Mountain Getaway, Very Private on 10 Acres with Panoramic View
| Sleeps | 7 |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Bathrooms | 2 |
| Space | 1,700 sq ft |
| Property type | house |
| Minimum Stay | 2 nights |
Overview
House, 2 Bedrooms + Den, 2 Baths, (Sleeps 6-7)
Right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America's most beautiful scenic routes is your own private mountain getaway. Enjoy the spectacular view of the Blue Ridge mountains while relaxing in the 6 person hot tub on the deck (open year-round).
Tucked away in your own hollow of 10 acres, there is cleared land for badminton, volleyball, croquet, barbecue and hiking. And in the winter months, hot tubbing and riding a tube or sled down a hill in the snow. Of course there is nearby skiing (Banner Elk).
Fine dining is less than 1 mile away. The Biltmore House, America's premier castle is 40 minutes away in Asheville, NC. Linville Caverns are 30 minutes away via the Parkway. 2 hour drive from Charlotte and 40 minutes from Boone. Golfing and hiking easily accessible.
We call our mountain getaway in Little Switzerland the 'Rieke Retreat'. It has been in the family since 1970. It used to be an old homestead for the 'McKinney family' starting in the 1920's.
Starting Dec. 1st, we decorate the entire house with Christmas decorations including a Christmas tree with lights in the main room. Outside there is a live Blue Spruce Christmas tree below the deck which is strung with little white lights. You just plug in the outdoor extension cord, and the tree lights up. It can be seen from all over. Wreaths, bows, and lots of special effects for Christmas are yours and stay until mid-February. All you have to do is pray for snow and put another log on the fire.
What is 'LSD'? 'LSD' means Little Switzerland Downtown. It is only nine-tenths of a mile from our house. In the non-winter months, the New Book Exchange is the highlight. Here you can relax on a sofa in front of a big fireplace, sip coffee or wine and get lost in the book of your choice (I forgot the classical music in the background). Hungry? Go next door to the Little Switzerland Café and have the best Trout BLT in the world followed by apple pie and ice cream! Need a bottle of wine and some cheese for later on? Go through the doors to the Little Switzerland General store and they have quite a selection. You have entered another world. And you are not dreaming.
In the non-winter months, Grassy Creek Golf course is a public course only 10 minutes away in Spruce Pine. Mount Mitchell Golf Course is about 20 minutes away and is under the largest mountain East of the Mississippi River - Mt. Mitchell. It is well-established and famous for its layout and views.
In the winter months (Dec., Jan., Feb., March) there is great North Carolina skiing only 40 minutes away. Main resorts are Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain and others near Blowing Rock and Banner Elk. Many people stay at our house to rest and hot tub after a long day day of skiing nearby. Keep in mind we are at 3500 elevation and it snows often. (Our driveway is not steep, don't worry).
Other Activities: Gem Mining
In the summer, the best organized whitewater rafting which is closest to the Rieke Retreat is the Nolichucky River about 45 minutes from the house in Erwin, Tennessee. Little Switzerland is the perfect place to train for bicycling. You can start at the Little Switzerland entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway and try to 'Assault on Mt. Mitchell' which is about 33 miles.
Guestbook comments from the owner
We just returned from the Rieke Retreat. The rhododendrums were in full bloom - lavender and red colors! Hot tub was great. New rug in the den and the new oil mountain paintings in the living room really added a lot. Thanks for adding a DVD player.
Amenities
Spruce Pine House Accommodation and Amenities
- house
- Guests provide their own meals
- 1700 sq ft
- Check-in: 4:00 PM /
- Check-out: 12:00 PM
- Max. occupancy: 7
- Max. adults: 7
- Children welcome
- Parties/events not allowed
- Pets not allowed
- Non smoking only
- Mountain View ...
- Adventure
- Away From It All
- Budget
- Family
- Romantic
- Sports & Activities
- Tourist Attractions
- Air Conditioning ...
- Broadband Access
- Clothes Dryer
- Covered Parking
- Linens Provided
- Parking Off Street
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Telephone
- Washing Machine
- Wireless Internet
- Wood Fireplace
- Wood Stove
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Dining Area
- 2 Bathrooms
-
Bathroom 1 -
Bathroom 2 -
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7
- Master bedroom: Queen bed + large closet, TV Bedroom 2: double bed, chest of drawers, TV Den: 2 double futon beds, TV Living Room: Double Futon Bed, closet
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- Satellite / Cable
- Stereo
- Video Library
- Balcony
- Deck / Patio
- Outdoor Grill
- wheelchair accessible
- Hot Tub ...
