Location: Boone, Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina, USA View Map
Accommodations: Guesthouse, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 4)
StoneGarden Guesthouse overlooks the upper valley of Valle Crucis - just 8 miles outside of Boone and half-way to Banner Elk. It is a boutique lodge-style traditional guesthouse. It is a quiet place with a view, gardens and more. In the summer the gardens are in full bloom and the hummingbirds are abundant. In the winter it is just plain cold, but romantic to some.
The suite was a contiguous lower floor of the main house before my alterations. A 2b/2b with a family room/entertainment center, an attached deck area and separate entrance. I later closed in the stairwell for increased separation/privacy and added a kitchenette, railings/gates/rain shielding for the deck area. I also have the ability to lock-off a bedroom/bath and offer a lower rate for up to 2 persons ($139/nt PT) or open the additional room for a capacity of 4 persons ($169/nt PT). The walls are pine tongue/groove, floors of high-end carpet/tile and furnishings lodge-style. It also has an excellent a/c and dual heat system. Originally the house was an oddly laid-out floorplan for a single-family residence, but with a few minor changes, it works very well as a live-in residence with two separated guest suites. It seems to appeal to those that want a warmer home feel than alternative accommodations. It isn't lace frilly for I am a single guy that likes the higher-end rustic, appalachian mountain lodge look and feel. Please don't take this the wrong way but, I won't bargain the rates for I am already there - times are tough and will be for a long-time - my regular guests have told me my rates are low for what I offer and I should raise them if it means more availability when they wish to visit. The only service cuts are the ironing of linens and the pouring of as much courtesy wine from the Pine Room.
My job description includes host, guide, bellhop, concierge, gardener, housekeeper, waiter, cook, bartender and anything else that it takes to please guest - within reason. I am always trying to match the idea of being available to guests and leaving them alone to enjoy the environment. I feel my daily guest duties are check-in (3pm or later), check-out (11am or earlier), and breakfast - but I usually don't go anywhere...oh and, sometimes socializing in the evening when they wish, for I enjoy that.
A breakfast is available every morning in the dining room and a fire in the fireplace on chilly mornings...about 7.30am for coffee with hot biscuits, bacon or ham, cut fruit/bananas/apples, cereals, milk, OJ out by 8am and over by about 9am. StoneGarden features a gourmet system for coffees, teas and more...even though the suites have coffee makers, microwaves, Cuisinart water boilers, toaster ovens, flatware, plateware and a courtesy supply of coffee/filters/etc...the socializing in the dining room for breakfast is nice (I enjoy that, recluse I am). Some like to come in at 7.30 am to drink coffee, smell the bisquits/bacon, start on the day's crossword puzzle and talk of what done yesterday and what do today - sometimes wives send husbands in to bring them back a tray (with a copy of the day's crossword puzzle).
Stone Garden is a laid-back atmosphere...relaxation is the point. It can be a plus to stay where there is on-site management knowing the area. Many people visit, leave and know little more about it than when they arrived. In the main house I have maps, local restaurant menus, table games, cards, books, magazines, crossword puzzles and etc - and The Pine Room (a tradition is penning, then pinning a dollar to the ceiling). I have a small sign (come right on in) I hang outside the front door when the Fellowship Hall is open and normally ring a ship's bell at 8am and 5pm. Suites have large-screen TV's with fiber-optic hook-ups enabling more channels than anyone can watch and the ESPN College Football Package in the fall. There are hammocks and deck sofas to nap in and picnic tables and grills.
Additional suite (McCrary) is available and promoted on VRBO under the Valle Crucis listing. Full capacity is 7 persons (both suites).
The mailing address is Banner Elk because I choose to have my mail delivered instead of a PO Box in Valle Crucis...an aspect of rural living.
Sorry about the "no pets" and "no children" thing, but many people like to stay where the pets of others have not been (and the furnishings are too nice) and they don't want to leave their pets and children at home (for an escape) and show up to find other's at the same place. This is set up as an escape for couples (or a single). I love pets and children, but that part of my life is over. Bobo (my Brittany) is never allowed in the suites.
WARNING/DISCLOSURE: Guests subject to StoneGarden Paralysis (SGP). Symptoms are tendency to laze around, fall asleep mid-day or afternoons in hammocks,sofas or garden grass areas. Cure: Bobo licking face (no cure if fallen asleep while standing). Addiction likely. ONLY IN EXTREME CASES guest decide to schuck everything at home and move to Valle Crucis.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: don't need it much...but nice a couple weeks a year when it is warm outside and a month or so when pollen count is high...not window units, but a split system AC/Heat.
- Washer: in suite.
- Dryer: in suite.
- Linens Provided: 100% Egyptian Cotton
- Off Street Parking
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: Fiber-optic feed...more channels than can be watched plus ESPN College Football Package...full surround-sound system on a 42" tv.
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Weber Gas Grill
- Deck/Patio: Attached deck with seating tables, deck sofa.
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): Fiber-optic for internet and televisions.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed: Sorry, but pets are not permitted...I love them, but not in the suites.
- Not Suitable for Children: Occupants limited to 18yo or older.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: 24 years old
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- smart things guests have done...bring meat and cut veggies for the grill and microwave potatoes...another...bring a preparation for a slow-cooker...slow cookers available...cook, eat and then give me back the slow-cooker to clean and make available again...another...order a delivery from a selection of resturants via Boone Take-out Express.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$139/nt 1B/1B or $179 2B/2B. season (May 1st-Nov 30th).
$834/wk 1B/1B or $1014 2B/2B (1nt free). +$30 single night stay.
Plus taxes (PT) of 6% County Occupancy and 7.75% State Sales Tax.
Guaranteed reservation is equal to single nt stay non-refundable.
NO ADDITIONAL CLEAN-UP, PROCESSING OR INTERNET ACCESS FEES.
Includes breakfast and courtesy supply of coffee/filters, etc.
During off-season (winter), reservations dependent on the 5day weather reports.
If you saw the 1500' driveway up to the house, you would understand.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2005
Why the Owner Chose Boone
I did not come to Valle Crucis to have a vacation rental...I came to Valle Crucis and later decided to accommodate guests.
The Unique Benefits at this Guesthouse
Valle Crucis is only minutes from Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock. There is much to enjoy here during the summer (admittedly less in the winter) from outdoor concerts at the parks to hiking, biking, and all of that kind of thing.
Owner's Map of Boone
I love Valle Crucis. This area was the first registered historic rural are in the country. The original Mast General Store is just a mile and half away. A great community with history.
Property Photos
- front view of the house - Boone, North Carolina - Vacation Guesthouse near Banner Elk, Hiking and Biking
- Some of the view from the main house. - Boone, North Carolina - Vacation Guesthouse near Banner Elk, Hiking and Biking
- Another view...brrrrr. - Boone, North Carolina - Vacation Guesthouse near Banner Elk, Hiking and Biking
- Where breakfast is served in the Waters Fellowship Hall.
- The Pine Room of the Waters Fellowship Hall.
- one of the outside decks of the social area
- The center room of the Varnell Suite.
- One of the available sets in the Varnell Suite (other looks about the same).
- Another view of the center room of the Varnell Suite..
- attached Varnell deck
- No shortage of hummingbirds in the summer
- A garden entrance.
- almost to StoneGarden...only two more switchbacks and up
- anyone for a picnic?
- how about a nap in the woods in a hammock next to the deer trail
- on-site manager, concierge, maid, gardener, satirist, etc... visit Bobo and me
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #260286
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - November 29, 2009
