Entire home

The Ark / Unwind with Mountain and Lake Views

Photo gallery for The Ark / Unwind with Mountain and Lake Views

A covered outdoor seating area with wicker furniture and a view of the surrounding trees.
A log cabin with a stone foundation, large windows, and a porch with picnic tables.
A log cabin interior with a stone fireplace, wooden furniture, and a television.
A log cabin interior with a stone fireplace, a sofa, and a lamp.
A rustic log cabin with a wooden deck and a garden path leading through lush greenery and flowering bushes.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Room to spread out
    Enjoy spacious layout that give everyone more room to relax.
  • Private garden
    A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Swimming pool
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Pet-friendly
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
Lake Junaluska, NC
  • Place, Lake Junaluska Golf Course
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Cataloochee Ski Area
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Airport, Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Lower Level King Bedroom

1 King Bed

Main Level Queen Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Upper Level Queen Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Upper Level Trundle/Twin

1 Single Bed

3 bathrooms

Lower Level Full Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Main Level Full Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Upper Level Full Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Lake Junaluska

Located in Lake Junaluska, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Shelton House and Colonial Theater are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cold Mountain Gameland. Waynesville Recreation Center and Maggie Valley Festival Grounds are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby swimming, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and mountain biking.
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Map
Lake Junaluska, NC

What's nearby

  • Lake Junaluska Golf Course - 1 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center - 2 min drive - 3.0 km
  • Wheels Through Time Museum - 14 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Maggie Valley Festival Grounds - 14 min drive - 13.5 km
  • Cataloochee Ski Area - 22 min drive - 21.2 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Sonic Drive In - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does The Ark / Unwind with Mountain and Lake Views have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is The Ark / Unwind with Mountain and Lake Views pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Ark / Unwind with Mountain and Lake Views?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Ark / Unwind with Mountain and Lake Views?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Ark / Unwind with Mountain and Lake Views?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Ark / Unwind with Mountain and Lake Views located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Lake Junaluska Golf Course, Blue Ridge Health - Haywood and Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Haywood Regional Medical Center and Pigeon River are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 28 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
If not for the very steep and narrow staircases , the musty smell and the overall uncleanliness of the carpet and inside dust on the logs, we might (?) consider staying again. Susan
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is our second stay at the Ark. The driveway enhancements were most appreciated.For those looking for a rental within walking distance of the lake, there are few better for the price.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Really nice house in a great location. We loved the cabin feel off the inside. It was a good size for our family with each of us having our own bathroom and space. We will certainly recommend it to people who may be coming to the area for a visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May 2026
Thanks for much for posting your experience, future guests appreciate and so do we...
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quaint stay, exactly as described, great location, and a really cute cabin!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 24 June 2025
Thanks so much for the lovely review! We're thrilled you enjoyed your stay and that the cabin and location hit the mark for you. It means a lot to us that it felt just right. You were a wonderful guest, and we'd be happy to have you back anytime and happily recommend to future hosts
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location and accommodations

This property was perfect for our family! It has a great log cabin feel while being in walking distance to Lake Junaluska. Wonderful!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
That's great Todd! We are happy you and your family enjoyed your stay by the lake and hope to see you for your next vacation! Sunburst Vacation Rentals
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay!

Our family had a great time. Home was exactly like posting!!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place!

The house was as advertise. Clean and easy access to Waynesville and the rest of the lake property. Will stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely home

Perfect location and house was great for our family of 6
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Hi Kimberly! Hope your family is well! Thanks for the review, we do appreciate you taking the time. And glad we finally found the mouse:) You're still offered a 10% discount if you book The Ark again. Come back and see us! Sincerely, Paula Guest Services
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Junaluska Anniversary.

Very nice 42nd anniversary long weekend in North Carolina’s High Country!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2024
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, and congratulations on your 42nd anniversary, wonderful to hear! -Paula B, Guest Services SVR
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Not this location but great

Got moved to a different location but we loved it and would like to stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Hi Dave, Thanks so much for going with the flow on the move, we appreciate your willingness and being a great guest! Sincerely. Paula SVR Guest Services
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Love the Location

Beautiful lake just steps away! We loved how close this house was to so many things, hiking, shopping, etc. The house was great for our group and we loved it!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Krista, thank you for taking the time to share your experience at The Ark! Future guests appreciate and so do we. Wish you all the best for 2022 and hope to host you again! ~Paula
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Quaint and Quiet

This home is adorable and cozy. Close to town and other amenities. We didnt realize it was 1.5 hours from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, but we made the trip 2 times while there. Great spot for fishing. Home is spacious and beds were comfy! Would love to stay again when we come to this area!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 July 2024
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience, you're not the first to think you're near PF:)! I'm so glad you enjoyed Lake Junaluska and our area, come back anytime! Paula B/Guest Services
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Junaluska

We really enjoyed the property, and our family was very happy to have 3 bathrooms.Two living areas and a washer and dryer were just what we needed.The only thing I didn’t love was the narrow unpaved driveway that was a little difficult to see entering and exiting.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 27 May 2026
Hi Catherine, We notified the HomeOwner and have made improvements to the driveway, based on your feedback, thank you - Paula B, SVR
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The Ark