- health/beauty spa
- restaurants
- antiquing
- horseback riding
- horseshoes
- shopping
- sight seeing
- sledding
- wildlife viewing
- fitness center
- cross country skiing
- cycling
- fishing
- golf
- hiking
- hunting
- kayaking
- mountain biking
- rafting
- rock climbing
- skiing
- snowboarding
- swimming
- tennis
Reviews
Excellent!
4.7/5 -
(80 traveler reviews)
Still One of the Best
We've visited this wonderful hide-away many times since we honeymooned here in 1990. This was our first return since the kitchen/dining area remodel and gorgeous decor upgrade. Did not want to leave. If you love long range vistas, privacy, and easy access to mountain area attractions, this is your place. We reside in the Asheville area, but this is still one of our favorite "sneak away" places - all the amenities of home with none of the chores. Clean, beautiful mountain cabin decor. Great chicken salad at the LS Cafe and Dannys in Spruce Pine. The Blue Ridge Parkway drives and vistas change with every visit. Exceeded our expectations.
You will freeze if you stay here
There is no heat. The owner did not disclose that until after we had already paid. There is NO heat besides a small wood stove in the living room. We left after the first night to find a hotel with heat. Very disappointed and irresponsible of the owner and we want a refund.
Tranquillity
We had no problems finding the house. It is secluded with an amazing view! It’s much nicer in person than the pics depict. We had an issue with the hot tub and Peter was back to us immediately. My only regret was we had to leave a day early due to snow and the road condition getting to the house. Our car did do some slipping. We loved sitting in the living room watching it snow and then we’d move to the den and watch the fire!! What a great way to pass the day! We’ll definitely be back!! Thanks Peter for sharing this amazing place.
Fantastic, very well maintained.
Jacuzzi was tricky getting uncovered the first time and covering the last time. Overall beautiful view, very private, secure feeling with the gated driveway.
Breathtaking views, impeccable property!
From beginning to end the “Rieke Retreat” delivers on your highest expectations. From the scenic views to the tranquil solitude this property has it all! My wife and I highly recommend it if your fortunate enough to visit this area.
Very cute cabin but high maintenance for winter.
The cabin was clean and sufficient in supplies and very cute. Great views and privacy. My complaint was there was no lighter provided to make a fire in the stove that provides the main heat for cabin. So we had to wait till the rest of our group came a few hours later with a lighter, that we asked to stop and get to start fire. We were nervous to drive out and get one on account of driveway being covered in snow/ice. It was colder inside cabin than outside! In the instruction papers it said a few started logs would be provided and there was only 1/2 a log. So when lighter came it was difficult to get a good fire going and staying. It took forever for the cabin to get warm. And only the main rooms stayed warm. Bedrooms were freezing all weekend. The latch on stove door that locked/unlocked was loose and made it extremely difficult to open/close! So much that we just propped the fire stoke up against door to keep secure. I called, texted, left voice mail to Peter and never heard from him. I did the same with property manager and never heard from him either. Very disappointing!
However, us girls made the best of it and had a wonderful time in spite of the high maintenance.
Map
Badminton and square dancing on weekends in summer and fall
Photos
Rates & Availability
- Available
- Unavailable
Additional information about rental rates
| Refundable damage deposit | $50 |
| Cleaning Fee | $75 |
$75.00 Required Maid fee. Maids come in at end of stay. $50 refundable deposit is returned within 3 weeks of your departure by mail, echeck, or bank to bank funds.
There must be at least one person of min. age 21 who stays at the property.
• Refunds are not made if you cancel less than 4 weeks prior to your confirmed arrival.
• Refund exceptions are: water or electricity not working more than 6 hours during your stay.
• No refunds for snow/ice. You should check weather before arrival and determine if you need to apply chains to your tires which should allow you to arrive in any conditions. If we determine travel to Rieke Retreat is unsafe the date of your arrival, we will let you know and give you full refund.
• All cancellations require a $50.00 cancellation fee (plus VRBO service fees) to cover administrative overhead.
Refund of $25/day if hot tub is not working.
Checkin is after 4pm. Checkout is noon.
Owner's Cancellation Policy
- 100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
- Service Fee fully refunded on cancellations that qualify for 100% refund.
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