Blue Iris Retreat

"We arrived early as the housekeepers were cleaning up. This cabin is absolutely beautiful, clean, modern and new. The kitchen is equipped with everything for a big crowd. Upstairs bedrooms had sleep number beds and had plenty of space. The game room had endless games and things to do. The cousins enjoyed bunk beds and sleeping in one room. Covered patio was awesome to sit by the fire and watch the rain fall. Would definitely come back again."

Vanja I - Posted: 12/1/2021

Such a lovely week at the Estatoe Oasis! The owners have thought of absolutely everything.

Katie Z - Posted: 12/1/2021

"Our family enjoyed a nice, quiet getaway to Burnsville. The kitchen was spacious and stocked with everything needed (and more) to prepare anything from baked goods to a full course dinner. We spend the majority of our time on the back porch overlooking the river which was nice and closed off for my wandering children. It provided the perfect area to kick up our feet and enjoy the scenery without concern of the kids running free. The hill to the river is steep, but the stone steps helped us get in our steps and the kids loved “fishing” with found sticks. Comfortable beds and a perfectly laid out “family room” allowed our kids to have their own corners of the room while the room was spacious enough to avoid the need to step over them to get to the bed. Once the sun went down, my four year old thoroughly enjoyed serenading us to princess music while my son blocked our shots playing cornhole. There were plenty of activities to entertain the broad scope of ages. We hope to make a return trip to the beautiful property!"

Jessi C - Posted: 12/1/2021

"Beautiful home in a picturesque setting. Absolutely enough space to relax, and unplug for the four of us. Can’t wait to go back with a larger family group in the spring /summer to do more outside. Everything was clean and super comfortable! We ventured down to the river on the path and climbed back up using the rock stairs. Bill and Sharon have thought of everything, including a welcome book that detailed the area trails. We did the shortest, Briar Bottom in less than an hour! Grocery shopping at Ingles was convenient . Burnsville “Main Street” had shops open, and the cookies at Appalachian Java are highly recommended. Eastoe Oasis was the perfect escape!"

Jenifer L - Posted: 12/1/2021

"My 6-year son, Tristan has given this vacation stay a 10 out of 10 and the rest of the family could not agree with him more. The owners have created an amazingly comfortable space. We were impressed with the amount of thought and details that went into the build and the furnishings. The owners were accessible and addressed any questions we had. We will be back this summer!"

Christopher B - Posted: 12/1/2021

Another amazing stay at Estatoe Oasis! This is a truly lovely home and location. Home is perfectly laid out for families to enjoy together and alone time. Property is peaceful and perfect for a family who loves outdoors. This was our second booking here and we look forward to the next one! Thank you for sharing your little slice of heaven.

Kathryn P - Posted: 12/1/2021

We had a wonderful relaxing stay at Estatoe Oasis with family and friends. The property had everything we could have wanted. Sitting on the huge deck and watching the South Toe River was so peaceful. It was close enough to the Blue Ridge Parkway and gem mining to be convenient. We would definitely stay here again and recommend it to our friends.

Cynthia P - Posted: 12/1/2021

This place was like home away from home just loved it!

Jesse E - Posted: 12/1/2021

Beautiful house in a beautiful location!

Richard R - Posted: 12/1/2021

The mountain home and property grounds are beautifully kept! The home has all of the essentials...and so much more. There was plenty of space for our family of 13 (7 adults and 6 children). We particularly enjoyed the covered outdoor patio deck during morning coffee and early evening happy hours. We had such a great time and would love to rent again!

Maria H - Posted: 12/1/2021

"This is the second time we have rented this property for a getaway with our two adult children, their spouses and six grandchildren! This place is more than amazing! We all love it and are already planning our 2023 getaway here! Sharon and Bill and wonderful hosts and have thought of everything to make your stay spectacular!"

Sheri O from Kingsport, - Posted: 12/1/2021

Absolutely beautiful! Sharon thought of so many details to make it perfect. Thank you!

Mary N - Posted: 12/1/2021

"This house was perfect for cycling camp! We had 10-12 riders over the course of our stay and there was plenty of room for sleeping, eating and prepping for the day's ride. The covered decks were great for storing and working on bikes. The driveway was hardpack gravel but rideable. For those that chose not to ride up/down the 1/4 mile driveway there was a little cabin about 3/4th of the way up the driveway providing a place to change into cleats and stash shoes. We managed to navigate two 24ft Sprinters down the driveway since there is a bump out on the last turn that enabled us to back them down to the house. Plenty of parking for another 6 vehicles. Great routes to Little Switzerland and Mt. Mitchell from here."

