Project Description

Bea’s Hive is the quintessential Highlands cottage of yesteryear but with all the modern conveniences.  One level with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a large, screened back porch, a carport, and an easy-to-maneuver, paved driveway. Cable TV, and WiFi.

There’s a local term that describes places like this cottage; it’s ‘Old Highlands Charm,’ and Bea’s Hive is full of it with the mid-century pine paneled walls, wood floors and the stone wood-burning fireplace in the living area. The front room, that is a combined living and dining area, may lead you to believe the home is small, but the surprising layout begs to differ. The light and bright kitchen is small, but efficient and has everything you need for food preparation. There is a single step down into a laundry area as well as the entrance to a large, screened back porch which has two sets of tables and chairs for dining (or playing cards, puzzle put-togethering, and other games) and there’s a couple of rocking chairs and other cushioned wrought iron furniture. The back porch is an extension of the living area of Bea’s Hive and provides a wonderful place for reading, morning coffee, afternoon wine and more. There’s a skylight to help you enjoy the outdoors while you’re ensconced with a place surrounded by lush rhododendrons and Mountain Laurels.

The split floor plan affords privacy between you and your guests. The primary bedroom embodies a cottage with its white walls and nice country-chic linens. This bedroom has a King bed and there’s a small private bathroom with a walk-in shower.

The guest wing has two bedrooms, and both have original pine paneling and wood floors. One bedroom has a Queen bed and a full bathroom with a tub/shower. The other bedroom has two twins and is next to the shared hallway bathroom with a walk-in shower.

The front entry is accessed from an enclosed porch. The paved U-shaped driveway makes it easy to maneuver and there’s a carport for car storage. This property is well-screened with trees and bushes which lends itself to its cottage-in-the-woods vibe.

 

A little bit about the area associated with Bea’s Hive:

Cullasaja Heights, or more known as ‘the Mirror Lake area’ was developed in 1926 by the Sullivan family, and originally small summer cabins dotted the rough landscape. (Mirror Lake is a man-made lake and over the next few years, hopes to undergo a phased plan to restore it to its original beauty before sedimentation took place from all of the development.

Highlands, NC isn’t Mayberry, nor is it Gatlinburg. There’s something that sets this area apart from other small towns. Maybe it’s the altitude?– 4118 ft is the AVERAGE altitude of the town limits. Main Street is about 3800 ft. Even though Franklin, NC, the Macon County seat is north of Highlands, their elevation is about 2,050. So, if it’s going to snow, Highlands is much more likely to get snow.

Maybe it’s all the trees? Highlands, NC is located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains and is a part of the Nantahala National Forest and minutes away from the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Highlands is IN North Carolina, but minutes away from South Carolina and Georgia. We hope our guest appreciate the natural flora and fauna of this area. We’re known as the Salamander capital of the world! Academics and students come to Highlands from all over the world to research at the Highlands Nature Center/ Biological Station. There are plant species here that are only found here and a few other places in the world.

Maybe it’s the shopping and dining experience? There are no fast-food, drive-thru restaurants, no chain or big box stores, but all are within a 45-minute- 2.5-hour drive). Highlands has a walkable Main Street that has something for everyone, from T-shirts to furs, from pet supplies to hiking gear and restaurants. You’d have to taste it to believe it- from bar grub like a burger and fries to 5-star worthy and wine spectator award restaurants.

Bea’s Hive is not approved for short-term rentals but can be rented as a vacation rental. The difference? It’s all in the number of nights stayed. STRs (short-term rentals) are considered rental nights of less than 30 nights. Anything over thirty nights is a vacation rental. Please call us if you have any questions about ways to rent this home or others located within or outside the town limits of Highlands. Wherever you stay, we hope you will embrace the community of Highlands and all it has to offer. As you may know, Highlands, like other communities across the country, have been facing backlash because of short-term rentals. We have never had problems with our renters, so we hate to have to say BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR because our renters are mature, responsible adults. But, thanks to ‘big Brother’ also known as Granicus software, there are always people watching and waiting for a renter to slip up, like not observing quiet time after 10 pm, or not disposing of their garbage in a bear-proof can with the lid checked to be sure it is locked, purposely leaving food out for bears (remember ‘a fed bear is a dead bear,’ in general, not being respectful of the community’s rules and regulations.

If you’ve read this far, you get a STAR and are the kind of people we encourage to come and return to Highlands. We think it’s a lot like heaven on earth. Bea’s Hive is a perfect place to start your adventure.

 

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