Special Note on COVID-19

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have operated the Arbor Cabins in the same safe, conscientious, guest-centered fashion that we always have.

We do all of our own cleaning, and many of our guest reviews use the words “impeccable” and “meticulous” to describe the cabins. That said, viruses are invisible! We would like to assure you that hygiene is at the core of our cleaning practices, including proper application of disinfectant products on all obvious surfaces (countertops, tables, sinks and tub) and fixtures (faucets and taps, doorknobs, light switches, drawer pulls, appliance handles) as well as frequently-handled items like remote controls. We wear nitrile gloves at all times when cleaning and preparing the cabins, including when handling bed and bath linens. We provide plenty of bar and liquid soap for use in the bath and kitchen.

As always, we recommend purchasing a trip insurance policy if an unforeseen cancellation would cause you financial hardship. Please visit http://www.insuremytrip.com.

We look forward to hosting you and providing you a restful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q:  Are the cabins on the lake?

A:  No—but we are just ¼ mile from the Lake Lure Public Beach and Marina.  (Fun fact about Lake Lure real estate:  lakefront footage adds at least $500-$700K to a property's tax assessed value; for that reason, most lakefront properties are either used exclusively by families who can afford a vacation home, or if available for rental have a very high nightly cost.)

Q:  Do the cabins have a view of the lake or the mountains?

A:  “Tall Oaks” has a lovely view of Chimney Rock, except in summer when the foliage is thickest.  The other cabins and cottage are surrounded by gorgeous mature hickory, magnolia, hemlock and other native trees and plants.  You will experience a "cabin in the woods."

Q:  How many people may sleep in a cabin?  Do you have any cabins with multiple bedrooms?

A:  Each of our cabins and cottage accommodates a maximum of two adults (and two pets, for our pet friendly lodging), without exception.  They are all open-plan, with no separate bedroom(s).  If you are traveling with a larger number of family or friends, please ask about multi-cabin discounts.

Q:  Are the cabins family-friendly?

A:  No.  The vast majority of our guests are couples seeking an “adults-only” romantic retreat.  Allowing children would also pose safety concerns, as our cabins (including hot tubs) are not child-proofed.  We do welcome older children if in the company of a parent or other adult relative; the two-person maximum per cabin still applies.

Q:  Do you have a minimum age requirement?

A:  All guests must be at least 21, except in the case of an older child traveling with a parent or other relative.

Q:  Do you have a minimum stay requirement?

A:  We now require a two-night minimum stay at all times; this may be increased to three nights for certain holiday weekends or other periods of high demand.

Q:  What time is check-in?  Check-out?

A:  Our standard check-in time is between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m.  If you expect to arrive in the area early, please plan on having lunch in one of our local eateries, browsing some of the many shops, visiting attractions, or otherwise spending a relaxed afternoon in the Hickory Nut Gorge.  We can no longer offer guaranteed early check-in or late check-out due to occupancy levels and necessary time for cleaning.

Q:  Do you offer discounts to military personnel, state employees, seniors or other special groups?

A:  We prefer to make specials and promotions available to all of our guests rather than distinguishing based on employment, group membership or other personal characteristics.  We do include extras with many of our reservations, including wine (or non-alcoholic alternative) for those celebrating a special occasion. 

Q:  Are the cabins accessible to persons with disabilities?

A:  Unfortunately, we do not offer accessible accommodation.  For individuals with mobility issues, please consider that all of the cabins are a short, but uphill, walk from the parking area on gravel paths and with some stairs.  Our cabins have combination bathtub/showers without grab bars.  If you are unsure, please speak to us prior to making a reservation so we can determine if our property is a good fit for you.

Q:  Are the hot tubs really private?

A:  Yes!  Each cabin and cottage has its own two-person hot tub on an exclusive deck or patio surrounded by a privacy fence.  You will feel perfectly comfortable going au naturel.

Q:  Do you have Internet?

A:  All of our cabins and cottage have free Wi-Fi.  You will find that cell phone service on our property and in the Lake Lure area in general can be spotty, so please plan accordingly.  Unplug!  Relax!

Q:  Are there restaurants nearby?  How about a grocery store?

