This Rent In Highlands vacation rental home has a strict NO PET policy.

Only adults (25 years old and older) may reserve this property and an adult must occupy the property at all times.

Walk to Town. Feed the Ducks. Come Back and Do Nothing.

Please Note: This home has 5 stone steps from the parking area to the front door and may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues.

Less than a mile from Main Street Highlands, Cardinal Cottage sits in that rare sweet spot that every vacation rental promises and almost none deliver — genuinely walkable to town, genuinely peaceful when you get back. The route there takes you past Harris Lake, where the ducks are friendly, the fishing is easy, and the pace of things starts to slow down before you've even arrived.

This is a cottage that understands what a vacation is supposed to feel like.

A Home That Gets the Details Right - The recently renovated kitchen — outfitted with brand-new appliances and a bright dining area that spills out to the deck — is the kind of space that makes cooking on vacation feel less like a chore and more like part of the experience. The open living room with its cozy fireplace and flat-screen TV is where evenings tend to land, especially when the mountain air turns cool and nobody wants to move. A brand-new washer and dryer tucked neatly into a hallway cabinet means longer stays are fully supported — pack light, stay longer.

Three Bedrooms, Three Very Different Vibes - The king primary suite is the kind of room you design a slow morning around — generous enough for a convertible loveseat and a flat-screen, finished with a beautifully updated ensuite, and quiet enough that late risers won't feel rushed. The queen guest room across the hall is comfortable and well-appointed, with a full bath just steps away. Downstairs, a third bedroom with a twin bed offers flexibility for the group's youngest traveler, alongside a playroom and den with a sofa that converts to a queen — the unofficial headquarters for movie nights, rainy afternoons, and kids who have discovered the DVD player.

Two Decks. One Hammock. Zero Obligations. The outdoor situation at Cardinal Cottage is quietly exceptional. Off the main level dining area, a sunny open deck with rocking chairs, a propane grill, and a second dining table handles everything from morning coffee to cookout dinners. Below it, a newly built deck spans the full length of the home — half covered for all-weather use — outfitted with chaise lounges and a hammock that will absolutely ruin your productivity in the best possible way. Between the two levels of outdoor space, there's always somewhere comfortable to be, whatever the weather, whatever the mood.

Highlands, Right Outside Your Door - Stroll past Harris Lake — toss some bread to the ducks, maybe cast a line — and within minutes you're on Main Street with acclaimed restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, and trailheads all within easy reach. Come back whenever you're ready. The hammock will be exactly where you left it.

What our guests are saying…

"Cozy Christmas in Highlands. We had a wonderful family Christmas stay at Cardinal Cottage. Loved the open floor plan, the view from the deck, and roasting marshmallows in the fireplace. The location was excellent - a nice walk to Harris Lake and even Main Street, otherwise, a 3 minute drive. Beds were comfortable and Wi-Fi worked like a charm. Can't wait to stay again!" - Rent In Highlands Vacation Rental Guest, Sandra

Rent In Highlands Vacation Rental Cancellation Policy

Policy (A) for reservations less than 20 days:
A reservation canceled between 0-45 days prior to arrival is not eligible to receive a refund. If more than 45 days notice is given, the renter shall receive a refund of all payments made, less a cancellation fee of 10% of the Total Cost of the Reservation.

Policy (B) for reservations of 20 days or more and reservations made 6 months in advance:
NO refund is given unless the property is re-rented under the same terms (Trip insurance is available and recommended to help protect your trip).

Special Amenities:

Wood Burning Fireplace

Please note: The "swimming pool" amenity refers to access to the Highlands Recreation Center pool, a short drive from the property — not a private pool on-site.

This home is professionally managed by Rent in Highlands, a division of Country Club Properties. Your premier source for Vacation Rentals in Highlands NC.