See all properties
Entire home

Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub

Family-friendly stay with outdoor pool in Lake Toxaway

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub

A large, two-story house with a stone foundation, multiple windows, and a covered porch.
A spacious living room with a fireplace, bookshelves, a sofa, and large windows.
A spacious kitchen with a large island, pendant lighting, and a view of the outdoors through large windows.
A large, two-story lodge with a stone facade and multiple windows, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn and a golf course.
A modern kitchen with two islands, pendant lighting, and large windows.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms6 bathroomsSleeps 125500 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly

Explore the area

View in a map
Lake Toxaway, NC
  • Place, Lake Toxaway
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Jocassee
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Place, Western Carolina University
    ‪56 min drive‬
  • Airport, Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    ‪65 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Lake Toxaway

On lake.You'll find Nantahala National Forest and Lake Toxaway within a 15-minute walk of this Lake Toxaway vacation home. Gorges State Park and Pisgah National Forest are also within 6 miles (10 km).
View more Vacation Homes in Lake ToxawayOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Lake Toxaway - 15 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Lake Jocassee - 37 min drive - 19.7 miles
  • Lake Keowee - 46 min drive - 32.9 miles
  • Western Carolina University - 56 min drive - 39.5 miles
  • Fred W. Symmes Chapel - 60 min drive - 40.8 miles

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Grand Olde Station at Lake Toxaway - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Mica's Restaurant - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Los Vaqueros - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Panthertown Cafe - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Canyon Kitchen - ‬25 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub


Welcome to Cardinal Zen. The only private, high elevation lake in the United States (3,000+ ft elevation). Access to the exclusive Lake Toxaway Golf & Tennis Club and Tom Fazio Learning Center. Easter to Thanksgiving.**Since 1903, the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Firestones, Henry Ford, R. J. Reynolds, President James Buchanan, Thomas Edison and now Tom Fazio, America’s Fortune 500 CEO’s and entrepreneurial titans call this home and refer to this glorious private lake escape as "Little Switzerland."

Extraordinary 5-bedroom 5 and 1/2 bath, 6,000 square foot lake front home with 300-feet of lake frontage. Breathtaking water views from almost every room. Professionally furnished and decorated.

FEATURES
*Motouk linens, Stearns & Foster pillow top mattresses
*Gourmet fully equipped kitchen (Le Creuset cookware, herbs, spices, professional knives)
*Lakefront 6-person saline hot tub
*Two great rooms
*5-on suite king bedrooms
*Game room
*Fitness room
*Four wood burning fireplaces
*Screened porch with stunning lake and wooded views and wood burning fireplace
*Vast, gently sloping lawn with surrounding forest and creek. Perfect for children and adults.
***Club access requires guest membership for additional fees

ACTIVITIES
Golf, tennis(clay courts), pickle ball, croquet, fitness center
Swimming
Paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing
Water skiing & tubing
Hiking (vast waterfall trails)
Fishing
Mountain biking
Horseback riding
Casual and fine dining

PRIVACY
Security cameras are only located outside the primary entrance to the front and rear of Cardinal Zen. They are not monitored and are only reviewed in the event of a security incident.

Similar properties

Property amenity
Hampton Inn & Suites Cashiers Sapphire Valley
Sapphire
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Air conditioning
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 770 reviews
$127 nightly
The price is $143
Sep 13 - Sep 14
Total with taxes and fees
Hampton Inn & Suites Cashiers Sapphire Valley

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Pool/Spa

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

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Car required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 5.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

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

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Boat
  • Golf
  • Gym
  • Heated pool
  • Kayak
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Snow sports gear
  • Table tennis
  • Tennis
  • Water sports equipment
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks 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

  • Electric car charging station
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Property located in a resort
  • Unit size: 5,500 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 30

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
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 has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Lakefront Estate Golf Club/spa/tennis/boating/hiking/fishing

Frequently asked questions

How close is Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub to the airport?

This vacation home is 38.5 mi (60-min drive) away from the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub have a pool?

This vacation home features an outdoor pool.

Does Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub have a spa?

This vacation home doesn't have a spa, but it does offer massages.

How close is Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub to downtown Lake Toxaway?

This vacation home is 2 mi away from Lake Toxaway.

Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, 3k elevation,Tennis,Boating,Hike,Hot Tub Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 107 out of 113 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 113 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 113 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 113 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 113 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liz K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house, well appointed kitchen, comfortable seating areas. View of lake and outdoor areas are also very nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Chad G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Multiple repeat stays. Cannot say enough about this house, view, yard, location, etc. Already thinking about our next visit.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Hugh H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house and wonderful location…..
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Perry L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Stay at the perfect home

We have stayed at this wonderful home before. This trip was excellent also !
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Audrey R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely fireplaces
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Charles R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property

Very nice vacation spot right on a private lake
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Betsey W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

Beautiful house with a beautiful view of the lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

A very beautiful location and home - perfect for a stress free getaway!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

C Michael E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family house

Plenty of room and well appointed for our kids and grandkids. What a beautiful setting!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Allison F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing house

We stayed here for a family vacation with three generations. It was the perfect house. Enjoyed being on the lake and all the upgraded features. Theresa was very responsive and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Chad G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a house! What a view!

Beautiful well appointed house right on the lake. Quiet, so quiet and relaxing. Kitchen is amazing. Wish we could have stayed longer. And will return.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

john m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idyllic!

Truly a idyllic setting with all the amenities close by that you could experience in a week’s time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Patricia T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Great Yard and Fun Lake

Nice big yard for kids and games. Paddles boards and canoe on the lake was fun for all ages.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Hendrick S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious, bright, peaceful

The most enjoyed feature was the large gently sloping lawn and the dock for sitting with drinks and watching the kids on watercraft. Overall, a nice time for the family.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Hugh H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cardinal Zen

Amazing house… This vacation was fantastic primarily due to this wonderful home on Lake Cardinal. House is beautiful and had everything you could possibly need. Host was very attentive and responded quickly to any questions I had prior to and during the stay. Will look forward to our next visit here.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Helen S.

Beautiful views and plenty of space

This is a fabulous property. The house is beautiful, big and well appointed (even have coffee and spices). We really enjoyed the dock and water toys. Easy drive to Greystone - about 5 or so minutes. Highly recommend!.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Carole K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cardinal Lake Getaway

Loved the size of the house and location was perfect. The recessed rooms could be an issue for older individuals. Especially the step down into the master bedroom.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tricia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake Paradise

Beautiful home right on private lake with easy access to the dock. Pet friendly and our dogs had a blast splashing and exploring the forest paths. Private, quiet, spacious, fully stocked home with gorgeous views for working remotely while we tried to enjoy some down time. Great experience and hope to come back soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Getaway

The property was as described in the description. Plenty of room to spread out and the kitchen was wonderful to cook in. All we needed was provided. The furnishings were more than comfortable with so much style. The beds were extremely comfortable!!! I would recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation at Lake Cardinal

Also, notice this house is NOT on Lake Toxaway. It's on Cardinel Lake. A small, beautiful, quiet lake above it with no motors allowed. <3
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for Family Time

Second time staying at Cardinal Zen. We love it. Plenty of space for adults / couples with five king bedrooms each with own bath. Family room and outdoor porch are big enough for all to sit comfortably (and have great fireplaces). Dock is perfect for sunny afternoons (and canoe/kayaks great too). Lake Toxaway is beautiful. Our family enjoys the upper lake for its quiet and stillness. We highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Pat J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Gathering

Manager was very responsive with all of our concerns after a severe storm impacted the area prior to our arrival. Found the home to be a welcome retreat for our extended family allowing each of us to escape to our own lovely nooks! The 5, 7 & the young at heart year olds stayed outside all day playing in the lake. The nearby hike to a waterfall provided great family pictures for this year’s Christmas cards:)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sam C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Terrrific Toxaway

What a fantastic week we had here! This house with all of the fantastic amenities along with use of the country club is a very rare find. The screen porch and the gentle sloping yard were huge favorites amongst our group. Theresa was also very responsive to any needs or questions we had. We typically don't go to the same place twice, but we have already booked this house again for next summer- Can't wait!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Robyn H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Break from Helene and Engagement weekend

Upon arriving to a beautiful home on the lake, music and champagne greeted us. We needed the calm, the beauty, the amazing comfort and ease of Cardinal Zen. Words cannot express what this house did for us after 15 days of turmoil in Asheville after Helene. Our youngest daughter was proposed to on Saturday and what a beautiful setting to be in Toxaway. Theresa is amazing too! Very responsive and kind.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location, great for large family gatherings, spacious & meticulous home

Our family of 12 stayed here in May . We loved sitting on the screened porch by the fire for coffee and conversations in the mornings. During the days, we ventured on hikes to Black Balsam, Rainbow Falls, Lake Toxaway River Trail, and Meadow Ridge. We played tennis at the clubhouse and the tennis pros were so helpful and friendly. Our kids caught crappies, trout & bass in the lake and enjoyed paddling the canoes & paddle boards. It was so relaxing to sit in the dock in the evenings and in the hot tub on cool nights. The home has a game room that our older teens loved using in the evenings- ping pong, poker & card table . They could stay up late watching movies in there without disturbing those who went to bed earlier. The property manager was easily accessible and quick to respond to our needs. We will definitely stay here again in we travel back to the area.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025