Ashevillage Sanctuary: Downtown Eco-Sweet Retreat. Whole House Rental
- Minimum stay:N/A
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:Yes
- Wheel chair accessible:No
...An exceptional downtown site...
• SLEEPS UP TO 14
• A FEW BLOCKS TO DOWNTOWN
• GORGEOUS SUNLIT ECO HOUSE WITH CLAY WALLS
• A 1 ACRE URBAN PARADISE WITH BEAUTIFUL GARDENS, PONDS & WATERFALL
• BORDERING 60 ACRES OF WOODS & TRAILS
WELCOME to our beautiful, natural guest house located a few blocks from downtown Asheville, NC. There are two houses on site -- we live in one of them with an extra room for larger parties. We're surrounded by extensive gardens with aquaponic ponds, medicinal herbs, flowers and an edible landscape. You can walk out the front door and into town in just eight minutes, or out back into 60 acres of woods and trails. We are 3 minutes to the Biltmore Estate and a few more to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
BEAUTIFUL AND NATURALLY RENOVATED. Our 1,850 sq ft house features: Five lovely bedrooms (with 1 additional room next door), a large, fully-equipped kitchen, furnished living and dining rooms, hardwood floors, 1.5 baths, a wood-burning stove, wifi, washer and dryer, tons of light, and a large stone courtyard and ampitheatre.
Our guests say they love it here!
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS: Custom-made clay paints, curved corners, built-in niches and arches throughout. We kept the original paned windows and trim. The home has a peaceful feeling with bright, natural lighting in every room.
EACH BEDROOM has 2-3 beds (total of 8 twins, 3 queens) and is fully furnished with tasteful decor. Beds are dressed with sheets, blankets, comforters, pillows and pillow cases. We supply towels, wash cloths and everything else you would need to have a happy stay here.
Our guests say they sleep very well.
LOCATION IS EVERYTHING. Walk a few blocks into town and get to know the charming city of Asheville. Enjoy the beautiful flowers and birds in our peaceful gardens. Relax in the spaciousness of the house with all its unique features. Enjoy the courtyard ampi-theatre.
Our hosts are so helpful. They look forward to having you!
KEYWORDS: Asheville, Retreat, House, Views, Sunny, Trails, WiFi, Gardens, Local, Green, Shopping, Restaurants, Sustainable, Natural Building, LGBT-Friendly, Eco, Visit, Downtown, Group, Big, Writers
Property Type
- House
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Clothing Optional/Nude Sunbathing Nearby
- Minimum Age Limit For Renters
- Pets Considered
- Non Smoking Only
- Children Welcome
- Alternative Lifestyle
Bedrooms
- 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12, Beds for 8-12
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- Bedroom 3
- Bedroom 4
- Convertible bed(s)
- Queen size Beds (1), Double Beds (1)
Bathrooms
- 1.5 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
Kitchen & Dining
- Catering Available
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Cooking Utensils
- Shared Kitchen
Amenities
- Babysitter
- Linens Provided
- Wood Stove
- Washing Machine
- Air Conditioning
- Clothes Dryer
Other Amenities
Communications
- Wireless Internet
Outdoor Features
- Deck / Patio
Location & View
Activities
- Restaurants
- Laundromat
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Services
- Water Skiing
- Basketball Court
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Swimming
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Rafting
- Cross Country Skiing
- Cycling
- Kayaking
- Spelunking
- Mountain Biking
- Golf
- Tennis
- Jet Skiing
- Racquetball
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Equestrian Events
- Golf Privileges Optional
- Hunting Small Game
- Mountain Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Hospital
- Water Tubing
- Groceries
- Fitness Center
- Live Theater
- Museums
- Cinemas
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Arboretum
- Botanical Garden
- Churches
- Library
- Playground
- Recreation Center
- Synagogues
- Winery Tours
- Bird Watching
- Eco Tourism
- Paddle Boating
- Scenic Drives
- Walking
- Shopping
- Horseback Riding
- Boating
- Horseshoes
- Shuffleboard
- Sight Seeing
- Miniature Golf
- Antiquing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Sledding
- ATM/Bank
- Whitewater Rafting
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
Lovely Eco-Home with Easy Access to Downtown and to Hiking Trails
Lovely Eco-Home with Easy Access to Downtown and to Hiking Trails
- Guest Sarah
- Date of stay 07/27/12
- Review Submitted 08/08/12
We had a wonderful stay at the Eco-Sweet Retreat. It's a beautiful house with a terrace and inviting gardens, and it's roughly a 12-minute walk to the center of downtown. Our hosts were very friendly and responsive, and they kindly provide local maps and other books in the sunlit reading room. The description and photos on VRBO are very helpful, but there are a couple of confusing points. The house has four bedrooms, not five, with four queen beds and four twin beds; it comfortably sleeps 12 if all beds are fully occupied. It has everything most visitors to the area would need, but it is not, understandably, perfect for everyone - there is no television (fine by us!), no air conditioning (but ample ceiling fans and ventilation), and no dishwasher (a bit of a challenge for a big group but not a deal breaker). We loved the attention to detail and the care that was put into the house, and it was a lot of fun to roam the gardens and hike along nearby wooded trails. The fact that we could easily walk downtown was crucial for our group, and there was plenty of street-parking by the house for several cars. The per-person rate seemed a bit high compared to other high-capacity VRBO homes that I've rented over the years, but the Eco-Sweet Retreat seems like the only rental of its kind in downtown Asheville. (Others are about 20 minutes away.) Keep in mind that the owner's house next door is just a few feet away, and during our stay, interns and other happy folks working at the property occasionally came in and out of the rental house, to use the kitchen sink or to get tools from the basement. The back doors are usually left open during the day, and the house is always unlocked (though there are keys for each bedroom, if desired). We didn't mind this communal environment, especially since it supplemented our stay in some ways (everyone was eager to tell us about and show us the projects they were working on); but I did wonder if we were being disruptive in some ways. Wrapping up, many thanks to Janell and everyone else at the Eco-Sweet Retreat who makes it such a special space! Hopefully we'll see you again down the road.Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with young children, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
