Not Many Views Like This Left! 10 Ranges, Almost Heaven 3000ft

• Lives Up to Its Name - Almost Heaven

  Lives Up to Its Name - Almost Heaven

  • Guest AT Hiker
  • Date of stay 05/24/13
  • Review Submitted 05/31/13
  We stayed at Almost Heaven for four days with our two daughters, their husbands and the young grandchildren. The house had enough space for everyone without feeling crowded. The deck at the rear has amazing mountain views and was wonderful for times of quiet reflection and peace. The kitchen was well-equipped and the table seated eight comfortably. The beds were good quality and comfortable. The grandchildren, aged 4 and 3, greatly enjoyed the swing just up the road from the house (the adults enjoyed it too). One day we went to a trout farm about 20 minutes away where we caught fish later eaten for dinner; another day we drove to Chimney Rock where we sifted through sand and mud to find gems - again great fun for the children and adults alike. In all, we greatly enjoyed our stay at Almost Heaven, and would return.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Almost Heaven, indeed

  Almost Heaven, indeed

  • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 05/01/13
  • Review Submitted 05/08/13
  Perfect for our adult family gathering! Very warm, homey, and great amenities. Owner is very good at communication and attention to detail. Breathtaking views. Couldn't have been more pleased!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Top of the Mountain

  Top of the Mountain

  • Guest Happy
  • Date of stay 01/31/13
  • Review Submitted 02/06/13
  Upon our arrival to this home, "Almost Heaven" was a perfect name choice for this property. It exceeded all of our expectations. We had a great time there and home was exactly like the advertisement. So many pluses about this home we will be back. This was the perfect place for relaxing, fun, and enjoyment. I wish we could have stayed longer.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Christmas Gift

  Christmas Gift

  • Guest Alexis
  • Date of stay 01/18/13
  • Review Submitted 01/27/13
  This year my sisters and I decided to think out of the box and totally shock our parents with a Christmas gift they would never forget. We started throwing ideas around and decided the best gift we could give wasn't sold in stores. Instead we wanted to give them an opportunity to escape from their hectic lives and make some the best memories with their close friends. Before booking "Almost Heaven" I must have emailed the owner (Annette) for at least 2 months straight with questions. She answered every question and concern within at least 24 hours of it being sent and with such joy. I could not have been more pleased with the communication! My parents and their friends were amazed that my sisters and I were able to give such a wonderful gift. They were even more shocked at how nice the cabin and location was! The weekend at the cabin was amazing and just what they all needed. We will definitely be making many returns to "Almost Heaven" again in the future. Because of the amazing owner and amazing cabin my sisters and I were able to give an unforgettable Christmas gift to our parents and their friends. It will be difficult to top this gift next Christmas!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Fantastic MountainTOP resort

  Fantastic MountainTOP resort

  • Guest JJR
  • Date of stay 09/23/12
  • Review Submitted 10/01/12
  This place was amazing! When I booked it I imagined a place built into the side of a mountain with great views. It does have amazing views.....but it is not in the side of a mountain, it is on TOP of the mountain. Fantastic views from both sides of the house. When we first pulled up to the house we realized that there was no other place within 10 miles with a better vantage point. Also when pulling up to the house we noticed that we were not alone on our mountain. Another home is right next door. At first I was dissapointed but I soon realized that a) it was still very secluded because of the overgrowth between the two homes. and b) it was actually a comfort knowing that there was other humans within throwing distance. The home is very new and in very good shape. The kitchen is stocked with lots of herbs and even some complimentary coffee and tea (which my wife was very happy to see since what we bought was bad). There is the cutest swing that sends you out over the side of the mountain. Not literally but it is still amazing when you look to the horizon. Make sure to get some swing time while your there, you won't regret it! Also, there is a nice grill that can be used for afternoon barbeques out on the covered porch (which is large enough to seat the whole family). All in all a great relaxing getaway. Maybe next time we will bring the family.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• 60th birthday family trip

