Cabin

Cozy Lakefront Cottage with Hot Tub on 25-Acre Private Retreat

Photo gallery for Cozy Lakefront Cottage with Hot Tub on 25-Acre Private Retreat

Outdoor spa tub
Interior
Terrace/patio
Food and drink
Room

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Shared communal pool
  • Hot tub on site
  • Onsite parking available
  • Dogs and cats allowed
  • Kitchenette
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View in a map
Oxford, NC
  • Place, Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Stagville State Historic Site
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Place, Granville Athletic Park
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Airport, Raleigh, NC (RDU-Raleigh - Durham Intl.)
    ‪52 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Studio

1 Queen Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Cozy Lakefront Cottage with Hot Tub on 25-Acre Private Retreat

Castor Cottage at Elmay Retreat

Welcome to Castor Cottage, one of three exclusive accommodations at Elmay Retreat—a private, 25-acre lakeside haven in Oxford, NC. This thoughtfully designed property offers an intimate escape for discerning travelers seeking both luxury and natural beauty.

The Cottage

Indulge in refined comfort in our professionally curated 1-bedroom cottage:

- Plush queen bed in the main bedroom
- Designer L-shaped sleeper couch in the living area
- Private outdoor oasis featuring:
- Personal hot tub
- Fire pit
- Alfresco dining space
- Well-appointed kitchenette
- Modern bathroom with high-end fixtures

Your Private Escape

While Elmay Retreat hosts two other cabins, Castor Cottage offers unparalleled privacy:

- Designer cottage nestled lakeside
- Exclusive use of your fenced outdoor area
- Lake access steps from your door

Shared Amenities

As our esteemed guest, you'll also enjoy access to:

- 25 acres of pristine nature, including forests and lakefront
- Swimmable, fish-stocked private lake
- Hiking trails
- Recreation barn
- Playground area

The Elmay Experience

- Self check-in for ultimate convenience
- Virtual concierge service
- On-call support for personalized recommendations
- Optional add-ons: private chef, guided experiences

Castor Cottage at Elmay Retreat offers the perfect blend of exclusivity and natural beauty. Immerse yourself in luxury while embracing the serenity of our lakeside property—an ideal getaway for couples or small families seeking a truly memorable escape.

Just 30 minutes from Durham, yet a world away from the everyday.

*Please note: While Castor Cottage offers private amenities, some areas of Elmay Retreat are shared with guests of our other two accommodations. We kindly ask all guests to respect each other's privacy and enjoyment of the property.*

Other details to note:

* Freezing Temperature:
- During freezing temperatures, we recommend leaving faucets slightly dripping to prevent pipes from freezing.


★ House Rules & Fees !

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay for all guests, please review and adhere to the following house rules. Violations will result in additional charges.

→ Unauthorized Guests: $500 per unauthorized guest.

→ Unauthorized Pets: $300 per unauthorized pet.

→ Smoking Violation: $500 fee for smoking inside the unit or in non-designated areas.

→ Misuse of Hot Tub (if applicable): $300 fee (e.g., failure to follow usage guidelines, excessive debris, or damage).

→ Unauthorized Late Checkout: $300 fee if checkout extends beyond the designated time without prior approval.

→ Excessive Trash or Mess: $300 cleaning fee if the unit is left in an unsanitary or excessively messy condition.

→ Parties, gatherings, and events are not allowed.

------------------------------

★ Pet Policy !

→ We are a pet-friendly property! A non-refundable pet fee of $49 per stay applies, plus $19 per pet, per night to cover additional cleaning costs. Please ensure pets are well-behaved and do not cause damage to the property.


If you have any questions or need clarification before booking, feel free to reach out to us. We're happy to assist you!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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About the area

Oxford

Oxford is home to this cabin. Stagville State Historic Site and Eno River State Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Museum of Life and Science and Durham Performing Arts Center. Travelling with kids? Consider Sarah P. Duke Gardens, or check out an event or a game at Roxboro Motorsports Park.
Map
Oxford, NC

What's nearby

  • Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area - 17 min drive - 17.7 km
  • Stagville State Historic Site - 23 min drive - 26.2 km
  • Granville Athletic Park - 26 min drive - 21.9 km
  • Roxboro Motorsports Park - 26 min drive - 29.7 km
  • Duke University - 39 min drive - 41.9 km

Getting around

  • Durham Station - 38 min drive
  • Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sazon De Mi Tierra - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪M & M Grill - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪bottom's up bar - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Big Daddy's Country Club - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Mangums Store - ‬13 min drive

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 8 out of 11 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 11 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 11 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 11 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tess T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin was cute, clean and the view of the lake from the hot tub was so serene.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice place and relaxing
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan L.

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

Relaxing little getaway

Everything was great. We had a very laid back relaxing enjoyable time and will plan to return in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Nice little cottage in a beautiful setting. Very peaceful and relaxing. Further from Raleigh than I was expecting. About a 45 minute drive.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J Michael U.

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

Quiet Getaway

We had a wonderful family getaway at this quiet lodge. We particularly enjoyed spending screen-free (mostly) time relaxing on the patio and in the hot tub with the fire going nearby.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Crystal J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean room.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Auna G.

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

Great experience!

It was a wonderful stay! Everything was clean and just how the pictures portrayed! Just stayed for a single night but it was wonderful and relaxing. Pet friendly but does not smell of pets at all. Was super fun to have our dog with us!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kevin T.

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

Perfect getaway

Such a cute little place, perfect for getting away with your significant other. Very clean and comfortable, exactly as described. Excellent communication with the owner. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

4/10 Poor

Denise M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
First and foremost the property is on a pond, not a lake. The kitchen area is missing the advertised oven, stove top, and a full size refrigerator. We were shocked upon arrival but we had take out so no need that night for cooking. The recessed light over the table the painters tape gave up and it was hanging out of the ceiling. There’s no bathroom door only curtains that don’t even reach the floor. I feel like we scammed. We brought paddle boards because the photos showed one and we thinking “GREAT”, well NOT great. There was no defined route to water access also again POND (dirty, brown water pond) not a lake. We sucked it up but I don’t want anyone else fooled!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Abby R.

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

Wonderful Mini Getaway

We stayed at the mini-cabin for a weekend and had a lovely time. The add-ons were convenient- we chose the water package to go paddleboarding onsite and the firewood delivery for the firepit. The cabin was clean and inviting. The kitchenette is small but had key basics like a coffee maker, hot plates, griddle, and mini fridge. The hammock and hot tub were great for afternoon or evening relaxation. We did not need to contact the host for anything time sensitive during our stay, but check-in went very smoothly. The wifi is fast, which was good because we didn't have much cell service in that area. There was another group staying in the larger cabin house the second night, but we never heard them and it still felt very private. Downtown Oxford is a short drive away and we highly recommend checking out the restaurants: Strong Arm Baking Co, Tobacco Wood Brewing Company, the Saturday farmer's market, and Oxford Oak Distillery. There are some very cute shops too for art or other gifts like The Art and Craft Space and The Hub on Main. We will definitely be happy to go back for a future visit to the mini-cabin!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Oct 2024
Thank you so much, Abby! You're welcome back anytime!
Verified

8/10 Good

Ava

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was gorgeous. Waking up that lake was so relaxing and restorative. It was a wonderful get away for us.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
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