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Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining

Family-friendly holiday home with fitness centre and sauna

Photo gallery for Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining

Exterior - Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining (Lake Toxaway)
Terrace/patio - Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining (Lake Toxaway)
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, ping pong - Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining (Lake Toxaway)
Outdoor pool, a heated pool - Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining (Lake Toxaway)
5 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi - Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining (Lake Toxaway)
Escape to Cardinal Zen, where serene lake views and rustic charm converge. Enjoy gourmet meals in the fully equipped kitchen or unwind in a private room with Motouk linens and pillow top mattresses. Take advantage of the exclusive Lake Toxaway Golf & Tennis Club access for golf, tennis, pickle ball and more.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms6 bathroomsSleeps 12511 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

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

Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining


Welcome to Cardinal Zen. Access to the exclusive Lake Toxaway Golf & Tennis Club Easter to Thanksgiving.*** Since 1903, the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Firestones, Henry Ford, R. J. Reynolds, President James Buchanan, Thomas Edison and now America’s Fortune 500 CEO’s refer to this glorious private lake escape as "Little Switzerland."

Extraordinary 5-bedroom 5 and 1/2 bath, 6,000 square foot lake front home with 300-feet of lake frontage. Breathtaking water views from almost every room. Professionally furnished and decorated.

FEATURES
*Motouk linens, Stearns & Foster pillow top mattresses
*Gourmet fully equipped kitchen (Le Creuset cookware, herbs, spices, professional knives)
*Lakefront 6-person saline hot tub
*Two great rooms
*5-on suite king bedrooms
*Game room
*Fitness room
*Four wood burning fireplaces
*Screened porch with stunning lake and wooded views and wood burning fireplace
*Vast, gently sloping lawn with surrounding forest and creek. Perfect for children and adults.
***Club access requires guest membership for additional fees

ACTIVITIES
Golf, tennis(clay courts), pickle ball, croquet, fitness center
Swimming
Paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing
Water skiing & tubing
Hiking (vast waterfall trails)
Fishing
Mountain biking
Horseback riding
Casual and fine dining

PRIVACY
Security cameras are only located outside the primary entrance to the front and rear of Cardinal Zen. They are not monitored and are only reviewed in the event of a security incident.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Heated pool
  • Hot tub
  • Massage
  • Outdoor pool
  • Sauna

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Car required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

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

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping on request
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Boat
  • Golf
  • Gym
  • Heated pool
  • Kayak
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Snow sports gear
  • Table tennis
  • Tennis
  • Water sports equipment
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

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

  • Electric car charging station
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Property located in a resort
  • Unit size: 5,500 square feet

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 30

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

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Lakefront Estate Golf Club/spa/tennis/boating/hiking/fishing

About the area

Map
Lake Toxaway, NC

What's nearby

  • Lake Toxaway - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Lake Jocassee - 33 min drive - 30.1 km
  • Lake Keowee - 42 min drive - 48.9 km
  • Western Carolina University - 48 min drive - 54.5 km
  • Fred W. Symmes Chapel - 56 min drive - 57.0 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Fix - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Grand Olde Station at Lake Toxaway - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Canyon Kitchen - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Casa Amigos - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Panthertown Cafe - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining located?

This family-friendly Lake Toxaway holiday home is located on the waterfront, within a 15-minute walk of Nantahala National Forest and Lake Toxaway. Gorges State Park and Pisgah National Forest are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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Luxurious Lakefront. Private Golf Club, Tennis, Boating, Hiking, Dining Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 105 out of 111 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 111 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 111 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 111 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 111 reviews

9.8

Cleanliness

10

Location

8.0

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Hugh H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house and wonderful location…..
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allison F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing house

We stayed here for a family vacation with three generations. It was the perfect house. Enjoyed being on the lake and all the upgraded features. Theresa was very responsive and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chad G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a house! What a view!

Beautiful well appointed house right on the lake. Quiet, so quiet and relaxing. Kitchen is amazing. Wish we could have stayed longer. And will return.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Perry L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Stay at the perfect home

We have stayed at this wonderful home before. This trip was excellent also !
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Charles R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property

Very nice vacation spot right on a private lake
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Betsey W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

Beautiful house with a beautiful view of the lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

C Michael E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family house

Plenty of room and well appointed for our kids and grandkids. What a beautiful setting!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

A very beautiful location and home - perfect for a stress free getaway!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

john m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idyllic!

Truly a idyllic setting with all the amenities close by that you could experience in a week’s time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Patricia T., Brevard, NC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Great Yard and Fun Lake

Nice big yard for kids and games. Paddles boards and canoe on the lake was fun for all ages.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Hugh H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cardinal Zen

Amazing house… This vacation was fantastic primarily due to this wonderful home on Lake Cardinal. House is beautiful and had everything you could possibly need. Host was very attentive and responded quickly to any questions I had prior to and during the stay. Will look forward to our next visit here.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hendrick S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious, bright, peaceful

The most enjoyed feature was the large gently sloping lawn and the dock for sitting with drinks and watching the kids on watercraft. Overall, a nice time for the family.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for Family Time

Second time staying at Cardinal Zen. We love it. Plenty of space for adults / couples with five king bedrooms each with own bath. Family room and outdoor porch are big enough for all to sit comfortably (and have great fireplaces). Dock is perfect for sunny afternoons (and canoe/kayaks great too). Lake Toxaway is beautiful. Our family enjoys the upper lake for its quiet and stillness. We highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pat J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Gathering

Manager was very responsive with all of our concerns after a severe storm impacted the area prior to our arrival. Found the home to be a welcome retreat for our extended family allowing each of us to escape to our own lovely nooks! The 5, 7 & the young at heart year olds stayed outside all day playing in the lake. The nearby hike to a waterfall provided great family pictures for this year’s Christmas cards:)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Carole K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cardinal Lake Getaway

Loved the size of the house and location was perfect. The recessed rooms could be an issue for older individuals. Especially the step down into the master bedroom.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Helen S.