David C - Posted: 12/1/2021

We stayed here with our six boys and it was an amazing cabin over looking the south toe river in Burnsville, NC, the cabin was well equipped with anything you would need and it was so peaceful. We will be definitely renting this cabin again

Anonymous U from Lakeland, Florida - Posted: 3/12/2022 - Stayed from: 2/17/2022 to 2/22/2022

One of the best experiences. Location including the riverside experience with solitude was the best part.

Adnan S from Madison, AL - Posted: 3/24/2022

House was fantastic. Carolina mornings is incredibly fast in responding to any needs.

Chris S - Posted: 6/9/2022 - Stayed from: 5/12/2022 to 5/15/2022

Wonderfully comfortable home with lots to do.

Neil H - Posted: 6/9/2022 - Stayed from: 4/25/2022 to 4/29/2022

Very beautiful and comfortable

Jayashree K from Irvine, CA - Posted: 7/14/2022 - Stayed from: 7/1/2022 to 7/3/2022

Property is amazing will come back next year!

Alec B - Posted: 8/10/2022 - Stayed from: 7/3/2022 to 7/9/2022

Beautiful setting and home. Very well equipped and thoughtfully designed. We had a relaxing visit and would absolutely consider a return visit for an extended family gathering.

Jean G from Loveland, OH - Posted: 9/15/2022 - Stayed from: 8/18/2022 to 8/21/2022

This house is absolutely perfect. Our very large family had plenty of room to play and roam. It's situated at a lovely spot on the river and was well stocked for the kids to have loads of fun on the water. The house is very well stocked with everything a guest might need, impeccably decorated, and so comfortable we didn't want to leave. If we are back in the area we will definitely be staying here again.

Kristen N - Posted: 9/15/2022 - Stayed from: 8/2/2022 to 8/5/2022

Beautiful home on the river. So peaceful.

Caroline P - Posted: 9/15/2022 - Stayed from: 8/17/2022 to 8/21/2022

Excellent property where what you expected/hoped for, is what you get. Gas fireplace on the deck, with the television to watch the Football game. Roll Tide;-)

Don B from Newman, GA - Posted: 11/21/2022 - Stayed from: 10/7/2022 to 10/10/2022

Gorgeous cabin in a beautiful location! Great for a weekend getaway and plenty of space!

Conner H - Posted: 3/3/2023 - Stayed from: 2/24/2023 to 3/26/2023

Great surroundings and peaceful with great amenities. The river is beautiful we'll be back to enjoy some time in it.

Andrew K - Posted: 3/14/2023 - Stayed from: 3/7/2023 to 3/12/2023

The property was very nice being on the river. The cabin was spacious with all the essentials.

Tim V - Posted: 3/21/2023 - Stayed from: 1/19/2023 to 1/27/2023

Loved our stay here! Had a girls' weekend and had plenty of beds and bathrooms for everyone. Beautiful steps lead down to the river with a cute fire pit on the way down. The hot tub was great as well! Would stay here again!

Teresa J - Posted: 3/21/2023 - Stayed from: 1/27/2023 to 1/29/2023

This is a lovely property. We really enjoyed our stay and will definitely come back again. It was so beautiful and peaceful and we had so much fun. The beds were comfortable and the house was clean with many thoughtful touches.

Nadine Z - Posted: 3/22/2023 - Stayed from: 6/16/2022 to 6/19/2022

We loved our stay! A great weekend getaway for three families. Our children loved the bunk room on the bottom floor.

Chelsea L - Posted: 3/22/2023 - Stayed from: 1/13/2023 to 1/16/2023

The place is great for a big family there is plenty of space. The kitchen is amazing and the most beautiful view from the cabin to the river. We love to stay at your place and we will come back soon!

Lesbi R - Posted: 3/22/2023 - Stayed from: 1/30/2023 to 2/5/2023

The house is nice and secluded. It has a beautiful view of the river and an outstanding outside setup. It was a great weekend getaway with friends.

Daniela R - Posted: 3/22/2023 - Stayed from: 2/10/2023 to 2/13/2023

Gorgeous cabin in a beautiful location! Great for a weekend getaway and plenty of space.

Connor H - Posted: 3/22/2023 - Stayed from: 2/24/2023 to 2/26/2023

My family and I had the most enjoyable and relaxing vacation ever! Every amenity is provided and the river access and views are unbelievable! We will definitely return!

Sharen P - Posted: 6/5/2023 - Stayed from: 5/12/2023 to 5/14/2023

We loved the home. I lost pounds walking down the river and up to the house but it was worth it.

Kilma T - Posted: 6/22/2023 - Stayed from: 6/16/2023 to 6/19/2023

The home we stayed in was beautiful and comfortably housed 10 people for a week's getaway. This made the home all the more cozy and comfortable for the week. We were able to hang out on the porch and relax by the fire, then hit the hot tub at night. The house was beautiful and well taken care of. I'm very happy with my decision to stay here and will be back soon! I chose to have the issues fixed after we left. I recommend booking this house. You will love your stay here!

Benjamin B - Posted: 7/23/2023 - Stayed from: 6/19/2023 to 6/23/2023

This was an excellent space for us, 3 families coming together - floor plan perfect, a huge table for dinners & family game nights, the river is amazing with lots of amenities like kayaks, tubes, life jackets - kids spent hours down on the river. The kitchen was well stocked and the location/view was amazing. great family vacation.

Holly H - Posted: 8/23/2023 - Stayed from: 7/15/2023 to 7/20/2023

The online pictures do not do this place justice. The mountain views off the back were breathtaking. The layout of the house is superb.

Holly H - Posted: 8/23/2023 - Stayed from: 7/15/2023 to 7/22/2023

Great location. Beautiful mountain house in the river.

Antal A - Posted: 11/3/2023 - Stayed from: 6/24/2023 to 7/1/2023

The house was clean and spacious. Enjoyed the basement game room and hot tub.

Sheri H - Posted: 11/3/2023 - Stayed from: 5/25/2023 to 5/29/2023

You have a lovely cabin and view. Thanks for sharing with us. We enjoyed the cabin and taking walks on trails. Finding waterfalls. We would love to come back again. Children loved the game room. Your maintenance guy was very helpful and I want to thank him again. Loved the hot tub and fire pit. Great view of stars and mountains.

Tiffany J - Posted: 11/30/2023 - Stayed from: 11/12/2023 to 11/17/2023

We had a wonderful stay with our four generations. There was something for everyone to do. A few of us visited The Biltmore House, which is something we highly recommend. It's about an hour and 15 minutes away from The Blue Iris Retreat. The rest of us stayed around and played card games and ping-pong. We will certainly be back.

Gloria and Debra V - Posted: 11/30/2023 - Stayed from: 11/24/2023 to 11/28/2023

Had a great time with family. The cabin was great. We enjoyed tubing at Jonas. Played lots of games and enjoyed lots of family time. So much to do!

Erin H - Posted: 1/1/2024 - Stayed from: 12/21/2023 to 12/24/2023

Great 4 days spent with two families. Kiddos loved the bunk room and all that the cabin had to offer. Check-in and check-out were super easy and the house is great.

Luis C - Posted: 1/29/2024 - Stayed from: 12/25/2023 to 12/29/2023

Traveled with my family for an end-of-year vacation. The house is truly amazing and relaxing. Will be back in the summer to enjoy the river!

Denia P - Posted: 1/29/2024 - Stayed from: 12/29/2023 to 1/4/2024

The house was beautiful. Carolina Mornings was very helpful with directions. Also with any questions I had. I will use them again and recommend to my friends.

Donna M - Posted: 2/21/2024 - Stayed from: 2/2/2024 to 2/4/2024

A wonderful house in the woods with one other house barely in view. It has a beautiful panorama off the deck overlooking the river which is amazing to look at in warm weather. The town of Burnsville is charming with a few grocery stores and restaurants. Amazing hospitality by Carolina Mornings answering any questions within an hour.

Keaton W - Posted: 3/20/2024 - Stayed from: 3/10/2024 to 3/15/2024

I enjoyed the peace in the house. It was a great location. Amazing amenities.

Victor H - Posted: 5/23/2024 - Stayed from: 4/25/2024 to 4/28/2024

We loved this house. Being able to walk down to the river was incredible. We spent a lot of afternoons fishing and spending time in the water. They even have tubes you can use! The large deck was great for grilling out after some time in the sun. The sleep number bed was also perfect for getting a great night's rest. I highly recommend this property!

