The outdoor pool is a refreshing retreat under the open sky - a rare gem in this area.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Sleeps 14•4 bedrooms•10 beds
Popular amenities
Ski lift privileges
Heated pool
Spa pool on site
Onsite parking available
Pet-friendly
Kitchen
Explore the area
Sapphire, NC
Hogback Lake
Place, Hogback Lake
1 min drive
Sapphire National Golf Club
Place, Sapphire National Golf Club
5 min drive
Gorges State Park
Place, Gorges State Park
9 min drive
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 14)
Basement Rec Room
4 Single Beds
Bedroom 2- Upper Level
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3- Upper Level
2 Queen Beds
Bedroom 4- Lower Level
1 Queen Bed
Master Bedroom- Main Level
1 King Bed
Upstairs Loft
1 Queen Bed
3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Half Bath- Main Level
Toilet
Lower Level
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Master Bathroom- Main Level
Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub
Upper Level
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.
***Now offering ultra high-speed GIGABIT Wifi***
We are PET-FRIENDLY! Welcome to "ONCE UPON A STREAM!"
Escape from the ordinary and plan your next "adventurcation" in our storybook English mountain cottage complete with a rushing mountain stream that will keep the kids (and dog) busy for hours! Create memories with family and friends in the waterfall capital of the eastern U.S. that will last a lifetime. Don't settle for another ordinary vacation!
Our goal is to offer a concierge-like vacation hospitality experience- not just a place for you to stay. We pride ourselves on helping you plan the perfect mountain getaway with recommendations on things to do, places to visit, and amazing restaurants and boutiques. That is truly what makes us different and why many guests choose to book with us. The mountains are meant to be a stress-free environment; we're here to make sure that holds true for your group!
Just over an hour from Asheville, NC, ONCE UPON A STREAM is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful Sapphire, North Carolina. The cottage is conveniently located near shopping, dining, and all sorts of recreation. Cashiers, NC is just ten minutes away and the quaint town of Highlands, NC is only 25 minutes away. Lake Toxaway, NC is also nearby- just ten minutes away. There are more than a dozen spectacular waterfalls to hike and explore less than a half hour away.
SAPPHIRE VALLEY RESORT Our guests also have full access to the Sapphire Valley Resort and all of its amazing amenities including the private Lake Fairfield where you can fish, and sail, paddle, and swim. Visit nearby Narrows Falls and all of the fabulous amenities at the Sapphire Valley Resort. The Sapphire Valley Recreation Center offers gem mining, three swimming pools (one heated indoor and two outdoor), two saunas, two hot tubs, locker rooms, mini-golf, arcade and game room, lounge with WiFi, tennis, playground, running track, par-3 golf course, direct access to the Horsepasture River, and much more. Guests can also purchase discounted tickets to the Biltmore Estate and other area attractions and tours.
*Please note- there is $5/day per person fee for guests over the age of 14 charged by the Sapphire Valley Resort for guest amenity cards. No minimum number of days required.
SKI SAPPHIRE VALLEY is also inside the Sapphire Valley Resort and offers tons of fun during the winter months. There is a Blue-diamond ski slope complete with quad chair lift and also a Bunny Slope. Frozen Falls is the tubing run and very popular with the kids. Our guests receive 25% off skiing, tubing, and rentals with their guest amenity card. Ski and Snowboard lessons are available at a very reasonable rate.
We provide first in class concierge service and love to help our guests plan the ultimate mountain vacation. In addition, we provide our guests with access to our website complete with all of our favorite restaurants, things to do, and places to see.
Once Upon a Stream is ideally set up for a two or three-family vacation getaway. The cottage is three levels with 4 BR/3.5 BA and sleeps up to 14 persons comfortably.
MAIN LEVEL: offers a large master en-suite with a King-size bed topped with luxurious linens and high-end pillows. Relax after a long day of hiking in the over-sized jetted tub while enjoying the treetop view and taking in all of nature's beauty.
UPPER LEVEL: features two additional bedrooms and a loft with pullout couch. The 2nd bedroom has a queen-sized bed topped with fine linens and pillows. Bedroom 3 has two queen log beds with amazingly comfortable memory foam mattresses and fine linens and pillows.
LOWER LEVEL (Basement aka KID CAVE) includes a large rec-room with two sets of mountain log bunk beds, a 55" 4KHD TV, BlueRay Player, and Foosball! The basement also includes bedroom #4 with queen bed and full bathroom.
Ideally situated on a 2-acre private lot, the cottage will spoil you to the point where you won't want to leave. Greet the morning with a cup of coffee on the large back deck. Stroll down the backyard hill along the meandering boulder pathway to the stone patio below and enjoy a glass of wine as you listen to the noisy stream. The kids will stay busy exploring and hiking up and downstream- bring your dog too!
