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ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.

Photo gallery for ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.

Welcome to ONCE UPON A STREAM- Chapter 1 in our storybook cottage collection.
Our amazing stream right in the back yard will keep the kids entertained!
Enjoy beautiful Lake Fairfield, a private Sapphire Valley amenity.
Don't forget the marshmallows! The kids will love sitting by the fire at night.
The welcoming entrance to our storybook mountain cottage.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 143100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View in a map
Sapphire, NC
  • Place, Hogback Lake
    ‪20 min walk‬
  • Place, Harrahs Cherokee Casino
  • Place, Lake Keowee
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Basement Rec Room

4 Single Beds

Bedroom 2- Upper Level

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3- Upper Level

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 4- Lower Level

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom- Main Level

1 King Bed

Upstairs Loft

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Half Bath- Main Level

Toilet

Lower Level

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom- Main Level

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Upper Level

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.

***Now offering ultra high-speed GIGABIT Wifi***
***New VIRTUAL TOUR- Stroll through the cottage at your leisure in 3-D***
We are PET-FRIENDLY! Welcome to "ONCE UPON A STREAM!"

Escape from the ordinary and plan your next "adventurcation" in our storybook English mountain cottage complete with a rushing mountain stream that will keep the kids (and dog) busy for hours! Create memories with family and friends in the waterfall capital of the eastern U.S. that will last a lifetime. Don't settle for another ordinary vacation!

Our goal is to offer a concierge-like vacation hospitality experience- not just a place for you to stay. We pride ourselves on helping you plan the perfect mountain getaway with recommendations on things to do, places to visit, and amazing restaurants and boutiques. That is truly what makes us different and why many guests choose to book with us. The mountains are meant to be a stress-free environment; we're here to make sure that holds true for your group!

Just over an hour from Asheville, NC, ONCE UPON A STREAM is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful Sapphire, North Carolina. The cottage is conveniently located near shopping, dining, and all sorts of recreation. Cashiers, NC is just ten minutes away and the quaint town of Highlands, NC is only 25 minutes away. Lake Toxaway, NC is also nearby- just ten minutes away. There are more than a dozen spectacular waterfalls to hike and explore less than a half hour away.

SAPPHIRE VALLEY RESORT
Our guests also have full access to the Sapphire Valley Resort and all of its amazing amenities including the private Lake Fairfield where you can fish, and sail, paddle, and swim. Visit nearby Narrows Falls and all of the fabulous amenities at the Sapphire Valley Resort. The Sapphire Valley Recreation Center offers gem mining, three swimming pools (one heated indoor and two outdoor), two saunas, two hot tubs, locker rooms, mini-golf, arcade and game room, lounge with WiFi, tennis, playground, running track, par-3 golf course, direct access to the Horsepasture River, and much more. Guests can also purchase discounted tickets to the Biltmore Estate and other area attractions and tours.

SKI SAPPHIRE VALLEY is also inside the Sapphire Valley Resort and offers tons of fun during the winter months. There is a Blue-diamond ski slope complete with quad chair lift and also a Bunny Slope. Frozen Falls is the tubing run and very popular with the kids. Our guests receive 25% off skiing, tubing, and rentals. Ski and Snowboard lessons are available at a very reasonable rate.

We provide first in class concierge service and love to help our guests plan the ultimate mountain vacation. In addition, we provide our guests with access to our unique online guidebook complete with all of our favorite restaurants, things to do, and places to see. Once Upon a Stream is ideally set up for a two or three-family vacation getaway. The cottage is three levels with 4 BR/3.5 BA and sleeps up to 14 persons comfortably.

MAIN LEVEL: offers a large master en-suite with a King-size bed topped with luxurious linens and high-end pillows. Relax after a long day of hiking in the over-sized jetted tub while enjoying the treetop view and taking in all of nature's beauty.

UPPER LEVEL: features two additional bedrooms and a loft with pullout couch. The 2nd bedroom has a queen-sized bed topped with fine linens and pillows. Bedroom 3 has two queen log beds with amazingly comfortable memory foam mattresses and fine linens and pillows.

