Entire home
Dec & New Yr’s Wkd Nts Still Avail! Sky Valley-Highlands! Upscale Rustic 5BR-4B!
Lakefront holiday home with fitness centre and sauna
Photo gallery for Dec & New Yr’s Wkd Nts Still Avail! Sky Valley-Highlands! Upscale Rustic 5BR-4B!





Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 12315.9 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Dillard, GA
- Place, Black Rock Mountain State Park
- Place, Highlands Aerial Park5 min drive
- Place, Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center9 min drive
Rooms & beds
5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)
Cedar Master Main Level
1 King Bed
Hickory Queen Main Level
1 Queen Bed
Pine Bunks Lower Level
2 Single Bunk Beds
Pinecone Main Level
1 Queen Bed
Pine with Mtn Laurel Lower Level
1 King Bed
4 bathrooms
Lower Level Hall Bath
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Lower Level Master Bath
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Main Level Hall Bath
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Main Level Master Bath
Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Dec & New Yr’s Wkd Nts Still Avail! Sky Valley-Highlands! Upscale Rustic 5BR-4B!
Ready for a retreat with a special someone or flock of family or friends? Our “Skylands” home has beds for 12 max occupancy per county rules, but cozy for just two of you, too. Our high-speed wifi will cover all your needs! We offer 10% off for 7 or more nights and 16% off for 28 or more!
There's plenty of space with 5 bedrooms (including 2 masters) and 4 baths over two levels, with covered porches main and lower levels. Pool table and ping pong tables in 2 separate game rooms! Extra den lower level as well. Laundry on main level! Easy access from road to driveway to front door!
Skylands is totally non-smoking, and the neighborhood environment is quiet and peaceful. We do not allow pets, and we expect all guests to respect our neighbors insofar as noise/music any time, and rear floodlights after 9 pm.
This is truly a paradise where you will hear birds singing and occasional chapel bells chiming! People make multi-generational memories coming year after year due to its location, amenities, and 3300-foot elevation on the "Highlands Plateau" near multiple national and state parks and countless things to do!
Skylands' upscale rustic charm exudes as you approach the front door with extension of the house's 20+ foot gable over the front porch, with tongue-in-groove pine ceiling. Once inside the door, you're treated to the grand sight of the huge vaulted great room with massive stone wood-burning fireplace, our well-appointed kitchen with granite-topped custom island and cabinetry created from circle-milled pine, a convenient pantry, stainless steel appliances, heart-of-pine flooring main level, updated bathroom vanities with granite and vessel sinks, local-craftsman-made Appalachian mountain log beds of cedar, pine, hickory and laurel, PEX plumbing, new HVAC, and so much more!
The focal point of the lower level game room is an 8-foot oak pool table surrounded by a sassafras and sourwood pub table and hickory stools as well as two large comfy chairs with bear/trout motif and carved bear/trout arms! Nearby is the "ping pong room" with new professional-grade table! The adjoining lower den offers more rustic comfy seating with a drop-leaf table for cards, a board game, or puzzle. There are Roku-smart TV's both levels to connect all your streaming services...next to the fireplace main level, in master bedroom main level, and lower level on top of an antique wagon wheel table with old barn wood top. It is easily moved to the lower master bedroom.
Skylands is within walking distance to the beautiful Sky Valley Resort, including its excellent and beautiful golf course (or an easy 5-minute drive). Our guests enjoy free access to its amenities: exterior heated pool and hot tub, tennis/pickleball courts, and a fitness center open 8 am to 9 pm with sauna and an interior hot tub and locker rooms! There is also a playground for your little ones!
Going northeast, Skylands is literally blocks from the trail head to Georgia's 2nd highest peak, Rabun Bald. Jump the GA/NC line, and multiple adventures within 10 minutes of our house await with Highlands Aerial Park (zipline) and Highlands Outpost (winter snowtubing / summer tubes and a mountain roller coaster). Highlands is still just a 35-40 minute drive via Franklin or Clayton (with temporary Hwy 106 road rework at Blue Valley Overlook - mid October-December 2024). Visit Main Street in Highlands for all its charm, incredible restaurants, shops, and more! Head southwest 10 minutes for Dillard, 20 to Clayton's shops and restaurants and Lakes Burton and Rabun! Skylands is central to so many choices for a long weekend or week or more - any time of year!
