Cabin

Mathews' Mansion, a cabin by a mountain lake

Lakefront cabin with kitchen and patio

Mathews' Mansion is a lovely retreat for unwinding. Sorry, no dogs.

Rock Yourself to Sleep on the Screened Porch.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location

Excellent

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4750 sq ft

Popular amenities

Parking available
Kitchen
Laundry
Barbecue grill
Outdoor space
Air conditioning

Explore the area

Lake Santeetlah, NC

Place, Santeetlah Lake
‪1 min walk‬
Place, Cheoah River
Place, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Patchwork

1 Queen Bed

Snug-a-Bug

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Dining area

About this property

Mathews' Mansion, a cabin by a mountain lake

Long overdue for a lazy afternoon in a hammock? How about a rocking chair overlooking one of the most pristine lakes in the world? At Mathews' Mansion, a small cabin on a lake full of fish, you will find a bit of heaven. No clocks, phones, or TV's, only rest and the rustling of maples. Bring your camera for some great nature shots. Chipmunks, hummingbirds, and raccoons are common visitors. Smoking okay on screened-in porch.

Lake is great for bass, boating, swimming. Santeetlah Marina is only a quarter of a mile. Hike the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and other lush trails in the region. Take a drive on the breathtaking Cherula Skyway. Nearby streams & rivers are world-famous for fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing. Ride the choo-choo from Bryson City to the Nantahala Gorge. Visit a pow wow at the nearby Cherokee Reservation or see the outdoor drama. Try your hand at ruby mining. Go antiquing for quilts & carvings. Cycle, or just relax!

Tail of the Dragon: Mathews' Mansion is close to the Tail of the Dragon, the famous curvy Highway 129, which attracts sports car enthusiasts and cyclists from all over the country. Along Cherola Highway one will view spectacular breathtaking mountain views. For more details visit our website.

Cherokee Artifacts: Did you know that Cherokee artifacts have been found in Lake Santeetlah? Stop at the Cherokee Museum in Robbinsville to see what local residents have found while walking the shores. While there, visit Chief Junaluska's grave site. Take a drive through the Snowbird reservation and picnic at one of the creekside tables. Always keep your eyes open, for you, too, might find a Native American relic!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Laundry

Outdoor space

Parking available

Mountain view

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Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 12:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 20

Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Do not leave food or garbage outside because raccoons will break open the bag and spread it all around.

The septic system cannot accommodate heavy usage. Limit the number of friends and family members that may wish to visit and use toilet paper only.

Return items to original locations. For example, if you move furniture, please put it back before you depart. Thanks!

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Santeetlah

Located in Robbinsville, this cabin is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, while Graham County Historical Association and Junaluska Medicine Trail are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Cabin rentals in Santeetlah

Lake Santeetlah, NC

What's nearby

Santeetlah Lake - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Santeetlah Town Hall - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest - 20 min drive - 10.8 km
Fontana Lake - 40 min drive - 45.2 km
Fontana Village Resort Marina - 41 min drive - 45.9 km

Getting around

Alcoa - Knoxville Airport (TYS) - 101 min drive

Restaurants

‪Kin Cafe - ‬10 min drive
‪Papas Pizza - ‬9 min drive
‪Caffe De Olla - ‬11 min drive
‪Pacifico Mexican Restaurant - ‬9 min drive
‪Wendy's - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Mathews' Mansion, a cabin by a mountain lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Mathews' Mansion, a cabin by a mountain lake?

Check-in begins at 12:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Mathews' Mansion, a cabin by a mountain lake?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Mathews' Mansion, a cabin by a mountain lake located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is steps away from Santeetlah Lake and Nantahala National Forest. Santeetlah Town Hall and Cheoah River are also within 15 minutes.

8.6

Excellent

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Dave P., Hanover, USA

9 Aug, 2021

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

Peaceful getaway

Very peaceful getaway , beautiful view of the lake.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

William W.

23 Oct, 2023

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

Relaxing fall weekend

My son and I on a guys trip. House was as advertised and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Great location on the lake with easy access to grocery store, restaurants, and attractions. Would definitely stay again.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stefan N.

25 Jul, 2022

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

.Cozy Place

This was a nice place to relax and get away from the noise of the city. We enjoyed the kayak and swimming in the lake and lots of fun.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie H.

15 Aug, 2022

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

Peaceful

Just the view was breathtaking and quiet and peaceful and relaxing

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott F.

26 Jul, 2021

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

Hidden Gem

There are many gem mining opportunities in NC, but this one was a real find! The pictures don’t do justice to the beautiful setting of this cabin in the mountains. It was clean, cozy, and conveniently located. We were able to hike in Joyce Kilmer, ride a train out of Bryson City, raft on the Nantahala and fish in the Santaheela. Unexpected find that led to an exceptional vacation.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Heather F.

