The Red House: Panoramic Views and Walk to Town
House in Highlands, NC
10 guests · 4 bedrooms · 3 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Top-tier experienceOne of the higher cost properties in the area
About this house rental
Feel like you're far away, but just minutes from town at our sprawling modern ranch! Our light-filled home with uninterrupted long range views from nearly every room was newly decorated in 2023 and designed with your relaxation in mind. New mattresses and pillows, with luxurious white cotton sheets and linen layers make for a seriously good night's sleep in the mountains. Fully stocked kitchen, great outdoor space, and more!
Enter into the expansive center of the home, with floors and walls lined in bright cypress wood. Toward the front of the house you will find a wonderful light filled room with a gas burning fireplace, 65" smart TV, and plenty of lounge seating for relaxation and conversation. The living area opens to a fully stocked kitchen, with gas stove, modern appliances, and a wine fridge. You'll gaze out over panoramic views as you cook, then enjoy meals in the cozy dining area and separate breakfast table with seating for everyone! The dining area is flanked by a series of double sliding doors that open to let in the mountain breeze.
To one side of this central living area is the private main bedroom suite. Sliding doors look from the king size bed over to the mountains in the distance, for gorgeous morning sunrise views. A walk-in cedar closet sits next to the en-suite bathroom, with large updated shower and double-sink vanity.
Back across the central living area is a small hallway leading to a cozy bathroom with tub and shower, and a large bedroom with two queen beds. A second hallway leads to the back wing of the home, where you'll find another bathroom, a single queen bedroom, and another expansive bedroom with two queen beds. Each bedroom has a smart TV, and this last bedroom also looks out over the mountains.
Outdoor living here is wonderful in spring, summer and fall. The deck is easily accessed from the house and features outdoor dining space, a gas grill, and a Big Green Egg. Stairways off each side of the deck lead down to our HUGE fire cauldron for late night s'mores and/or wine sipping. This area feels secluded in the woods, surrounded by mature rhododendrons and landscaping, and away from neighbors. (Although please be respectful of the noise – sound carries a long way when you sit this high!)
Families with kids will love the additional amenities! We have three ourselves (born 2018-2023), so we keep the house ready with plenty of activities. A closet full of large building bricks for forts, a shelf or two full of children's books, toy, puzzles, art supplies, an outdoor climbing dome, slackline, and tunnels cut through the rhododendrons out back make it easy to keep them busy. Kids dinnerware, pack-and-play, nightlights, audio baby monitor and sound machines make for a stress-free vacation without having to pack an extra car worth of stuff.
Our home is located in Little Bear Pen Mountain which is a gorgeous and quiet three street neighborhood with its entrance less than a mile from town. At one end of the road you'll find the gorgeous Kelsey Trail, which is a fun 15 minute casual hike down the mountain and then a few more blocks into town! This well-maintained path leads to all the Highlands has to offer without having to get in your car – world-class dining, galleries, theater & art, shops – amidst spectacular mountain beauty. The surrounding area features fantastic hiking, plenty of easily accessed waterfalls (even with small kids!), mountain biking through Panthertown Valley and National Forest land, and kayaking and boating on Lake Glenville or other nearby lakes.
You'll find mountain calm, cooler temperatures, breezy evenings, and something for everyone to enjoy at our high mountain retreat!
There's a one-car garage at the front of the home. You can easily park two additional cars in the driveway. If you drive an EV with a NACS (Tesla) port, you're welcome to use our 48A charger. (Sadly we don't have a charger for other EVs, but you're welcome to trickle charge from the wall outlet or we can point you to a free public charger in town.)
There is a second garage and upstairs apartment at the rear of the house. The apartment will be unoccupied during guest stays, but if you need a fifth bedroom it can be added to your rental for an additional fee. The second garage is for owner storage only.
For your safety and ours, the exterior of the property is monitored by security camera. The interior is entirely private.
Enter into the expansive center of the home, with floors and walls lined in bright cypress wood. Toward the front of the house you will find a wonderful light filled room with a gas burning fireplace, 65" smart TV, and plenty of lounge seating for relaxation and conversation. The living area opens to a fully stocked kitchen, with gas stove, modern appliances, and a wine fridge. You'll gaze out over panoramic views as you cook, then enjoy meals in the cozy dining area and separate breakfast table with seating for everyone! The dining area is flanked by a series of double sliding doors that open to let in the mountain breeze.
