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Reviews of Peaceful Highlands Retreat, 8 Min to Main St., Nestled on 3 Wooded Acres

Peaceful Highlands Retreat, 8 Min to Main St., Nestled on 3 Wooded Acres
Highlands, NC

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 193 out of 210 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 210 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 210 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 210 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 210 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Shanda R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home, beautiful location!
You can’t lose with this beautiful home.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Arleen H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mountain retreat
The property was just as pictured…very pretty interior of home and well appointed. We appreciated the beautiful hardwood and tile floors as opposed to carpet.And the bonus was the large screened-in porch overlooking the woods!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

6/10 Okay

Amy V.

Needs some TLC
This property would be great with some TLC. It's a great location and quiet with a nice porch and back yard. However the inside needs work. Refrigerator was not wiped down, kitchen sink was not clean. Stove had grease splatter around controls. Cushions were missing off 2 of the chairs on the back porch. The jetted tub upstairs had pink mildew in the jets. We could not get the jets in the primary bathroom tub to turn on and there was a ring around the tub. The primary shower has some weird faucet that shoots water straight out. Primary shower also leaks a ton of water onto the floor with each use. We could not get the dryer to work but one time. The utility sink in the laundry room has a constant drip that you can get to stop. There were no dishwasher pods in the house for the dishwasher. Host did reply to email but it did not fix problems.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

John P., Atlanta, GA

Disliked: Cleanliness
Poorly maintained, false picture, uncaring owner
With better attention to maintenance, this would be a very nice place in a good location. And as another guest has posted, be aware that the photos of a wood-burning fireplace are not accurate, since there is actually an electric insert in the fireplace. As we encountered maintenance and cleaning issues with the property, we messaged the owner to inform her, with this explanation, "I'm communicating these things to you directly rather than putting them in a public evaluation because my goal is to be considerate to you by giving you the opportunity to upgrade rather than put a low score on the public record." In fairness, they did have one issue, a toilet that didn't flush, fixed. Perhaps the most serious issues were black mold on the master shower wall and a kitchen sink and coffee maker that had to be scrubbed before using them. There were leaky shower head and faucets, several burned out light bulbs, etc. I offered to send photos of some of the 14 issues, but received no response. When I followed up a few days later to ask if she was taking these seriously, the response was, I'll just say, unkind.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Ryan S., Augusta, Ga

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place, just needs some TLC
This is a great place to stay. I absolutely love the location. It’s close to Highlands, but far enough away that you feel like you have your own sanctuary in the mountains. There’s a long driveway that makes you feel isolated which is exactly what we were looking for. The only negative comments are the fact that this house needs some tender, loving care. For example, the back door handle is broken. It would take 15 minutes and a trip to Home Depot to fix it. The light switch, which is a turn knob in the upstairs bedroom is broken. So you have to use your fingers to screw the tiny metal rod in order to turn the lights up and down. There’s a leaky faucet in the laundry room. The guest bathroom toilet broke because the chain holding the plunger snapped. There’s damage to the drywall in certain areas. They’re stains underneath the master shower head due to a leaky shower. The instructions that tell you what to do with the garbage are so faded from the sun, that they’re completely unreadable. All these things are not a big deal, and we had an amazing stay, and we would definitely stay here again. But this is the reason why you’re not a five star location. Spend three hours and get these things fixed, and your instantly a five star home.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Overall, A Pleasant Experience
The house was beautiful and in a convenient location. The only cons for me were lack of clothes hangers in the closets and no tea kettle in the kitchen.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2024
Thank you Mary for your feedback. We're adding a tea kettle to our kitchen amenities based on your suggestion. Regarding the clothes hangers, we understand they can sometimes go missing, and we'll make sure to replenish them regularly to ensure convenience for all our guests.

2/10 Terrible

raymond b.

