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The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest

Photo gallery for The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest

front view of the lodge
foosball in the game room!
Our sauna and new game room are now open!
upper level great room. Please note the wood stove is not a listed amenity or available for use.
A view from the upper level

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
8 bedrooms6 bathroomsSleeps 207000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Whittier, NC
  • Place, Smoky Mountain Country Club
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Tuckasegee River
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Place, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

8 bedrooms (sleeps 20)

Alum Cave

1 Queen Bed

Fontana Lake

1 Queen Bed

Mountain Streams Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Mountain Views

2 Queen Beds

Scenic Drives Bedroom

1 Crib and 1 Queen Bed

Smoky Mountain Railroad

3 Queen Beds

Waterfall Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Waterrock Knob

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

6 bathrooms

Back Lower Level Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Game Room Bathroom

Toilet

Large Double Bathroom Upper Level

Toilet · Shower only

Middle Lower Level Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Smoky Mountain Railroad Bedroom/Bathroom Lower Level

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Upper Level Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest

The Hive Lodge | A Spacious & Unique Mountain Retreat in the Smokies

Discover the charm and history of The Hive Lodge, a one-of-a-kind large family mountain retreat that was originally built to be a schoolhouse! Conveniently located just 10 miles from Bryson City, NC, and Cherokee, NC, this expansive lodge is perfect for hosting larger families and groups looking for a peaceful escape in the Great Smoky Mountains. Tucked away 1.5 miles up a gravel road, this secluded sanctuary lets you unwind in nature while offering modern comforts and breathtaking mountain views. Whether you're here to relax, explore, or reconnect, The Hive Lodge delivers an unforgettable Smoky Mountain experience!


THE PROPERTY
🏡 Spacious & Historic Lodge – Originally a schoolhouse, now a mountain retreat
🌲 Secluded 1.5-Mile Gravel Road Escape – All vehicles can access the property | Privacy & serenity await
🌄 Breathtaking Mountain Views – Overlooks Waterrock Knob & Great Smoky Mountains National Park
🔥 Multiple Living Areas, Game Room & Fire Pit** – Perfect for group gatherings and family reunions
🪑 Screened Porch & Rocking Chairs – Unwind with the sounds of nature
♿ Wheelchair-Accessible Entrances on Both Levels


BEDROOMS & SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS


UPPER LEVEL: (5 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms)
🛏 Waterrock Knob Room – Queen Bed + Twin Bed, Stunning Mountain Views
🛏 Waterfalls Room – Queen Bed, Local Waterfall-Themed Decor
🛏 Fontana Lake Room – Queen Bed, Best Mountain Views & Private Bathroom Access
🛏 Mountain Retreat Room – Queen Bed + Crib
🛏 Great Smokies Streams Room – Queen Bed + Located in the game room


BATHROOMS: (3 Full Bathrooms)
🛁Bathroom 1 - Full Bathroom

🛁Bathroom 2 - Full Bathroom with multiple vanities and a washer and dryer for guest use.

🛁Bathroom 3 - Full Bathroom off the game room. This bathroom also features a cedar sauna.


LOWER LEVEL: (3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms)
🛏 Alum Cave Room – Queen Bed, Dark & Quiet (Perfect for Late Sleepers!)
🛏 Mountain Views Room – Two Queen Beds, Private Exterior Access
🛏 Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Room – Three Queen Beds, Adjoining Bathroom + Perfect for the kiddos!


BATHROOMS: (3 Full Bathrooms)

🛁 Bathroom 1 - Full Bathroom | Large bathroom with double vanity | Jack N Jill Style off the Great Smoky Mountain Railroads themed bedroom.

🛁 Bathroom 2 - Full Bathroom in center off the kitchen | Large bathroom with double vanity |

🛁 Bathroom 3 - Full Bathroom with a stall shower | off the living room | Jack N Jill style with the Alum cave bedroom.

KITCHEN & DINING

🍽 Fully Equipped Kitchen – Stovetop, Oven, Microwave, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, etc.
☕ Coffee Maker & Cooking Essentials – Just like home!
🪑 Dining Table for 14 + Bar Seating – Ideal for group meals


KITCHENETTE
🍻Located in the Upper Level Game Room | Features an additional refrigerator, oven toaster, sink, and coffee maker.