  60th birthday family trip

  • Guest Mel
  • Date of stay 08/09/12
  • Review Submitted 08/18/12
  We loved Almost Heaven! It is an amazing house on top of the mountain, and the views are unbelievable! Our family enjoyed its decks, hammock, comfortable beds, and ping pong table! The ride up the mountain to the house was quite scary for us "lowlanders," but we drove it and walked it quite often during our week stay. We would recommend this property to anyone. We enjoyed a delicious meal at The Black Bird in Black Mountain. White water rafting and a trip to Biltmore were two full-days' adventures for us, too! The hike to the waterfall was challenging, but fun. We're glad a car was waiting on us at the waterfall for a ride back up to the house! All directions, suggestions, and owner's tips were very helpful and accurate.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• great family vacation

  great family vacation

  • Guest Kim
  • Date of stay 06/16/12
  • Review Submitted 06/26/12
  Absolutely beautiful. Pictures really doesn't show how great it is. My family of seven stayed for a week. We had no problems finding the house even though it is quite a drive up the mountain and secluded. You definitely need a check list before going up the mountain. The weather was beautiful in mid June, and we even wore a light weight jacket in the evening up at the house. lots of wild life. We even had a black bear stroll in front of our house one early afternoon. We were more interested in him than he was in us! There is a lot to do in the area. We went horseback riding at Cedar Stables. (about 30 minutes away) Just one warning to the flat landers. It takes much more time than you think to get anywhere! Many of the roads are narrow and curvy. Lots of steep hills. Cars work, but SUVs get around better. Thanks Annette for letting us rent your lovely home.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: We thought it only fair to disclose here that none of our other renters have been this lucky! It would be awesome to see a bear, but even we ourselves have never seen one at “Almost Heaven” in the five years we have been coming up here. Our Gateway Mountain community is a wildlife refuge and the full Appalachian ecosystem of animals and plants inhabit it, but we commonly just see deer, rabbits and wild turkeys. So congratulations to our renters from Iowa on their exceptional wildlife viewing experience! We are totally envious! Annette and Jim

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Perfect Name

  Perfect Name

  • Guest Anne
  • Date of stay 03/01/12
  • Review Submitted 04/04/12
  We decided to celebrate our 35th anniversary with our children, and were fortunate to spend the occasion at this perfect location! My husband and I arrived Thursday night and were immediately taken aback at the gorgeous view! As we came over that last little hill in front of the house, we were met by sparkling lights from area communities down below, as well as the twinkling stars above. Together, they created a stunning backdrop..... After we unpacked, we put on our jackets and sat on the deck to enjoy the cool mountain air and the peace and quiet that comes with such a magical landscape. It was very evident that this house had the perfect name! With the grown children's arrival the next day, we were soon enjoying a wonderful family gathering.......catching up with one another, playing games (had a great ping-pong contest down in the basement), taking turns on the tree swing (that takes you over the "gentle cliff"), listening to music, and later cheering some ACC basketball teams on to victory. The house's size allowed folks to have 'breathing room' as well. While several were laughing and/or cheering in the family room, one chose to meditate on the porch, swinging in the hammock----another settled into a good book on the couch----and a third, caught a quick nap upstairs. Everyone was pleased with the sleeping arrangements---comfortable beds for all! And they all complimented the kitchen's size (which allowed for several 'galloping gourmets' at one time). We did venture to Black Mountain and Montreat for lunch, shopping, and a walk around Lake Susan. Later, some rediscovered Andrew's Geyser, just outside Old Fort.....All spots not too far away. For us, this was the perfect 'get-away-from-it-all-place' we were hoping for-----it was a beautiful home, in a beautiful, secluded spot. Yet, we were close enough to areas of interest. And, we knew Asheville wasn't too far away, for anyone interested in seeing the Biltmore House, head to the movies, etc.. At 3,000 feet above sea level, the ride up and back was exciting and fun! We had no problems coming or going....and everyone had different kinds of vehicles. Thank you for allowing our family to create another special memory! Everyone really did have a great time!!! We look forward to returning to "Almost Heaven" again!

