Welcome to Bear Cub Lodge, my mountain retreat tucked inside the gates of The Lodges at Eagles Nest at 5,200 feet in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Built in 2023, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath lodge sleeps up to 10 and is set up for exactly the kind of trip where nobody wants to leave the deck.

OPEN & AIRY MAIN FLOOR LIVING

Step into an open-concept great room where a wall of windows frames sweeping mountain views. A stacked-stone gas fireplace and a mounted TV make this the spot for movie nights and slow mornings with coffee. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking a real dinner - granite countertops, a center island, stainless steel appliances, and a gas range - with dining seating for all 10 guests.

EXPANSIVE OUTDOOR LIVING

The main-floor deck is where you'll spend most of your time. Fire up the gas grill, gather everyone around the picnic table, or settle in at the gas fire table with its built-in seating as the sun goes down. The private hot tub is positioned to take in the mountain view, so a soak here comes with scenery worth lingering over.

COMFORTABLE SLEEPING FOR THE WHOLE GROUP

The main-level primary suite is a quiet retreat with a king bed, a TV, and direct deck access. Its ensuite bathroom has a soaking tub, a double-sink vanity, and a custom tiled walk-in shower with a rain shower head. Upstairs, a queen bedroom and a bunk room (two twin-over-twin bunks, sleeping 4) share a full bathroom, and a cozy loft with a TV and a queen sleeper sofa adds two more sleeping spots for kids or late-night movie watchers. A half bath rounds out the main level.

There's no elevator, so getting between floors means stairs - worth keeping in mind if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

LIFE AT EAGLES NEST

Staying at Bear Cub Lodge means staying inside The Lodges at Eagles Nest, a private, gated community above Banner Elk. I'll send your gate code before arrival. Once you're in, you're close to the Great Camp (BBQ pavilion, amphitheater, mini-golf, a playground, and a 24/7 general store at the Toy Barn), Epic Chophouse for a mountain-view dinner (mention you're renting in Eagles Nest for admission - owners get priority seating, so a reservation helps), and Eagles Nest Winery for an afternoon glass with a view (day passes required, 16+). An amenity fee, included in your rate, covers what's currently open to guests; the fitness center stays owner-only.

Sugar Mountain is about 15-20 minutes away and Beech Mountain about 10-15, so you're never far from the slopes in winter. Roads in and around Eagles Nest are plowed but steep, so 4WD or AWD is recommended November through March.

FAMILY-READY

Kids of all ages are welcome, though I don't provide cribs or extra beds, so bring what the littlest ones need. The home isn't specifically child-proofed, so keep an eye on little climbers near the stairs and the hot tub.

GETTING COMFORTABLE

Central air and a heat pump keep the lodge comfortable in every season, and every bedroom, plus the loft, has its own TV.

A FEW GOOD-TO-KNOWS

There's a Ring doorbell camera at the front entrance for security - it only sees the front door and doesn't record inside or in any private outdoor space. Pets aren't permitted at Bear Cub Lodge. This is a non-smoking property, and parties or events aren't allowed.

Whether you're planning a family week, a couples' getaway, or a ski trip with friends, Bear Cub Lodge is ready to be your basecamp in the High Country.

If you have any questions at all, just reach out. I'm here to help!

MUST BE AT LEAST 25 YRS OF AGE TO BOOK

NCREC License #C41500