The ultimate mountain retreat. A very comfortable and fully equipped three-bedroom, two bath chalet. Directly off Highway 25-70, five miles from Hot Springs, NC where the Appalachian Trail intersects, and just 25 miles north of downtown Asheville, the Laurel River Retreat sits on the bank of the scenic Laurel River in a 110 acre undeveloped forest.
Secluded and serene, this is a place to hike, fish for trout, watch birds, sit on the large screened porch, patio or front deck and read, meditate, be.
Please note, this is a retreat for those who enjoy nature, the forest, birds, wildlife, and the mountain climate. There is no air conditioning. Ceiling fans are in each room. The house is located in a river gorge, canopied in trees and sits on a hill overlooking the Laurel River.
The privacy is profound. No other house for at least 1/2 mile. No motorized vehicles are allowed except Retreat visitors. The only sounds throughout the day and night are the Laurel's rapids, the wind in the trees and the birds. The silence at first can seem deafening and then become divine.
Laurel River Retreat is a
three-bedroom, two-full bath house with a screened
porch and large stone patio areas on each side of the house.
A panoramic deck spans the front.
All windows are double storm windows with screens. The two doors also have
storm doors on them. Each room has electric base-board heat with its own
thermostat. There is a fireplace
in the living room. The kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, electric
oven, microwave oven, coffee maker and toaster oven. A clothes washer and
a dryer are in an alcove in the kitchen. Two bedrooms and a large full bath with Jacuzzi are upstairs.
The downstairs has a living room/dining room combination, kitchen, utility
closet, one large bedroom and a full bath. The living room/dining room and
kitchen have hardwood floors. The stairway and the bedrooms are fully carpeted
(carpet installed in July, 1999). Each bedroom has its own closet. The downstairs
bath also has a closet. The groundlevel basement area has recently been
renovated as a 300 sq. ft. heated work/play area with five windows overlooking the river and access
through glass doors to patios on each side of the house.
The house is fully furnished in traditional antique and completely equipped with kitchen and bedroom supplies. The kitchen is equipped with double-door refrigerator, electice stove/oven, toater oven, front-loading clothes washer, electic clothes dryer, coffee maker, coffee grinder, blender, and microwave oven. The living room has a queen size futon/sofa. The dining room has a large circular glass-top table on a cypress trunk base with chairs. An 8-foot long picture window faces out to the deck, bringing in the sky, moutainside and river. One of the upstairs bedrooms has an outside balcony with sliding glass doors. The house has a telephone and fax/copy machine. In the living room there is FM Radio/Cassette/CD player.The TV is equipped with a VCR and DVD player. Satellite cable brings in national networks, pay-per-view movies and a large assortment of free music channels.
Seasoned firewood is available during the fall and winter. A very comfortable hammock is between two trees behind the house. Lawn and deck chairs are on the patio and deck along with tables.
Occasionally hikers, bird watchers or Park Rangers walk by on the trail. Highway 25-70 is not heard. The closest dwelling is .4 miles. The Laurel River trail runs along the river in front of the house. It is a very enjoyable hike, flat and next to the river all the way. Trout are fished in the river (NC fishing license required, available in the bait shop in nearby Hot Springs). Swimming, tubing and canoing (for those qualified) are summer time enjoyments in the Laurel. The house has three tubes available for tubing along with life jackets. White Water Rafting is a major activity in the nearby French Broad River and several very good rafting companies are located on 25-70 very near the Retreat . The closest skiing is in Wolf Laurel.
We don't allow all-terrain-vehicles, motorcycles, guns or fireworks. We require that smoking be kept on the porch or outdoors. Sorry, pets are not allowed.
Laurel River Retreat is lovingly cared for by owners, Robert FitzPatrick and Terry Thirion, who enjoy sharing this mountain treasure.
Our Rates:
| Two nights over weekend: $500 | Four nights mid-week (other than Fri and Sat. nights) $600 |
| Two nights mid-week (other than Fri and Sat. nights): $350 | Five nights over weekend: $1,125 |
| Three nights over weekend: $675 | Five nights mid-week (other than Fri and Sat. nights): $750 |
| Three nights mid-week (other than Fri and Sat. nights): $450 | Six Nights: $1,225 |
| Four nights over weekend: $900 | One Week (7 nights): $1350 |
Winter Rates (Nov.-Feb.): Add $20 per night (to cover heat, firewood, and winter maintenance.)
See the rental contract for more details.
The house is well equipped, but you will need to bring some things of your own. Here are some suggestions on Supplies to Bring.