This Rent In Highlands vacation rental home is pet friendly for one small dog, Pets must be pre-approved. An additional non-refundable pet fee is required and is not included in the rental fee. Please call our office for approval and to pay the pet fee. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in a $1000.00 fine.
Only adults (25 years old and older) may reserve this property and an adult must occupy the property at all times.
Incredible Outdoor Living Space with Fireplace.
There's a reason this place is called Bear Hug. From the moment you arrive, it wraps around you — the kind of mountain home that feels instantly familiar, effortlessly comfortable, and genuinely hard to leave. Tucked into a peaceful community just minutes from the heart of Highlands, it offers the rare combination of true seclusion and easy access to everything that makes this corner of the mountains so beloved.
Room for Everyone - Three floors, four bedrooms, and a layout that actually thinks about how people travel together. Two full primary suites with private en suite baths mean no negotiating over who gets the good bathroom — both couples, both families, everyone wins. The remaining bedrooms tuck in comfortably across the other levels, giving the whole group breathing room without anyone feeling like an afterthought.
Spaces Worth Staying In - The main family room sets the tone — vaulted ceilings that open the space up, and a wood-burning fireplace that anchors it. It's the kind of room that makes you want to stay in rather than go out. Downstairs, the game room makes a strong case for the same: pool table, wet bar, big screen — equal parts playroom and grown-up lounge. Then there's the screened porch, arguably the home's crown jewel, with its own wood-burning fireplace and a front-row view of the surrounding woods. Morning coffee, afternoon rain showers, post-dinner drinks — it works for all of it. When the night is clear and the stars are out, the firepit beckons.
The Details - A circle driveway, parking court, and carport make arrival easy and ensure plenty of room for the whole group. A fenced backyard means the dog doesn't have to stay home — just request pre-approval ahead of your trip.
What our guests are saying…
"Excellent spot for a long weekend getaway. Located in a quiet neighborhood close to downtown Highlands with a lot of privacy. Large bedrooms, amenities and outdoor fire pit make this house a great place for family and friends." - Rent In Highlands Vacation Rental Guest, Ross W.
Rent In Highlands Vacation Rental Cancellation Policy
Policy (A) for reservations less than 20 days: A reservation canceled between 0-45 days prior to arrival is not eligible to receive a refund. If more than 45 days notice is given, the renter shall receive a refund of all payments made, less a cancellation fee of 10% of the Total Cost of the Reservation.
Policy (B) for reservations of 20 days or more and reservations made 6 months in advance: NO refund is given unless the property is re-rented under the same terms (Trip insurance is available and recommended to help protect your trip).
Special Amenities:
Screened in porch with wood burning fireplace Living room with wood burning fireplace Firepit Game room with pool table & wet bar
This home is professionally managed by Rent in Highlands, a division of Country Club Properties. Your premier source for Vacation Rentals in Highlands NC.
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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
Highlands
Located in Highlands, this cabin is in the mountains. Highlands Country Club and Old Edwards Club 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. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Highlands Biological Station - 5 min drive - 2.7 km
Highlands Playhouse - 6 min drive - 3.7 km
Cullasaja River Gorge - 6 min drive - 4.0 km
Restaurants
Wildcat Cliffs Country Club - 16 min drive
Shell - 7 min drive
Los Vaqueros - 8 min drive
Oak Steakhouse - 16 min drive
Highlander Mountain House & The Ruffed Grouse Tavern - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Where the Mountains Feel Like Home | Bear Hug have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Where the Mountains Feel Like Home | Bear Hug?
As of 4 Jun, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Where the Mountains Feel Like Home | Bear Hug on 5 Jun, 2026 start from S$1,475, 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.
Is Where the Mountains Feel Like Home | Bear Hug pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Where the Mountains Feel Like Home | Bear Hug?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Where the Mountains Feel Like Home | Bear Hug?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Where the Mountains Feel Like Home | Bear Hug?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Where the Mountains Feel Like Home | Bear Hug located?
Situated in the mountains, this cabin is steps from Nantahala National Forest and within 3 mi (5 km) of Highlands Biological Station and Ravenel Park. Highlands Playhouse and Sunset Rock are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed your stay and found the rooms perfect for gathering both indoors and out. Being close to town while offering a relaxing atmosphere is something we take pride in, and it’s wonderful to hear that it made your visit special. We’d love to welcome you back again in the future!
We love this house. It’s perfect for a large family, and it’s very close to downtown. Great neighborhood. We made good use of the large fireplace in the living room, and we look forward to using the one on porch and the one in the backyard during future trips. The pool table and darts made for fun evenings.
James C.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jan, 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear the home was a perfect fit for your large family and that you enjoyed the convenient location and great neighborhood. It’s fantastic to know the fireplaces added to the cozy atmosphere and that the pool table and darts made for fun evenings together. We’d love to welcome you back so you can enjoy the porch and backyard fireplaces on your next visit!
