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

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Indoor pool, outdoor pool
Outdoor dining
Interior
Interior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 14

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Dryer
  • Pool
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Hot Tub

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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

Property manager

Travis Eckert

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing
  • Ski lift privileges
  • Snowboarding nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Heated pool
  • Hot tub
  • Indoor pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Sauna

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Memory foam mattress
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 3.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video games
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Boat
  • Foosball table
  • Golf
  • Gym
  • Heated pool
  • Kayak
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Ski lift privileges
  • Snow sports gear
  • Table tennis
  • Tennis
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Property located in a resort
  • Unit size: 3,100 square feet

Similar properties

Property grounds

Treehouse - Luxury mountain living at the water’s edge of Hogback Lake

  • Pool
  • Hot Tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, 65 reviews
Treehouse - Luxury mountain living at the water’s edge of Hogback Lake

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: Most dogs allowed. Non-refundable PET FEE applies.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Families are very warmly welcomed!

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Once Upon Stream Rushing Mountain Stream Pet-friendly House
Once Upon Stream Rushing Mountain Stream Pet-friendly Sapphire
Once Upon Stream Rushing Mountain Stream Pet-friendly House
Once Upon Stream Rushing Mountain Stream Pet-friendly Sapphire
Once Upon Stream Rushing Mountain Stream Pet-friendly
Once Upon A Stream Rushing Mountain Stream Pet friendly!
Once Upon A Stream Rushing Mountain Stream Pet friendly!

About the neighborhood

Map
Sapphire, NC

What's nearby

  • Hogback Lake - 1 min drive - 0.4 km
  • Sapphire National Golf Club - 5 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Whisper Lake - 8 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Gorges State Park - 10 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Lake Toxaway - 13 min drive - 9.4 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cornucopia Restaurant - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Ugly Dog Public House - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Whiteside Brewing Company - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Orchard - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Bucks Coffee Cafe of Cashiers - ‬13 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.

Is ONCE UPON A STREAM- Storybook cottage on stream, perfect for family gatherings. pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this 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.?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

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

This family-friendly Sapphire vacation home is located on a river, within a 15-minute walk of Nantahala National Forest and Hogback Lake. Whisper Lake is 2.9 mi (4.6 km) away.

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 61 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 66 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10

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

10/10

Loved the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10

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

8/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

Fun property. Easy to get to. Close to small ski resort, great for teaching young ladies to ski.
Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

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

10/10

Travis is very quick to respond and answer all questions. “Once Upon A Stream” was ideal and suited all our family’s needs. Even though we lost power for over 8 hours on Saturday, we were able to take advantage of the community center. A beautiful home, a wonderful place and more importantly a Christmas for our family and group of 14 to remember for a lifetime! Thank you, Travis!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The house is magnificent, clean and perfect for weekend getaway. Having a close by Ingles was a plus and the internet / dish network. We loved the supersize puppy cage and our 2 puppies loved going in it. THE OWNER rocks. Very prompt, communicative and professional. The wine gift were a great touch and the housekeeper helped us to get our luggage back. I can’t take the owner and housekpper enough. We will be back....,
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

Our family of five had such a great time at the Once Upon a Stream cabin. The house was fully equipped with everything from extra pillows, pots/pans, knives, plenty of towels, tv's in every bedroom, plenty of seating, DVD players, WiFi, great backyard with stream, comfortable bedding, plenty of space. It was perfect and we plan to go back again this fall. The owners are quick to communicate, gave detailed directions, and very accessible leading up to (and during) our stay.... and gracious. The location was great- close to Cashiers, Highlands, Blue Ridge Parkway and more. Our four year old could have spent the entire trip exploring in the creek outside the back door. Thank you for letting us stay at your cottage and we look forward to returning in the very near future! 5 stars!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Once Upon a Stream. We were a party of 4 adults, 2 small children and a small dog and the house setup was ideal - a good size inside, and with plenty of outdoor space to explore and nice views of the Fall trees. We did have a handful of issues (internet problems, an empty gas tank for the grill) but the owner was quick to respond on both (though unfortunately there wasn't a spare gas tank on site which was a bit annoying as we had planned to grill out - and were done driving!). There's lots to do in the surrounding area. It is worth noting that it is a few miles from the property to the Sapphire Valley resort amenities which we hadn't quite appreciated in advance.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

I stayed with my small family (husband, daughter and dog) and we loved this house! My daughter had the entire lofted 2nd floor (2 bedrooms and small living area) to herself and she loved it! It was very well appointed with high-quality beds, linens and a well-equipped kitchen. The location is private but not isolated and the view into the woods is very relaxing. It is about 10 minutes to Cashiers and 30 to Highlands which means it's very convenient to many of the beautiful waterfalls & swimming holes you'll want to enjoy! Travis was super-professional and provided a lot of great information about the home and area prior to arrival. Any communication with him was always answered promptly. We generally never repeat the same rental as we like to explore different homes/locations but this one may be the exception. It was the perfect, relaxing getaway with my family! Thank you Travis for sharing your wonderful home with us.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10

We greatly enjoyed our stay at Once Upon a Stream for a late summer vacation with old friends and to see the solar eclipse as it passed over the Sapphire Valley. The house is clean and well appointed, and the kitchen equipped with everything you need to cook/grill. We originally booked because the house seemed perfect for families with small children; we weren't disappointed. The owners have thoughtfully provided a pack n' play as well as a toddler-size inflatable bed. Our four-year-olds really enjoyed the bunkroom, which included a closet full of toys and games. We also spent a great deal of time on the deck enjoying the secluded forest view and listening to the creek running down the slope. The rental also included amenities passes to the Sapphire Valley resort and we had a blast at the outdoor swimming pool as well as boating and swimming in the nearby lake. Lastly, Travis, the owner, was a great resource for things to do both leading up to and and during our stay. With young kids of his own, he was able to provide a number of helpful tips and ideas for excursions that the whole family could enjoy. I would highly recommend Once Upon a Stream for families of all sizes looking for a relaxing mountain getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017

10/10

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10

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