As for the house itself, both the main and lower levels open to covered porches with the vaulted main level porch offering a gas grill and outdoor dining area. The porches have a south/southwestern view, overlooking a beautiful small lake and the surrounding mountains. No matter the season, the porches are perfect for perching, breathing the fresh air, enjoying the year-round views, and listening to the sounds of birds and distant church chimes!
All five Skylands' bedrooms feature rustic log or solid-wood beds, all with heart pine or luxury vinyl plank flooring - no yucky carpet! "Cedar," Skylands' master bedroom (king-sized cedar log bed) is on the main level with a view of the massive great room fireplace from bed! Its windows overlook the lake and mountains. It has an adjoining large private bath with garden tub and shower, double vanity, separate toilet room and walk-in closet. Two other main level bedrooms are on other side of great room with a hall bath. "Pinecones" has a queen-sized forged-iron and wood bed with pinecones & pine branches motif. Its windows overlook the lake and mountains. The main level 3rd bedroom now boasts a hickory log queen bed! "Pinecones" and "Hickory" share a full hall bath. Also nearby is the laundry room with a washer and dryer for your use if you need them.
The central great room on the main level includes an ample formal dining area with tiger-mahogany table and 8 chairs, the updated kitchen and new circle-milled pine island with stools, and generous seating options. The fireplace and porch view provide great ambiance whether inside or out. A black walnut game table with live-edge benches provides more dining or game table options. Best of all, relax and visit..."perch"!
Interior pine stairs lead down to the lower level with its central game room as described above, with an 8-foot oak pool table, and a den between 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The lower level porch has an exterior egress to the ground level. Essentially, the lower level has a 2nd king-size master we call "Laurel" (pine logs with laurel accents) with adjoining bath and on the opposite side of the lower level is the "Pine Bunks" bedroom, with now 2 sets of whimsical pine log bunk beds! One is twin over full and other is twin over twin! "Pine Bunks" shares Skylands' 4th full bath with the den and game room.
Skylands is situated on 4 wooded lots - very private! Listen for the multitude of birds and other sounds of nature. It's why we have used the word "perch" as a verb...it's a restful, peaceful setting yet so close to so much! All roads are paved and maintained year-round. In fact, most of our neighbors are year-round residents who have discovered this uniquely-well-situated mecca for golf, hiking several national forests within minutes, heading up for an afternoon drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or even venturing to Cherokee for casino/nightlife!
When you arrive, the beds will be made and everything ready for an incredible break from the "real world," but yet the real world's cellphones work great here, and the WiFi is perfect for connecting as you wish. Upon your departure, leave the cleaning and washing to our professional housekeepers, and leave with wonderful memories and a sense of calm from a break well-deserved!
There's plenty of space with 5 bedrooms (including 2 masters) and 4 baths over two levels, with covered porches main and lower levels. Pool table and ping pong tables in 2 separate game rooms! Extra den lower level as well. Laundry on main level! Easy access from road to driveway to front door!
Skylands is totally non-smoking, and the neighborhood environment is quiet and peaceful. We do not allow pets, and we expect all guests to respect our neighbors insofar as noise/music any time, and rear floodlights after 9 pm.
This is truly a paradise where you will hear birds singing and occasional chapel bells chiming! People make multi-generational memories coming year after year due to its location, amenities, and 3300-foot elevation on the "Highlands Plateau" near multiple national and state parks and countless things to do!
Skylands' upscale rustic charm exudes as you approach the front door with extension of the house's 20+ foot gable over the front porch, with tongue-in-groove pine ceiling. Once inside the door, you're treated to the grand sight of the huge vaulted great room with massive stone wood-burning fireplace, our well-appointed kitchen with granite-topped custom island and cabinetry created from circle-milled pine, a convenient pantry, stainless steel appliances, heart-of-pine flooring main level, updated bathroom vanities with granite and vessel sinks, local-craftsman-made Appalachian mountain log beds of cedar, pine, hickory and laurel, PEX plumbing, new HVAC, and so much more!