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled that you enjoyed the privacy and found our home lovely. We're glad to know the location worked well for you. If you ever decide to visit again, we'd be delighted to welcome you back.
This is our 2 year in row to stay here. Adding the TV in the main den was a big upgrade.
Gary S.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Nov, 2025
Thank you so much for returning to stay with us again this year! We truly appreciate your loyalty and are glad to hear you enjoyed the new TV addition in the main den. It’s wonderful to know the upgrade made your stay even better. We look forward to welcoming you back for year three!
Excellent spot for a long weekend getaway. Located in a quiet neighborhood close to downtown Highlands with a lot of privacy. Large bedrooms, amenities and outdoor fire pit make this house a great place for family and friends.
Ross W.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Jan, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your long weekend getaway and appreciated the quiet neighborhood, spacious bedrooms, and outdoor fire pit. It’s great to hear that the house provided the perfect setting for time with family and friends. We’d love to welcome you back for another relaxing retreat!
We thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful, spacious home for a few days after Christmas. The wood burning fireplaces were in constant use!! Being close to town was a huge plus, also. We hope to be back there soon to enjoy more of Bear Hug!
Beechard M.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jan, 2023
Thanks for the review Beechard! We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Looking forward to your return visit!
We very much enjoyed our stay at Bear Hug. The home is very comfortable and functional. The home has a good flow and the screened porch area is very nice. The Wi-fi is very reliable and the TV is easy to use.The kitchen is small but more than adequate. The downstairs area is great for gathering. We plan on returning next year.
William D.
Stayed 17 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Jul, 2025
Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad to hear you had a relaxing stay at Bear Hug and found the home comfortable and functional. It’s great to know you enjoyed the screened porch, reliable Wi-Fi, and the welcoming downstairs gathering space. We’re happy the kitchen met your needs and that everything worked well for your visit. We’d be thrilled to host you again next year—thank you for choosing Bear Hug!
Clean and well stocked. Plenty of room to spread out. Large bathrooms and closet space…loved that! Maybe another tv on the porch or main level den would have been nice for movies at night or to watch golf tournament, etc. Great fire pit in the fenced in area was a plus.
Jeanne C.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jul, 2024
Thanks for the great review Jeanne! Great to hear that you enjoyed your stay and we will pass on your suggestion for TV on the porch to the owner!
Living space was more than advertised.but so was distance to downtown..Definitely not a walk.
Overall, a fantastic week !
Verified traveller
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Jun, 2023
Thanks for the review! This home is just a few minutes from Main Street via car but not really walkable. We do have a few homes that are so let us know next time you're planning a visit!
Verified
4/10 Poor
Carol B.
13 Nov, 2024
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Dated property .. dark interior
Carol B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Nov, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the property did not meet your expectations. Our goal is to provide a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all our guests, and we regret that the interior style and ambiance were not to your liking. While most guests appreciate the property's traditional charm and amazing screened porch, we understand that preferences can vary. Our pictures and virtual tours accurately depict this home’s charming décor, and its many attributes keep guests returning again and again. We hope that you might consider another of our homes in the future that might be a better fit for the atheistic you’re looking for.
Overall, very enjoyable. Only suggestion: have big tv in one of major congregating areas where fireplaces are, the screemed in porch and the main floor sitting room. Big football weekend.
.
tim t.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Sept, 2024
Thanks for the review Tim! We'll pass on your suggestions about TV locations to the owner.
Football weekend….great sitting areas…not many televisions. Pool table in the lower level is the deal! Fire pit is primo. No Mountain View but you can’t have everything
Marvin T.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Nov, 2024
Thank you for your review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the cozy sitting areas, the pool table, and the fire pit—perfect additions for a football weekend getaway. While this home may not have a big mountain view, it sounds like you made the most of all the other amenities. We appreciate your feedback on the televisions as well and hope the space provided plenty of room for everyone to relax and cheer on the Tide. Thanks again, and we’d love to host you for another game weekend soon!
We had a great weekend at Bear Hug. Plenty of room for all four couples. The screen porch with fireplace was incredible. The living room area also has fireplace and we used it all weekend. Then there was the pool table and dart board for fun, too. We had a couple of issues, but Alicen and Joe(maintenance guy) were very responsive and worked to solve them. All in all, a terrific place to get away.
Jim B.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Oct, 2023
We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic weekend at Bear Hug!
While we're sorry you had a couple of issues, we're delighted that Alicen and Joe were quick to respond and resolve them.
Thank you for choosing Bear Hug for your getaway, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Hi Hopson. Thank you for leaving us a review! We're not exactly sure what "no" means but we'll reach out to make sure you had everything you needed during your stay.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Bryan P.
24 Nov, 2025
Bryan P.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Nov, 2025
Thank you for the great rating! We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay and look forward to hosting you again!