A rustic Cabin with country charm. Walking distance to Lake Junaluska and great access to transportation routes to all things in Western NC.The 4th Celebration was spectacular!Great restaurants nearby highlighted by Fat Buddies in Waynesville, and the Buttered Biscuit in Lake Junaluska.Rental communication was exceptional and responsive.
Stayed 28 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2025
Thank you so much for the kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed the rustic charm and convenient location—Lake Junaluska really is such a special spot, and you can’t beat being close to everything Western NC has to offer. Sounds like you made the most of your stay—so glad you got to experience the 4th of July celebration! And yes, Fat Buddies and the Buttered Biscuit are local favorites—we’re happy to hear they made your list too. We truly appreciate your compliments on our communication. It means a lot to know our efforts helped make your stay smooth and enjoyable. We'd love to welcome you back anytime—there's always more to explore in the mountains! Thank you Richard! Paula B, Guest Services, Sunburst Vacation Rentals
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wedding Trip

The property was as shown. Plenty of space and bathrooms for us. Only issue was a noticeable smell in the home, all of our clothes smelled “musty” Great location, driveway is tricky and had a huge hole at the bottom. Otherwise great place to stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 23 June 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful review—we’re glad you enjoyed the space, bathrooms, and location. We're sorry to hear about the musty smell you noticed. This hasn’t come up in past reviews, but we take it seriously and have since done a deep clean and checked the HVAC system to make sure everything’s in order. We also appreciate the heads-up about the driveway and are looking into repairs. Thanks again for staying with us and helping us keep the home in great shape.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

A Charming Cabin

We enjoyed our stay at the cabin. It is a cute place that accommodates a large family. It gives the feeling of a true cabin that has many amenities. We loved its proximity to everything, situated right by beautiful Lake Junaluska and right in between Waynesville and Maggie Valley. The managing office personnel were very responsive and helpful. Would love to come back with the family.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Ola, we would love to host you again. Thanks for being great guests!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Not the Ark - Hickory Hill House

Our stay at Hickory Hill House (which was graciously substituted for the Ark) was great. The home is lovely - very spacious and well appointed. There is plenty of parking. The sunroom on the back of the house was our favorite spot. The one small downside to the property was it's location near a highway which gave us some road noise at times.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Hi Nancy, Thank you for your feedback and appreciate your graciousness in the move we had to make. I'm so glad it worked for y'all. Take care and hope to host you again! Paula SVR
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Staying in the Ark

We enjoyed our stay at Lake Junaluska. The cabin was nicely furnished and clean. We were unable to use the fireplace because of a large mirror standing in front of it. There was also a large wrapped item in front of the mirror. We felt there shouldn't have been personal pictures everywhere. We have stayed at other cabins and never had family pictures before.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
We had a group of friends stay in this cozy cabin for the weekend while we attended an event at Lake Junaluska, which was within a beautiful 30 minute walk around the lake or a 5 minute drive. We recieved several emails up until our stay from the rental company to help aid in check in and check out. Overall, the house was very cute and felt like staying at your grandma and grandpa's house. It was very homey. There was enough space to park 3 cars, though we did have to play Tetris to make sure people could get in and out. The driveway is a little hard to see when coming the way the GPS took us, and was a little steep and gravel. We ended up spinning our wheels in the gravel towards the bottom a couple of times, but made it up after that fairly easily. As a bigger person, the stairs were a bit narrow and didn't feel as wide as normal stairs. They were manageable, but took some getting used to. The toilets were also small, but that's personal preference. The beds were a little firm, but not impossible to sleep on (again, personal preference). Other than that, it was a comfortable stay and worked for our needs.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Beautiful view, close location to everything we wanted.

Beautiful view, close location to everything we wanted. We loved the lake and the house was exactly what we needed. Someone might want to check the dryer tape on the pipe - seems to be slowing down the dryer use. Easy to communicate with via text. A little challenging to get on the phone with. Hard to connect with when you can’t see the phone numbers thru the app, but friendly and helpful once connected.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fall leaves treehouse

Cozy cabin nestled in the trees with the lake a short walk down the street. Pretty views from every window. A sweet place to stay !
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, future guests appreciate and so do we~Paula, Guest Services/SVR
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cozy Cabin and Fall Colors

This was the perfect place to stay and see the fall colors, enjoy the Apple Harvest Festival & celebrate turning anther year older.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience, future guests appreciate and so we do~Paula, SVR
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Loved it! Paula was amazing! She gave us so many good tips and ideas of local activities to do with

Loved it! Paula was amazing! She gave us so many good tips and ideas of local activities to do with our children. Such a wonderful experience!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cozy Cabin

Was just what we needed and was close to the wedding venue we were in town for.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Kirstin, thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience. Future guests appreciate and so do we! ~Paula, Guest Services
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location!

Quaint, very private cabin in an outstanding location. It's a very short walk away from the lakeshore and also a great jump-off point for great hiking trips in the area. Shopping is close too!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept 2023
Sven, thanks for sharing your experience. Future guests appreciate and so do we! Take care and hope to host you in the future. ~Paula and SVR Staff
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