Ashley T - Posted: 8/27/2024 - Stayed from: 7/28/2024 to 8/2/2024

Beautiful home, large enough for our group to spread out and have our own space to relax after working long days with Hurricane Helene Relief efforts. The river sounded peaceful and we would have loved to walk next to it but flood waters eroded the banks (no fault of the owners). We saw otters and geese. I would recommend this place, it’s close to both Burnsville and Spruce Pine yet tucked away in a very quiet spot.

Kathleen Q - Posted: 4/15/2025 - Stayed from: 3/9/2025 to 3/28/2025

Spacious, clean home nestled in a serene river valley at the base of the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. The house is comfortable enough to never want to leave, but convenient enough to so many fun things to do, you have to venture out. Ramble down the hill to kayak, fish, or swim. A quick 20-minute drive to an easy hike in to a waterfall (roaring fork) with the kids. Both Biltmore and Grandfather are within an hour making for easy day trip outings

Stephen C - Posted: 4/15/2025 - Stayed from: 3/29/2025 to 4/5/2025

It was the first time my friends and I traveled out of state together, and California Mornings Airbnb was the perfect choice. From the moment we arrived, we felt at home. Everything was amazing, and the week we stayed will forever be remembered. Some of us explored the woods across the lake, while others went kayaking—getting lost for a few hours turned out to be one of the best experiences of our lives. Nights spent laughing in the bunk beds and mornings by the fire enjoying breakfast brought us even closer after nearly 10 years of friendship. Even being offline for the week due to Wi-Fi issues made the experience better. Thank you, California Mornings, for allowing us to make such wonderful memories. It was a pleasure staying at your Airbnb!

Daniel G - Posted: 1/12/2025 - Stayed from: 12/13/2024 to 12/19/2024

Beautiful home, large enough for our group to spread out and have our own space to relax after working long days with Hurricane Helene Relief efforts. River sounded peaceful and we would have loved to walk next to it but flood waters eroded the banks (no fault of the owners). We saw otters and geese. I would recommend this place, it’s close to both Burnsville and Spruce Pine yet tucked away in a very quiet spot.

Anonymous - Posted: 3/31/2025 (Airbnb) - Stayed from: 3/9/2025 to 3/28/2025

Hey Kathleen. Thank you for your review of Blue Iris Retreat. We're glad to hear that the home provided ample space for your group to relax after your relief efforts. It's unfortunate that the flood waters impacted the river access, but we're pleased that you were still able to enjoy the peaceful setting and spot some local wildlife. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back in the future.

Carolina Mornings staff

Posted: 4/3/2025

Spacious, clean home nestled in a serene river valley at the base of the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. The house is comfortable enough to never want to leave, but convenient enough to so many fun things to do, you have to venture out. Ramble down the hill to kayak, fish or swim. A quick 20 minute deive to an easy hike in to a waterfall (roaring fork) with the kids. Both Biltmore and Grandfather are within an hour making for easy day trip outings.And Emerald

Anonymous - Posted: 4/7/2025 (Vrbo) - Stayed from: 3/29/2025 to 4/5/2025

"This was a very different vacation as we normally seek out a beach for our April getaway. We have visited many of the Caribbean/BVI islands as well as other US destinations and I have to admit, while this was nothing like any other trip we have had, it was one of our favorites. The setting was extremely relaxing, the house was beautiful, and as every other review states, it is as well equipped as your own home likely is. Best of all, the experience of doing nothing but enjoying nature is priceless! We spent many hours in the river (yes, during the first week in April, albeit cool), and enjoyed every minute. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a getaway that is very relaxing and secluded, yet extremely comfortable."

Greg E - Posted: 12/1/2021

My husband and I from PA and my daughter and her family from FL met at the cabin. It was as the perfect place to finally see my grandchildren! The area was beautiful and trails in the area were enjoyable but I’m not at all sure I can adequately describe how special and welcoming the cabin is! It is well stocked and sleep number beds were an added bonus after a busy day. We all spent plenty of time downstairs playing foosball and ping pong and darts. ( no I didn’t win any games) It was a little chilly for water activities but the kids enjoyed exploring and spending time with us at the river. Thank you for offering your cabin for a memorable trip. We would love to come back!! Arlene

Arlene R - Posted: 12/1/2021

"This property is truly amazing. The home is set deep in the woods and feels very secluded. There are beautiful views of the river from the deck; and several paths to get down to the river. We even got a few inches of snow during our stay that made the experience all the more special. This is the most well-equipped and thoughtful rental. The home has everything you need for a large group. There are two dishwashers, plenty of dishes and kitchenware, two fridges, and areas for everyone to gather or hide away with a book. I especially appreciated all the cozy throw blankets carefully placed all over the home. There were lots of river toys for the warmer months that had our group day dreaming of a return visit. Sharon and Bill are very responsive and very helpful with offering information and answering our questions. Their welcome book and clear instructions made getting around town super simple. We will definitely return to this sweet, year round retreat."

