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The Illusion of Seclusion! Gorgeous views near Biltmore and everything Asheville

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Enjoy "The Illusion of Seclusion" – Your private mountain escape near everything
Quaint, quiet, shady woodland oasis near everything Asheville
A special place with spectacular mountain views – sunrise from the living room
So many outdoor spaces for gathering – all with views, just steps from the house
Fox kit playing in the leaves – seen from the kitchen window

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8153.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Arden, NC
  • Biltmore Park Town Square
    8 min drive
  • Western North Carolina Agricultural Center
    9 min drive
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
    13 min drive
  • Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    13 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Gold Room

1 Queen Bed

Grey Room

1 Double Bed

Master

1 King Bed

Queen Suite - Lower level

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Main bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Master bathroom

Soap · Toilet · Hair dryer

Queen Suite bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

The Illusion of Seclusion! Gorgeous views near Biltmore and everything Asheville

AUTUMN IS COMING!! Enjoy the leafy splendor at our Sweet Mount Royal House with the "Illusion of Seclusion!"

Even more beautiful in shady park-like setting... Newly painted house and covered sitting area, new decks, NEW EASY DRIVEWAY AND PARKING AREA with beautiful granite boulders, new tiered park-like landscaping with new timber stairway to new upper fire pit area... Even more outdoor spaces to explore and enjoy!

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NOTE: Please spend some time and read everything about my Sweet Mount Royal House. It'll be worth it. She's a beauty! Once you book, I will send you a PDF of our very-informative "Welcome Book" - it's packed with great info about "Royal", the area, local restaurants, grocery stores, hiking trails, etc. (There's also a printed copy at the house for your reference during your stay.)
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The hollow is a beautiful shady tiered woodsy property that feels remote, but actually close to everything: Asheville, Biltmore, airport, Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking, & more! Yes, you will feel like you're in your own private park.

Visit Asheville and stay in this beautiful and unique renovated mountain house nestled in a large wooded hollow near the top of a quiet mountain... but still near everything Asheville. Named for its location on top of Mount Royal, "The Sweet Mount Royal House” is nestled in a hollow in a quiet private park-like setting. From the many sitting areas - inside and out - enjoy beautiful long mountain views that overlook the valley to the South. Off the beaten path, yet near to everything – "The Illusion of Seclusion!"

5-Star Outside: Explore the pathways and timber stairs that take you to several seating areas on over an acre - a screened porch off the kitchen (great for morning coffee), a large covered area w lighting, upper and lower fire pits, and a large deck for the amazing mountain view and breezes.

5-Star Inside: Every room has been beautifully remodeled with comfy beds and linens, professionally cleaned, and the views are simply stunning!


LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
The House is approximately 20 minutes to the entrance of Biltmore Estate plus another 5 to the city, and about 30 minutes to many wonderful hiking trails and attractions in the Asheville area. About as close as you can get and still have a whole-house rental.

CLEAN!
The Sweet Mount Royal House is professionally cleaned thoroughly and thoughtfully after each stay.

NEW DRIVEWAY!
In 2022 the driveway was re-engineered into a wide, gentle slope with a beautiful split-rail fence, granite boulders, and plenty of lush landscaping. With a level parking area at the house and additional parking at the bottom, it's about as good as it can get for a mountainside home with big views.

WELCOME BOOK
When you reserve, I’ll send you a note with a pdf of my exclusive 20+ page “Welcome Book”. It’s full of great information including everything from Directions to the House, to Favorite Hiking Trails, and even how to use the TV. There is a printed copy in the House.

WELCOME GIFT
I love to offer a Welcome Gift for staying at my Sweet Mount Royal House – an assortment of delicious trail mix packets will be waiting for you on the Welcome table. They're great for a quick snack upon arrival, or to take along for a hike. Enjoy!

SUPPLIES
Stocked to get you started...
Paper towels, tp, coffees, tea, sweeteners, soaps, and even firewood. If you need more, grocery stores are minutes away.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Feeling the need for a walk? You don't need your car. Take a walk around the mountainside neighborhood or explore one of the 2 flanking neighborhood hiking trails while ever gazing at the long mountain views – "Rosscraggon Woods" just to the west of the house or "Collier Cove" to the east. (Remember, you are on a mountainside!)

