If it’s the great outdoors you crave, then a visit to the town of Highlands in North Carolina will certainly be well worth your time. This picturesque town, which sits amid verdant forest on a plateau in the Appalachian Mountains, would make a great base for adventure-seekers eager to explore this beautiful corner of North Carolina. It is surrounded by opportunities to go hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, and even whitewater rafting. It also sits within the Nantahala National Forest, and its deep tree-lined gorges make for some truly stunning landscapes to photograph and explore. And, after a busy day exploring the sights, Highlands provides plenty of amenities to keep you entertained - be it its mix of antique dealers or range of tasty restaurants, no fewer than six of which are award-winners. So, now that you’ve decided to visit, where will you stay? Read on for some of the top vacation rentals available in Highlands, North Carolina, USA.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 07, 2024.
1. Beautiful vacation rental with a large deck (from USD 225)
This beautiful vacation rental in downtown Highlands is a cozy place to stay for families or friends in groups of four. The house has a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops and a lovely four-seater dining table. It also has an open-floor living area with plenty of seating and a flat-screen TV.
Outside is a large deck with comfy outdoor furniture where you can enjoy a cup of morning coffee and delicious meals. If you are on a business trip, you’ll be glad to know that this property has access to Wifi and a dedicated workspace.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very comfortable living area with sofas and chairsthe apartment is fantastic -- perfect for a couple though you could add someone to the couch tooit is nicely decorated has a nice deck and has a comfortable king bed which is a plusthe propane heater warmed the space well in late november and we look forward to returning in summerthe property is exactly as described and very comfortable spacious and airyCleanliness:
the bathroom is small but clean and functionalHost:
owner is very responsiveand mary is an unbelievably great hostfrom clear communication and arrival instructions to straightforward departure information the owner was great to deal withRead more reviewsLocation:
easy walking distance to the blue bicycle cafe for breakfastthe location is so cute and perfectthis house is within an easy walk to the center of town - very conveniently locatedlove the location…close to town and the open floor planit’s the perfect location for walking around highlands - you won’t need your car highly recommended
2. Pet-friendly cottage for up to three people (from USD 150)
A strong contender for couples eyeing up a peaceful weekend away, this highly-rated one-bedroom cottage can nevertheless sleep up to three people at a push - opening up the option of it being used by small one-child families. It comes equipped with plenty of amenities, including a full kitchen for whipping up family meals, as well as other mod-cons such as a TV, laundry facilities and internet access. It is also pet-friendly, so you won’t have to leave your furry friend behind when heading off on your travels. There is also on-site parking, which will be useful for those looking to drive the 2.8 miles (4.5 km) to Highlands’ main street.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we had consistent internet and a comfortable bedThe bed was comfortable and we loved the nice linensThe house has central heat and air and a cozy fireplace with gas logsThe cabin is perfect size & super cleanAll the other modern conveniences made our stay in this cottage very very comfortableCleanliness:
It was not clean and that is really important to meHost:
I had to do some work over the weekend and was appreciative of having a wifi networkWe have recommended this great find to all of our friends that love Highlands alsoConvenient and comfortable Owner ease to communicate with Would consider againThe owner Judy was very friendly and easy to deal withWhen we arrived the bed was not madeRead more reviewsLocation:
Great location to the downtown HighlandsThis property has potential but has a way to goIt is not a secluded location being a part of a small group of other cabinsShort drive to town of Highlands and also convenient to get to CashiersEnjoyed except bedrooms and bathrooms were small but everything else was great
3. Modern wooden home in peaceful woodland setting (from USD 243)
Enjoying glowing word-of-mouth from past guests, and boasting plenty of space, this three-bedroom house will appeal to families or groups of friends seeking a picturesque cabin-style retreat. This modern-build property, which is stylishly decorated, comes equipped with rustic style design touches, such as exposed wooden ceilings and floors and a rock-clad fireplace. It also comes well-equipped, with a full kitchen, dining area, laundry facilities, internet, a flat-screen TV and DVD player. There’s also a large outdoor deck area in which to unwind and enjoy the relaxing woodland setting while tucking into a barbecue. As with the previous entry, it too is pet-friendly as well.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
The master bed was super comfyThe house is beautifully equipped with a kitchen that has everything one would need and the bedrooms with very comfortable bedshad a fully stocked kitchenMy highlight was the master bedsheetsLovely cottage on the outskirts of Highlands Has everything one could wantCleanliness:
the first thing I look at are previous reviewsThe cottage had everything we needed and was extremely clean and convenient We will certainly book againThey were so clean and comfortable Slept like RumpelstiltskinThe house was beautifully furnishedHost:
Also met some very nice neighborsWe had a wonderful time in this great homeWe did have a problem with Direct TV subsequent to a storm the night before but the problem was rectified by the owners as quickly as they couldthe owner had provided everything to make our stay the bestclean well located and spacious enough for all of us I particularly enjoyed walking our dogs through the very quaint and friendly neighborhoodRead more reviewsLocation:
The house is perfect in every wayPlace was easy to get to and close to downtown HighlandsThe house was on a cul de sac in a nice neighborhood near main street and shoppingThis charming house is just a minute away from main streetWe loved the quiet location Hope to be back
4. Creekside three-bedroom house with hot tub (from USD 175)
Another property which enjoys glowing word-of-mouth, this three-bedroom house can sleep up to five people - making it an ideal option for families. Couples eyeing a romantic retreat will also no doubt enjoy its peaceful charms too, coming as it does with a hot tub and cozy fireplace - not to mention the calming sound of rushing water in the neighboring creek. The property, which has recently been fully-refurbished, comes complete with all manner of mod-cons, including air conditioning, TV, laundry facilities and internet access. There’s also a full kitchen in which to prepare meals, should you prefer a quiet meal in rather than drive the 2.8 miles (4.5 km) to Main Street in the heart of Highlands. The large outside deck, on which the hot tub is located, will also likely appeal to fans of the outdoors.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
The kitchen lacked for nothingWe particular enjoyed the great beds and very comfortable easy chair and two couches in front of the TVThe newly decorated bathroom on the first floor was well done with an easy step-in showerKitchen was well equipped and The place was very roomy for 2 peoplethe kitchen had everything we needed and the hot tub was awesomeHost:
Gerard was so helpful with recommendationsWe love the big deck with a waterfall across the roadYou cannot go wrong with this oneand hopefully he has resolved this problemWe had an excellent weekend at this charming mountain cottage and took advantage of the gas / wood combo fireplace hot tub outdoor deck & grill area as well as the fantastically close proximity t...Read more reviewsLocation:
I found the location to be excellent with only a 3 minute drive to Main St and a 20 minute drive to CashiersWe enjoyed cooking in provisioned by the very good local grocery storesWe loved it and plan to returnThe location is calm and bosky truly just a short 2 7 miles from the center of townEverything was perfect from the quiet area (except for the waterfall) to the convenience to town
5. Lakeside property for up to four people (from USD 281)
Fans of the outdoors will likely love this newly-built accommodation, which sits amid charming woods in a lakeside setting. What’s more, despite its new-build construction - in the basement space of the host’s home - it features a raft of rustic decor touches, such as exposed wooden flooring as well as a charming deck terrace from which to view Mirror Lake. Capable of sleeping up to four people between its two bedrooms, it will likely appeal to families, but is also sure to charm couples eyeing up a romantic getaway. Amenities include a full kitchen, internet access, air conditioning, and laundry facilities. There’s also a private entrance with car parking, enabling you to come and go as you please during your stay.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
The space is charming and well appointed andWe enjoyed our four night stay in the HighlandsI think this shot was taken in the winter when the sun is low in the southern skyand I was much more comfortablePrivate porch/balcony overlooking the treesand stairs that lead to the riverfront dock below Convenient having W/D in unitCleanliness:
Property was as described and picturedThe house was beautifully decorated and the views of the lake were spectacularHost:
Everything is new and well thought out With the exception of all the rainThe host/owner Bryan made sure our stay went as expectedso the whole unit was rather darkYou can hear all movement above even when they use the bathroomwas good until the owner sent me an email asking if we had taken a pet after cleaner reported an "abundance of hair"Read more reviewsLocation:
It is very close to downtownMirror Lake is a wonderful location for visiting Highlands -- close to town with its shopping and restaurants but also set in a peaceful areathe deck and dock are a wonderful place to pass timebut my wife and I found it relaxing and quiethad a great view and was convenient to downtown Highlands and many great natural sites
6. Charming rustic log cabin 15 minutes from Highlands (from USD 199)
If it’s a rustic romantic retreat you’re after, then you may wish to consider this three-person log cabin cottage, which features all the decorative touches you could want - from exposed wooden beams to a charming roofed deck area on which to enjoy the woodland setting. What’s more, it’s just 15 minutes outside of Highlands by car, so you’ll not have far to drive to reach the town’s various eateries, bars, and shops. Naturally, the cottage’s location also means you won’t have to look far for outdoor activities. And, when you return to your holiday home-from-home at the end of a busy day, there are plenty of mod-cons to enjoy - from air conditioning and cable TV to Wifi internet and a kitchen. Past guests were suitably impressed, giving it top marks across the board.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cottage/cabin is beautiful with its rustic features and cozy warm and relaxing spacesthe rustic cottage is a cozy and relaxing place for spending time with the one you lovethe authenticity of the original cabin blends perfectly with the well-appointed additions of kitchen and bathwe also enjoyed the beautiful artwork books and comfortable bedbeautifully decorated with mix of antiques and comfortable upholsteryCleanliness:
your cabin is immaculately clean and very nicely decoratedclean quiet comfortable and charming with everything we neededclean cute and conveniently locatedtons of character very clean and very well thought out for guests’ enjoymentrichard's spotless and cozy cabin was perfect for a short getaway for me and my wifeHost:
richard is a thoughtful host who makes sure his home is equipped with everything you could needthe host was very responsive and the description is totally accuraterichard was a fantastic hostrichard is the best host ensuring every detail is taken care ofrichard was a great host we can’t wait to visit again soonRead more reviewsLocation:
super close to townfairly easy walk to downtownclose to beautiful waterfalls and hikingnice waterfalls and hikes close bywe loved it great location and very private
7. Romantic cottage for couples or families (from USD 189)
This recently refurbished two-bedroom cottage would suit families looking for a location within easy reach of the heart of the town as well as the popular Rhododendron Trail just 10 minutes’ away on foot. However, it would also make a popular option for couples seeking out a retreat amid the fine landscape around Highlands. The cottage features a lot of charming decor touches, including wood panel walls. There’s also some charming garden space in which to unwind - either on the deck or in the full open air on the patio. Mod-cons include air conditioning, cable TV, laundry facilities and Wifi. There’s also kitchen facilities, should you prefer a quiet family meal instead of walking the 0.8 miles (1.3 km) into the downtown area for food.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cottage is so comfortable that its hard to leave it to explore the areabest little two bedroom cabin in highlands luxury within the woods marble bathroom floor was heated and perfectwe highly recommend chris and julie's place for an upscale cozy environmentthe beds are incredibly comfortableCleanliness:
beautiful place convenient and immaculately cleanthe beds were super comfortable and the whole place was spotlessly cleanthe cottage is charming very clean and also very well-equippedthe cottage was clean private unique cozy and a perfect setting for what we needed/wantedwarm and cozy describes it it is beautifully decorated and sparkling cleanHost:
the hosts are so responsive and great with advicegreat hosts as wellfabulous accommodations and wonderful hostchris was an amazing hostamazing place and great hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
loved the location close to downtown highlandswithin walking distance to main street highlands the location is fabulousit's romantic and situated conveniently close to downtown highlandsjust a minute from town the location was great with lots of restaurants shopping and hiking nearbythe cabin is in a great location
8. Pet-friendly bungalow for up to five people
Another strong option for families - especially those with furry friends - this two-bedroom cottage can sleep up to five people and is pet-friendly to boot. Split over two floors, it comes equipped with plenty of home comforts. These include pocket Wifi - for planning your daily itinerary on the go - air conditioning, cable TV and a kitchen. There are also laundry facilities, which will come in useful for keeping on top of your clothes if you plan on enjoying some walking and other outdoor activities during your visit to the area. Former guests loved the “wonderful” cottage, and its cozy fireplace, giving it top marks across the board. Its location also places it within easy reach of Highlands’ various amenities.
Highlands, North Carolina, United StatesSuperhost
Accommodates: 5
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
great place in the highlands with lots of fun extras—popcorn coffee toiletries galore pet bedthe interior of the cottage is wonderfully decorated and the kitchen is very well stocked everything was providedexpect lovely setting in mirror lake comfortable beds exceptional outdoor decks and fully stocked kitchenthe beds and linens are high-end and super comfortablethis place is absolutely beautiful the space is warm and cozy and quiet with lots of extra touchesCleanliness:
it was very clean and fully stockedit is very clean and stocked with everything we neededshe had everything one would need and it was very cleanthe house itself is so unique comfortable stylish and cleanconvenient location clean set up with everything you need to enjoy and relaxHost:
jackie was a fabulous hostjackie is a wonderful hosthost is very attentive and helpfulfriendly and helpful hostjackie was a great host helpful at all timesRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is greatgreat location within walking distance of the lakeperfect location to downtown highlandsgreat location and very romanticvery close to town and nice neighborhood walking right out the door
9. Central two-bedroom cottage in Highlands
If you want the rustic-style charms of a wooden cottage, but don’t want to be far from the heart of Highlands then this chalet may just be the option for you. Its two bedrooms can sleep up to five people - making it ideal for families - and its position close to the downtown area means you will be within easy walking distance of a range of shops and award-winning eateries. What’s more, despite its central location, it is surrounded by trees, so you won’t feel cut off from nature. Indeed, it scored full marks for the location from impressed past guests, who also rated its cleanliness and value for money. There’s also plenty of mod-cons too, including air conditioning for added comfort, cable TV, laundry facilities, kitchen and pocket Wifi for staying connected during your stay.
