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A mellow tranquility settles in after a winter snowstorm

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6149 sq m

Popular amenities

Pool

Washer

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Fireplace

Dryer

Explore the area

Grassy Creek, NC

Grayson Highlands State Park20 min drive
Landmark Farm Alpacas25 min drive
New River26 min drive
North Wilkesboro (IKB-Wilkes County)72 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

Had a great time at Nuthouse Cottage, our second wintertime stay. Best equipped vrbo we've used....the kitchen is a drea...

Bob L.

Jan 4, 2024

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Crow's nest

2 Child Beds

Master bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Come experience absolute tranquility... without roughing it!

The Nuthouse Cottage, located on 48 acres of farmland with a recreational pond, is a three story home with a well-appointed and convenient kitchen. The comfy living room has a gas fireplace and opens onto porches with rockers and tables, a gas grill, a vined pergola with a chiminea, and perennial gardens.

On the second floor are two bedrooms with queen beds and a shared bath with a spacious walk-in tiled shower. The master bedroom features a gas-burning fireplace while the second bedroom has a spiral staircase up to the Crow’s Nest. This nice perch has a 360-degree view and is perfect for curling up on the window seats to read and nap. Little ones love sleeping up in the stars.

Walks through the adjacent hardwood sanctuary with an understory of ferns and mountain laurel always reveal natural surprises. Birds and wildlife abound. Down at Reflection Pond, stocked with bream and bass, the fishing is easy. Sit in the boathouse out of the sun, or fish from the dock. Enjoy a meal under the picnic shelter where there's a charcoal grill and an open fire pit for roasting hot dogs and S'mores. Dogs and children have lots of running room. Two kayaks, tubes, and a floating dock are available so you can get out on the water.

The land is beautiful and promising at all times of the year. In May and June, the gardens are blooming and in July, blueberries are ripe for the picking. By August, fields are colored with wild-flowers and butterflies. Come late September into October while the leaves are at peak color, the Virginia Beauty apples ripen and are ready to harvest. And then, even in winter, with or without snow, there is a stark leafless beauty. In any season, the night sky, away from city lights, is perfect for stargazing.

The New River is just 10 minutes away and kayaking / tubing the river is a favorite activity. Helton Creek for trout fishing is just 5 minutes down the road. Grayson Highlands and Mount Rogers are nearby hiking favorites and White top, start of the Creeper Trail for biking, is a 25 minute drive.

The cottage has a smart TV, a DVD player, and free WiFi (40 Mbps download). Other amenities include W/D, dishwasher, gas cooktop, convection oven, and microwave. The kitchen is stocked for serious cooking. Chimenea wood is available year round.

Property manager

Diana and Traylor Renfro

Languages

English

Amenities

Pool

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Children enjoy activities at Reflection Pond.

Events

Events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Small well-behaved pets can visit for a fee.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Smoking outdoors, including porches, is permitted.

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

Parties and events are allowed on site

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Grassy Creek

Located in Grassy Creek, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Museum of Ashe County History and Lincoln Theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Landmark Farm Alpacas and Rhododendron Trail. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Grassy Creek, NC

What's nearby

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area - 19 min drive
Oak Hill Academy - 19 min drive
Grayson Highlands State Park - 20 min drive
Landmark Farm Alpacas - 25 min drive
New River - 26 min drive

Restaurants

‪The Liar's Bench - ‬23 min drive
‪Molley Chomper Hard Cider - ‬23 min drive
‪Pie - ‬23 min drive
‪Country House Restaurant - ‬24 min drive
‪River House Country Inn - ‬26 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Come experience absolute tranquility... without roughing it! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Come experience absolute tranquility... without roughing it!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Come experience absolute tranquility... without roughing it!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Come experience absolute tranquility... without roughing it! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 9 miles (15 km) of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest and Grayson Highlands State Park. Landmark Farm Alpacas and New River are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Craig S.

