Luxury Treetop Cottage | Artist's Retreat | Walk to Highlands Main St

One-of-a-kind artist's studio nestled in the treetops of Highlands, NC — where luxury meets the forest canopy.

Welcome to Adirondack Cottage — a former artist's studio transformed into one of Highlands' most extraordinary private retreats. Perched among ancient hemlock trees and wrapped in old-growth rhododendrons, this iconic two-bedroom cottage earns its beloved nickname, "the treehouse," within moments of arrival. With dramatic 20-foot vaulted ceilings, skylights, a spa-inspired slate shower, and artisan décor around every corner, this is a stay that guests return to year after year.
Best of all? Main Street Highlands — the Southeast's premier mountain dining and shopping destination — is a flat, half-mile walk from your front door.

The Cottage
Adirondack Cottage's cedar shake exterior and antique windows hint at the character waiting inside. A surrounding screen of rhododendrons and hemlocks delivers complete privacy, making the property feel like a private treehouse deep in the forest — even though you're steps from town.
Inside, the soaring open-plan main floor is flooded with natural light from multiple skylights and original windows. Wood-paneled walls, bold colorful accents, and one-of-a-kind artisan touches give the space a warmth and creativity that reflects its artistic origins. This isn't a generic vacation rental — every detail was chosen with intention.

Bedrooms & Sleeping Arrangements
Primary Bedroom — King bed with premium memory foam mattress, flat-screen Smart TV, private hallway access
Guest Bedroom — Queen bed with premium memory foam mattress, adjacent to main living area
Bathroom — Spa-inspired slate walk-in shower (shared, accessible from main hallway)

Memory foam throughout — guests consistently call the beds among the most comfortable they've slept in.

Living Spaces
The heart of the cottage is a dramatic L-shaped great room anchored by 20-foot ceilings and a wall of skylights. The fully equipped kitchen opens to a charming bistro dining nook, while the living area provides a cozy retreat after a day of exploring. A hallway lined with built-in bookshelves connects the main space to the primary bedroom and bathroom — perfect for unwinding with a novel on a rainy Highlands afternoon.
Two red Adirondack chairs on the front porch complete the picture, set among the hemlocks with the sounds of the forest all around.

Amenities
✔ Spa-style slate shower
✔ Premium memory foam beds in both bedrooms
✔ Smart TVs with cable (living room + primary bedroom)
✔ High-speed WiFi
✔ Fully stocked kitchen with essentials
✔ Private parking for 2 vehicles
✔ Pet friendly with prior approval (nominal fee applies)
✔ Front porch with Adirondack chairs


Location
Adirondack Cottage is situated within Highlands town limits, tucked near Harris Lake in a quiet, flat neighborhood that locals use as their walking and jogging loop. From the cottage, it's a gentle half-mile stroll along a flat path directly to Main Street.
Highlands, NC is the mountain destination of the Southeast — a walkable village at 4,118 feet, lined with acclaimed restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, and museums. At that elevation, it sits within one of the only temperate rainforests in North America, attracting botanists, photographers, and nature lovers from across the continent. Once a summer and fall secret, Highlands has grown into a sought-after year-round escape.

Outdoor Recreation Nearby
Highlands is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. Within a short drive, guests have access to:

Hiking & waterfall trails
Whitewater rafting & tubing
Fly fishing & canoeing
Horseback riding
Road & mountain biking


House Rules & Policies
Pets welcome with prior approval and a nominal pet fee
Travel insurance is strongly encouraged — Highlands weather is part of its magic, but mountain conditions can be unpredictable. We are unable to issue refunds for weather-related or personal emergency cancellations.