Entire apartment

The Shakespeare - Three Bedroom Luxury Retreat Steps from Main Street Highlands

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A modern kitchen with a central island, bar stools, and pendant lighting.
A modern kitchen with a wooden accent wall, a dining area with a gray sofa, and a kitchen island with a sink and storage.
A kitchen with a long island, wooden shelves, hanging lights, and a bookshelf filled with books.
A bedroom with a bed, bookshelves, a ceiling fan, and large windows.
A modern kitchen with a bar area, wooden flooring, and a staircase leading to a loft.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire apartment

3 bedrooms3 bathrooms

Popular amenities

  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Highlands, NC
  • Place, Highlands Playhouse
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Highlands Art Gallery
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Cullasaja River Gorge
    ‪9 min walk‬

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

The Shakespeare - Three Bedroom Luxury Retreat Steps from Main Street Highlands

Welcome to The Shakespeare, one of Highlands' most distinctive luxury accommodations. Located adjacent to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park and just one block from Main Street, this beautifully designed three-bedroom, three-bathroom retreat pays homage to the beloved Shakespeare bookstore that occupied this location for more than 25 years. Walk to award-winning restaurants, charming boutiques, galleries, parks, and seasonal events. Wedding venues, rehearsal dinners, and celebrations are all easily accessible, making The Shakespeare an ideal home base for wedding weekends and special occasions.

Whether you're visiting for a romantic getaway, mountain adventure, family gathering, or wedding celebration, The Shakespeare offers a truly unique Highlands’s experience where luxury accommodations and local history come together beautifully.

More than simply a place to stay, The Shakespeare is an experience. Original books used in creative ways, curated artwork, and thoughtful touches are woven throughout the space, creating a warm and sophisticated atmosphere that celebrates the history of this cherished Highlands landmark. Shelves of carefully selected volumes, original bookstore-inspired elements, and literary details throughout the property create a sense of place unlike any other vacation rental in Highlands. Guests often find themselves lingering over coffee with a favorite novel, discovering unexpected titles tucked throughout the space. Every detail has been carefully considered to honor the bookstore's legacy while providing the elevated comforts of a luxury mountain getaway.

The Space
Designed with both luxury and comfort in mind, The Shakespeare features an open-concept, vaulted ceiling living space perfect for gathering after a day exploring town. The inviting living room offers ample seating, an electric fireplace, and plenty of space to unwind with a good book or enjoy an evening together.

The fully equipped kitchen features a 12-foot island with 7 bar stools, quartz countertops, wine refrigerator, generous workspace, and everything needed to prepare meals at home. Adjacent dining and gathering spaces make entertaining effortless, whether you're hosting family breakfast before a wedding or enjoying wine and conversation after dinner downtown.

Step outside to the small porch off the kitchen and dining area, where you can enjoy Highlands' cool mountain air and peaceful surroundings.

Sleeping Arrangements
The Shakespeare comfortably accommodates up to 8 guests:
• Primary Suite – King bed with en-suite bathroom
• Guest Suite – King bed with en-suite bathroom
• Third Bedroom – King bed with access to a full bathroom with an oversized tub/shower
• Premium Queen Sleeper Sofa – Ideal for additional guests

Every bedroom is designed as a relaxing retreat, featuring luxury Italian Frette sheets and towels to provide the comfort and quality of a boutique hotel. Every bathroom has hair dryers and mirrored makeup tables.

Luxury Amenities
Guests enjoy an elevated hospitality experience with thoughtful touches throughout:
• Heated bathroom floors
• Heated towel racks
• Zweisel stemware
• Complimentary bottle of prosecco, dishwasher pods, laundry pods, coffee pods and bath bomb
• 4 65-inch TV’s
• Molton Brown shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion
• Frette Italian luxury sheets and towels
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Full size washer and dryer
• 2 work desks
• Private porch with seating
• High-speed Wi-Fi
• Kid-friendly loft game area with board games and activities
• Mahjong card table
• Safe
• Keurig, drip coffee maker and tea kettle

COME WRITE YOUR NEXT CHAPTER AT THE SHAKESPEARE!

ACCEPTANCE OF RENTAL CONSTITUES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE ADDITIONAL TERMS:
The unit contains a ladder to a loft area. You agree to use the ladder and loft at your own risk. Take extra care if you use the ladder to climb up to the loft or climb down from the loft. Do not permit children to use the loft or the ladder without the supervision of an adult. Owner disclaims any liability to the fullest extent of the law for use of the ladder or loft. Guests assume all responsibility for use of the ladder or loft by themselves or by their guests, including any children.

Check out our sister property, The Fifth. Located less than a block from The Shakespeare this stunning luxury 2 bedroom / 2 bath apartment is perfect for a trip to Highlands with family or friends. https://www.vrbo.com/3112240?dateless=true
During your stay at this apartment building, you're just a quick walk from Nantahala National Forest. You'll find features like laundry facilities. The apartment includes amenities such as free WiFi and 3 bathrooms.
  • Air-conditioned apartment with washing machine, 3 bathrooms, and living room
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Steps from Nantahala National Forest and Highlands Playhouse
This apartment offers its guests laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Highlands apartment is smoke free.


Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: Free WiFi

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

The Shakespeare - Three Bedroom Luxury Retreat Steps from Main Street Highlands Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 1 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 1 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Colin C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2026