Rocky Top Retreat

Welcome to Rocky Top Retreat, a top-floor corner condo in Blue Ridge Mountain Club - a gated 6,000-acre community between Boone and Blowing Rock. Cathedral ceilings and walls of glass frame long-range views, and the sunrise comes up over the peaks right off the balcony. Two ensuite bedrooms on Tempur-Pedic mattresses plus a sofa bed, so it sleeps 6. Built-in outdoor summer kitchen, elevator, in-unit laundry, fast wifi, and a porch swing. One dog welcome!

Rocky Top Retreat is the top-floor, east-corner condo at Blue Ridge Mountain Club, and being on that corner, on that floor, facing east, is the whole point. Black-framed windows wrap two walls, cathedral ceilings and dark hand-hewn beams open the room upward, and the long-range Blue Ridge view follows you from the kitchen island to the sofa to the dining table. The sunrise comes up over the peaks and straight through the balcony doors. Hummingbirds work the rail in the morning. Most guests end up on the porch swing with a coffee and lose an hour to it.

The whole place was rebuilt from the studs in 2021 across 1,310 square feet, and it shows. Wide plank hardwood, white shaker cabinetry and quartz, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, Buster & Punch switches and dimmers. Elegant, current and calm, without giving up the mountain-lodge warmth. It's a small home that feels considered rather than merely furnished.

The Great Room - Open-plan under vaulted ceilings and beams, with a propane fireplace, a smart TV, deep cream sofas and armchairs, and sliding doors straight out to the covered balcony. Kitchen, dining and living all share the same view, so nobody gets stuck in the other room. The sofa folds out to a bed, which brings the condo to six.

The Kitchen - Fully renovated with all-new Samsung appliances: stainless gas range and oven, full-size refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher. Quartz island, pendant lighting, custom fixtures, a Keurig and a Cuisinart drip brewer, and genuine counter space - enough to cook a real dinner and still talk to everyone.

Dining and the Island - A round table seats four beside the fireplace and the balcony doors. The counter-height island seats another four on barstools, so eight can eat, work or play cards at once. The island has built-in charging stations for phones and laptops, which is a small thing that stops mattering only once you have it. Open the balcony doors and the whole floor becomes one room with a view.

The Covered Balcony - The best square footage in the place. A built-in outdoor summer kitchen with a stainless grill, vent hood and prep counter. A bar-height counter along the rail. A rope-hung cushioned porch swing and two wooden rocking chairs facing the ridgeline. Covered end to end, so weather is no excuse.

Primary Suite - King bed on a Tempur-Pedic mattress under vaulted ceilings, smart TV, plantation shutters, and its own private balcony with two chairs for early coffee. The ensuite bath has a double vanity and a subway-tiled walk-in shower, so nobody waits their turn on a ski morning.

Guest Room - Queen bed on a Tempur-Pedic mattress in a rustic wood-and-iron frame, smart TV, dresser and closet, and a window onto the trees. It has its own dedicated full bath with a tub and shower combo. Two ensuite bedrooms is the quiet luxury here - two couples travel together and nobody negotiates a bathroom.

Working and Playing - A small desk with a mountain view for anyone who has to steal an hour for work, backed by 500 Mbps wifi. Smart TVs in every room with YouTube TV, Netflix and Prime. Board games and puzzles for a rainy afternoon.

Family and Dog Ready - It sleeps six, so two couples or a family with kids both work. Children and infants are welcome, and there are window locks throughout. It's a top-floor unit with two balconies and cable railings, so please keep an eye on little ones outside. One dog, 40 pounds or under, is welcome for a pet fee, with pet-waste bins close by and at the clubhouse lawn.

Getting Comfortable - Central air conditioning and propane heat. A full-size stacked washer and dryer in the unit means you can pack lighter. I provide all the linens, towels and starter toiletries, so just bring yourselves.

Stairs and Access - Top floor, but the building has an elevator and the walk from the parking area is step-free and paved, so there's no hauling coolers and skis up three flights. The condo itself is all on one level once you're inside, and there are two accessible parking spaces close to the entrance.

The Club - Blue Ridge Mountain Club is a gated 6,000-acre community, and you have access to it as my guest: the clubhouse with its bar and dining, a large new pool with a food truck and towel service, the fitness center with floor-to-ceiling mountain views and fitness classes, massage and facials, and miles of hiking trails. The community sets a daily amenity fee for club access, so let me know before you arrive if you'd like to use it and I'll confirm the current rate and sort it out for you.