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Luxury Mountain Cabin with Views

Cottage in Banner Elk, NC

7 guests·3 bedrooms·2 bathrooms
4.6 · 24 reviews

Why you'll love this stay

Value & Savings

Value & Savings

Guests save an average of 22% when booking this stay vs. Airbnb and Vrbo.

Outdoor Living

Outdoor Living

Screened porch with mountain views invites morning coffee and sunset cocktails.

Style & Comfort

Style & Comfort

Luxurious rustic elegance with heated floors and spa-like bathrooms.

Property details

Welcome to Spice Ridge Retreat! ​​​​​​​Escape to this gorgeous upscale contemporary mountain cottage, perfectly nestled in the serene High Country of North Carolina. Located between Boone and Banner Elk and just minutes from Grandfather Mountain, Spice Ridge Retreat offers breathtaking mountain views and peaceful tranquility in a private, gated neighborhood. Unbeatable Location & Convenience Both Boone and Banner Elk are less than 10 miles away, while Blowing Rock is under 12 miles. The charming village of Valle Crucis—home to the historic Mast General Store, a beautiful community park, the Watauga River, excellent shopping, and great restaurants—is also less than 10 miles from your door. Winter sports enthusiasts will love the proximity to premier ski resorts: - Sugar Mountain Ski Resort is only 7 miles away (skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and more). - Beech Mountain and Appalachian Ski Mountain are about 15 miles in opposite directions. - Hawksnest Snowtubing & Ziplines is a quick 6-mile drive right across Highway 105. Outdoor lovers can reach Grandfather Mountain in just a few miles for world-class hiking on the Profile Trail, visits to the animal sanctuary, and the iconic Mile High Swinging Bridge. Linville Falls and Linville Caverns are within 20 miles, while Tweetsie Railroad and High Gravity Adventures (perfect for kids and families) are about 15 miles away. For fishing and riverside relaxation, the Watauga River is less than 2 miles away at the base of Spice Mountain, with miles of creeks and fishing holes to explore. The New River and Elk River are both about 15 minutes away, and Lake Watauga is less than 30 miles away. Families visiting college students will especially appreciate that Spice Ridge Retreat sits equidistant between Appalachian State University and Lees-McRae College—a convenient 10-mile drive to each campus. It's the ideal base for homecoming, sporting events, graduations, orientations, or simply spending quality time with loved ones. Luxury, Comfort & Tranquility Inside, Spice Ridge Retreat delivers a true luxury mountain experience without the luxury price tag. The impressive kitchen features a large central island with bar seating beneath a coffered ceiling of reclaimed wood, custom barn-wood cabinetry, hammered-copper accents, granite countertops, and premium stainless-steel appliances. It flows seamlessly into the open great room, where plush seating surrounds a cozy wood-burning stove—perfect for relaxing after a day of mountain adventures. The adjacent dining area features a stunning live-edge cedar banquet table with bench seating for eight, plus two more seats at the kitchen island. Large windows flood the space with natural light and frame the peaceful mountain views. Just off the great room, a comfortable screened porch with cozy furniture offers a tranquil spot to unwind and soak up the mountain scenery. You'll find a stainless grill on the adjacent open porch. The main level includes a queen bedroom with mountain views, a bunk room (a full bottom bunk and a twin top with a built-in ladder), and a desk. A beautifully appointed full bathroom features a free-standing soaking tub, wood floors, and timeless character. Upstairs, you'll find a spacious loft with comfortable leather seating and a large HD Smart TV—ideal for movie nights or quiet reading. The master suite offers a queen bed, an HDTV, and an elegant ensuite bathroom with heated tile floors, a frameless glass shower, and luxurious marble counters. Peaceful Outdoor Spaces with Spectacular Views The grounds offer relaxation and enjoyment. A stone-lined wood-burning Fire pit with ample seating enjoys sweeping mountain views. Nearby, a hand-hewn log meditation bench invites quiet moments of reflection amid the tranquil surroundings. Children will love the safe, rolling wooded grounds for play and exploration, while adults can savor the privacy and serenity. A level gravel parking area comfortably accommodates up to four vehicles. Thoughtful Details Throughout Every corner of Spice Ridge Retreat reflects custom craftsmanship—reclaimed-wood accents, hammered-copper touches, rustic branch designs, and unique light fixtures create a warm, upscale atmosphere that photos can't fully capture. Central heating and air conditioning, high-speed WiFi, and multiple HD Smart TVs with streaming services add modern convenience to the mountain charm. Two dogs (35 lbs or less) are welcome with your reservation, subject to prior approval and applicable fees. Book your stay today and experience the perfect blend of luxury, tranquility, and convenience at Spice Ridge Retreat—your peaceful mountain getaway in the heart of the North Carolina High Country. Please Note: Per POA restrictions, absolutely no firearms can be discharged on or near premises. Thank you for your cooperation.* Please note that during the winter season (typically November through March), the neighborhood advises all guests to have 4-wheel drive and tire chains available, regardless of current road conditions. Even a light dusting of ice or snow can make the roads challenging to navigate, and we strongly recommend coming prepared with proper winter driving equipment and exercising extra caution when traveling to and from the property. Minimum age to book this property is : 25

Sleeping arrangements

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

What’s included

  • Self check-in

    Self check-in

  • Parking

    Parking

  • Washer

    Washer

  • Dryer

    Dryer

  • Air conditioning

    Air conditioning

  • Heating

    Heating

  • Fireplace

    Fireplace

  • Kitchen

    Kitchen

Guest reviews

Star icon 4.6 | 24 reviews
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J

Jenny

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December 2025

We had a great time at the cabin. Beautiful views and surroundings, very private. We stayed there in December, and loved that we could use the fireplace every night. We also appreciated the bathtub and the cozy bathroom. We arrived a bit later than planned, and it was dark outside, so finding the right road up to the house was a bit difficult. So I recommend checking in before sunset. I was provided the code to open the main door of the house, but not the code to get inside the gate down at the bottom trail driving into the community where the house is located, so make sure to ask for it in advance. There’s a problems locking the back/patio door of the house, this made me give 4 stars instead of 5, since bears are frequent in the area. The house is situated in an area with short drives to 3 good skiing resorts, several small towns with nice restaurants and some good stores. Overall, we had a wonderful stay, and recommend renting this unit.

C

Cary

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March 2024

Everything I was looking for in a mountain cabin stay!

G

Giselle

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January 2023

We loved our stay. We felt like home right away, the views are breathtaking

R

Ricardo

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January 2023

SOMEWHAT SMALL AND THE BEDS ARE VERY SMALL AND THE MATTRESSES ARE BAD

Know before you go

Self check-in

House rules

Check-in: 4:00pm

Checkout: 10:00am

Pets allowed

Min. age to rent: 25

No smoking

No parties

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