LODGE FEATURES
🔥 Massive Cozy Living Room Spaces – Two Large Couches & Rocker Chairs
📺 70” Smart TV – Perfect for Family Movie Nights & Sports
🎯 Game Room – Ping Pong, Pool Table, Ring Toss, Poker Table, Foosball Table, & Giant Jenga
📶 High-Speed WiFi
❄️ Central Heating & Air Conditioning
🛁 Sauna for Ultimate Relaxation


OUTDOOR SPACE
🌄 Fire Pit with Seating by the Stream – Enjoy starlit nights & s’mores while listening to the ambient stream in our peaceful and private mountain setting
🪑 Screened Porch with Rocking Chairs – Peaceful & perfect for morning coffee
🌿 Hammocks Overlooking the Mountains – The ultimate relaxation spot
🏞 Large Open Field - Perfect for some group games! (No Vehicles)

WHAT MAKES THE HIVE LODGE SPECIAL?
✔️ Designed for Large Groups – Spacious layout with plenty of room to spread out
✔️ Unbeatable Views – Year-round panoramas of Waterrock Knob & the Smokies
✔️ Handcrafted Decor – Locally made furniture & artwork, crafted with love
✔️ Secluded Yet Accessible – Just 3 miles from Smoky Mountain Country Club
✔️ Wheelchair-Friendly Features – Level entry & wide doorways along with a very open space downstairs



IN NEED OF MORE SPACE?
The Hive Lodge delivers an unforgettable Smoky Mountain experience for large groups of up to 20 total persons! Need even more room? Check out our Wesser Creek Village listing; which includes both The Hive Lodge as well as our 3/2 cabin on the property called The Historic Ol Gun Range Cabin! We can accommodate up to 30 guests between the two cabins!


EXPLORE THE AREA
The Hive Lodge is an ideal home base for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains, offering convenient access to Bryson City, Cherokee, and surrounding attractions. Whether you're looking for Bryson City vacation rentals, pet-friendly cabins in the Smoky Mountains, or a secluded mountain lodge, you’ve found the perfect spot.

📍 Nearby Attractions:
🏙 Bryson City** – 10 miles
🎰 Harrah’s Cherokee Casino – 12 miles
🚂 Great Smoky Mountains Railroad & Polar Express – 12 miles
🏞 Deep Creek (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) – 12 miles
⛰ Nantahala Gorge – 20 miles
⛳ Smoky Mountain Country Club – 3 miles
🏍 Tail of the Dragon – 55 miles
🏛 Western Carolina University – 22 miles
🏙 Asheville – 66 miles

BOOK YOUR STAY TODAY!

We would love to welcome you and your family to The Hive Lodge for an unforgettable mountain getaway. If you have any questions, feel free to call or text us at Smoky Mountain Stays—we're happy to help!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
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
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
A security deposit is required at the property. A hold will be placed on your credit card 3 days prior to check-in for up to 3 days after check-out.
$60 pet fee for up to 2 pets. Must be added after booking if not on VRBO at the time of booking.
Credit Card Transaction Fees will NOT be refunded for cancellation.

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
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Whittier

Located in Whittier, this cabin is in a rural area and in the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and Oconaluftee Indian Village are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Smoky Mountain Country Club and Sequoyah National Golf Club. Travelling with kids? Consider Smokey Mountain Trains Museum and Cherokee Botanical Garden and Nature Trail. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Whittier, NC

What's nearby

  • Smoky Mountain Country Club - 9 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Tuckasegee River - 14 min drive - 7.4 km
  • Sequoyah National Golf Club - 19 min drive - 14.1 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 20 min drive - 17.4 km
  • Smokey Mountain Trains Museum - 20 min drive - 17.4 km

Getting around

  • Alcoa - Knoxville Airport (TYS) - 151 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Bryson City Brewing - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Anthony's Italian Resturant - ‬23 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest?

As of 12 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest on 31 May, 2026 start from S$1,041, 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 at The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Hive Lodge - A Place Where Busy Bees Rest located?

This family-friendly Whittier cabin is located in the mountains, within 3 mi (5 km) of Nantahala National Forest and Smoky Mountain Country Club. Tuckasegee River and Sequoyah National Golf Club are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

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. 45 out of 51 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 51 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 51 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 51 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 51 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Robin J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a spacious home. Would be perfect for a retreat or multiple families. Location was close to Bryson City.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hi W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was very responsive to all inquiries. House was fully equipped for cooking, eating and entertainment. HVAC system kept the house very comfortable. Location was beautiful.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Hive was very accommodating for our business leadership retreat! Very relaxing location and close to Bryson City and Deep Creek which we all enjoyed as well.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

LYNDON C.

