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Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views

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Sweeping views of the Black Balsams
Living area
Interior
Eat-in kitchen with seating for four
Dining

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4111.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym

Explore the area

View map
Balsam, NC
  • Place, Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Barber Orchard Fruitstand
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Hazelwood Soap Company
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Airport, Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    ‪56 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views

Offering monthly discounts for persons affected by Helene. Looking for a peaceful mountain getaway with gorgeous scenery? BalsamSKY is a perfect couple’s retreat! This modern vacation rental home, located on 30 private acres, offers guests sweeping mountain views of the Black Balsams and spectacular sunsets over Water Rock Knob. Guests experience absolute privacy in a comfortable home filled with fine art and local crafts. The property is conveniently located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, between the historic mountain towns of Waynesville and Sylva.

The cottage is one level (4 steps up the deck to the front door). Children over twelve years old are welcome. Small non-shedding dogs considered. The entire property is non-smoking. The location is convenient to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville, Cherokee, the Biltmore House, rafting, fishing, hiking and shopping.

Please ask relevant questions BEFORE you request to book, and make sure that you indicate exactly how many guests and whether you are traveling with a pet.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking anywhere on the property.
No motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, OHMs, golfcarts or any other non-automobile wheeled vehicles allowed.
No parties or gatherings.
No guns.

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 and a deadlock

About the area

Balsam

Located in Balsam, this cottage is in a rural area and in the mountains. Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts and LoneBackpacker Gallery of World Photography are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Shelton House and Jackson County Historic Courthouse. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, or consider a night out at Folkmoot Friendship Center. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking, hiking and hunting nearby.
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Map
Balsam, NC

What's nearby

  • Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance - 7 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Barber Orchard Fruitstand - 9 min drive - 5.9 km
  • Folkmoot Friendship Center - 15 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Balsam Spa - 15 min drive - 13.0 km
  • Hazelwood Soap Company - 15 min drive - 13.8 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Papas & Beer - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Fuego - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Hardee's - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views?

As of 7 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views on 13 Apr 2026 start from AU$260, 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.

How much is parking at Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Retreat with Gorgeous Mountain Views located?

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is steps from Nantahala National Forest and 2.7 mi (4.4 km) from Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance. Barber Orchard Fruitstand and Balsam Spa are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 8 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 8 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 8 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sherry O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a wonderful stay. Was so quiet and peaceful. Loved the view from back deck. Had everything we needed.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

B D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Plenty of space for the dog to walk around outside and private drive to go for walks. Beautiful views from every window.
View from porch
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Claire D.

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

Gorgeous and Private Setting, Convenient to Blue Ridge Parkway

We loved our stay at BalsamSky -- the house is pristine, with thoughtful "mountain" touches like handthrown pottery, baskets, books about the area, and original artwork of the surrounding mountains. We had everything we needed to make our own gourmet dinner, and enjoyed toasting the evening with a glass of wine as we sat on the deck and enjoyed the view of the Smokies. Hiking on the trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway is a short 20 minute drive from the house.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donna P.

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

Mountain getaway

I spent a long weekend at Balsam Sky mid-Dec. for a hiking vacation. My first visit to the property was several years ago, but I couldn’t return before now because Bev had a full-time renter. I’m glad it’s back for short term renting. The property is really a great location for exploring the area, but the views from the house make it hard to want to leave at all. Bev is a responsive host. She made everything from check-in to departure seamless. I found the house sparkling clean, cozy and quite comfortable. The soaking tub was a real treat after hours on the trail. Can’t wait to come back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Dec 2022
Thank you Donna for your review. It’s great to have repeat guests. We did have our mountain house off the weekly rental market for several years. We’re so happy that you found our property clean and comfortable. We look forward to your next visit.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Claire D.

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

5 minutes to the spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway!

We enjoyed our stay at beautiful BalsamSKY, aptly named as the views of the mountains, valley, and sweeping sky provided a gorgeous backdrop for our visit. Bev and Claire's home is sparkling clean, with comfortable beds, original art, a soaking tub, and two separate sitting areas -- the living room facing the sunrise and the "sunset" room facing the west for sunset. We also enjoyed spending time on the deck, watching the clouds move over the mountains. It's a peaceful place to relax, but also conveniently located to the cute mountain towns of Waynesville, Sylva, Maggie Valley, Dillsboro, Cherokee, and Bryson City. The Blue Ridge Parkway is just down the mountain, a short five minute drive! Lots of overlooks and trails - you may want to pick up a hiking guide at one of the bookstores or shops in Waynesville before you hit the trail. We look forward to returning soon.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Carl S.