17 May, 2019

A Peaceful Retreat

Mathew’s Mansion is a wonderful spot for quiet reflection and renewal. The screened porch has a perfect view of the bird feeder where a beautiful variety of birds flocked. Accommodations are just as Marsha describes. Small, yet sufficient. The lake is gorgeous and there are so many adventurous things to do all around.

Stayed 5 nights in May 2019

6/10 Okay

Lori D.

29 Aug, 2023

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

Disliked: Communication

relaxing place to stay

cozy cabin. decent view of lake. just like it was advertised. Not good boat and swimming access to water. smelled musty. I tried to communicate with owner but no response. Could stand a few improvements. Comfortable bed.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel H.

19 Jun, 2022

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

Awesome Vacay

Beautiful area. The house is cozy. It’s so quite and peaceful there. Spent most of the time kayaking on the lake with my wife and hanging out on the big deck playing guitar. Not far from Appalachian trail, Joyce Kilmer forest, and the tail of the dragon. Lots of wildlife showed itself to us. Grocery store in town is pretty solid, had everything we would have bought if we didn’t bring it ourselves. At night time you can really see the stars, unlike where I live, and it’s a beautiful site. There’s an awesome mead brew place down the road, really good stuff. Overall just a great trip to get away from the city and relax. Hope to do it again soon. 10 out of 10

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Holly T.

4 Aug, 2017

It serves its purpose, as a place to stay, but there are definite problems to be fixed.

So, I'll start off saying that it definitely serves the purpose it needs to, a place to eat, sleep, and clean, as well as coming with a gorgeous view, an amazing location, and a price that can't be beat, there are problems that need to be addressed. First, the smell. The first thing that greets you when you open the door is an incredible musty smell. It's borderline overpoverpowering but was bearable after airing out the House. Second, the sleeping situation. This house is listed as sleeping for 4, but there's only beds for three, so one person is going to get stuck with the couch, which isn't a pullout bed style couch, it's just a couch. And the smell is horribly musty. Third, just some miscellaneous problems, the beds being hard, the boat launch being so underwashed it's borderline dangerous, and a rodent that had taken residence in the cabinets looking for the chicken nuggets left by the previous rentors. I will say though, the deck area is amazing and this house would be perfect if we didn't have to go inside. And to be honest, this house would be perfect if all these problems were fixed.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

5 Oct, 2025

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

Clean, great lake view, not far from amenities

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas J.

30 Aug, 2025

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

We enjoyed our stay at this peaceful lake view cabin. It is simply equipped but the interior has lots of rustic charm and offers lovely decorative details. Relaxing on the spacious deck under the trees and having barbecue was just great. And hiking nearby Joyce Kilmer Forest and Huckleberry Knob Trail was definitely a highlight.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Celeste K.

25 Aug, 2025

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

Cozy little cottage right on the lake! Gorgeous view! The cottage was comfortable and had everything we needed. The only air conditioner is in the living room but does get cool in the two bedrooms when leaving the doors open. We normally bring along a box fax when we travel because we like the sound while sleeping, so we placed it outside the bedroom door and it kept the room very cool. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake, sitting in the rocking chairs staring out at the beautiful view, eating our meals on the porch and I loved my morning coffee and devotional time out on the porch. On our last evening we were out on the porch eating our dinner and a neighbor was playing their saxophone outside, it was really nice. A great meal from the bbq joint in town, the beautiful view and the soothing sounds of the saxophone. I recommend this place for some good relaxation. This lake is so beautiful! We love kayaking here every chance we get. There’s no tv and the cell service isn’t very good so bring your favorite board games or books and just enjoy some quality time with your family!

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mike A.

13 Jul, 2025

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

Great rustic cabin. Awesome porch for watching the fireflies at dusk

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony B.

15 Oct, 2024

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

Great little cabin!

This was a great, simple little cabin. You can tell it was built as a little summer getaway, once upon a time. Very basic, and somewhat dated, but it has what you need, including a coffee pot. We loved it, except there are a lot of close neighbors. Its peaceful, but not always quiet. I did want to mention, the smaller bed is a full size, I was a little confused about what size it would be.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marc M.

22 Sept, 2024

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

Wonderful setting

We had wonderful times at this house in a cove of Lake Santeetlah. One of the best features is the nicely screened-in front porch. The natural sounds of crickets and frogs, the occasional splash of a big fish, the morning clouds ringing the mountains, and quiet neighbors all made this modest get-away place one we’ll return to!

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brittany D.

5 Aug, 2024

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

Cute place on the lake!