The focal point of the lower level game room is an 8-foot oak pool table surrounded by a sassafras and sourwood pub table and hickory stools as well as two large comfy chairs with bear/trout motif and carved bear/trout arms! Nearby is the "ping pong room" with new professional-grade table! The adjoining lower den offers more rustic comfy seating with a drop-leaf table for cards, a board game, or puzzle. There are Roku-smart TV's both levels to connect all your streaming services...next to the fireplace main level, in master bedroom main level, and lower level on top of an antique wagon wheel table with old barn wood top. It is easily moved to the lower master bedroom.
Skylands is within walking distance to the beautiful Sky Valley Resort, including its excellent and beautiful golf course (or an easy 5-minute drive). Our guests enjoy free access to its amenities: exterior heated pool and hot tub, tennis/pickleball courts, and a fitness center open 8 am to 9 pm with sauna and an interior hot tub and locker rooms! There is also a playground for your little ones!
Going northeast, Skylands is literally blocks from the trail head to Georgia's 2nd highest peak, Rabun Bald. Jump the GA/NC line, and multiple adventures within 10 minutes of our house await with Highlands Aerial Park (zipline) and Highlands Outpost (winter snowtubing / summer tubes and a mountain roller coaster). Highlands is still just a 35-40 minute drive via Franklin or Clayton (with temporary Hwy 106 road rework at Blue Valley Overlook - mid October-December 2024). Visit Main Street in Highlands for all its charm, incredible restaurants, shops, and more! Head southwest 10 minutes for Dillard, 20 to Clayton's shops and restaurants and Lakes Burton and Rabun! Skylands is central to so many choices for a long weekend or week or more - any time of year!
As for the house itself, both the main and lower levels open to covered porches with the vaulted main level porch offering a gas grill and outdoor dining area. The porches have a south/southwestern view, overlooking a beautiful small lake and the surrounding mountains. No matter the season, the porches are perfect for perching, breathing the fresh air, enjoying the year-round views, and listening to the sounds of birds and distant church chimes!
All five Skylands' bedrooms feature rustic log or solid-wood beds, all with heart pine or luxury vinyl plank flooring - no yucky carpet! "Cedar," Skylands' master bedroom (king-sized cedar log bed) is on the main level with a view of the massive great room fireplace from bed! Its windows overlook the lake and mountains. It has an adjoining large private bath with garden tub and shower, double vanity, separate toilet room and walk-in closet. Two other main level bedrooms are on other side of great room with a hall bath. "Pinecones" has a queen-sized forged-iron and wood bed with pinecones & pine branches motif. Its windows overlook the lake and mountains. The main level 3rd bedroom now boasts a hickory log queen bed! "Pinecones" and "Hickory" share a full hall bath. Also nearby is the laundry room with a washer and dryer for your use if you need them.
The central great room on the main level includes an ample formal dining area with tiger-mahogany table and 8 chairs, the updated kitchen and new circle-milled pine island with stools, and generous seating options. The fireplace and porch view provide great ambiance whether inside or out. A black walnut game table with live-edge benches provides more dining or game table options. Best of all, relax and visit..."perch"!
Interior pine stairs lead down to the lower level with its central game room as described above, with an 8-foot oak pool table, and a den between 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The lower level porch has an exterior egress to the ground level. Essentially, the lower level has a 2nd king-size master we call "Laurel" (pine logs with laurel accents) with adjoining bath and on the opposite side of the lower level is the "Pine Bunks" bedroom, with now 2 sets of whimsical pine log bunk beds! One is twin over full and other is twin over twin! "Pine Bunks" shares Skylands' 4th full bath with the den and game room.
Skylands is situated on 4 wooded lots - very private! Listen for the multitude of birds and other sounds of nature. It's why we have used the word "perch" as a verb...it's a restful, peaceful setting yet so close to so much! All roads are paved and maintained year-round. In fact, most of our neighbors are year-round residents who have discovered this uniquely-well-situated mecca for golf, hiking several national forests within minutes, heading up for an afternoon drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or even venturing to Cherokee for casino/nightlife!