Whether you stay for a few nights or a few weeks, we strive to create a one of a kind experience for you at Once Upon a Stream. Please contact us for more information on booking your mountain getaway.
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Most dogs allowed. Non-refundable PET FEE applies.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
See Rental Rules in Exhibit A of Rental Agreement.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4158820
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
Long-term renters welcome
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
About the area
Sapphire
Located in Sapphire, this holiday home is in the mountains and on a river. Sapphire National Golf Club and Sapphire Valley Ski Resort are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Jocassee and Pisgah National Forest. Travelling with kids? Consider Cashiers Farmers Market, or check out an event or a game at Silversteen Memorial Stadium. Take in the nearby slopes with snowboarding and skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as ice skating.
Sapphire National Golf Club - 5 min drive - 3.7 km
beach near Fairfield Lake - 8 min drive - 7.4 km
Gorges State Park - 9 min drive - 9.6 km
Whisper Lake - 9 min drive - 6.1 km
Getting around
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 63 min drive
Restaurants
The Tavern @ High Hampton - 16 min drive
Buck's Coffee Cafe - 13 min drive
Mica's Restaurant - 10 min drive
Zookeeper Bistro - 14 min drive
The Ugly Dog Pub - 13 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. have a pool?
Yes, this property has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.?
As of 19 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. on 16 Nov 2026 start from AU$2,628, 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.
Is ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much is parking at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. located?
This family-friendly Sapphire holiday home is located on a river, within a 15-minute walk of Nantahala National Forest and Hogback Lake. Whisper Lake is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) away.
About the host
Hosted by Travis Eckert
We're the Eckert family of Jacksonville, FL. And as a family, we've quickly fallen in love with the stunning beauty and tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. Quite honestly, there's no place we'd rather be! We decided to invest in our family by purchasing property in the mountains where we could vacation year after year and build priceless memories together- and we'd like to help you and your family do the same.
In March 2016, we wrote the first "chapter" in our story by purchasing our first mountain property in Sapphire, NC. We affectionately named it Once Upon a Stream because of its "storybook" English architecture and location on a rushing mountain stream. Many guests comment that it reminds them of Hansel and Gretel's house and we certainly agree. This is the largest of our properties and sleeps 14 guests.
After spending 18 months learning the ropes of vacation hospitality, we added the second chapter in our mountain cottage collection and bought, TOP OF THE ROCK. This cottage will spoil you with its authentic craftsman post and beam mountain architecture and stunning long-range mountain views. TOP of the Rock sits at 4,100 feet of elevation and sleeps 10 guests.
In early 2021, we introduced Chapter 3 and titled it TWICE Upon a Stream- a play on the original because of its location on another beautiful mountain stream. This property screams relaxation- grab a glass of wine and enjoy the sights and sounds of the stream below from the screened upper and lower decks.
At The Mountain Cottage, our mission is to help the world fall in love with the mountains, one storybook adventure at a time. Our goal is to create an exceptional, concierge-like, mountain vacation experience for your family and friends- not just provide you with a place to stay. We believe that is truly what makes us different. Please allow us to share a bit more about our mountain cottages and what makes them so special.
Why they chose this property
Private and serene at 3400ft of elevation, yet convenient to shopping and dining. The stream in the backyard is so beautiful and is a great way to entertain the kids while you relax. People tell us all the time that our home looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale. Hence the name, "Once Upon a Stream." Our cottage is easily accessible by paved roads and 4WD is not necessary to reach the property, even in the winter.
What makes this property unique
Guests of Once Upon a Stream have full access to the Sapphire Valley Resort and all of its amazing amenities including the private Lake Fairfield, private Narrows Falls, gem mining, three swimming pools (one heated indoor and two outdoor), two saunas, hot tub, locker rooms, mini-golf, arcade and game room, lounge with WiFi, tennis, playground, running track, par-3 golf course, direct access to the Horsepasture River, and much more. Guests can also purchase discounted tickets to the Biltmore Estate and other area attractions and tours.
PLEASE NOTE: Guest amenity cards must be purchased separately. There is an additional charge of $5 per person, per day, for all guests ages 14 and up. This is totally optional and there is no minimum number of days required.
Guests of ONCE UPON A STREAM receive 25% off at SKI Sapphire Valley (open seasonally) and the Vordach Zip Line- both conveniently located at the Sapphire Valley Resort (with guest amenity card).
The cottage is also very close to many lakes, waterfalls, and swimming holes so you don't have to travel far to be entertained in nature's playground.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests