This adorable stone cottage is straight out of a fairy tale! Just half a mile from Twin Ridge Recreation Area at Philpott Lake, the cottage is an ideal retreat in the quiet country for boaters, kayakers, fishing lovers, and hikers. Decades ago it was a speakeasy and poker parlor; today, it’s an adventure outpost in the real, way-out country. After a long day paddling or hiking, fire up the wood-heated cedar hot tub and look up at the stars. The main, 700-square foot cottage has two rooms - a bright, spacious front living room, and a back room with kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Gas logs keep the cottage toasty on the coldest nights, and in the summer, open up the windows and let the mountain breezes blow through. A vintage art-deco china cabinet is filled with books, DVDs, puzzles, and cards for relaxing evenings in.
The kitchen features an apartment-size 4-burner stove and oven, full-size fridge, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker. Antique Hoosier cabinets retain the classic country feel. The kitchen is equipped with all you need to cook your meals (there’s no take-out or delivery at this getaway).
The bathroom is stocked with towels, toilet paper, and basic necessities. As a country house, the cottage is on a septic system, so please don’t flush paper towels, sanitary products, baby wipes, or anything but toilet paper (and, you know)!
A comfy queen-size bed and a lovely antique wardrobe for your clothes complete a simple but cozy home away from home. Two loveseats in the living room pull out into single beds if you need separate sleeping arrangements.
Note for the history geeks - the back portion of the cottage was the OC (original cabin). Back in the ‘50s, it was the prime destination for folks who wanted to sip a little moonshine and play some cards where the sheriff would be none the wiser. Buy some white whiskey from one of the local distilleries and keep that speakeasy spirit alive for your stay!
Another note for the tech-attached: The cottage is rural, and cell service is spotty. You can check your email and upload some IG pics, but don’t count on Netflix out here. US Cellular and Verizon get the best reception; AT&T, not so much. So come prepared to cut the cord (figuratively speaking) - it’s a great place to sweat out your tech withdrawal.
Reminder - No Wifi, just cell service.
There is a television set, but no TV service. We provide a load of DVDs, so find some old favorites or discover some new ones!
Please Note: Max occupancy for the stone cottage is 2. Additional guests must add on a fee for the Tiny House next door.
Tiny House Add-on Option
Add on up to three additional guests ($125 additional charge per night), and they can stay in the 160-square foot Camp Host tiny house. The tiny is a lovely little home of its own, also fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, queen-size loft bed and twin daybed. Built by noted tiny-home builder J.P. Kirk, it’s a perfect space for anyone who wants to Try Tiny!
(Note: the queen bed is in a loft, so you must be able to climb a ladder.)
Outdoor Space:
The cottage features a fenced-in courtyard surrounded by lush elephant ears, rose bushes, hostas, and daffodils.
A four-person cedar hot tub is an inviting luxury for cool nights, but be aware - it's a luxury you have to work for. The tub is heated by a wood-fired stove, so it’ll take a few hours of feeding to get it cooking. Guests are responsible for fire safety, so use at your own risk. Turn out all the lights for the most stars you'll see outside of an official Dark Sky Site.
Outside the courtyard, light some logs in the stone fire ring to get that campground feel - after all, s’mores just aren’t the same on gas logs! Gather around the wooden picnic table for meals in the fresh country air, or just lay out a blanket on the wide lawn and look for shapes in the clouds.
Between the cottage and the tiny house, you’ll find a concrete patio with a privacy screen. Fire up the charcoal grill and gather around the picnic table for meals in the fresh country air.
After a busy day at the lake, wash up at the outdoor shower - with hot water and a fence for your privacy!
As of July 2021, Virginia is cannabis-friendly (for adults 21 and over) and so are we! Just keep it outside (smoking inside will cost you an extra cleaning fee).
Must-Do:
Fishing at Philpott Lake
Kayaking and canoeing
Hiking - nearly 9 miles of trails a stone's throw away!
Forest bathing - don't want to hike? We've got acres and acres of forest for hammocks and relaxation!
Additional rules:
Respect the septic - nothing down the toilet but toilet paper!
The hot tub is wood-fired and takes time to heat up. You are responsible for fire safety.
Keep an eye on small children - the yard is over an acre, but there is a steep drop off the back of the property.
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