A:  We have plenty of dining options available in the area, including several within walking distance of The Arbor and others a five-minute drive away in Chimney Rock Village.  Options will be somewhat more limited if you are visiting us in the off-season (December-March), or arriving after 9:00 p.m. any time of year.  Please see “Where to Go and What to Do” under the “Visitor’s Guide” section of our website.  As for groceries, there is a large, clean and well-stocked Ingles supermarket on Route 9 about a ten-minute drive from The Arbor.  Many of our guests choose to bring groceries along with them so they can settle right into their cabin upon arrival.  The nearest big-box stores are in Hendersonville, about a 25-minute drive.

Q:  Do you provide linens?

A:  We furnish all bed linens and an ample supply of bath towels, washcloths and hand towels, as well as bathrobes for use during your stay.  However, if you plan to visit the beach or participate in other water-based activities, we ask you to bring your own swimming or beach towels.  The same is true if you will be outdoors with your dog(s) in rain/mud/snow or other inclement conditions.

Q:  Do you provide toiletries?

A:  We try to make your getaway as stress-free as possible by providing necessary supplies including bath and hand soap, shampoo and conditioner, makeup removal wipes, facial tissues, toilet paper, and paper towels.  If you wear cosmetics, we recommend you bring your preferred makeup removal products.  Each cabin and cottage is also furnished with useful items like a hair dryer, ironing board and iron, laundry hamper, first aid kit and flashlight.

Q:  Anything special or extra we should bring?

A:  As noted above, we do ask that you bring your own swimming/beach/drying towels if you and/or your pets plan to get wet in the lake, river or any other outdoor body of water.  We always recommend sunscreen and insect repellent in the summer months, as well as layering items such as rain jackets and fleece since our local weather can be quite changeable.  We also suggest flip-flops or indoor/outdoor slippers for use on your deck or patio (especially in the Hemlock Cottage).  If you're visiting us in the summer months and like COOOOOLD beverages, you might consider buying an extra bag of ice as the ice-makers in our fridges are not the fastest.

Q:  What is included for breakfast?

A:  Each cabin is stocked with eggs (from a local supplier when available), homemade bread and muffins, fresh fruit and hot cereal.  We also provide coffee, tea, cocoa, butter, jam and creamers.  The same supplies are offered in the Hemlock Cottage, without eggs since it is a kitchenette only.  Please note that this is a "cook your own" breakfast, as we are not licensed as a B&B.

Q:  Are the kitchens ready to cook in?

A:  In your cabin you will find a four-burner electric stove with oven, a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, toaster and coffee maker; a good variety of pots, pans, baking dishes, knives and utensils; glassware, dishes and flatware; and basic cleaning supplies.  The Hemlock Cottage has a kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, glassware, dishes and flatware.

Q:  Do you offer housekeeping services?

A:  For shorter stays of up to 3 nights, we don’t provide housekeeping, but we will exchange towels and remove trash and recyclables upon request.  For stays of 4 nights or more, we offer a refresh midway through your stay, including hot tub maintenance, linen exchange, replenishment of breakfast items and light cleaning as required.

Q:  Is there on-site laundry?

A:  We don't have guest laundry facilities; the closest laundromat is the Lost Sock in Hendersonville, about 20 minutes away.

Q:  Is there a grill?

A:  There is a large gas grill available for use by all guests (first come, first served) in our central pavilion/picnic area.

Q:  Do you allow smoking?

A:  We permit smoking (and vaping) outdoors only, including the back deck or patio of your cabin and the pavilion; smoking inside the cabin will result in a $250 cleaning fee.  We do ask that you be considerate of other guests, especially when smoking in the pavilion.  Smoking is prohibited in other common spaces including the parking area and access pathways.

Q:  Do you require a deposit?

A:  We require a 50% deposit at the time of booking, with the balance due on the day of arrival. In addition, a $200 refundable damage deposit may be collected at check-in for first-time guests.

Q:  Can we pay with cash?

A:  Yes, we accept cash for payment of your cabin or cottage rental, if agreed in advance.  However, we still require a credit card to hold the reservation and to have on file for any incidentals or extra charges.  If you do not have a credit card, please contact us in advance to make other arrangements.

Q:  Do you have parking for trailers, campers, or other large vehicles?

A:  We cannot accommodate any trailers, campers or RVs.  If you have a choice between vehicles, we recommend bringing the smaller one.  If you plan to bring more than one vehicle per cabin, please let us know in advance.

Q:  Do you allow motorcycles?

A:  Yes, we welcome riders, as long as you feel comfortable on a gravel drive and parking area.  Tell us in advance that that is your vehicle of choice, so we can recommend/reserve the best parking spot for your bikes.