THINGS TO DO
Check out my Welcome Book for hike locations and SO much more! Visit the nearby grounds and gardens of the magnificent Biltmore Estate just down the road, the city of Asheville is a few minutes beyond, drive the nearby scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, or hike to one of the area's many waterfalls, Bent Creek area hiking and mountain biking, Zen Tubing, the Outlets, and a multitude of wonderful restaurants and shopping.

The House is close to countless amazing hikes with 2 private parks right in the neighborhood –

STAYING "HOME"
If you're tired from the excitement and would prefer to just stay at your "home away from home", you won't be disappointed. The House and property have so much to offer – a scenic mountain house with BEAUTIFUL NEW LARGE COVERED SITTING AREA... comfortable furniture, outdoor lighting, and a choice of 2 fire pits – the upper above the house with dramatic views of the property and beyond, and the lower near the covered area. The perfect places to kick back and relax with your family while you enjoy a glass of wine and the wonderful views. For a beautiful evening, turn on the strings of soft Edison lights and build a fire. S'mores seem better after dark, don't they?

So much to do, or nothing at all. The choice is yours!

THE HOUSE
The driveway is level with the lower floor of the house - the Queen Suite. The main living area is on the top floor. The inside staircase goes from the lower level, to a landing area (the main entrance door), then to the upper level. You can enter via the french doors off the deck into the Queen Suite, or through the main entrance door that opens onto the landing.

Enjoy the beautiful mountain views, newly renovated rooms, fun chalk wall, coffee station, screened porch, covered sitting area, 2 fire pit areas, and all so close to everything you want to see and do in Asheville.

THE ROOMS
Want to know about the rooms? This sweet 4 bedroom / 2.5 bath house is newly remodeled with 2 new HVAC systems. The bedrooms have all new carpet, trim, blinds, paint and furniture – well, some antique furniture, but "new" to the house. The beds all have plush mattress toppers for extra comfort and all new quilts, pillows and linens. Each room has a bedside table or two, bedside lamps, ceiling fans with lights, luggage racks, closet with hangers, and plenty of dressers if you'd like to unpack.

King Balcony Room
You’ll love this room with it’s beautiful plush king bed, ensuite half-bath, and new french doors opening to a small private deck with lush views. Throw open the doors to let in mountain breezes and listen to the birdsong as you wake.

The Golden Room
A wildflower theme with a queen bed, side tables from Sonoma, and a large dresser.

The Grey Room
A refinished chalk-painted gray dresser and bedside table and new full-sized bed. The walls are decorated with unique artwork and the stained-glass lamp was brought from an Arts and Crafts bungalow in New York.

The Lower Level Queen Suite with Laundry Room (LLQSLR)
A large 4th bedroom with a beautiful plush queen bed, full bathroom, sofa with coffee table, closet, second sitting area, and access to the laundry room. It's accessible from the interior oak staircase, or the private french door entrance off the main deck with beautiful long mountain views. It even has its own HVAC system for added comfort.

The Kitchen
Spacious with a large table to seat up to 8. It has a dishwasher, coffee stand, and a window over the sink looks onto a den where fox pups can be seen playing in the springtime.

The Living Room
A cozy space with fireplace, comfy sofa with 2 built-in recliners, 2 oversized chairs, a large-screen smart tv, WiFi, and long mountain views. From the "birds-eye view" of the bay window you can often see hawks circling outside or watch the lights from the valley below twinkle at night.

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ENJOY!
In the morning, throw open the french doors to let the morning sunshine help you shake off your sleep. Grab a mug of coffee and settle on the screened porch to listen to the mountain awaken with birdsong and rustling leaves as breezes reach into the hollow.

Spend your days taking in the nearby sites – Tour the Biltmore Estate, walk the city, hike trails at Bent Creek, ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, tube the Green River, zip-lining with Navitat, catch a fun LaZoom tour, Friday night drum circle, fabulous restaurants, colorful buskers, unique local shopping, and breweries, breweries, and more breweries!

Prefer to stay in? Grab a bag of marshmallows, chocolate bars, a sleeve of graham crackers, a bottle of wine, and head to the beautiful covered sitting area and one - or both - of the fire pits. Kick back and laugh with friends while you roast marshmallows and enjoy the long views. Turn on the soft strings of Edison lights if it gets too dark for your game of charades or Yard Yahtzee. Make yourself s’mores while watching the views of the distant mountains fade into the night and the lights of the world below begin to shine.

