The dream of the Lakeside Cottage on Watauga Lake, a cottage rental in Tennessee, began about 6 years ago. The owner, Vikki Woods, had built the Iron Mountain Inn, a mountaintop log home as a bed and breakfast, and then the Creekside Chalet, a log cabin nestled between the mountains and the creek. The Chalet is meant to be a respite for families with children and travelers wanting to include their 4-footed family members in the trip, while the Iron Mountain Inn is a romantic getaway or a respite from busy lives. With two log homes secluded among the forest and mountains, a home on the water at Watauga Lake, TN would round out the experiences visitors would enjoy in “the quiet corner” of Northeast Tennessee.

Periodically Vikki would drive around looking at properties, but nothing was quite right. Then one evening after having a light supper at a local grill, she happened to be driving along one of the lakeshore roads when she noticed a “For Sale” sign. She stopped and got out to take the phone number down meaning to call the next day. But then, since there was a car parked on the edge of the road, she parked and walked down to the edge of the lake where the owner of the land was installing a second sign along the waterfront.

She walked down to the waterfront, met the owner, made him an offer and with a handshake they made a deal.

 In a few weeks, she met with the owners, signed a sales contract and was the proud owner of 1.43 acres of prime waterfront property. And the rest, as they say, is history.  Within a year, the first family was able to enjoy the warmth and beauty of the Cottage for a family reunion.  The guests came from as far away as New Mexico to enjoy the pristine waters of Watauga Lake.

Fully furnished with top-of-the-line appliances, linens and special touches such as tiled baths, 2 person jetted tub, aromatherapy steam shower, and a dumb waiter, the Lakeside Cottage is the perfect home away from home on the shores of Watauga Lake with the Iron Mountains and Cherokee National Forest surrounding it.

From the balconies or beds of the Green and Blue bedrooms, gaze at the full moon as it rises from behind the mountains scattering its rays across the cove filtering up into the Lakeside Cottage. Wake to the morning sun streaming across the lake where ripples break up the sunbeams into shards of sparking glass. Each room is perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.

On the first floor the soft silver bedroom is warm and inviting with a wheelchair accessible tiled bath. Large closets and robes make guests want to stay forever.

Tired of lugging luggage up and down stairs? Just put it in the dumb waiter and pull the ropes to easily transport luggage, laundry and anything needing to go from the first floor to the second – once you’ve had a dumb waiter, you’ll never want to live in a two story house without one!

Two tanks of gas for the grill gets you started – perhaps your culinary skills will start with the bass, trout or walleye you caught right off the end of the property. The fish are jumping! Or maybe you will rent a fishing or pontoon boat to take out on Watauga Lake and discover some of the other wonderful fishing spots around the lake. With over 110 miles of shoreline and a lake 10 miles long, there are plenty of places to cast a line.

Evenings will find your family playing games, putting puzzles together, reading or watching TV on the large screen satellite TV. In the cooler months, there is a fireplace to gather round.