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

Golf trip

Excellent all around.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kris S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had 3 families with a total of 11 people. There is plenty of space for everyone. I’m sure it’s mentioned in the listing but it’s important to note that the upstairs space is only accessible from the outside. To be honest, we probably wouldn’t have picked this house if would’ve paid attention to that detail. But, I’m glad we did, it ended up working out and everyone was comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Archie S.

Cozy, fun and relaxing

The house is large, clean, fUn and RELAXING.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Paul H D.

Fantastic!!!

This is a perfect retreat for a large family gathering!!! We enjoyed every minute!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Jeff W.

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

Seclusion and Beauty

The property is beautiful, and the setting is perfect. The sound of the two streams running along side of the hive was relaxing and made our stay a true relaxing vacation.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Beau B.

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

Perfect place for a mountain getaway.

House was clean and had plenty of activities. Brian was very helpful with questions about the area. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deana M.

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

Polar Express weekend

This was the perfect place for our group of 18 ranging from 18mos to 65! Plenty of room and we didn't feel crowded at all! Outside fire put was perfect for smores after the Polar Express!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jake A.

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

Team Trip

We had our team here for a weekend retreat. Property was great and plenty of room for everyone. The views from the porch were amazing and the sound of the creeks were southing. Great weekend escape.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sue Ellen C.

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

Amazing

this property is big and spacious, it is perfect for big families. We stayed there and took our kids and grandchildren to the polar express. The drive was short and the loved playing outside once we were back to the property. The kitchen is well equipped for cooking also. We also sat around the fire pit on Saturday and roasted marshmallows the kids loved that also. Could not have ask for a better property.

10/10 Excellent

Michelle D.

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

Fabulous

The Hive is absolutely amazing! Clean, spacious, excellent area. We had 2 dogs with us, plenty of yard to walk them. The owners are super helpful, nice. We went golfing at Smoky Mountain Country Club, just a short drive. Excellent! The casino was an easy drive, fun. The road up to the cabin was not bad, we had a cargo van. No problems. We have nothing negative to write, all positive. Hope we can return someday.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cathy H.

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

A Perfect Family Christmas

We are a family of 17 with ages ranging from 3-71. I booked the Hive Lodge with hopes of our family being able to spend quality time together with plenty to do and not be crowded. This place did not disappoint. We all had plenty of bedrooms and space to lounge, eat and play. We had a ping pong tournament! It was so much fun. Prison city is nearby and we enjoyed ice cream and shopping in the quaint city. The grounds were nice with a fire-it that we used nightly. I would recommend The Hive Lodge for large families to come together.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donovan C.

BEAUTIFUL and SPACIOUS, with a down home feel and subtle family touches everywhere you look.

Our stay here was perfect! They really went above and beyond to help my family celebrate my mother's 70th birthday. I will be forever grateful as we really made some great memories while staying here. The location is ideal! Its very close to Cherokee as we took a short trip to the casino there. We also took the short trip over to Asheville for a comedy tour and lunch. With six bedrooms, large plush couches, multiple bathrooms, and two kitchens, this place can cover the needs of any size group and you will not feel crowded at all. If you are considering a trip for you and you family, do yourself a favor and stop looking and book the "The Hive" right now! You will enjoy every moment.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Julia V.

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

Thanksgiving

The property was roomy for our group of 18. We could all get in the great room with our being in each others way. The drive up to the property was a little scary but thankfully I didn’t have to drive. The young folks thought nothing of it as they ventured out each day sometime several times. I’m 85 and could have done it but I didn’t thanks to my children.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Temperance R.

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

Family get away

We spent days looking for the right place for a short stay in the mountains. My daughter had a gymnastics meet just 2 hours south of here and we wanted to spend some family time while we were all close. We finally landed on this wonderful place. We arrived late at night and we were slightly intimidated by the steep drive up however we all made it uo without 4x4 which was great. We were impressed by the size of the property and unique layout we had a great time exploring. We had a fire and thanks to the information provided by the host we had grabbed firewood before hand to make sure we didnt have to go searching around the property. We roasted smoars and the next day had a long awaited and needed resting day we got to take in the beauty of the land and enjoy each others company. We were expecting snow the next day the host contacted us that evening and explained the procedure and important information we were so happy to have a host that was helpful and kind. We had the best time building snowman and playing in the snow overall i would highly recommend this place we never left and had one of the best times 5 stars
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

michael k.