16 June 2024

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

Excellent

One of the best VRBO places we’ve ever stayed. Great attention to detail and very clean. The only reason I would not highly recommend is that I want it to be available to go back again and stay in the future.

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joseph B.

12 June 2024

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

mountain retreat

The house is spectacular. The attention to detail is unparalleled. This is a quiet, out of the way location which affords a wonderful serene getaway.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Casey H.

10 May 2024

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

Amazing property!

The Nuthouse cottage exceeded expectations! The house was clean and well stocked with everything you could want for an escape away from the city. The property had amazing views and was immaculately manicured. Traylor was an awesome host and this would be the first place we would check if/when we want to come back to the area!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bob L.

4 Jan 2024

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

Second stay

Had a great time at Nuthouse Cottage, our second wintertime stay. Best equipped vrbo we've used....the kitchen is a dream.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shari S.

14 Sept 2023

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

DREAMY!!!

Maybe the BEST house we have ever rented. The hosts truly thought of everything, and the house was fully stocked. The property is gorgeous, and we explored all the trails, the pond, and the highest overlook. The house itself is just charming and has so much personality, with each little space decorated so uniquely. My favorite room was what we called the "tippy top"... windows all around to see the magnificent view. We loved to sip coffee and read up there. I cannot recommend the Nut House enough! We look forward to coming back!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl E.

24 June 2023

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

Slice of Heaven on Earth

Absolutely a magnificent place in every way! The pictures on the website are great but the actual place is beyond beautiful. If you want true peace and quiet in a beautiful well kept and cared for home with everything you need along with very attentive hosts, this would be the place to go. We are already planning our next visit to The Nuthouse!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alison D.

20 June 2023

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

The Enchanted Cottage

Our stay at the Nuthouse was absolutely perfect. The cottage is very comfortable and clean.. with a well appointed kitchen, porches on front and back to enjoy the sweet smell of fresh mountain air, gazebo with chiminea for evening wine sipping, private walking trails with pristine nature all around. The beds are super comfortable with high end sheets so sleeping with the windows open is that much better. The owners have thought of everything to keep your family delighted in this enchanting cottage. If you can find an opening, I recommend booking it! Oh..did I mention the fireflies at night…..can’t wait to return.

Stayed 17 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leslie F., Cary, NC

11 Apr 2023

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

Delightful Escape - So Much Attention to Detail

My family and I love to rent places on VRBO and this is, by far, the warmest, most thoughtful place we have ever stayed. Traylor and Diana are incredibly kind and welcoming and you can sense this in every aspect of the cottage. No detail has been overlooked. The kitchen is amazing - giant windows, quality knives and pots, a giant table to easily seat a crowd. The bedrooms had comfortable beds with beautiful quilts. The bathroom has a giant, river rock-tiled shower that feels like an escape in and of itself. We had plenty of space and the cottage was clean and welcoming from the very start. Their little rat terrier, Vita, is worth the trip alone. :) I would, without any hesitation, recommend this spot for anyone looking for an escape. We would love to return in the summer when we can enjoy the pond with the kids. Thank you, Diana & Traylor, for a wonderful time. We truly appreciate you.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah N.

28 Mar 2023

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

Magical

This property is the most unique and beautiful vrbo we’ve stayed at! A true labor of love. Had everything we needed. The pond is beautiful and well maintained. The cottage is so charming. It is off the beaten path in terms of being on/next to a farm. Closest grocery store/restaurant is a drive but you won’t really want to leave. Just bring supplies. Kitchen well stocked with essentials.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alison D.

25 Mar 2023

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

Scenic Solitude

Hidden Gem In Ashe County….Clean, Comfortable, Accommodating In Every Way.

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine C.

5 Mar 2023

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

Lovely getaway

Wonderful home and property! Well-stocked kitchen. Loved the master bedroom fireplace with sitting area and vaulted ceilings. Cozy front porch and private location. Would definitely recommend. Thank you!

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa C.

