Black Mountain and Asheville. We appreciate you choosing Greybeard Rentals and taking the time to share your thoughtful feedback with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the area in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bradley A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent Stay

A lovely home in an ideal area!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 May 2021
Bradley, we're beyond pleased to hear that you had such an exceptional getaway at Idle Awhile and loved the charming and convenient location within the Village of Cheshire. We really appreciate you choosing Greybeard Rentals and taking the time to review and recommend us to future guests, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the area very soon!

About the host

Hosted by Greybeard Rentals

Host profile image

Greybeard Rentals manages over 225 vacation rentals in Asheville, Black Mountain, Lake James, and the surrounding Western North Carolina region. A locally owned and operated business for over 25 years, Greybeard Rentals team of 20+ rental specialists are available to provide 24/7 rental emergency support for any rental issues that arise. They are also available to assist with any questions you may have about restaurant recommendations, activities, and more.

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