Noy W - Posted: 12/1/2021

We just completed another stay at this property and are already looking to rebook. I can not say enough good things about this home! Fortunate that the owners are willing to share this property with so many of us. We look forward to staying during all 4 seasons to see how it changes throughout the year - it’s truly a breathtaking spot. Thanks again! Kim and Eric

Kim H from Charlotte, NC - Posted: 12/1/2021

"We absolutely loved this cabin! The place was impeccable and had every luxury needed. The owners spared no detail and provided great instructions and helpful guides on what the area offers. We had 6 and 8 year olds with us and they loved venturing by the river. Gorgeous views. As Floridians, the drive up the mountain was not too difficult. Looking forward to booking again. Only complaint, we tried booking another trip while we were there and the cabin was already booked up all summer! Apparently, the secret is out!"

Katrina W - Posted: 12/1/2021

"This house was beautiful. We love the river and the swimming was great right behind the house. The kitchen is fully stocked, all beds and furniture were so comfortable. The deck was perfect!"

Donna S - Posted: 12/1/2021

"We had the most wonderful time. The house was beautiful and had more than we expected of everything. There was plenty of space inside and out to eat as a family. The kitchen was spacious. The bedrooms were comfortable. The bathrooms were large and unique. Sharon communicated with us and took care of any questions we had. Our family loved the area and the river. We built fires in the pit, had smores, fished, kayaked, tubed, creek walked, swam, caught minnows, and sat around the fire. We loved the house, the deck, the river, and the location. We went to Mount Mitchell, Emerald Gem Mine, and Crabtree Falls. It was such a wonderful week. We definitely want to return. Thank you so much!!!"

Jay B - Posted: 12/1/2021

"This house may have been the nicest house I have ever stayed in! Good hiking trails close by. Burnsville had everything we needed. We had a great time in the river. A great thing about this area is that it doesn’t get hot. I would not advise tubing the river now, water level was too low. Bring your water shoes."

Patrick F - Posted: 12/1/2021

Wonderful trip. Sharon was very attentive to all of our questions. Beautiful home! Attention to every detail is apparent. Will be back!

Kenni B - Posted: 12/1/2021

Absolutely loved staying here!! So peaceful and relaxing!! My family loved this stay!!

Lois C - Posted: 12/1/2021

"This was our 2nd time staying here. We come up frequently because we have family nearby, & this is our favorite place to stay. The kitchen is well-stocked with spices & supplies/equipment, & I've decided I need heated bathroom floors in my house now! My son loved sleeping in the bunk room & playing foosball & ping pong downstairs. As always, we loved being able to get down to the river in just a couple of minutes. It poured our 2nd night there this time & it was fabulous to sit on the back porch & watch the rain come down. There are plenty of places to just sit & enjoy being in the mountains."

Cynthia C - Posted: 12/1/2021

"The previous reviews don't lie, this place was beautiful!! Sharon and Bill have equipped the house with everything you need to make your stay comfortable and relaxing! We couldn't get over how immaculately clean the home was when we arrived, literally no trace of previous guests. They're housekeeping team must be phenomenal! The home is gorgeous, large enough for everyone to have their own space (we had 6 adults, 1 teen, 1 preschooler & 1 infant plus a dog) yet it was so cozy! Most days we were perfectly content enjoying the home & property amenities. We also ventured off site for two hikes that were less than a 15 minute drive away. If you're looking to go to the mountains and really just relax and disconnect from the world, this is your place! It's got everything you need: comforts of home, awesome ammenties, large windows with views for days, hiking trails, South Toe River and more! Sharon & Bill did an excellent job on this rental!"

Elizabeth C from NC - Posted: 12/1/2021

Overall this worked well for our large group and we had a wonderful time! The house is beautiful clean and well-stocked. Maintenance was very responsive with communication. We loved the river and the hot tub and the bunk room and of course, the kids wanted to live there forever!

Cara G - Posted: 8/23/2023 - Stayed from: 7/27/2023 to 7/31/2023