Charming cottage near Mirror Lake and downtown Highlands!

Photo gallery for Charming cottage near Mirror Lake and downtown Highlands!

A stone wall with moss, a red building, and Adirondack chairs in a forested area.
A cozy bedroom with a bed, two seating areas, a desk, and a window.
A spacious kitchen with a central island, bar stools, and a dining area with a table and chairs.
A small stream flowing through a forested area with a red building in the background.
A kitchen with a central island, two bar stools, white cabinetry, a microwave, and a wooden cabinet.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Even better in person
    Guests say this property exceeds expectations.
  • At the center of it all
    Stay in a top rated central location, steps from the best attractions, dining, and entertainment.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Nantahala National Forest

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washer

Explore the area

View in a map
Highlands, NC
  • Place, The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Place, Cullasaja River Gorge
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, Highlands Playhouse
    ‪2 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Twin Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

Highlands

Located in Highlands, this cottage is in the city center. Old Edwards Club and Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Highlands Biological Station and Nantahala National Forest. Cashiers Farmers Market and Andy's Trout Farm are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and rafting nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
Map
Highlands, NC

What's nearby

  • The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Cullasaja River Gorge - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Highlands Playhouse - 2 min drive - 1.7 km
  • Highlands Art Gallery - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Highlands Dog Park - 3 min drive - 2.4 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 83 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Pizza Place - ‬1 min drive
  • ‪Wildcat Cliffs Country Club - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Oak Steakhouse - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Ugly Dog Public House - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Highlander Mountain House & The Ruffed Grouse Tavern - ‬20 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming cottage near Mirror Lake and downtown Highlands! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Charming cottage near Mirror Lake and downtown Highlands! ?

As of Nov 2, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Charming cottage near Mirror Lake and downtown Highlands! on Nov 9, 2026 start from $356, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Charming cottage near Mirror Lake and downtown Highlands! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming cottage near Mirror Lake and downtown Highlands! ?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming cottage near Mirror Lake and downtown Highlands! located?

Located in the heart of Highlands, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Nantahala National Forest and The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts. Cullasaja River Gorge and Highlands Dog Park are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 37 out of 39 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 39 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 39 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 39 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 39 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a magical place that is perfectly decorated inside and out. I cannot say enough good things about it. The setting is soothing with the trees all around and the interior decor is impeccably done while still being cozy and comfortable. My husband and I loved our stay. It is one of our favorite places we have ever rented.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cozy Abode

My Mother, two sisters, and I had a wonderful week in this lovely cottage in a beautiful setting. The location was perfect for the day trips we took, and we had everything we needed!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cozy and comfortable

We loved our stay at the 3 Bears. The location is ideal. Easy walk or drive into town for lunch/shopping. Neighborhood also great for walking. House is very comfortable for two couples or a family hanging out. Love all the special touches including the homemade pottery made by the homeowner. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Far exceeded expectations

3 bears cabin far exceeded our expectations. It was better than the pictures (which normally is not the case). The cabin was so charming, well decorated and immaculately clean. It was stocked with everything one could need in a home away from home. The cabin is located close to center of town but feels like it is secluded. Highly recommend this property!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cozy Mountain Get-Away

We spent a week at The 3 Bears and loved it all. We felt very secluded, even though we were right off Route 64 and very close to downtown Highlands. As seniors, we were unprepared for the short hike from the parking area down to the cabin and, unfortunately got soaked while carrying in our supplies and luggage during a downpour. BUT, that aside, we give highest marks to this top-notch mountain cabin. A+
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Hidden gem in Highlands!

I couldn’t have been happier with our stay at this cottage. I felt like I was living in a magazine. The outside landscaping was as well designed as the inside. Aesthetically, it’s just beautiful. The owners even paid attention to little details like super soft towels and high quality toiletries. We decided to book here for more affordable stay than the downtown hotel and had extra room to invite our close friends to come along with us. I would love to visit again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Apr 2, 2020
Thanks for the kind words, Georgia! So glad you guys enjoyed your stay and hope you will come back again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely cottage

The cottage is in a lovely setting and is really close to downtown Highlands. It has an open floor plan that was perfect for our party of 3. Hope was readily available for questions prior to arrival and throughout our stay. It has great air conditioning - which is a plus in Highlands as many properties don’t have it. Everything is as pictured on the VRBO website. However, I didn’t realize that we could not park right at the house. Therefore, the walk from where the cars are parked is a little precarious for the elderly or those with ambulatory issues.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 8, 2020
It was a pleasure to host you during your stay in Highlands! Thank you for your feedback regarding the path to the house. I have updated our rental page to assure guests are aware of the stone stairs and gravel path to the house from the driveway. Best, Hope
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Charming cottage right out of a storybook

