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Riverfront Luxury Retreat in 75-Acre Forest... Hike, Kayak, and Soak

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Property grounds
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire cabin

1 bedroom1 bathroom

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Union Mills, NC
  • Place, Chimney Rock State Park
  • Place, Riverside Riding Stables
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Lure
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Airport, Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    ‪74 min drive‬

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Riverfront Luxury Retreat in 75-Acre Forest... Hike, Kayak, and Soak


*One of Western NC's most cherished destinations is now on VRBO*

Escape the crowds and reconnect with nature at Atavi — a secluded retreat and riverfront sanctuary on 75 private acres in the Western North Carolina mountains. Hike miles of private trails, kayak or tube the peaceful waters, and enjoy an outdoor bath in complete solitude.

Nestled along the river’s edge, this luxury cabin offers the ultimate blend of comfort and wilderness. Whether you're seeking relaxation, romance, or adventure, Atavi is the perfect NC mountain retreat.


*** ADULTS ONLY (ALL guests must be 18+)


This rare destination provides the best of all worlds by blending total privacy, luxurious amenities, and unforgettable outdoor experiences. At Atavi, you don’t have to choose between comfort and connection with nature — here, you get it all:

• Private riverfront with free kayaking & tubing

• Miles of marked hiking trails through lush mountain forest

• Outdoor hot soaking tubs for forest bathing and stargazing

• New & modern treehouse-style cabin with 3 levels of pristine living space

• Completely equipped kitchen, full bathroom, and all organic linens

• Short drive to multiple restaurants and towns, including Asheville



THE ATMAN HOUSE (pronounced "Aht-muhn")

Custom built in 2023, this elevated upscale cabin is designed to immerse you in the sights & sounds of the river from every room:

MAIN LEVEL:
• Stocked kitchen with all cookware & appliances
• Full bathroom with large shower and organic cotton towels
• Bedroom with screened porch and organic bedding
• 16’ floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the forest inside

LOFT - A spiral staircase leads to a cozy hideaway with:
• 55" Smart TV with free Netflix, books & games
• Twin daybed + work desk
• Reliable Wi-Fi, if you really need it :-)

OUTDOOR LIVING:
• Large Trex deck that practically hovers over the river
• Two outdoor tubs w/hot water (more sanitary than a hot tub)
• Covered patio w/hammock & fans — it's furnished and always cool
• Electric grill + propane fire pit, for easy outdoor cooking and cozy nights


EXPLORE THE LAND:

This isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a private nature sanctuary & retreat. Guests have access to the entire property, including:

• A maintained trail system with printed map & scenic stops
• Over half a mile of private river frontage
• Beaches for swimming or fishing
• Multiple sitting areas and benches for daily wildlife viewing
• Towering oak, beech, and hickory trees + rare eastern hemlocks


NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

Situated in the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we're just a short drive from everything that Western NC has to offer. If you decide to leave the property, you’re just 20-25 minutes away from the mountain Town of Lake Lure which has plenty of lakeside dining options, tourist attractions, and a public beach. For even more options, the town of Black Mountain is a great place to visit (35 min), or drive another ten minutes further to get to Western NC's largest city, Asheville.

• 15 miles to the closest restaurants & grocery
• 15 miles to Lake Lure, NC
• 25 miles to Tryon Equestrian Center
• 25 miles to Black Mountain, NC
• 40 miles to Asheville, NC (home of Biltmore Estate)
• 50 miles to Asheville Regional Airport
• 80 miles to Charlotte International Airport

Whether you are visiting with your significant other for an anniversary, birthday, or romantic getaway, or coming solo for a digital detox or weekend retreat, Atavi is the perfect remote escape from the stress of everyday life.

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ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

LARGER GROUPS:
Atavi features two riverfront cabins. Each is completely private, separated by several acres of thick forest. Larger groups can book both and utilize a connecting trail through the woods.

VEHICLE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Our driveway is hard-packed gravel. 4x4 or AWD vehicles are recommended, but not required.

HOST NOTE:
Please understand that Atavi is not your standard VRBO. We are a wellness retreat & wilderness getaway, created to share nature's magic with others and help people escape from the stress of everyday life. Therefore, maintaining a clean, safe, and tranquil environment is of paramount importance at all times. Please respect these values so as to ensure the best possible experience for all present and future guests. Thank you!
During your stay at this cabin, you'll be close to Riverside Riding Stables. Enjoy features like a hot tub. Free WiFi and a kitchen are available in the cabin.
  • Air-conditioned cabin with kitchen, balcony, and living room
  • Free WiFi
  • 6.4 mi (10.2 km) from Riverside Riding Stables and 10.9 mi (17.6 km) from Waterfall Park
This cabin offers its guests a hot tub, barbecue grills, and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Union Mills cabin is smoke free.


Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the cabin: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the mountains
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak

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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Property does not allow children

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Rules

Service animals and emotional support animals are not allowed, due to allergy and health reasons.
NO VISITORS, including caterers, private chefs, photographers, event planners, wedding companies, musicians, florists, stylists, food delivery, etc
ALL guests must e-sign our list of rules and liability waiver, and provide photo ID before checking in. This is done via email after booking.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • This property does not allow children.

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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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.

Reviews

Riverfront Luxury Retreat in 75-Acre Forest... Hike, Kayak, and Soak Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness
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

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ashley W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Slice of Heaven on Earth

This was one of best experiences by far and we have stayed at a lot of places! Gorgeous just doesn't seem like a strong enough word to describe this property. We had the best time in this tranquil, private and peaceful spot on the creek. Everything was immaculate and just like the pictures. We enjoyed kayaking and tubing, hiking the beautifully manicured trails and soaking in the outdoor tubs. The fully stocked kitchen gave us everything we needed to prepare meals, and we didn't need for anything. This was a perfect getaway from our stressful work schedule and gave us the relaxation we were so in need of. The hosts made everything from checking in, providing kayaks and tubes, and a place to decompress so easy. This stay will be added to one of our favorites and we can't wait to plan another stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025