When you arrive, the beds will be made and everything ready for an incredible break from the "real world," but yet the real world's cellphones work great here, and the WiFi is perfect for connecting as you wish. Upon your departure, leave the cleaning and washing to our professional housekeepers, and leave with wonderful memories and a sense of calm from a break well-deserved!
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Amenities
Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
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House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Adult Supervision House, Yard and Neighborhood
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
No Smoking in House, on Porches, or in Yard.
Important information
You need to know
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
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Dillard
Located in Dillard, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Black Rock Mountain State Park and Highlands Biological Station, while The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts and Highlands Playhouse are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Highlands Aerial Park and Andy's Trout Farm. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Dillard, GA
What's nearby
- Highlands Aerial Park - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
- Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center - 9 min drive - 5.1 km
- 12 Spies Vineyards and Farm - 15 min drive - 10.6 km
- Glen Falls - 21 min drive - 18.1 km
- Dry Falls - 21 min drive - 23.5 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Cupboard Cafe - 12 min drive
- Valley Cafe - 13 min drive
- Blue Hound Barbecue - 13 min drive
- Julep Farms - 11 min drive
- The Dillard House - 15 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Vicki and Craig Wilkes
Craig and Vicki live in Columbia, SC, and are the parents of two active teens who love golf, hiking, and family gatherings, particularly around a pool or ping pong table, grill, and huge wood-burning fireplace! From south Georgia and mid-South Carolina originally, Craig and Vicki each formed a deep love of the southern Appalachian mountains from their childhoods. It's also generally 15 degrees cooler on any given summer day at Skylands versus those areas! Craig is a retired Presbyterian minister, and Vicki is a financial administrator, both with deep commitments to family across generational lines, deep love for the simple things in life, and a deep faith in God and our country.
Why they chose this property
We chose the Sky Valley / Dillard (GA) area for many reasons, including its elevation and proximity to Highlands (NC) yet easy access, its very-moderately priced golf yet highly-rated, its proximity to many national parks and the Blue Ridge Parkway, yet within 2 hours of major hubs, and on and on.
Then we fell in love with this house. One day we may retire here, and until then, we both enjoy it as well as offer it on the vacation rental market for others to enjoy. It fits when it's just 2 people, when 4, and when many more. It has a freshness and vitality about it, yet is in a quiet area just a couple blocks from the Sky Valley golf course. With 5 bedrooms (including 2 masters - 1 each level) and 4 baths, all hardwood, LVP or tile floors, a great room, 2 lower level game rooms + den, and 2 porches, there's ample room for everyone!
Then we fell in love with this house. One day we may retire here, and until then, we both enjoy it as well as offer it on the vacation rental market for others to enjoy. It fits when it's just 2 people, when 4, and when many more. It has a freshness and vitality about it, yet is in a quiet area just a couple blocks from the Sky Valley golf course. With 5 bedrooms (including 2 masters - 1 each level) and 4 baths, all hardwood, LVP or tile floors, a great room, 2 lower level game rooms + den, and 2 porches, there's ample room for everyone!
What makes this property unique
Skylands offers an unlimited variety of activities, which is perfect for an extended family's gathering or a quiet week-end away for a couple. Golf is 5 minutes away at the incredible Sky Valley course. The club's other amenities (pool / tennis / fitness center with hot tub) are available in-season to Skylands' guests (access card is kept at the house). Skylands to all the wonderful shops/restaurants/theater around Highlands' Main Street is about 16-18 minutes northeast, or to Main Street Clayton the same to the south. Franklin and the Nantahala National Forest and Lake are 30-45 minutes northwest. From Hwy 441 in Dillard, zoom up the excellent Dillard/Highlands Road (Highway 106/246) zig-zagging in and out across the Georgia and North Carolina state line! Catch the views of a lifetime as you ascend to 3300' elevation to Sky Valley and beyond to Highlands!
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