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Charming Cottage in Historic Valle Crucis with Mtn Views/Hot tub/River access

Family-friendly cottage in Banner Elk with a hot tub

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Property grounds
Exterior
Outdoor dining
Property grounds
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 61200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View in a map
Banner Elk, NC
  • Place, Watauga River
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Alta Vista Gallery and B & B
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Appalachian State University
    ‪12 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Master

1 King Bed

Second Bedroom

2 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms

Master Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Second Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Charming Cottage in Historic Valle Crucis with Mtn Views/Hot tub/River access

Welcome to Brown Dog’s Heaven, a charming one-story cottage tucked away in the heart of Historic Valle Crucis, NC. This peaceful mountain escape offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience and Carolina charm -- ideal for families, couples, or App State/Lees McRae parents.

Relax in a quiet, private neighborhood with beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views, just one mile from the famous Mast General Store and a short drive to Boone, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mtn, Banner Elk and the local ski resorts on Beech and Sugar Mountains. Our cottage is easily accessible -- no steep climbs, just a smooth drive along mostly main roads.

Inside, you'll find a thoughtfully updated interior with cozy furnishings and all the amenities we could think of to make your stay more comfortable. Enjoy new memory foam mattresses, a fully stocked kitchen, brand new washer and dryer, dishwasher, and family-friendly touches like board games, children's toys, a ping pong table in the garage as well as special amenities for your pup(s). Our cottage is small but mighty, we hope you will find it the perfect size for your family or couples' getaway.

Step outside to take in the crisp mountain air from the private hot tub, roast marshmallows at the fire pit, have dinner al fresco at our dining table for 6, or walk down to the private neighborhood river access to enjoy a peaceful moment or catch a mountain trout in the Watauga River.

Bring your canine family members along-- big dogs are welcome here! Whether you're spending the day exploring nearby trails or our Valle Crusis Park, skiing at Sugar or Beech Mountain, or simply soaking in the view from the deck, Brown Dogs' Heaven offers the perfect home base for your Blue Ridge getaway.

Come explore our town: have a beer at the Mast Farm Brewery, explore the corn maze or the choose and cut flowers from the Harvest Farm, Have a lovely locally-sourced lunch at Pearl's Kitchen before stepping back in time into the Mast General Store, the oldest general store in the country. Trust us, you don't want to miss the magic inside... Grab a cold glass bottle coke and a bag of popcorn or some old-fashioned candy and play a game of checkers by the old potbelly stove.

Families enjoy the many kid-friendly attractions nearby: Tweetsie Railroad, The Mountain Coaster, Grandfather swinging bridge and zoo, the free sledding hill and Beech Mountain, snow tubing and skiing on Beech and Sugar Mountains, Mystery Hill, various gem mines, apple orchards/pumpkin patches and of course the Candy Barrel and Ice Cream and Mast General Store Annex (just before the original General Store). Catch a football game at AppState, make an unforgettable family Christmas memory and choose a Christmas tree from one of our many nearby Christmas Tree Farms, or simply stay in and enjoy a movie on the brand new 55" Samsung Frame TV while watching the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains from the couch.

Both Bedrooms are equipped with smart TVs, and extra blankets and pillows; and the kitchen and bathrooms are stocked with 1-2 days worth of toilet paper, paper towels, and soaps. A queen blowup mattress and a pack-n-play are available in the master closet. TVs are all smart and have most streaming platforms available for you to sign into. Google home speakers are located in the kitchen and master bedroom.

We are excited to share our small piece of heaven with you!
Brown Dog Rentals, LLC.
*Average drive times:
Boone/App State: 15 min; Banner Elk: 20 min; Blowing Rock: 25 min; Grandfather Mtn: 15 min; Lees McRae: 20 min; Sugar Mtn: 20 min; Appalachian Ski Mtn: 25 min; Beech Mtn: 30 min; Tweetsie Railroad: 20 min; Ingles: 10 min; Mast General Store: 2 min. *. *. *Please note:*. *Cell service is hit or miss at and around the cottage depending on your carrier. We do have a working landline and high speed wifi. Also, despite our remote feel, Door Dash is available at our location!
*Indoor Fireplace is not functional; however, remote control electric logs add to the mountain ambiance.
*Even though we will ensure snow is cleared from the driveway during winter season, 4wd vehicles and/or snow chains are recommended for the months of December-March to enter our neighborhood and around our area.
*Dogs are welcome with 50$ one time fee with no weight limit; Dogs must be at least 1yr, fully potty trained, and crated (no crates provided) while home alone. There is a retractable dog gate on the front porch for your pups to relax and enjoy the view with you; however, outside of this enclosed area dog must be on a leash. We do have deer, bears, and other distractions that frequent our property. Dogs must be up to date on flea/tick prevention.
*Must be 25y or older to rent. Our cottage is ideal for families and couples wanting a quiet getaway. Our neighborhood has a lot of full-time residents and out of respect for them, no parties or gatherings of over 6 adults will be allowed. We ask that our guests adhere to quiet hours between 10pm-7am.
*Outdoor cameras are in use for security purposes only.