Unfortunately, it is "false advertisement".
My wife and I booked a 3 day stay, based on features in the photos, and descriptions. Showing a wood burning fireplace, instead it was an electric insert that put out no heat or charm. It was a priority in booking, and a big let down. Pictures showed a large stack of wood under the deck for use in the fireplace and outdoor firepit, no wood, only three pieces in firepit. The driveway and yard were covered with deep layer of leaves, no attempt had been made to blow them off prior to our arrival. It was done for the next tenant as we left. There were some old stained hand towels and bath clothes among the towels in master. The duvet insert was flat and had hard lumps mixed in, old and well worn-out. The jets in tub did not work in master. The ice maker was clogged with crushed ice. All the upstairs smoke detectors were chirping due to low batteries, had to remove them completely. I tried to contact the owner, but her voice mail was full, so I texted and but got no response. We had high expectations based on listing, photos, and other review that it would be 4+ experience of quality. Unfortunately, the details, more like a 2. Even for simple things like fresh soap dispensers, at the kitchen sink was a broken and empty, soap dispenser in powder room nearly empty also, one inch of two different colors of soap, looking dirty and nasty. Not sure if caretakers are doing their jobs for all the guests. Sad to have to a review like this.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2024
We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations, and we appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns. Regarding the fireplace, we would like to clarify that it is indeed an electric fireplace, chosen for safety and insurance purposes. We understand the charm of an indoor wood-burning fireplace and apologize for any disappointment this may have caused. Additional firewood is available locally at gas stations, convenience stores, and Bryson's Food Market for those who desire more to burn in the firepit. In terms of accommodation comfort and cleanliness, it's our priority to maintain high standards. We provide "hotel-style" soaps, replaced after each guest's stay, and I apologize this broken soap dispenser was overlooked. This is certainly not the norm for our property, and we've taken steps to ensure such oversights are not repeated. We have also recently replaced all bedding linens to ensure the utmost comfort for our guests. Regarding the landscaping, our property is maintained on a weekly basis. We apologize if the state of the driveway was not up to standard during your visit, and we've since addressed this issue to improve the experience for all future guests. I regret that we fell short during your visit. We remain committed to providing great value and service to all our guests. Please know that we are taking your feedback seriously and are committed to making the necessary improvements.

10/10 Excellent

Heather J.

Liked: Cleanliness
A beautiful home in paradise
We loved our stay here. The house is conveniently located to enjoy all the hiking, waterfalls and downtown Highlands. The house was clean and very nice. Our family and dog felt at home here and it was pretty quiet. There are neighbors homes that you can see but you still have lots of privacy. We would love to come back in the future to visit again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2024
Thank you Heather for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear that your family enjoyed your stay, and you found the location ideal for exploring the area. It's great to know the house met your needs in terms of cleanliness, comfort, and privacy. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Susan P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Checked all our boxes, plus some!
We stayed 5 days in this luxury home in the woods, along with our dog. We loved: 1. Long easy driveway ending in a huge parking area and zero traffic noise. 2. Fast internet and 5 bars for our AT&T cell phones 3. Screened porch the whole length of the house-zero bugs!! 4. Huge 1st floor master bedroom and bath with giant walk in closet and shower. Very comfortable bed. 5. Modern kitchen and laundry. 6. Instant friendly response from manager whenever we texted. 7. Minutes from Dry Falls, and minutes from downtown Highlands. This is a house in the woods, which is what we wanted. The forest and plants are not manicured-they are natural and lovely and full of birds and other wild things. A perfect place to experience the forest while staying comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2024
Thank you for such a glowing review! We're thrilled to know that our home not only met but exceeded your expectations. It's wonderful to hear that the peaceful location, fast internet, screened porch, comfortable master bedroom, modern amenities, and our responsive management contributed to your enjoyable 5-day stay.

10/10 Excellent

Starla D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Pet-friendly home close to many waterfalls
Very comfortable place to stay. We enjoy traveling with our dog so the big beautiful yard was a wonderful surprise. We really liked sitting with coffee on the screened-in porch that overlooks the backyard and stunning forest "in the canopy" feel views. Nicely equipped kitchen (we cooked dinners every night). We would definitely stay there again if we return to the area for more waterfall hikes!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2024
We're delighted to hear that you found our place comfortable and the large yard a wonderful surprise for your dog. It's great to know that the screened-in porch provided a serene spot for your morning coffee, offering views of the stunning forest. We're also pleased that the well-equipped kitchen met your needs for cooking dinners every night. It sounds like you fully embraced the tranquility and beauty of the area, especially with the waterfall hikes nearby. We would be thrilled to have you stay with us again on your next visit to the area.

10/10 Excellent

Mark L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean, comfortable, quiet. Slmost perfect.
House and grounds were beautiful, large, comfortable, modern, quiet. Just what we needed. Only issue we had was not having door code prior to arrival, and when we got the code it didn't work. But a minor hiccup.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2024
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you experienced with the door code. Ensuring a smooth arrival for our guests is a top priority, and we regret that this was a problem. We are thankful that you considered this a minor hiccup and truly appreciate your kind words regarding the beauty, comfort, and tranquility of our house and grounds. We look forward to the opportunity to host you again, ensuring an even more seamless stay next time.