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An important note:
Even though it’s uncommon, in this uncertain time of extreme weather and illnesses a guest may need to cancel shortly before they check in – outside of the cancellation terms. (Please read the cancellation policy before booking any property.) For that reason, owners strongly recommend guests purchase trip insurance wherever they book. VRBO offers you their insurance when you book, however feel free to investigate other options. A little spent now, could save your much later. Please refer to VRBO for more information.

I'm always watching out for my guests, even before you book.

Property manager

Kris Mulloy
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed
Absolutely NO parties/events. Quiet hours 10p-10a

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
NO! Fees incurred for ANY smoking on the property

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Absolutely NO parties/events. Quiet hours 10p-10a
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Arden

Located in Arden, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Biltmore Estate and Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Entrance. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at The Orange Peel, or consider a night out at Grey Eagle. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Arden, NC

What's nearby

  • Biltmore Park Town Square - 8 min drive
  • Historic Biltmore Village - 13 min drive
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Entrance - 14 min drive
  • Asheville Outlets - 17 min drive
  • Biltmore Estate - 24 min drive

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪12 Bones Smokehouse - South - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack South - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Fat Cats Billiards - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Illusion of Seclusion! Gorgeous views near Biltmore and everything Asheville pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Illusion of Seclusion! Gorgeous views near Biltmore and everything Asheville?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Illusion of Seclusion! Gorgeous views near Biltmore and everything Asheville?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Illusion of Seclusion! Gorgeous views near Biltmore and everything Asheville located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Biltmore Park Town Square, Southridge Shopping Center and Feed and Seed. Western North Carolina Agricultural Center and French Broad River are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 65 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 69 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Patricia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend in Asheville
Our family needed lodging for an Asheville-based family wedding. The location worked well for easily being able to take advantage of all Asheville has to offer. We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

roberto c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing home in Ashville
Very well equipped home, with plenty of space in a beautiful area of Ashville
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

James H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent
Well maintained and fantastic view!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Super Welcoming
The house is beautiful, and so well stocked- right down to the mosquito spray and extra batteries! Nothing is overlooked. We also appreciated that all of the beds are at least queen sized. So often a promising property turns out to have twin bunks, and we’ve got 6’2” boys! Just be prepared for a steep, twisty road to the house, but it’s definitely worth it. Would definitely stay at her properties again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gianna F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous Retreat
The location and property was so beautiful and calm. The neighborhood itself felt super safe and welcoming. We were here for a relaxing bachelorette trip to visit the Biltmore Estate. This place was close to everything. Door dash drives out here too, so that helped in a pinch! Kris was friendly and easily reachable. We locked ourselves out of a bathroom at night and Kris responded so fast. She was willing to stop by early in the morning and get it open for us. We ended up figuring out, but just knowing that Kris was available was such a relief. Highly recommend this place!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Diana W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and comfortable
This was a fantastic place for our group of 8 to spend the Christmas holiday. It was very comfortable for two families: 4 adults, 2 teens and 2 kids. The kitchen is well stocked with pots, pans, and utensils for cooking and we cooked multiple meals each day. Bedrooms were all comfortable and the sitting area with the downstairs queen suite was such a nice extra place to hang out. We only used the firepit near the driveway, and that was spacious with plenty of outdoor seating. The grounds are lovely and you have beautiful views of sunset from the living room or outside. The location feels both private and very convenient, ten minutes to grocery stores and restaurants, or about 20-25 minutes to downtown Asheville. The teens went snowboarding at a place about an hour away. The driveway is steep but manageable even for those of us who live in flat places and are not used to that. Overall, i would definitely recommend staying here and we would again if we’re in the area!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
lovely House with a view
What a great house for relaxing with friends. 4 rooms allowed four friends to enjoy time together in asheville. The house was cozy and had great furniture for relaxing and hanging out. We spent a good amount of time on all the different porches and evenings by the fire pit. Neighborhood is clean, felt very safe and close to all the things we wanted to do. Beds were all very comfortable. Kris was easy to contact and attentive to questions we had before booking. We will be staying here again!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Birthday celebration
Definitely recommend this property - spacious, clean, comfortable and updated. Kris was very responsive to any questions I had. Upon arrival, there was a Happy Birthday message for my wife on the Welcome Board (a nice surprise). Prob about 15 mins to downtown Asheville. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly M., Columbus