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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Must be house and crate trained.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Ensure all trash is bagged and placed in silver trashcans in garage. Return outdoor cushions (dining table/kids picnic table) to garage
Place all used towels in bathtub, including hot tub/dog towels. Return thermostat to 68*F in winter and 72*F in summer and return any furniture that was moved. Ensure all doors and windows are locked
Please return all toys and/or baby items back where they belong. Break down packnplay, airmattress, and/or sleeping bag and return to where they were found. Ensure fireplace logs are off.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Please keep your dogs on a leash while outside. There is a retractable gate on the front portch you are welcome to use! Please pick up after them.
Please follow the fire pit safety rules, paying attention to any fire bans. Always douse coals completely with water before leaving.
Never leave fire in pit unattended. The winds can gust unexpectedly here in the valley.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Banner Elk

Located in Banner Elk, this cottage is near theme parks and in the mountains. Sugar Mountain Resort and Appalachian Ski Mtn. are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Grandfather Mountain. Travelling with kids? Consider Magic Mountain Mini Golf and Arcade and Tweetsie Railroad. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Banner Elk, NC

What's nearby

  • Watauga River - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Alta Vista Gallery and B & B - 2 min drive - 1.4 km
  • Appalachian State University - 12 min drive - 11.7 km
  • Beech Mountain Resort - 20 min drive - 18.1 km
  • Sugar Mountain Resort - 21 min drive - 19.0 km

Getting around

  • Tri-Cities, TN (TRI-Tri-Cities Regional) - 92 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Appalachia Cookie Company - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Rivers Street Ale House - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Pedalin' Pig - ‬8 min drive
  • Mellow Mushroom

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Cottage in Historic Valle Crucis with Mtn Views/Hot tub/River access pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much is parking at Charming Cottage in Historic Valle Crucis with Mtn Views/Hot tub/River access?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Charming Cottage in Historic Valle Crucis with Mtn Views/Hot tub/River access?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Cottage in Historic Valle Crucis with Mtn Views/Hot tub/River access?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Charming Cottage in Historic Valle Crucis with Mtn Views/Hot tub/River access located?

This family-friendly Banner Elk cottage is located in the mountains, within 1 mi (2 km) of Watauga River and Alta Vista Gallery and B & B. Magic Mountain Mini Golf and Arcade and Hound Ears Golf Club are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jessica S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an amazing stay at this beautiful mountain cottage! The attention to detail and the amenities were outstanding—everything was thoughtfully provided and made us feel right at home. It’s a perfect spot for families, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy time together. The hot tub and fire pit were a huge hit and made our evenings extra special. The host was wonderful—so welcoming and helpful with recommendations for things to do around town. We can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marci M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property was great for our family. Our kids range in age from 1 year- 21 years; the house was perfect for all. There were toys for the younger kids and space for the older ones to relax after they came back from the slopes. We all enjoyed the hot tub. The property felt private even though there were other houses on the street. If it was warmer we would’ve like to
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

JULIA G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Brown Dog Heaven was exactly as pictured and Jenna was a wonderful host. She communicated proactively and was responsive to questions. The property is beautifully decorated and the aesthetic of vintage mountain house really sets the tone for relaxing trip. The hot tub is a great perk after a day of hiking or being on the slopes! We travel often and have stayed in many rentals, I can easily say this one was one of the best for being stocked with necessities and the comforts of home. The beds are comfy and everything was clean and tidy. Location is a huge plus here as well as it is central to many different areas: Boone, Sugar Mountain, Blowing Rock, beech Mountain, Grandfather Mountain are all less than 25 minutes by car. The historic Mast General store is right down the street also.We had a wonderful stay and will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

About the host

Hosted by Jenna

Host profile image
We love small-town, country living and own a farm outide of Charlotte. We are thankful for all our many blessings and enjoy working on our old turn of the century farm house, keeping our bees, and showing our kids what is most important in life. We have 2 sweet brown dogs: Doc Holliday and Huckleberry. We love college football, attending our church, and going on adventures together. ({Mainly to the mountains})
We are so excited to share our favorite place in the world with you! We hope you enjoy some of the details we offer as we have tried to incorporate some of the things we have loved from our many vacation houses we have rented ourselves. Our goal is to make your trip as comfortable as possible!

Why they chose this property

We have been coming to this area for 20 years and love the quiet, historic charm of Valle Crucis! In our opinion, it’s the most beautiful area in the world. The Mast General Store is always a favorite of ours and the community offers great events throughout the year!

What makes this property unique

We love how quiet and removed this property feels while also being so close to so much. There is something for everyone to enjoy within a 15-30 minute drive in any direction!

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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