The location is fantastic! The view of the lake and the screened patio are wonderful. Do be prepared to be a bit warm though in the summer as the A/C unit is mounted in the living room and doesn't reach the bedrooms well. Interior is a bit dated but it was clean enough and the real treat is enjoying the patio and views!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Ann W.

19 Jun, 2024

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

Older Cottage with Good View

This is an older structure and not a house. We may have been the first renters of the year and the initial observation was that it is musty smelling. The property otherwise was as described, small but functional with a great screened deck that overlooks the lake. We did have a "technical issue" with the water heater and the tub draining but the owner who does not live locally got someone there right away to address and fix the issue. One of the 2 beds was not comfortable but there was a roll of eggcrate foam that fixed the problem. Overall we had a great time hiking in the area and loved the location and view of the Lake.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelli B.

15 Oct, 2023

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

A perfect mountain retreat

The cabin definitely reminded me of my granny's place in the Ozarks. Small and cozy, juat what you need. There are stairs that lead to the lake and the neighbors are nice. Please note, bring your own sheets. Size queen work best and towels for the shower and lake. The views are amazing and the deck is probably the best part.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeannine C.

25 Aug, 2023

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

Lake Santeetlah

Great location. Beautiful lake views.

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dylan S.

30 Jul, 2023

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

Stay was good!

Only issue we had was turning around the trailer when we pulled in a warning would have been nice but it was a beautiful spot!!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Desiree H.

24 Jul, 2023

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

Lovely

This was a lovely getaway! The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is due to the limited access to the lake. Seems to be one of the only properties without a dock or active stairs down to the lake. We had a great time though!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Alex M.

8 Aug, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Check in mishap, but great rental!!!

We had a fantastic time! Enjoyed the house and the cleanliness! Definitely would recommend to others! Only thing to critique is that the check in process was a bit difficult for us as we could not find the right house for about 15 minutes. The address on the home page of the rental listing states 209 although it was recently changed to a different number, the number was correct on the ‘check in sheet’ sent to us, but this miscommunication was not figured out until we had went down another street and back looking for the ‘209’ number. Other than that we had a good time and would definitely come again!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

michael ann b.

11 Jul, 2022

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

Perfect Little Lakeside Cabin

We loved our short stay in this home. The rental was just as described in the listing. If you love swimming , floating, and kayaking in the crystal clear , cool water of Lake Santeetlah, this is the place for you. The cabin had just what we needed, easy lake access, a place to sleep and shower, and a small functional kitchen. We absolutely loved the screen room and the deck. If you need Wi-Fi, cell service, TV, or swanky new accommodations, this isn’t the place for you. It was perfect for my husband and I, and we can’t wait to return.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Jim R.

22 Jun, 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Santeelah Haven.

Quaint, small but adequate cabin with a great screened porch. Lots of trees between us and the lake but we could see it and enjoyed sitting in the rockers. The lake access stairs ended abruptly at the water and getting in and out was a challenge. Would have loved better access, a dock would be especially good. The hot water heater was very hot. Temp could be reduced to avoid burns. In the kitchen, a drain board for under the dish drain is needed. A few more dishes. We usually cook and eat in. Paid for cleaning service but brought our on linens, hauled our own trash, and vacuumed the floors as directed. Had to empty and wash the silverware holder before use as it was not clean. Nice flowers in vases and exciting viewing of a screech owl family close to house in the evening.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Daniel R., Calimesa

8 Jun, 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Beautiful Views and Very Relaxing

The property is small and not very elderly accessible! However if you came to relax and enjoy all the lake has to offer, this IS the place! Wish I could upload a photograph or 2! Owner is awesome! Very kind and very accomodating!!!

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Marsha Mathews

I am a professor at a small college, an author of three poetry books, a mother, and a grandmother. I love my cottage on Lake Santeetlah and named it Mathews Mansion when I inherited it from my parents. I have enjoyed fixing it up, one project at a time, from the septic tank to the roof. When the economy fell, I started inviting guests to stay to offset the costs of property taxes, utilities, and maintenance. It's a lot of work, but when I'm there, I feel like I'm in a tree house overlooking the lake.

Why they chose this property

This property is exquisite, set in among some of the oldest mountains on the earth. The wildlife intrigues me because I grew up in Florida where birds have much longer legs. In addition, each season brings something new, especially autumn when the leaves turn red and gold and flutter in the breeze like butterflies. The screen porch is where I spend most of my time, rocking, reading, watching the lake, the chipmunks, and listening to songbirds.

What makes this property unique

This is not a place to party. it is a place to relax and retreat from the hubbub of daily pressures. It is great for those who want to hike, kayak, or simply rock in the rocking chairs. Only an hour or two from river rafting, Cherokee, DollyWood, Gatlinberg, Asheville. Chief Junaluska's burial site is right there in Robbinsville (6 miles) and a small museum and Native American garden.