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Asheville visit
My sister's, my husband and I took our parents to Asheville for their 60th wedding anniversary. We loved our stay. Kristen was a wonderful host and answered all of our questions and was quick to fix a lighting issue. She thought of every detail and the house was well stocked and very warm and inviting. The mountain views from the house were amazing full of beautiful fall colors. The location was an easy drive to Asheville and Biltmore. We all highly recommend this wonderful Royal Pines Mountain home.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Feels like home.
6 of us stayed at this property. We had plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the home and screened in porch. The owner was quick to respond when we had a minor plumbing problem. We would highly recommend this property when staying in the Asheville area.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angela M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Summer family vacation
We more than enjoyed our stay here! The location was perfect, and it more than fit our large family! Everything was provided beyond our expectations, from games to flashlights, linens to extra pillows! Thank you for helping make our summer vacation amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Greg J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely stay
Beautiful property, great views, nice amenities.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jill L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sister’s reunion
Relaxing screened in porch! Cozy mountain retreat.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert J., Greenwood, SC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend Getaway
Wonderful host who is easily available for questions. Great location and impeccably clean. The quiet and peaceful area is within easy driving distance of local attractions and hiking.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peace on the Mountain
Beautiful property in peaceful location! Location is great for many attractions and plenty of space to recharge and chill out. The owner is great and very responsive to questions and reasonable requests. I will definitely book there again if headed to Asheville area!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rodney M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place and close to everything
This was one of the nicest VRBO houses I have ever rented. It was clean, well decorated and the property was well manicured. I especially liked the flower lights in the evening! Great location between Asheville and the mountains! I would definitely rent again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice place near Asheville
We enjoyed our stay at the property. The property owner was very responsive.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bart P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Mountain Home
The house had everything we needed. 20 minutes from everything but also secluded. We loved sitting on the screened in porch in the mornings with out coffee. We would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy mountain retreat
What a wonderful stay! Kris was on top of everything - directions, recommendations, and easy check in. The property was just as described and the driveway was not at all scary. 😊 we loved the electric fireplace and the gorgeous views of the mountains!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

cheryl g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed our Stay
This house was cozy, very good location near the airport, and had good views. The host was very accommodating. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ally V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful place to stay with family.
We had a great time here. We enjoyed watching the sunrise of the mountain view and make s'mores over the fire. They were also very nice and put up a pack and play for my daughter. Overall it was an amazing place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Nina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Taylor Family
We had a great experience ! The house was charming and the welcome book was full of useful information. The house was comfortable and cozy for our family get away
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

lynn/William d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great views
Lovely views and great location
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Courtney K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Screened Porch and Fresh Mountain Air
We had a wonderful experience, the property is very nice - clean, spacious, each room a good size, bathrooms renovated, location convenient to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville making easy day trips to both multiple times. One of the best features is the screened in porch, we spent most of our time sitting out there enjoying bug free mountain air, loved every moment! The new driveway has flat parking at the top at the house now and we found it no problem to navigate with a Subaru and a small SUV. Communication with the host was top notch, anything we needed was quickly responded to. I’d happily stay here again or any property she hosts!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Sinclair L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful mountain retreat!
We thoroughly loved our stay!! Everything was perfect, just as described! Our most favorite place was the screened porch with the fresh mountain air, cool breezes, and fantastic view. Thank you for letting us share your awesome mountain cottage! When we return to Asheville, I would love to rent it again!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

About the host

Hosted by Kris Mulloy

Host profile image
A small town gal that found her true "home" here in the mountains of Asheville. As an artist and designer, real estate agent, and property manager, I adore creating beautiful spaces for folks to visit and purchase in our little slice of this beautiful world.

Why they chose this property

The Sweet Mount Royal House was the first I saw when I decided to set my roots in Asheville. Due to it's unique location near the top of the mountain, it took 2 days to locate! When I finally pulled up the driveway and saw the magnificent long mountain views, I told my real estate broker, "I want it." before I even stepped foot inside. I'm so happy she's mine!

What makes this property unique

“The Illusion of Seclusion”
The Sweet Mount Royal House is in a quiet mountainside hollow and feels remote, but is actually very near many wonderful attractions – the airport, the Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Village, Biltmore Park, 2 movie theaters, Blue Ridge Parkway, a children's park, trampoline parks, gyms, and a multitude of wonderful restaurants and shopping.

It's on a large, tiered, park-like lot in a beautiful peaceful walking neighborhood flanked by 2 private parks with hiking trails. At the bottom of the mountain is a wonderful children's park.

There's a comfortable screened porch for enjoying your coffee while the mountain awakens. Grab a book and a glass of wine and head to the nearby covered sitting area. It's the best place to watch a summer shower.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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