Great house - small things lessened the visit

The housing arrangement for our week was great - family's were able to spread out - have privacy and central eating and relaxing space. [FYI - if you only get 1/2 of the facility you could miss out on washer/dryer]. The remoteness was awesome. Quiet mornings, days and evenings. The fire pit was really a lot of fun. The drive in and out - really wasn't an issue, even in inclement weather. Th hills did cause a couple drivers to be concerned but they made out fine. The thing that didn't really feel right or make this place like other VRBO homes was the lack of "home". Small things like no coffee only filters, no spices [even leftovers from others], 1 roll of toilet paper per bathroom, not a great working grill or grill tools, not enough garbage bags not even a starter firewood roll for first evening [$3.00 at the IGA] - Like I said, it really lacked the homeiness that we have experienced at other VRBO properties and other private rentals.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mary S.

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

First Annual

Perfect space, felt at home. Perfect mountain retreat. Already booked another week
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ben D.

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

Enjoyable Stay

This is our second time staying at The Hive lodge. The first time was a few years ago and only a section of the upstairs was available. This time the entire lodge was open and it was great. We had 14 in our party and still had 2 rooms we did not use. There is plenty of room in the lodge as well as convenient parking. The lodge is very clean and plenty of amenities and supplies included. Having a nice yard area is defiantly a plus since most cabins don't have yard space. We enjoyed our stay and will defiantly be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Britt W.

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

Awesome Getaway

Superb accommodations. Great hosts. A little steep for 2wd on gravel, but worth it.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin C.

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

Amazing cabin and host

This house is exactly what you’re looking for if you are in need of a getaway while still wanting to be close to the fun of a casino. There is more than enough space and Brian the host is super friendly and honest when it comes to setting expectations. Like other reviews, cell and internet service is spotty but we weren’t there to work or play on phones. We had no problems and hope to be back soon to the Hive!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Claudia G.

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

Family vacation

It was a perfect family getaway! To be honest we didn't mind not having the wifi it was the perfect opportunity to hang out play some pool, board games, enjoy family time. Lots of room for everyone... very nicely decorated for Christmas too! We wanted to see snow and in our last day we got to see the dusting of snow :-) Brian was very responsive to any questions/concerns we had. Definitely recommend this house for your next family vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bill M.

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

Cabin seclusion

Back in the mountains away from the noise! Huge cabin both lower and upper floors-great for everyone to enjoy playing pool, ping pong, huge Jenga blocks, checkers, Cd player, TV with sports, etc. Quiet and plenty of rooms and bathrooms for all of us. Huge kitchen and eating tables. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Candace S.

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

Great family home

Great place to meet for a family vacation, plenty of room for the whole family. Lots of room to spread out.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

About the host

Hosted by Brian

Host profile image
My name is Brian Whitener. My wife Sarah and I love the Smoky Mountains of Western NC! I also enjoy photography, biking, woodworking, and spending time with my lovely wife Sarah. Our passion is to see people experience a place of rest and rejuvenation from their busy everyday lives. My wife and I believe our cabin, this area, and the naturally beautiful surroundings of Bryson City NC provide such a place to reconnect with family and friends! We are excited to share the cabin with you and we know you will find it most relaxing! We also really enjoy assisting all of our guests experience the most fulfilling time possible while here. There are so many hiking trails, waterfalls, and things to do it can become overwhelming! Once you have booked with us and have reviewed our Area Information Page please feel free to ask us any questions about any of the excursions listed!

What makes this property unique

Another benefit of booking with us is the experience and level of control we have over our property. My wife Sarah and I manage the property ourselves and therefore control cleaning products that are used in the home. Our goal is to have as chemical free environment as possible. We proudly use Mrs. Meyers products, hydrogen peroxide based(bleach free) bathroom cleaner, Paya Organics sustainable, eco-friendly, paraben free naturally derived body wash and shampoo, and 100% natural essential oils for our cabin’s signature scent.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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