LOWER LEVEL (Basement aka KID CAVE) is now complete and includes a large rec-room with two sets of mountain log bunk beds, a 55" 4KHD TV, Dish Network, BlueRay Player, Air Hockey table, and Foosball! The new basement also includes bedroom #4 with queen bed and full bathroom.

Ideally situated on a 2-acre private lot, the cottage will spoil you to the point where you won't want to leave. Greet the morning with a cup of coffee on the large back deck. Stroll down the backyard hill along the meandering boulder pathway to the stone patio below and enjoy a glass of wine as you listen to the noisy stream. The kids will stay busy exploring and hiking up and downstream- bring your dog too!

Whether you stay for a few nights or a few weeks, we strive to create a one of a kind experience for you at Once Upon a Stream. Please contact us for more information on booking your mountain getaway.

Be sure to check out our other two homes nearby in Sapphire on VRBO:

ONCE Upon a Stream #4258820 * Sleeps 14, 4 BR, 3.5 BA, streamfront, pet-friendly

TWICE Upon a Stream #2634264 * Sleeps 10, 3 BR, 3.5 BA, streamfront, pet-friendly

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Families are very warmly welcomed!
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Most dogs allowed. Non-refundable PET FEE applies.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
See Rental Rules in Exhibit A of Rental Agreement.

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
Long-term renters welcome
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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sapphire

Located in Sapphire, this holiday home is in the mountains and on a river. Sapphire National Golf Club and Sapphire Valley Ski Resort are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Gorges State Park and Highlands Biological Station. Travelling with kids? Consider Cashiers Farmers Market, or check out an event or a game at Silversteen Memorial Stadium. Take in the nearby slopes with snowboarding and skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as ice skating.
View more Holiday homes in SapphireOpens in a new window
Map
Sapphire, NC

What's nearby

  • Hogback Lake - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Lake Jocassee - 30 min drive - 29.1 km
  • Lake Keowee - 38 min drive - 47.9 km
  • Devils Fork State Park - 42 min drive - 50.0 km
  • Western Carolina University - 47 min drive - 45.3 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Fix - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Tavern @ High Hampton - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Whiteside Brewing Company - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Buck's Coffee Cafe - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Grand Olde Station at Lake Toxaway - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. have a pool?

Yes, this property has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

How much does it cost to stay at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.?

As of 26 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. on 28 Apr, 2026 start from S$539, 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 ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. located?

This family-friendly Sapphire holiday home is located on a river, within 1 mi (2 km) of Nantahala National Forest and Hogback Lake. Whisper Lake is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) away.

Reviews

10

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. 62 out of 67 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 67 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 67 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 67 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 67 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed our stay. The house is great. Very well taken care of and very clean and neat.would recommend this house to anyone and would stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Betty E.

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

Great accommodations. Love the fire pit

Loved the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katie H.

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

Peaceful place on the creek

Our family had a wonderful time this past weekend at Once Upon A Stream. Our young boys loved the lower level setup with the bunk beds and the foosball table, and most importantly they spent both days down exploring and playing in the creek. There was ample space to spread out when necessary so our little one could nap or so grandparents could relax. It really was a perfect setup for our family. Plus, it was close to multiple easy waterfall trails which we enjoyed as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great Mountain Escape for the Whole Family

Really enjoyed our time at Once Upon a Stream. Everyone from my 70 year old parents to my 7 and 8 year old found something to enjoy. Will book again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Kathleen D.

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

Lovely mountain home

This property was exactly as advertised .. property owner available and very responsive with questions … we would def recommend
Stayed 21 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer A O.

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

Beautiful and relaxing

The property was beautiful and relaxing. The space was perfect for our 3 families. We thoroughly enjoyed the outside and inside, and the location was great. The owner was easy to contact and accommodating.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

Great House!