10/10 Excellent

Ken N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location in Highlands, NC
This is the second year we have rented the same house. It's really a great location with a lot of nice features, especially while having family join us. There's a few maintenance items that we outlined in an email directly to the property manager, and hopefully a couple of them will be addressed. We would like to rent the house again in the future.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Billy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Highlands weekend trip
Perfect spot for our young family. The backyard is incredible for kids to explore. House was very nice.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Renee W.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Disappointed with Cleanliness and Maintenance of Property
My group was very disappointed with the lack of cleanliness and overall maintenance of this property. These are some of the problems we encountered: *large potholes at the bottom of the driveway *walkway to front door overgrown with vines *carpenter ants in the kitchen, dirty counter tops, huge spider webs in the screened-in porch, ceiling fan arms covered with dust *back door from house to screened porch is not working properly *ice maker was frozen and a couple of pullout drawers were broken I did try contacting the owners about some issues but they did not reply. Owners communicated well prior to our stay but not during or after. The property was located just a short drive into Highlands and nearby towns. Great restaurants and scenery, especially the many Falls we were able to visit.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dawn C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Highland Highlights
This beautiful home is well decorated with an open floor plan and has all the charm of a well loved home. The kitchen has all the essentials for cooking and the backyard looks like a park. We enjoyed the back porch and the fire pit and smores. Be careful of the very top step to the second floor. It is 1.5 inches taller than the other steps. One friend, who is only 5 ft, feel down the stairs and cracked open her head and almost tore her ear off. The EMS and the staff at Highlands Medical Center were absolutely top notch. The following night a friend , who is 5'9, fell up the stairs. That's when we measured the distance to the top step. Other than our trip to the ER, our stay was terrific.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica A.

Liked: Cleanliness
The backyard!! Sweet and secluded!!
This little cabin was super sweet with the cat walk in the front entryway makes you feel like you’re really tucked into nature! The backyard is really the best part! We were lucky enough to see some bears stroll past on the first night of our stay. The porch is the sweetest little screened in area, but could use a little tidying up of cobwebs and repainting. Overall this little cabin was perfect for what we needed!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place close to Highlands, awesome view, relaxing
The place is great and is a great value. We loved staying here and would like to rent again. It's within 5-10 minutes of downtown & excellent access to Cashiers. It's fairly quiet. The neighbors (there are 2 neighbors) have dogs that bark when you are visable to them but stay on their property. If you want to be outside/on the deck, bring bug repellant. Even though the deck is screened, bugs still get in through the gaps in the deck floor. Nature is great and all around. Rabbits, Deer, etc. Wonderful flowers on the sides of the entry deck.
Stayed 9 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stacy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
Loved the home and the location. Very peaceful. Had everything we needed and close to town. Would stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mitch B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Get Away
The house was perfect for our family of four. Spacious, comfortable, loved the fire pit and chairs. The location to Highlands was great and peaceful.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Spacious, peaceful beauty
After a long days drive, it was such a pleasure to arrive at this beautiful location. The property feels very secluded, yet it is only a short drive to downtown Highlands, hiking trails and waterfalls. The home is spacious and clean. Beautifully decorated with comfortable furniture and beds. I can’t think of anything that would have made it better. We look forward to returning.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debra S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enchanted cottage
The most beautiful place. This was the first vrbo that everything was perfect! I would definitely stay here again. We loved the location of being tucked away but you could get to town quickly. It was a very restful stay and wonderful communication of the property owner. We felt very taken care of.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andy K.

Liked: Cleanliness
The best
This place is amazing 5 stars.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bob N., Winter Haven, FL

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful
The cabin was very private with lots of room for our dog to run. Very close to town. It’s a nice place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clay A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay; Reasonably Priced
Really nice, clean property. Only 8 mins to Highlands and 15 minutes to Cashiers. Quiet, Private. Not overly "lodgey" like some properties. Would DEFINITELY rent here again. Understandably most likely eat out but, if you plan to cook, be sure to bring some essentials as back-ups (baking dishes, olive oil, cheese grater, spices, etc...). Also, might want to bring a little cash as the owner/mgmt company placed a gratuity box for the cleaning crew. Wasn't clear as to whether or not the owner was providing a gratuity and the renters contribution would be "icing", or if it's expected that the renter covers all the gratuity. Left $20 out of an abundance of caution. But it would make sense for either (i) the gratuity to be included in the cleaning fee, or (ii) the owner to provide it. Not many people carry cash around anymore, and it honestly it should be a given the house is clean prior to arrival. Feels like the renter is tipping the cleaning crew for the next arrival? All in all, really great house. Well located and I would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Lora D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spacious home
Plenty of space inside with a great yard for a dog to run. Comfortable bed. Close proximity to town.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

LIsa/Jack B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great home and property!
Great time! Enjoyed your home…is very nice!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent house
Very enjoyable stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melinda M., Charleston, SC

Liked: Cleanliness
Macon County, NC
Property management was great to deal with. Property exactly as described. Few things the owners may want to do is stay in the house for a weekend and see minor things that need replacing (i.e. light bulbs over the stove in the microwave and lights on outside steps that don't light up. Other than that, a great place to stay and most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dawn A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Winter Escape
We had a great time at the cozy mountain retreat. The location was beautiful!!! The house was beautiful….we especially enjoyed the screened in deck.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

cindy c.