16 Jan 2023

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

Views for Days

This vacation home is absolutely beautiful! There were so many things to do on the property. The home itself as all the amenities including a kitchen any chef would feel at home in!! 100% recommend.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Donna M.

1 Jan 2023

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

Post Christmas getaway

Thank U for sharing your beautiful home with us! Loved that it was still decorated for Christmas 🎄. Secluded & peaceful yet close to outdoor activities like hiking @ Grayson Highlands & biking the VA Creeper Trail. Hope to visit again!!

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emily C.

21 Nov 2022

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

Amazing

The property was amazing. The house was so warming and comfortable. The beds were amazing!! Overall the best place we have stayed in a very long time

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael M., Raleigh, NC

7 Nov 2022

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

Lived up to the hype

We loved our stay at the Nuthouse Cottage. The property was expansive and beautiful. There has been a tremendous amount of thought put into the property layout. The home was very comfortable, had great 360 degree views and the host makes sure you have anything you could need. The kitchen was exceptional and everything was of high quality. This is an amazing part of the country to enjoy. This host sets you up to enjoy it properly.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brittany C.

1 Nov 2022

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

Weekend getaway

Great place to relax, unwind, and get away. Super cozy.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joseph B.

24 Oct 2022

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

great getaway at Nuthouse

This is a beautiful well-appointed house with plenty of windows to allow you to enjoy the spectacular views. You can truly get into the outdoors here without roughing it.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Thomas J., Greenville, SC

7 Oct 2022

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

Relax, recharge and enjoy the natural beauty

The Nuthouse Cottage fully lived up to its reputation. Great cottage with a kitchen stocked with top of the line cookware. The property was beautiful... star-filled evenings by the chimenea, morning mist as the sun crept over the ridge and warmed up the valley below, a reflecting pond that captured the Fall colors. Hosts Traylor and Diana were fantastic, with Traylor checking on us each morning to see if we needed anything. We enjoyed picking apples with them one day. Grayson Highlands State Park, West Jefferson and Lansing, (where a pizza and some time at the cidery make for a fun afternoon) are all within a 30-minute drive.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl W.

25 Sept 2022

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

A taste of heaven

Perfect little cabin, impeccably

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

John Mark F., Homewood, Alabama

4 Sept 2022

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

Nice place

Enjoyed our stay.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deana H.

14 Aug 2022

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

Complete experience

This is an amazing property. The home had everything we needed and wanted - fully equipped kitchen, linens, toiletries, movies, and more. The property had great trails, amazing views, animal appearances, and a pond where we made memories fishing and kayaking! We wanted for nothing! Great interactions with owners. Would totally come back!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

David M.

9 Aug 2022

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

Great house and amazing views!

The cabin and the grounds were amazing. This truly a getaway with plenty of things to do around or stay at the cabin and enjoy the views!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl B.

6 Aug 2022

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

Mountain Paradise

I rarely find myself impressed enough to leave a review; however, we just wrapped up the most amazing week at the Nuthouse and I would highly recommend this cottage/property. I stayed there with my small family of three, plus our furry family member. The cottage was extremely clean, included all the little things that made our stay pleasant (plenty of towels/linens/pillows, bug spray, a first aid kit, luxurious hand soap, and a gourmet kitchen), boasted an amazing view of the mountains/countryside, and allowed us to unwind and make memories. I highly recommend this property for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, including those traveling with their littles or furry family members. We explored the short trails on-sight and kayaked/fished in the pond. I would definitely return!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alex B.

30 July 2022

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

Fantastic stay!

We are a family of six and spent four nights at the Nuthouse Cottage. We could not have been happier with the cottage and location. The cottage, while remote, has all of the conveniences one needs to include a well-appointed kitchen. The property is also beautiful. We were very happy we booked with Traylor and would return in a heartbeat!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julia S.