To one side of this central living area is the private main bedroom suite. Sliding doors look from the king size bed over to the mountains in the distance, for gorgeous morning sunrise views. A walk-in cedar closet sits next to the en-suite bathroom, with large updated shower and double-sink vanity.
Back across the central living area is a small hallway leading to a cozy bathroom with tub and shower, and a large bedroom with two queen beds. A second hallway leads to the back wing of the home, where you'll find another bathroom, a single queen bedroom, and another expansive bedroom with two queen beds. Each bedroom has a smart TV, and this last bedroom also looks out over the mountains.
Outdoor living here is wonderful in spring, summer and fall. The deck is easily accessed from the house and features outdoor dining space, a gas grill, and a Big Green Egg. Stairways off each side of the deck lead down to our HUGE fire cauldron for late night s'mores and/or wine sipping. This area feels secluded in the woods, surrounded by mature rhododendrons and landscaping, and away from neighbors. (Although please be respectful of the noise – sound carries a long way when you sit this high!)
Families with kids will love the additional amenities! We have three ourselves (born 2018-2023), so we keep the house ready with plenty of activities. A closet full of large building bricks for forts, a shelf or two full of children's books, toy, puzzles, art supplies, an outdoor climbing dome, slackline, and tunnels cut through the rhododendrons out back make it easy to keep them busy. Kids dinnerware, pack-and-play, nightlights, audio baby monitor and sound machines make for a stress-free vacation without having to pack an extra car worth of stuff.
Our home is located in Little Bear Pen Mountain which is a gorgeous and quiet three street neighborhood with its entrance less than a mile from town. At one end of the road you'll find the gorgeous Kelsey Trail, which is a fun 15 minute casual hike down the mountain and then a few more blocks into town! This well-maintained path leads to all the Highlands has to offer without having to get in your car – world-class dining, galleries, theater & art, shops – amidst spectacular mountain beauty. The surrounding area features fantastic hiking, plenty of easily accessed waterfalls (even with small kids!), mountain biking through Panthertown Valley and National Forest land, and kayaking and boating on Lake Glenville or other nearby lakes.
You'll find mountain calm, cooler temperatures, breezy evenings, and something for everyone to enjoy at our high mountain retreat!
There's a one-car garage at the front of the home. You can easily park two additional cars in the driveway. If you drive an EV with a NACS (Tesla) port, you're welcome to use our 48A charger. (Sadly we don't have a charger for other EVs, but you're welcome to trickle charge from the wall outlet or we can point you to a free public charger in town.)
There is a second garage and upstairs apartment at the rear of the house. The apartment will be unoccupied during guest stays, but if you need a fifth bedroom it can be added to your rental for an additional fee. The second garage is for owner storage only.
For your safety and ours, the exterior of the property is monitored by security camera. The interior is entirely private.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Family friendly
Map of Highlands, NC
$$$$
Reviews
10.0
Fantastic House and Great location! We had everything we needed for a great long weekend!!!
10.0
Beautiful area. Great location. Lots of fun activities close to the house. Great house-5 STARS!
10.0
We totally enjoyed our annual stay at the Red House. The home is spectacular and perfectly fits our big family. The Highlands is literally a breath of fresh (cool) air in the hot Southern summer. We never run out of things to do for the adults and littles. We look forward to future summers at the Red House.
10.0
This place is even cooler in person. Every single thing you can imagine is provided for you. Bed pillows are amazing. Expectations exceeded. Plz lmk if you ever put it on market, I want to buy it!😀
10.0
The host was terrific from booking till end. The house itself is beautifully decorated with upscale amenities, and the view is absolutely gorgeous.. While a challenge to reach, There, we didn’t want to leave. Extremely well priced and a wonderful VRBO.
10.0
We had a wonderful stay at this property! Beautiful home, true fully stocked kitchen, spectacular views! We traveled with adults only, but would love to go back with our children. The home is very kid friendly!
10.0
My only regret is that we could not stay longer! The house is not only beautifully maintained, but well appointed and has everything you need. We were flying in from out of state so were limited in what we could bring, but there was no need to worry. The house had everything we needed and there was even a surplus of toys and books for the kids (ages: 1 year & 3 years). We are already looking at the calendar for next year and planning to book this property again.. only this time, we will stay longer.