Our family was in Highlands for a wedding at Old Edward’s Farm and we chose the 3 Bears for our stay. I booked with Hope and she was immediately responsive. This cottage is beautifully done with ceramics made by the owners. Every morning I got a lot of joy out of choosing which creature I was going to drink coffee with. I loved the Rabbit cup the best! Comfy beds with soft high end thread count sheets. Well appointed all the way around. Nice body wash products in the main bathroom and other toiletries were a really nice touch. Plenty of laundry supplies if you need them. My favorite place in the house was the sitting room with the day bed on the front of the house. I took a nap in there one afternoon and slept like a dream! There were sweet touches everywhere you looked. One morning we took a walk down to the outdoor fire place while sipping our coffee and took in all the green lush surroundings. Just beautiful! Other mornings we sat in the rockers on the front porch in the wonderful cool mountain air. It was dreamy and we will return. You won’t be disappointed if you choose the 3 Bears cottage! Thanks for sharing your wonderful place with us Hope, Blythe and Danna!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Adorable Home in Great Location

We loved our stay at 3 Bears cabin in Highlands. The home feels very secluded and private. You are surrounded by lush nature but, you’re right down the street from town. This wonderful illusion is accomplished by the home’s location in a shallow valley right off the road. There is convenient access via a gravel circular drive. A few steps down a gravel pathway and over a cute little bridge puts you on the front porch. So easy. The main living room is open-concept with pine flooring, vaulted ceilings, comfy sofa and stone wood-burning fireplace. The interior is clean, neat, well-appointed and cozy. Artwork is everywhere making it feel like a home-away-from-home. As others have mentioned, we loved the home-made artistic pottery including dishes, bowls and cups. There is a huge master bedroom with a comfy king bed. The master bath had a marvelous recently-renovated shower and double sinks. Our 15-year-old daughter stayed in the second, smaller but, equally adorable bedroom which had its own bathroom. We enjoyed drinking tea and playing games on the big wooden table in the evening. There are lots of games. One night, we walked down the street and enjoyed some delicious barbeque at the Highlands Smokehouse Barbeque. As you can tell, we had a wonderful time and we highly recommend this wonderful home when visiting Highlands.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We would have liked finding some coffee for the morning, as we arrived at 11pm. In every other respect, the accommodation was excellent.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The cottage was lovely and well maintained. We felt right at home, and loved every minute of our sta

Our trip was just what we needed. Our accomodations well exceeded our expectations!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Mountain getaway

This is a very lovely cottage. We were very comfortable and it met all our needs. We would definitely stay here again if we return to Highlands.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

3 Bear Cottage

The cottage is wonderful, so cozy and close to town. Just too close to the road. We really loved the fireplace and beds!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome Accommodations!

Our family of 5 had a delightful stay at this location. It was truly a home-away-from-home as it had all the comforts of home: fully equipped kitchen, comfy beds and seating areas, large dinning table, wifi, smart TV, porch with rocking chairs, a large cabinet full of games, shampoo, soap and even a few cooking items we forgot to bring (salt, pepper, cooking spray, etc). It was clean and convenient to downtown and surrounding areas. We did not get to enjoy the outdoor fire pit. But, it looked like there was plenty of wood for a cozy fire. The cottage was decorated in a nice combination of rustic and modern. Loved it and would stay there again if we have a chance to come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Highlands hideaway

Beautifully appointed home. Thoughtfully decorated with all of the essentials. Very private and enjoyable!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely home

Everything was perfect. Enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very Quaint Beautiful Cabin

Awesome cabin. Beautiful landscaped lot. Would come back for sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Gorgeous Getaway!!

What a beautiful place! So clean, comfy, cozy, and all the comforts of home.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The perfect stay in the perfect little Red House. ❤️❤️

Wonderful stay with my daughter , my sister and her daughter -in-law. Shopping , hiking and eating. Absolutely wonderful 5 nights. House was just GREAT. THANKS FOR SHARING. BETH YODER
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Just right

Lovely cottage in a green space
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great property

We enjoyed our week at 3 Bears cottage. Very comfortable, nicely decorated. Owners are friendly and communicate well. Will return. Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Mini vacation

It was fantastic! Had zero complaints about the trip and property!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely

Close to town. Clean. Comfortable. Well stocked. Charming.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Xmas in Highlands

We had a lovely time at 3 Bears. The property is well located and we wanted for nothing. The house is beautiful and well-furnished. It was a pleasure dealing with the owners.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019
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