Owner takes fussy to a new level

We are a coupe in our mid-50’s and have rented many, homes all over the world and many in the U.S. More specifically we have rented in the Smoky Mountains every Christmas in Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Hendersonville, also three times in Maggie Valley. To say that we are very experienced renters is a qualified statement. We have never had an issue and have always received our deposits back in full upon completion of the rental. This home has some nice positives. The home is clean, very clean and tidy. The kitchen is well appointed with plenty of glasses, plates, bowls… etc. The bed we slept in was comfortable and the bathroom was nice with a big tub and decent shower. It is rather remote on a mountain top, but that has it’s advantages as well. The views are stunning as the mountains seem to change hourly. There is no cable/sat TV, but the owner provided access to Netflix and wireless internet and that was just fine. The property was ultimately not our issue, it was dealing with the owner in the end. We are very responsible renters. In this case, we never cooked in the kitchen. We cleaned and put away all dishes, took the trash off the property to the transfer station, etc. I’d describe our leaving the property fairly clean. We specifically asked when renting the property if our dog was allowed and he was approved. However there came message after message about keeping the dog off furniture, bring a dog bed or dog crate, two mentions of wiping mud off the dog’s feet with a towel. Always have the dog on a leash. Looking back it was adding up. Our black lab is nine years old, not a puppy. In all of those places mentioned above (in the U.S.), over the past 8 years we have brought along our dog with zero issues. He does shed some hair. He was not allowed in the bedrooms or furniture. We brought his dog bed. But in the end, we were charged additional fees for pet fur cleaning. Our dog sheds about half a lose handful of fur every week in our house. The owner made a dramatic and absurd claim that the cleaners had to “empty the vacuum twice, and that was in a small house”. I would recommend if you rent this property, you do not bring your dog. The owner is like a grandmother who invites you over and then complains about your children. She has your deposit and she is the judge and jury about giving it back… minus what she sees fit to keep. Would I rent from this owner again? Sorry, but no. Good luck to you if you do
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Thanks, Carl, for the nicely balanced review that you wrote with the same sort of amiable consideration you showed us during your stay on Balsam. We like that you, your wife, and Skipper found our home clean and comfortable—everyone does enjoy the view, and that’s nice to hear. We like pleasing our guests, which is why we always leave welcome treats for dogs and their people. The photo of Skipper with his treats made us smile. Let me too lay out our street cred. We have owned and operated four rental homes in three different states, and we, too, travel the US and the world. We’re all very fortunate, I’d say. Yes, we are fussy about the cleanliness of our homes, smallwondercottages, and if you read the review for all three, you’ll see that cleanliness matters the most to almost all guests. Actually, I am not the judge and jury about the length of time it takes to clean our home after our guests depart. My professional cleaning crew does that, and they have been bomb proof over the many years we’ve used them. Because we do not charge a dog fee, if the professionals determine that I have to pay them for extra time cleaning up pet hair and for dry cleaning a bedspread, as a business owner, I pass that along to the customer. We make this policy as clear as possible in all of our rental information. In eight years of owning and operating vacation rentals, we’ve retained part of a guest’s damage deposit only twice. So if we’re known as fussy, we’ll take it. Please, just don’t call us grandmotherly.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Peggy J.

Excellent property for 2 couples seeking to explore the region. Fully appreciate the comfort.

Comfortably secluded in a beautiful mountain region.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Darleena P.

Perfect little getaway!!

The views are spectacular!! A more beautiful view simply cannot be found for the price. The cottage is completely private, no neighbors to worry about. It is conveniently located in Balsam and a short drive from Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Cherokee. The cottage is immaculate and comfortably sleeps 4. I plan to book this cottage again!

About the host

Hosted by Beverly Rhoads

Host profile image
I grew up on Balsam, and have owned property there for over 35 years. BalsamSKY is now the getaway cottage for my wife and me on 30 acres of my beautiful WNC mountain homeland. Since we are both college professors living and working in Virginia, we share our cottage with rental guests who desire a quiet mountain vacation in a charming cottage with a fabulous mountain view. We have two delightful small dogs, Skiff and Jingle, who love the property as much as we do. In addition to our NC property, we own and operate seasonal rentals on the Panhandle of Florida (VRBO 885529) and the coast of Maine (VRBO 402534). Obviously, we love to travel and enjoy the outdoors.

Why they chose this property

As people who enjoy outdoor adventure and living in a natural environment, we love the setting. We hike, bike and run from the front door, though the climb back up is interesting! BalsamSKY is convenient to all that we love about WNC--the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, Tsali, and everything Asheville.

What makes this property unique

What's most unique about our property is that it's a reasonably sized cottage that is well-kept, affordable, and completely private. The setting offers great mountain views and comfortable accommodations. If you are looking for quiet and peaceful mountain experience without the crowds, BalsamSKY is for you.
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