It is heartbreaking to report, our cottage was not spared in the WNC catastrophe. We have high hopes to have the chance to rebuild in the future. We would like to thank all of our previous guests who have reached out with kind words and fond memories. You made this adventure worth it. Please keep an eye out for when we rebuild 🤍——————————Our cottage is snuggled along Richland Creek, near the historic district of Frog Level & downtown Waynesville. Restaurants, breweries, coffee, & local shops are a pleasant walk away.
You can be on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in 20 minutes. Our location is perfect for those who want the convenience of being in the middle of it all, but still desire privacy & the authentic mountain town experience.
The space
The Willow Cottage was built in the early 1940’s & owned by my grandmother, Helen. Being a Floridian, she spent many of her summers here- sewing, gardening, & painting. She believed in always living close to water. Many of the furniture pieces also belonged to her. The Rose of Sharon blooming trees that line the driveway were planted by her nearly 30 years ago.
My intention with sharing our home is for visitors to have a place to visit, relax, explore, & leave feeling inspired & restored. All things that were important to Helen.
The Porch-
Chances are, this is where you will be spending most of your time while at The Willow. It is a large covered area overlooking the creek. A comfy sectional is provided for you to soak in the views.
Right beyond the porch, enjoy the fire pit & seating area overlooking the water.
Fun Fact- Almost directly across from the porch, on the embankment on the opposite side of the river, you may catch a glimpse of some rusty metal. My grandmother told me a car in the 60’s went over the side. The owners had no way of getting it back up the slope, so there it still sits!
The Living Space-
Once inside you will find a space sprinkled with character! In the living room you will find a sitting area & velvet sofa. A large flat screen tv to entertain when desired. A small book collection & games can be found in the hutch, as well as a place to hold your purses, keys, glasses, etc. With this being a historic home, there is no central heat/air, so window units and portable heaters are provided & can be found in the bedrooms. We also have a wood burning stove in the living room. During the winter months, Dec-Feb, our guests will want to use the fireplace. You will find the firewood stocked, and fire place tools next to the stove. We provide your first batch of wood, but if you burn a lot of wood you may have to venture to the store for additional wood. Please do not use this wood for the outdoor firepit as this is typically the reason our guests run out of wood.
The Kitchen-
Joining the living space, is a small but well functioning kitchen. Most cooking necessities are provided, as well as some herbs & spices. While we do not offer a microwave, you will find a stove/oven, toaster oven & toaster. There is a coffee & tea station available. Please note, the fridge does not have a ice maker, so you may want to grab a bag if you use a lot of ice!
The Bedrooms & Bathroom-
Each room has a queen sized bed, topped with super soft bedding! The 2 bedrooms are joined by a Jack-n-Jill bathroom. Enjoy views & sounds of the creek from each bedroom & the bathroom. Every window opens easily & is equipped with screens for those who enjoy the coolness coming off of the creek.
The bathroom has a tub with shower. Once again, with this being a historic home, please DO NOT flush anything other than toilet paper- the city pipes leading to the house are old & will back up. In here you can also find a first aid kit, shampoo/conditioner & body wash.
The property is surrounded by trees, water & lots of plant life, due to this natural setting, insects & spiders may make this area their home. We do use a pro service; however, depending on the time of year you visit, you may encounter some of these guys outside during your stay. Citronella candles are provided on the porch to help deter them. I recommend if you’re highly sensitive to insects, you may want to bring bug spray of your choice.
Enjoy some of our favorites:
Panacea Coffee House- Located along the same creek as the cottage. Enjoy fresh coffee and breakfast + lunch plates. 12 minute walk or 2 minute drive.
Frog Level Brewery- Located next door the Panacea. Here you will find a unique industrial brewery with delicious beer + food! Comfy living room like interior and cool Creekside hangout out back. 12 minute walk or 2 min drive.
Boojum Brewery Taproom- Found downtown, this is a personal favorite dinner spot! Full liquor bar, and broad food menu! Try the So Gouda Chicken. Sitting inside and outside! 19 minute walk or 4 minute drive.
Sauced- Pizza, Tacos, Taps- Our go to for pizza! Usually open later than most, and is a popular hang with the locals. Located on Main St, downtown. 17 min walk or 4 min drive
Mast General Store- Has been around forever! You can find anything you might need here! Hiking gear, clothing, gifts, jewelry, local art. One of my favorite shopping experiences. 18 min walk or 4 min drive
Sliding Rock- If you’re visiting during the summer months, Sliding Rock is a must! It’s about 30 miles from the cottage & worth the drive! It’s a water fall with a gentle slope about 60ft long, ending in a deep swimming pool. Other waterfalls available for viewing are nearby as well. Be sure to pack your suit & towel!
Nearby Towns to visit-
Maggie Valley- 8 miles
Cherokee- 25 miles
Asheville- 29 miles
Biltmore Estate- 30 miles
Guest access
The entire cottage and property is yours to enjoy!
Other things to note
There is a fire pit provided on the property. Please use with caution and good judgment . Please only burn clean firewood (no trash, plastic, etc)
In the backyard, you will find a old shed. We have plans to have it removed as it has reached the end of its life ;) Please do not enter (lots of spiders in there!)