Rates
• WHOLE HOUSE: $350/night or $2200/week. Rates are based on 6 guests @ $58/person. • More than 6 guests: $25 extra/night/person. (@45/person with 10 people). • 10% discount on reservations for 7+ nights. 3 night minimum. • 4 week rental spread over a year: $1800/wk + extra guest fee, same as above. • Full payment is required to confirm your reservation. • 10.75% sales tax. $120 one-time cleaning fee. Must be 25+ to make a reservation. • No refunds for cancellations within 20 days of check-in.(50% if before 20 days.) • $120 Cleaning fee. $100 processing fee for cancellations.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Calendar
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Location
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2006
About the owner: Janell Kapoor's work in the field of natural building inspired the founding of Kleiwerks International -- a nonprofit organization and global network of ecological building specialists. Over the past decade Janell initiated the natural building movements of Southeast Asia, South America, the Southeastern United States, and recently, Turkey. Janell has worked with people from over 52 countries, with more alumni performing muddy miracles than she can shake a stick at. Numerous teachers, education centers, communities, businesses, trainings, and homes have emerged as a result of her trainings. Janell LOVES her home in Asheville. You'll find her amongst the edible backyard (the site of the Ashevillage Sanctuary). She is dedicated to localizing and naturalizing urban landscapes as a way of creating the future we want to live in now.
Why the Owner Chose Asheville:
After spending time in 34 countries, Asheville is the one place in the world I choose to call home. This particular site is an example of how sustainability can work in the city AND be beautiful. I love that we are downtown AND in the woods. I love the 180 degree sunset at the end of our street. I love watching the birds do their daily dance in the waterfall. I consider this to be a slice of heaven....and I'm happy to share it with all who come to visit.
The Unique Benefits at this House:
It's a pleasure seeing the glee in our guests eyes when they walk around back. Then showing them to their rooms and knowing they are very pleased with their choice to be here. The simple elegance of the curved corners and clay walls adds a softness that is inviting.
Other unique benefits here: Walking to town in 8 minutes flat. Waking up to the sound of a waterfall. Watching the flowers bloom all season long. Harvesting lunch from the gardens. Visiting the Biltmore Estate 3 minutes away. The street fairs and festivals, the music, the artists, galleries, cafes, good people....and being able to come back to the serenity of the Sanctuary.
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Photos
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Sunlit common space with archways
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Relax in the spaciousness
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Sky Room with two queen beds
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Hand-sculpted relief work decorates the Sky Room
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New Sand Room layout. This is the queen. There are also two twins.
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Sage Room overlooks the gardens. Two twin beds.
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Dining room is open to the kitchen with adobe tiles, archways & natural finishes
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Hand-made earthen oven and griddle
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The woods are a 1-minute walk away with serene trails through 60 acres
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Rain barrels double as a plant perch
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Relax, take it easy, put your feet up, ENJOY!
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The sunflower lifts her head to a beautiful day. We look forward to your stay!
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Spacious common room is great for groups
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Built-in niches finished with earthen plasters and paints adorn this unique home
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Arabesque arched niches
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Sand Room: Beautiful vaulted ceiling and niches, finished with natural paints
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Here are the two singles
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Rose Room, a little fairy tale (with one queen bed)
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Backyard paradise with waterfall, greenhouse, stone walls & amazing gardens
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Gateway into the edible gardens
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One of five waterways that collect 18,000 gallons of rainwater
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The garden is ever blooming.
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We offer sustainability tours. If you're interested, let us know
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This listing was first published here in 2012.
Date last modified - Thursday, January 10, 2013