Great house...very clean, comfortable and close to all amenities. The property is beautiful and peaceful with the sounds of the stream. The owners are very quick to respond and provided us with a lot of fun ideas/activities to do in the surrounding areas. Definitely would stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth W.

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

Perfect Getaway

The house was beautiful, clean, and well equipped. We traveled with a baby and dogs and the house supplied dog bowls and a crate. It also had a port a crib, booster seat, and a hiking backpack for the baby. The fire pit area was really nice and the dogs loved walking the trail down to the stream. We truly enjoyed our stay and would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

carol w.

Beautiful and clean

The house was beautiful and very clean. It was well equipped, easy to get to with great resort amenities. The hosts were very gracious.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim M.

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

Wedding weekend

Comfortable stay. Very clean. Owner easy to work with.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

BROOKS R.

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

Fantastic and fun time

Everything we needed was available and property was great. Best of all, the owner responded and assisted with any questions or issues.
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donna S.

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

Learning to Ski

Fun property. Easy to get to. Close to small ski resort, great for teaching young ladies to ski.
Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

barbara h.

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

Roomy

The property was as advertised and we had plenty of room to spread out. Travis responded quickly to our calls. Overall, it was centrally located to what we wanted to do as a family of 6 adults and 5 children.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Ken S.

Terrific Stay

We loved this house. It had plenty of room for our 2 families (10 people) and we could have packed 1-2 more families in. The house is very secluded, with a lot of hiking trails around. And the price was right. We'll be back for sure.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine J.

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

Family Vacation Success

Three generations on vacation and it could not have been more comfortable. This house was perfect for having our own space while also providing an environment where we could gather. There really wasn't anything we needed that wasn't provided. Communication was great!!! Fantastic location for getting to restaurants, shopping and outdoor adventure.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Stephen G.

Beautiful house in the woods

We really enjoyed our stay at Once Upon a Stream! It was close to hiking, waterfalls and Cashiers. The owners, Travis and Kristen Eckert, were always helpful and answered questions quickly. The house was clean, roomy and comfortable. The kids enjoyed walking down to the stream and exploring around the land. Thanks for the great stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2016
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Homer C.

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

Loved it!

We love this area and Once Upon A Stream proved to be a wonderful house! It's just as portrayed in the listing. The owner, Travis Eckert, is a fount of information and very accommodating and concerned about his guests' comfort.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph B.

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

Great mountain escape

This is a lovely property in a secluded neighborhood. Great escape from city living. The leaves had changed and were beautiful here! We used the outside fire pit to roast marshmallows. It was a nice, clean house as advertised. Everything worked well and made for a great friends and family getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dana M.

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

Family fun

We had a great time! The house was well appointed and plenty of space for my husband and I and our 3 (tween-teens) kids. They loved the kids cave and the foosball table. The upstairs had 2 nice sized bedrooms, but we didn’t even need those. Communication with Travis was great. Enjoyed several hikes in the area and the local restaurants.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Julius R.

A Slice of Heaven

Our stay at Once Upon a Stream could not have been any better. The gorgeous house, the beautiful idyllic setting and the Sapphire location exceeded our high expectations. Our host, Travis. made sure that we were comfortably settled in and was readily available and willing to meet any need we might have. I highly recommend the house for a family vacation. For my family, Once Upon a Stream was a slice of heaven.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Margaret S.

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

Wonderful accommodations!

It was the perfect getaway. The house was nestled in the woods. We had enough space for everyone to have their privacy and gather. We enjoyed the balconies, fire pit, and the stream. The owner was always responded to us by phone and text, and problems we had were taken care of immediately. The Sapphire resort amenities were a big plus. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ron E.

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

Amazing stay!!!

From the moment we pulled up it was just perfect! Beautiful house inside and out. Kids loved the creek and we all enjoyed the outside fires and the cozy easy to use fireplace. Everything we needed was there and there was plenty of room! I’d recommend completely to any extended family or just a small family. Travis was always in touch with us,warning us of winter weather (which my Florida born children loved!) and was constantly in touch with us to see if we needed anything. Great owners, Great place, Great Lifetime Memories for our family! Would stay again for sure!!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Betty F.