Convenient location
2nd time to stay at this little cabin. We enjoyed our stay here! Bedrooms are roomy and comfy. Great amenities. Saw a bear cub run thru the yard!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jane S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Place
We really loved this house - the location and the surroundings were gorgeous. A nice quiet retreat with comfy beds and everything we needed. We had trouble with the heat when we arrived and the owner was very responsive and got it fixed right away. We want to go back and stay here in the summer!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Billy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Highlands summer trip
Perfect house for our young family. Lot of space for kids to run around and explore outside. Very clean and comfortable home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ken N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great House and Location
Some minor things needed to be taken care of, and the property manager was VERY responsive. We would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deb G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great trip!
Location was perfect - short easy drive to town and walking distance of hiking. Beautiful home and beautiful property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Claudia S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet Getaway
Rented this for our family and had a very nice relaxing time! Loved how spacious the house was. We hope to stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect get away!
Great location from Main Street! Wonderful for families. The breakfast options left for us were perfect! So thoughtful!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joshua D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect in almost every way
Wonderful home and great price for the rental. Loved the spacious backyard for our two toddlers to run around and explore. There were a few items throughout the home that need some maintenance, but overall, it was excellent. I would stay here again if it was available.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joseph P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful!
We were so pleased with this lovely property that was spacious and just the experience we were looking for in Highlands! Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

John L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing Retreat
Great 5 day get-away. This house had everything you could possibly need and more. It was just the 2 of us and the downstairs living area was all that we needed but we loved having the whole place to ourselves. It was private and comfy. We enjoyed the wood-burning fireplace inside and will take advantage of the outside fire pit on the property on our next visit as there was a "no burn" ordinance in effect due to windy & dry conditions. The owner is easily accessible via text or phone should you have any questions. Little extras are provided to make you feel welcomed and to ensure your stay is comfortable. We will definitely be staying here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lilia C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
Very nice location with absolute privacy. Loved the experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dayna B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family get a way
Lovely house! Very clean and homey. Owners had little touches throughout to make us feel very welcomed. Close to all the waterfalls, hikes, and everything we wanted to do. We hope to visit there again!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

cindy c.

Liked: Cleanliness
A little slice of Heaven
This place was absolutely wonderful, everything from beginning to end was just perfect. Great communication from the owner! Very clean well-equipped piece of property and great location! Very convenient to get into downtown Highlands yet you feel like you’re out in the mountains away from everything! It was just perfect!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle R.

Liked: Cleanliness
one of the top vacations of my life
The perfect mountain get away with close access to nature on sight and not far from beautiful waterfalls. The downtown is so quaint! My girlfriends and I so needed this vacation. Lots of laughs and love by the firelight of the fireplace.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M., Jacksonville, FL

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Highlands Spot
I tried to leave a review months ago but had some technical difficulties. Months later, though, and I’m still thinking about our great stay at this house. My husband, daughter, I talk about this place quite a bit and have recommended to several others. It’s truly a wonderful Highlands spot. Breakfast items were so kindly provided for our first day and that was very appreciated. The house is just lovely with an amazing yard. We hope to return soon!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

John D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property
Easy, great location, clean, well equipped.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maria T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Everything was perfect
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Sarah M.

Liked: Cleanliness
GREAT screen porch
We had a great time at this place. Plenty of room to gather and have chats. In front of the fireplace indoors or outside by the fire pit.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lindalu B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girl time❤️
Every year my adult girls (3) and dear lifelong friend and her daughter vacation in Highlands and stay in this house!! We love it!!❤️
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joe P., Marietta

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Time
Enjoyed our time in the Highlands area at this mountain cabin. Great location NR tons of space for the family to play in the cool autumn weather. Backyard is amazing and house is well appointed.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janice C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short but nice visit to Highlands
This is a very comfortable house on a large private lot in a quiet neighborhood. We had everything we needed and the check-in process was simple. The house is convenient to town and is clean. The screen porch is very nice. We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021