Highlands, North Carolina, United StatesTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
quaint and cozy cottage with all the comforts of homebeds were comfortable toothe master bedroom is large with a walk-in closet and a very nice king size bedwould highly recommend decor was modern and comfortablethe living area is very comfortable with many games books and a large tvCleanliness:
clean and well suppliedvery comfortable and very cleanhouse was spotless and very comfortablethe house was very cool very clean closed everything in the bed was super comfortablethe chalet was warm and cosy yet felt spacious and comfortableHost:
jackie is a fantastic hostjackie is a wonderful hostjackie was very nice and accommodatingjackie was very responsive and accommodatingjackie was a fantastic host always available and provided great recommendationsRead more reviewsLocation:
beautiful and convenient locationit's location was perfectwhat a great location and cabinthe location is great and convenient to everythingthe location is perfect with easy access to downtown highlands
10. Charming cabin for up to four people
This charming cabin, which mixes a rustic exterior with a modern and smartly furnished interior, has won many a fan among past guests - who adored the woodland setting, the “attractive decor” and the wider area’s popular walks. Ideal as a romantic retreat for two, or small families, this two-bedroom property can sleep up to four people. What’s more, while you’ll likely plan on using your own transport to explore the wider landscape, the walk into the town’s Main Street is just 0.5 mile (0.8 km), so you won’t have far to wander to reach local amenities. The property is also well-equipped, boasting a full kitchen, TV, air conditioning and internet access. There is even a wooden deck terrace and outside hammocks on which to unwind in the country air.
Accommodates: 4
Minimum Nights: 4
Refund Policy :
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
would have liked a curtain or shade on back (bedroom door) and more light in bathroom (small lamp)Cleanliness:
clean comfortable and well decoratedHost:
owner was easy to work with and availablekristy is wonderful kind positive outlook and resolved our only problemRead more reviewsLocation:
it’s close proximity to the quaint downtown of highlands keeps one close to fantastic restaurants and fun shopsgreat little cottage within walking distance to downtownthe cabin is absolutely perfect as is the location to town and the surrounding mountainswe were able to easily walk to town with our dog and drive short distances to enjoyable hikesclean environment comfortable beds cool shower great tv access great cooking environment easy walk to downtown
11. Peaceful pet-friendly cabin for up to four people
This stylish designer cabin has proven to be a popular home-from-home for delighted former guests, who rate its charming decor and facilities very highly. And it’s easy to see why. This peaceful retreat is set on a vast wooded site that will make for a great spot to unwind. What’s more, it is located in the same neighborhood (and run by the same host) as number three on the list - opening up the possibility of booking both sites if you plan on traveling in a larger group (availability allowing). Naturally, this also places it within easy reach of Main Street on foot just 0.5 miles (0.8 km) away. Amenities are also good, from widescreen TVs, laundry facilities and air conditioning to internet access and a fireplace. There’s even a large range oven for conjuring up hearty family meals.
Accommodates: 4
Minimum Nights: 4
Refund Policy :
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
from the super comfortable beds to the quaint kitchen and fireplaceCleanliness:
the cabin was cozy clean and comfortableher properties are consistently clean well decorated and above all comfortablethere were cobwebs on the windows and lights and could probably use a good deep cleanHost:
thank yo so much to the owners everything was fantasticthe owner kristy was quick to respond to any questions and very helpful and professionalRead more reviewsLocation:
good location fully stocked and beautifully furnishedcharming cabin close to town but feels peaceful and secludedproperty was amazing and so close to downtown our family had a great tripabout a 10 minute walk which is wonderful during season when parking spots are harder to come byhome layout style and location were perfect for our family vacation
North Carolina's natural charms await
Highlands, its natural charms and its various outdoor activities are out there waiting for you. And, with plenty of top vacation rentals from which to choose, you are sure to find the property that is just right for you.
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