10.0
We've stayed at a LOT of vacation rentals over the years, in a lot of different locations, but I think this property might very possibly be the best vacation rental we've ever stayed at. From communication with Elliott to the property itself, everything was A++. I have stayed at more properties than I can count that were supposedly "well-equipped" but didn't have basic necessities. For this property, however, "well-equipped" doesn't do it justice. This property has everything you could possibly need, AND MORE (3 dutch ovens, anyone?!). It was also just so nice inside. Very, very clean, but also obviously well-maintained, which is a different thing altogether. We've stayed at properties where the pictures in the listing weren't at all inaccurate...but when you get there, you realize how worn everything is. Not so with this property. You could really tell that the folks that own it also stay here - such a welcome change from properties that are operated by management companies. I don't think I can say enough wonderful things about this property. We loved it, were so impressed by all of the small, thoughtful details in addtion to just the big picture of the cleanliness and maintenance of the property overall, and will DEFINITELY be staying here again in the future!
10.0
The Red House is a great gathering spot for family and friends. It is well equipped with everything you need. It is close to town and has a wonderful view of the mountains.
10.0
Beautiful home and view of the mountains. Well appointed kitchen. Great mountain escape!
10.0
We have traveled to the Highlands and stayed at many properties around town, and Elliott's property has been one of our favorites! All of the directions/communication that were given were clear, the home was clean and well-appointed, and the location was so close to town. We loved the layout of the home, where everyone was comfortable and had their own space. The outdoor living area was spectacular. We will definitely be returning.
10.0
Amazing property with gorgeous Mountain View! The accommodations were beautifully decorated and comfortable! Well stocked kitchen that even had an electric kettle for my pour over coffee or tea! Very clean. Great shampoo and conditioner which I was happy to have since I forgot mine. Good reads all around including decorating books that were fun to flip through! Close drive to downtown highlands made dinners out and shopping a breeze. All around great time had with family! Thanks Elliot!!
10.0
This home is very well appointed, and has the best views of the mountains in Highlands. It is close to downtown and several trails are easily accessed. It's a quiet neighborhood and the sunrise views are breathtaking. It was a pleasure to communicate with Elliott, the owner.
10.0
The Red House checks ALL the boxes; panoramic views, private setting minutes from the amenities of downtown Highlands, exceptionally clean condition upon arrival, well-stocked “cook’s” kitchen, and charming and beautifully appointed interior. Communication with owners was prompt and efficient. Our family enjoyed this home immensely and hope to have the pleasure of returning soon!!!
10.0
Was fantastic. Views from the back porch even better than photos. Easy walk to town. Great house for a family!
10.0
Everything was fantastic! We’ve stayed at 7 or 8 homes up here over the years and this was our favorite by far. Elliott was great and everything was thoughtful and so well done. We’ll be back!
10.0
We loved the Red House. Hope it becomes a summer tradition for our family.
10.0
Wonderful stay at this beautiful home in Highlands! House was in perfect condition, had amazing views, and was well stocked! Elliott was very easy to communicate with. Would highly recommend this property!!
10.0
This house had a great layout for my family and my sister-in-law's family. The beds were comfortable with crisp clean linens. The basic essentials were in the bathrooms and in the kitchen. The view was fantastic! We were in town for a wedding, so we were kept busy throughout the weekend. We would all like to come back again!
10.0
Great communication with host! Excellent location. Beautiful views.
10.0
The Red house was perfect. Great location that was close to downtown and many hikes/activities. Very comfortable property with great views. Will definitely look to return one day.
10.0
Wonderful property with lots of room for families. Beautifully decorated with everything you need. Close to downtown Highlands, but also has a beautiful mountain view. It’s our favorite place to stay in Highlands.
10.0
Fun house with easy access to downtown.
5.0
We staying for 4 weeks and really enjoyed the location and the neighborhood. Close to downtown and easy access to the various attractions. The owner was great to work with and resolved any issues that occurred. The kitchen was loaded with every conceivable thing that you could possible need.
10.0
Mountain Magic
Great views of the mtns , cool breeze, outdoor venues were amazing and made our trip exceptional . House well stocked for family dinners , all linens were clean and crisp .
Location divine and proximity to Highlands restauarants so convenient!
Owners could not be more helpful or kind . Great rental
10.0
Great House:)
This house was great and our stay was fantastic! The location is perfect (close to downtown Highlands with a beautiful view) and the house is incredibly well-stocked with everything we needed for cooking and relaxing. The owner provided great recommendations. Definitely recommend:)
10.0
Family Vacation
Great size house for large family. Great location, close to town/Main Street. Beautiful view!
