Red Gate Cottage
Hot Springs NC Vacation Rental
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike."
-John Muir
YOUR PRIVATE GETAWAY IN HOT SPRINGS. NC.
A few minutes from the small town of Hot Springs, NC, Red Gate Cottage is a world away from everyday cares. From the cottage you hear the constant, soothing music of the French Broad River. The home, newly completed, is designed to take advantage of its setting with river views (each main room has them along with 2 screened porches and flagstone patio) and the glorious sunsets over the river and surrounding mountains. The family scoured antique shops to add to the vintage and eclectic collection of family treasures. It is a restful, relaxing retreat, built with love.
3 Bedroom, 4 Beds & 3 Baths, 6 Guests
Red Gate Cottage Gallery
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The Story of Red Gate Cottage
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They say Willard Davis made good whiskey. He must have, because he had a water line from a spring at the back of this property that crossed under the road and across the river to Huff Island, where he made his living. He traded moonshine for maintenance of that pipeline by the NC DOT workers who periodically fixed the road in front of the house. He kept two sets of mean dogs, one at the house and the other on the island. They adored him and his wife, Edith, but pretty much hated anyone else. He lived in the old cabin you see in these earlier pictures. We don’t know how old it was, who originally built it, or, for that matter, when Willard and Edith moved in. The 1940 census tells us Willard and Edith lived in Greenville, Tennessee. We know he died in 1979 and she died in 1992. When Edith died, the vacant house was on the market for quite a while. Our family’s matriarch, Sarah Long, came into a little money when Ray Long, her husband, died in 1990. She always said, “They’re not making any more land,” so that was where to invest extra money. And she needed a project to keep her busy after Ray died. She began to search for some secluded, affordable property, and found this house, with approximately four acres, in the Davis estate. She bought it in 1993. She took great delight in furnishing and fixing, but as the years went on she was less and less able to maintain the place. After her death in 2007, we put a new screened porch across the front, and made some necessary infrastructure repairs, but finally we had to decide: bring the old place up to code (was that even possible?), or build a new house. You are in that new place, built in exactly the same spot the old cabin was in. We don’t think Willard or Edith will bother anyone here. It is a glorious spot for river watching, relaxing, recharging the old batteries, creating memories. Enjoy!
Features Red Gate Cottage
Entry - A stone path along garden beds in front of the cottage will take you from the parking area to the entry door on the opposite side of the home. A keypad has been installed on the entry door for your convenience. Kitchen - The kitchen is well-stocked in this new home and a joy to work in. Plenty of dishware, cookware, and utensils await along with modern appliances. A drip coffee maker is available for your use along with an electric tea kettle. The kitchen also has a dishwasher, microwave, toaster oven, and slow cooker. A stash of coffee, sugar, and a few spices will be available to guests as well. Bedroom and bathroom(downstairs) - The downstairs bedroom is situated off of the kitchen and includes queen-sized bed, plenty of light, and a private, screened sitting porch that you may never want to leave. The ensuite bathroom includes a custom shower and separate soaking tub. Bedroom and bathroom (upstairs) - The upstairs master bedrooms has a queen-sized bed and even better view over the river from the upstairs windows. The ensuite bathroom has a custom walk-in shower, toilet and sink. Twin "loft" bedroom (upstairs) - At the top of the stairs, you will find a spacious room with 2 twin beds and a desk looking out towards the river. This has an ensuite full bathroom with custom shower, toilet, and sink. There is a doorway between this room and the other bedroom upstairs, and this bedroom is open to the top of the stairs. Outside patio - The space outdoors is beautifully crafted with stones and comfort to enjoy the view and sounds of the river, an evening fire, and amazing sunsets. If you simply want peace and quiet, you have comfortable reading chairs (many slipcovered), games and puzzles, a small library and a writing table with wonderful river views. As you enjoy your morning coffee on one of the three porches, you might spot the resident eagle soaring over the river in search of breakfast. Or you might see a great blue heron take flight after fishing in the river. Or you might hear the Canada geese as they fly down the river toward Tennessee. For those who don't want to "disconnect", there is ROKU TV and high speed wi-fi. Your cell phone will work with the setting for “wi-fi calling.” There is also a landline. What does the area offer that will tempt you to leave your cottage with river views? The French Broad River offers opportunities to raft with a guide, rent a rubber kayak, or canoe or kayak on your own. There are various put-in points and take-outs close by at Murray's Branch and Paint Rock. The picturesque Paint Rock corridor is just a mile down river past the cottage. This area is full of possibilities for hiking, picnicking by the creek, biking, swimming, or fishing (TN license required). The cottage is just fifteen minutes from the charming town of Hot Springs, where there are restaurants, a new brewery and a small grocery store. Hot Springs has been famous for its healing mineral springs for over a century. The current spa with hot tubs by Spring Creek and the French Broad was opened in 1998. There are plenty of hiking opportunities on numerous trails and Forest Service roads. The beautiful Laurel River trail is only a few miles away, and the Appalachian Trail goes right through Hot Springs. You will find it to be a great home base for exploring other hiking areas in the mountains of Madison County and beyond. About forty minutes away is the historic town of Marshall, NC, with a lively arts and music scene and some interesting restaurants. If you are coming from Asheville, take the opportunity to stock up at the Ingles grocery, gas station, and pharmacy on the Marshall bypass. For those willing to explore excellent local cuisine, head to Asheville, known as a foodie's paradise. Details about more hiking, fishing, and other activities will be provided in a notebook at Red Gate Cottage. Red Gate Cottage could be ideal for a couple who wants a romantic retreat, a family looking to reconnect in a natural setting, a few friends looking for a true getaway, and outdoor enthusiasts. We welcome you to visit this beautiful home away from home!
What People Say...
Our family loved spending Christmas together in this house. It is beautiful and we love all the details, including the many supplies provided.
We loved having fires and enjoying the views and sound of the river. We also loved all the Canada geese that were flying in.
Three Couples
April 2022
We had a perfect visit to your beautiful home! Perfect views, perfect location, and perfect attention to every detail.
Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us.
What a beautiful home to spend Thanksgiving with family. You guys thought of everything, and we cooked a delicious meal.
The view on the porch for dinner was exceptional. Our three and five year olds really liked Thanksgiving s’mores by the fire-pit.
We will be back!
A Couple
from TN
We really enjoyed our stay here. What a wonderful house! Perfect spot to relax after enjoying Hot Springs. We had a great time chatting around the fire and we made wonderful memories.
We would absolutely love to come back again.
Families from
NC and PA
A Family at
Christmas
To make a reservation, click on the links for AirBNB or VRBO below.
Direct booking is not available.
