The Cottages at Spring House Farm is a 92-acre farm in Marion, North Carolina, near the Appalachian Mountains. Six private cabins are offered to visitors, which include hot tubs, gas grills, and king- or queen-size beds. Each individual accommodation is on a separate logging road, meaning they are secluded from each other, and occupants can expect "total privacy from their neighbors," according to one of the owners. The owners' contact information is posted at each cabin in case visitors need anything. A few of the farm’s notable characteristics are the hiking trails, three catch-and-release ponds, and the Historic Albertus Ledbetter House. Attractions that can be found outside the boundaries of the property include Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, off-site hiking trails and waterfalls, and a business down the road that offers horseback riding trips.
The Cottages at Spring House Farm is located in Marion, North Carolina, near the base of the Appalachian Mountains. The property is also found in relatively close proximity to Chimney Rock and Lure Lake, both of which are fairly popular attractions in the area. The farm has six cabin rentals for visitors: Compleat Angler, Appalachian Farm House Cabin, Outrigger Log Cabin, Flying Bridge Log Cabin, Reach Cabin, and Bimini Twist Cabin.
A total of six people can be accommodated in the Appalachian Farm House Cabin's two-story floor space. Three of the cabins have king-sized beds and slightly more square footage, in contrast to the remaining three that have queen beds. While they differ in appearance and location, every cabin has central air, heating, running water, an outdoor gas grill, a table, and a hot tub. Additionally, the cabins are secluded from one another as they each sit on their own logging road away from the others. Cathy, one of the owners, explains that "you do not see or hear your neighbors" while staying at one of the accommodations. Cathy also says the Compleat Angler is the most-rented cabin at The Cottages at Spring House Farm. This building overlooks one of the property's ponds, and Cathy states it "feels like a treehouse." Compleat Angler has a chimney and fireplace in addition to its other features.
Additional amenities for guests include in-unit TV, linens, towels, bathrobes, fully equipped kitchens, firewood, and breakfast items stocked in each cabin, among other things.
The Cottages at Spring House Farm is a 92-acre farm in the woods. Most of the acreage comprises trees and forested areas. Several walking trails can be explored throughout the property as well. Three stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing are also on the property, one of which supplies a canoe for visitors to borrow. All three ponds have covered gazebos. Additionally, The Cottages at Spring House Farm features The Historic Albertus Ledbetter House, a residential home that was built in 1826 and presently belongs to the original property owners. This home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Several attractions are within driving distance of The Cottages at Spring House Farm. Lake Lure and the corresponding Lake Lure Flowering Bridge are two of them, and visitors frequently journey to the lake to explore and participate in several activities. La Strada At Lake Lure is a restaurant that Cathy recommends, and she explains that it overlooks the lake. Hiking trails and waterfalls are near Lake Lure as well. Chimney Rock is another common guest attraction with its own hiking trails and sightseeing locations. Cathy mentions nearby ziplines and a business down the road from The Cottages at Spring House Farm that offers horseback rides.
The owners of The Cottages at Spring House Farm hope their occupants will have a "romantic, secluded, and restful" experience while staying at their farm. Cathy, a co-owner, notes that the farm allows visitors to "get away from our busy society." To promote this atmosphere, she and her husband, Tim, set up the cabins before guests arrive, arranging the bedding and adjusting the hot tubs' temperatures. Upon arrival, visitors are offered homemade bread with jam from next door, and they are supplied with coffee makers and other appliances. Cathy also mentions that she and Tim do not disturb guests during their stay, and she reaffirms that the cabins are secluded and away from each other.
With the intent to encourage privacy, patrons are exclusively permitted to access their own logging road, and all guests are to refrain from entering other visitors’ reserved sites. Cathy says she and Tim do their best to provide seclusion for their occupants. It should be noted that should any questions or concerns arise from patrons, Cathy's and Tom's contact information is posted at each cabin, and Cathy further explains that Tim has allowed some guests to borrow walkie-talkies while hiking.
Cathy says that one of her aims is to provide a "restful" and "romantic" environment at The Cottages at Spring House Farm. Many guest reviews of the establishment reflect such efforts, as one visitor said, "[We] love[d] [that] the owner had fresh farm eggs and a loaf of bread and jam for us, as well [as] champagne and chocolates and flowers for our anniversary stay." Many other reviews recount how people grew closer together throughout their stay.
The Cottages at Spring House Farm outlines a few important policies for guests to follow. The farm is pet-friendly, but dogs must be kept on leashes while outdoors with the intent to ensure safety. Visitors must not leave food in their cars or outdoors, as bears live in the area and are drawn to the smell of food.
The Cottages at Spring House Farm is open year-round, with its busiest times typically occurring from October through November and during Christmas and Valentine's Day. Cathy states that occupants are attracted to the local nature, even the autumn foliage. The demographic of those who stay at the establishment is fairly mixed, according to Cathy, but most of her visitors consist of couples, especially young newlyweds on honeymoons. Occasionally, families visit as well, and many repeat guests return throughout the years.
The property encompassing The Cottages at Spring House Farm was initially owned by the family who built it and the Historic Albertus Ledbetter House. Today, the property is owned by Cathy Crawley and Tim Bloechl, who have operated the business since 2018. As previously mentioned, the house is registered on the National Register of Historic Places and remains generally unaltered from its original construction.
Cathy is a trained nurse who formerly operated an assisted living facility before selling it and receiving a 92-acre farm in exchange. She recalls how she "felt like [she] was in paradise" when first looking upon the property, and she and Tim decided to turn it into a hospitality business. The couple plans to retire in the near future and relay their ownership of the establishment to their son who is currently being trained to run and inherit the property. Cathy recounts how her son has commented that working at The Cottages at Spring House Farm is like "raising [his] kids in paradise."
When Cathy and Tim took over, much of the property was already constructed and assembled. As such, they have not made extensive changes, save upgrading some hot tub covers and performing other minor updates. They plan to reincorporate wedding celebration venues and offer therapeutic couple massages at the cabins—amenities they provided in the past.
Cathy's favorite part of operating The Cottages at Spring House Farm is being in nature and seeing the changing seasons. She feels she has made many friends throughout her ownership and has enjoyed the activities she and Tim hosted in the past. She hopes visitors feel the same rejuvenation she has experienced at the farm.
219 Haynes Road
Marion, North Carolina 28752
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Cathy Crawley and Tim Bloechl