10.0
perfect place to gather and everyone loved the house
thank you for sharing your lovely house with us! We had a wonderful few days together with family and friends. The house was perfect for us (group of 6 adults). Lots of room to socialize inside and outside while we had plenty of privacy too. Everyone noticed all of the thoughtful design details in the house as well as all of the thoughtful practical details. We loved the deck and the fire pit area! Easy access to the Kelsey trail was a bonus too. We used it to walk to town for a late lunch. The house really hits the mark for that rare combination of terrific style and comfort. We would absolutely love to return and stay longer next time!
10.0
Great mountain weekend adventure
Terrific property. Wonderful location, vibe and accommodations. Even the weather cooperated! Plenty to do in town, did some short hikes, ate great food and spent fun evenings at the fire cauldron. Just go! You'll love it.
10.0
Highlands Escape
Stunning home minutes to town. Fully stocked with everything you need. Fantastic views. Highly recommend!
10.0
Family getaway
Convenient location with a great view. Relatively short drives to some great hikes and waterfalls. We really appreciated that the owners had left cooking spices, trash bags and dishwasher detergent. We realized there were a few things we had forgotten while packing and it saved us several trips to the store. Would certainly recommend.
10.0
Wonderful experience
House was everything shown in the listing and more. Only one mile to downtown Highlands with the option of a short hike. Quiet neighborhood with a great backyard and Mountain View. The hosts were easy to communicate with and helpful when we had a few questions about the home. Excellent layout for our family with plenty of space. The kitchen, family room and dining room are excellent for spending time together as a family and relaxing.
We will definitely stay there again!
10.0
Nice retreat
Amazing Views!
10.0
Perfect setting for Thanksgiving celebration with extended family
This home is in a beautiful location on top of Little Bear Pen Mountain and has gorgeous views - convenient to lots of hiking and close to town center. The layout of the home worked perfectly for us and our 2 daughters and their families to spend Thanksgiving week - plenty of room to separate and also to be together. We had a big crowd and the dining area was able to hold us all with a large table for adults and a smaller table for kids. The kitchen was well equipped with everything we needed to cook for this crowd...even the big Thanksgiving Day spread. We didn't eat out once with our large crowd. The kids especially enjoyed roasting marshmallows around the cowboy caldron out back while the adults relaxed around the fire with a glass of wine! The house is beautifully and comfortably furnished - additional seating in the living area and a beautifully renovated master bath since we last staid in this home 3 years ago. The new owner was very helpful with tips for driving to the location on the top of the mountain (helpful for this Florida girl) and provided quick responses for any questions we had. Definitely our favorite spot in Highlands and we hope to be back again!
10.0
Coolest ranch you’ll ever see.
We stayed here for my son’s wedding weekend. The house is so comfortable- very updated and modern vibe, extremely well furnished and clean. It was a welcome respite from all the wedding activity and great proximity to all we needed to do in Highlands. Highly recommend!
10.0
Mountain Dream
Fabulous property with incredible views and just up the hill from Main St! Great place to relax with friends and family!
10.0
Wonderful Property in Highlands,NC
Can’t say enough good things about this property! We have been going to the mountains for a family vacation for years, and this is actually our favorite property we have booked. It was perfect for our family of 6! We actually had extra space, and lots of room to spread out. It is beautifully decorated, with a gorgeous view of the mountains. It’s in a great location about 5 minutes from downtown Highlands.
It was extremely clean, and had all of the amenities that anyone could ask for!
Elliott was an excellent host. Booking and check in was very easy. Would definitely recommend. We are already thinking of booking again for next year!
10.0
Wonderful house, beautiful view
Our family stayed here for fall break, and couldn't have asked for a better location, view, or home and amenities. It really is a special place. Well stocked, the deck and view are unbeatable as seen in the pictures, plenty of great hiking nearby, and our boys loved the fire pit at night before bedtime. Thank you so much for a perfect stay!
10.0
Perfect retreat
Stayed here with three friends for golf trip. House is amazing and well decorated. Fire pit outside was perfect for after dinner activity . Beds were new and super comfortable. Used big green egg one night to cook out on.
10.0
Absolutely Wonderful!
I can not say enough good things about this property. Everything exceeded our expectations. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Highlands?
The average price for a rental in Highlands is $645 per night. This rental is $285 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at The Red House: Panoramic Views and Walk to Town. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is The Red House: Panoramic Views and Walk to Town pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at The Red House: Panoramic Views and Walk to Town?
We found 10 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
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