  Recommended for: People with disabilities, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Gorgeous views and comfy cabin are well worth the climb!!!

  Gorgeous views and comfy cabin are well worth the climb!!!

  • Guest Nicole
  • Date of stay 12/26/11
  • Review Submitted 01/01/12
  My family and I spent four nights in "Almost Heaven" and it more than lived up to its name. The drive up was very steep at times, but with the weather in our favor, our Prius was able to make the climb without any problems. Once at the top, the views are indescribable. More than once we were literally above the clouds! The cabin was spotlessly clean, comfortable, and well-appointed. We made great use of the wood burning fireplace, DVD library, ping pong and foosball tables, and my seven-year-old was a particular fan of the color-changing, underwater light in the bathtub! The owner, Annette, was very nice and easy to work with. I would recommend this cabin without hesitation...just beware of winter weather if you don't have 4WD and a sense of adventure!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: We want to thank all of our renters for their kind thoughts and rememberances, and for taking such good care of our home during their stay. We have come to realize that "Almost Heaven" is one of those special places that you may find only a few times in your life. We feel a kindred spirit with all of you who have been touched by its beauty and we thank you for allowing us to experience it afresh through your eyes. Best regards, Annette and Jim Morgan

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Truly Breathtaking

  Truly Breathtaking

  • Guest Rachelle & Doug
  • Date of stay 10/28/11
  • Review Submitted 11/03/11
  The cabin was absolutely wonderful and actually better than the pictures presented. We had some issues getting up the driveway, but I believe that was because a combination of fog, a lack of visability, wet gravel due to the rain, and a stick shift Civic. Everyone else made it up just fine! The owners even called after we got settled to be sure we made it in okay (they are lovely, by the way, and very helpful!). The house is well stocked with staples in the pantry, plenty of extra blankets for cold nights, robes, lots of games and plenty of DVDs. Our company enjoyed the telescope on the second night when we had great visability of the sky. Each bedroom has access to a deck. I only wish it had been a tiny less cold out so we could have taken advantage of that and the grill. Oh well, we'll have to plan a trip back! The views are truly 360* around. The cabin sits at the top of the mountain, and ranges are available at both the front and back doors. You need to be careful allowing little ones to play outside along though. The cliffs are steep and require supervision. The basement has a fooseball table and ping pong table, and, again, views of the mountains. The place was well-stocked with plenty of firewood. The kitchen has just about everything you need for food preparation, which was a nice surprise. Overall, we were incredibly happy with our stay and are already planning on making this our go-to place for return trips to Asheville. The master bathroom has a light in the bathtub that alternates colors - a big hit for little ones!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: We love this review – it’s 5 stars, after all -- but we have fielded quite a few questions from potential renters about the “issues getting up the driveway” these folks mention, so we wanted to comment about that here. We’ve had many renters of “Almost Heaven”, and this was literally the only one that had trouble getting up the mountain. We believe it had everything to do with them having a small stick shift car. As they said, “Everyone else made it up just fine!” and that has been the case universally with all other renters. You don’t need a 4-wheel drive, or any kind of previous experience driving in the mountains. There are really just two steep curves near the top of the mountain, but they are paved, and with just moderate, steady speed everyone gets to the top with no problems at all. Daily, renters drive up and down our mountain repeatedly, and once you get used to it, it’s a cinch. Believe us, when you do arrive at “Almost Heaven”, the views are so spectacular you’ll be glad you didn’t stay down in the valley!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

NEW 2013 RATES! $250 per night(up to 6 people), $1675 per week, $5400 per month;  
June, July, August & October:  $275.00 per night, $1825 per week, $6,000 per month
2 night minimum stay.  Extra $25 per night($175 per week) for 7 or 8 people.
Holidays:  $275 per night plus longer min. stay
Cleaning fee is $100.  NC Sales & Use Tax 6.75%. Security Deposit is $250.
We accept Pay Pal and Personal Checks for Payment.**

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.