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

Family Celebration

We had 14 family members in our group. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We really enjoyed the stream below the house. We had small grandkids come over from Whisper Lake and put rubber duck in the stream to float down. I think the stream was the family favorite. Would definitely do this again. Travis responded quickly to any questions we had,
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bill P.

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

Great House & Owner

My family stayed a long weekend in mid-November, 2022. The layout of the house was great. The kids space downstairs was fantastic. The fireplace warmed the house amazingly. The lot was large and on a nice creek. Our dogs were at home there. The very responsive owner was receptive to taking care of the few very minor issues that we ran across. I highly recommend this property, but please don't book it at the same time I plan my next stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cecile S.

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

Wonderful mountain vacation and family reunion

We all thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Once Upon a Stream. The accommodations were roomy and permitted 13 people to spread out in the house and on the decks. The activities at the nearby resort were numerous- something for everyone. The stream at the house was a magnet for the children who went “mining” for beautiful rocks. The owner, Travis, was most helpful and accommodating. It was easy to reach him when necessary. We would definitely want to return here- both to the house and the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Travis Eckert

Host profile image
We're the Eckert family of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. And as a family, we've quickly fallen in love with the stunning beauty and tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. Quite honestly, there's no place we'd rather be! We decided to invest in our family by purchasing property in the mountains where we could vacation year after year and build priceless memories together- and we'd like to help you and your family do the same.

In March 2016, we wrote the first "chapter" in our story by purchasing our first mountain property in Sapphire, NC. We affectionately named it Once Upon a Stream because of its "storybook" English architecture and location on a rushing mountain stream. Many guests comment that it reminds them of Hansel and Gretel's house and we certainly agree. This is the largest of our properties and sleeps 14 guests.

After spending 18 months learning the ropes of vacation hospitality, we added the second chapter in our mountain cottage collection and bought, TOP OF THE ROCK. This cottage will spoil you with its authentic craftsman post and beam mountain architecture and stunning long-range mountain views. TOP of the Rock sits at 4,100 feet of elevation and sleeps 10 guests.

In early 2021, we introduced Chapter 3 and titled it TWICE Upon a Stream- a play on the original because of its location on another beautiful mountain stream. This property screams relaxation- grab a glass of wine and enjoy the sights and sounds of the stream below from the screened upper and lower decks.

At The Mountain Cottage, our mission is to help the world fall in love with the mountains, one storybook adventure at a time. Our goal is to create an exceptional, concierge-like, mountain vacation experience for your family and friends- not just provide you with a place to stay. We believe that is truly what makes us different. Please allow us to share a bit more about our mountain cottages and what makes them so special.

Why they chose this property

Private and serene at 3400ft of elevation, yet convenient to shopping and dining. The stream in the backyard is so beautiful and is a great way to entertain the kids while you relax. People tell us all the time that our home looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale. Hence the name, "Once Upon a Stream." Our cottage is easily accessible by paved roads and 4WD is not necessary to reach the property, even in the winter.

What makes this property unique

Guests of Once Upon a Stream have full access to the Sapphire Valley Resort and all of its amazing amenities including the private Lake Fairfield, private Narrows Falls, gem mining, three swimming pools (one heated indoor and two outdoor), two saunas, hot tub, locker rooms, mini-golf, arcade and game room, lounge with WiFi, tennis, playground, running track, par-3 golf course, direct access to the Horsepasture River, and much more. Guests can also purchase discounted tickets to the Biltmore Estate and other area attractions and tours.

Guests of ONCE UPON A STREAM receive 25% off at SKI Sapphire Valley (open seasonally) and the Vordach Zip Line- both conveniently located at the Sapphire Valley Resort

The cottage is also very close to many lakes, waterfalls, and swimming holes so you don't have to travel far to be entertained in nature's playground.

Languages:

English

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