8 July 2022

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

Best VRBO ever

What can I say, Nut House Cottage was the best VRBO we have ever visited and we have been to a lot. The house was so cute and decorated with beautiful art. The kitchen was stocked like a professional kitchen and as an avid cook this was so wonderful. There were endless activities to engage in both on the 48 acres of Traylor and Diane’s property and around the area. (Hiking, canoeing, biking, fishing, tubing etc). We were there for a week and couldn’t do it all. The views were amazing and both the sunrise out the back of the cottage and the sunset up at True North just blew us away. It was hard to say goodbye this slice of mountain heaven.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Diana and Traylor Renfro

We are Diana and Traylor Renfro, originally from Opelika, Alabama. After college at Auburn, we married and followed our careers to Charlotte, NC where we raised two daughters. Traylor worked in Human Resources and Diana in Nutrition and Writing. We both always loved gardening and growing vegetables, flowers, and landscape plants. Our family loves good food and beautiful gardens.

We found these 45 acres late in 1999, on a pilgrimage out of the city into the highlands of Ashe County. On a drizzly November day, we walked the property, seeing its potential. At its center, a wide bowl-like meadow with boggy springs drained into a winding branch. On the eastern slope, bare hardwoods sheltered an understory of club moss, rhododendron, and Mountain Laurel. The western slope, steep, rocky, and had been traversed with cattle, leaving line drawings in the earth. Higher slopes were covered with brambles and freeze-dried wildflowers. One fenced sunny bluff was a hayfield, and below that, grew healthy green rye grass. The old farmhouse was unusable due to a fallen tree which exposed the interior to the elements, but two large barns and half a dozen other outbuildings seemed to be in good condition. Everything needed attention. No one had lived on the property for fifteen years.

We felt a need to restore it, and we couldn’t wait to get started. Today, it’s the same place with amenities. And we believe as stewards of the land, it is meant to be shared. So, come stay for a while and discover North Carolina's "coolest corner."

Why they chose this property

We're hidden away out here in the quiet where there's no light pollution. We enjoy seeing the stars and hearing very little traffic. Living close to the earth, we enjoy growing some of our food and viewing the wildlife. Deer, groundhogs, rabbits, and turkeys are regulars. Occasionally we glimpse a rare fox or bear. And we enjoy four distinct seasons.
In summer, butterflies drift through the perennial and wildflower gardens and dragonflies hover around the pond. On dark June nights, fireflies twinkle while tree frogs and katydids serenade. In July, the blueberries are ripe for picking and days are warm enough to seek out the pond or float down the river.
By autumn, when the tree colors change and dogs run through crisp fallen leaves, goldenrod turns the bowl bright yellow. Virginia Beauty apples ripen in the orchard, ready for harvest. And we might sit on the pier late afternoon and toss a baited line into the pond trying to tempt a bass or bluegill. All around us, the choose and cut Christmas tree business goes wide open.
In winter, we like to build a crackling fire while the snow falls. We read or write, plan next year's gardens, catch up on movies. Then we get outside and get moving in our boots. Being able to see through the leafless trees reveals the lay of the land. Some things are visible only in winter.
We are always ready for spring to pop with daffodils, dandelions, and forsythia followed by irises, fruit trees, peonies and roses. The gardens put on a show. Spring is official when the Ashe Farmers' Market and local produce stands open.

Ashe County is rich with arts and music events and festivals. From food trucks to fine dining, good food is always available. Buying local is not just a suggestion, but really a great option here.

What makes this property unique

Do you need to change your point of view?

Escape from the phones and the emails, from television and traffic. Hide away in the country where you can hear music in the hills and watch the sky change colors.

Come remember what it’s like to live close to the earth, how the Milky Way brightens the sky on a moonless night, and where buying local is easy. Enjoy hiking, biking, trout fishing, river tubing, or antiquing. Experience bluegrass music events and shop for outstanding artisan creations. Or just be quiet, read and reflect. Make a bonfire beneath the stars by Reflection Pond. You'll love it here.