Beautiful views and plenty of space

This is a fabulous property. The house is beautiful, big and well appointed (even have coffee and spices). We really enjoyed the dock and water toys. Easy drive to Greystone - about 5 or so minutes. Highly recommend!.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tricia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake Paradise

Beautiful home right on private lake with easy access to the dock. Pet friendly and our dogs had a blast splashing and exploring the forest paths. Private, quiet, spacious, fully stocked home with gorgeous views for working remotely while we tried to enjoy some down time. Great experience and hope to come back soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation at Lake Cardinal

Also, notice this house is NOT on Lake Toxaway. It's on Cardinel Lake. A small, beautiful, quiet lake above it with no motors allowed. <3
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Getaway

The property was as described in the description. Plenty of room to spread out and the kitchen was wonderful to cook in. All we needed was provided. The furnishings were more than comfortable with so much style. The beds were extremely comfortable!!! I would recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location, great for large family gatherings, spacious & meticulous home

Our family of 12 stayed here in May . We loved sitting on the screened porch by the fire for coffee and conversations in the mornings. During the days, we ventured on hikes to Black Balsam, Rainbow Falls, Lake Toxaway River Trail, and Meadow Ridge. We played tennis at the clubhouse and the tennis pros were so helpful and friendly. Our kids caught crappies, trout & bass in the lake and enjoyed paddling the canoes & paddle boards. It was so relaxing to sit in the dock in the evenings and in the hot tub on cool nights. The home has a game room that our older teens loved using in the evenings- ping pong, poker & card table . They could stay up late watching movies in there without disturbing those who went to bed earlier. The property manager was easily accessible and quick to respond to our needs. We will definitely stay here again in we travel back to the area.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robyn H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Break from Helene and Engagement weekend

Upon arriving to a beautiful home on the lake, music and champagne greeted us. We needed the calm, the beauty, the amazing comfort and ease of Cardinal Zen. Words cannot express what this house did for us after 15 days of turmoil in Asheville after Helene. Our youngest daughter was proposed to on Saturday and what a beautiful setting to be in Toxaway. Theresa is amazing too! Very responsive and kind.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sam C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Terrrific Toxaway

What a fantastic week we had here! This house with all of the fantastic amenities along with use of the country club is a very rare find. The screen porch and the gentle sloping yard were huge favorites amongst our group. Theresa was also very responsive to any needs or questions we had. We typically don't go to the same place twice, but we have already booked this house again for next summer- Can't wait!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelley V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Stay

Our family, including multiple members of all ages, had an incredible stay for the month of July at Cardinal Zen. The setting was idyllic, with the beautiful lake just steps away from our doorstep. One of the highlights was definitely the advantage of having a membership to the club, with the golf course nearby, which we took full advantage of. The kitchen was beautifully stocked for the many meals we cooked, and we enjoyed visiting the nearby Greystone Inn for appetizers in the bar and lakefront dinners. Theresa, the property manager, was very quick to respond to any issues that arose, which made our stay even more comfortable. The ease of boat rentals at the marina added to our experience, and the location was perfect for outdoor enthusiasts like us, with amazing waterfall hikes just a short drive away. The combination of serene lake views, convenient golf access, excellent dining options, responsive management, and stunning natural beauty made our vacation truly unforgettable.
Stayed 28 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan C W., Orlando Fl/New Orleans La

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Home on the Lake.

We enjoyed our stay in this large house on the lake. wit had a great Dock for fishing and kayaking. Caught quite a bit of Bass! Hot tub on the back porch was a big hit with the kids. House is plenty big enough for everyone to get away to their own space. All rooms very large. Very unusual pieces of woodwork and art in the house. I enjoyed walking around and admiring it all. We didn't actually cook dinner while there but the kitchen had very high end nice appliances. Quiet area. Grounds all kept very neat. The screened in porch with real fireplace was awesome. Even got to light it a few times when the weather got chilly at night. Communication before arriving was great. No problems at all. Perfect house for a large group. Oh and the Basketball goal in front of house was a hit for the boys! Great stay and would return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

suzanne b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A week on the lake

We stayed at cardinal zen for a week late June 2024 We were 12,ranging from 2-68 The house is spectacular and beautifully appointed The beds super comfy with great sheets and pillows and fluffy towels The bedrooms very roomy and very tastefully appointed. The master looks just like the photos With such a crowd, it was nice to have a large den off the kitchen, the living area, and a great screened in porch,allowing everyone to spread out The game room was fun with games,ping pong, keyboard, and nintendo. The workout area was great One of the bedrooms is a bit off to itself, which was great for little one with early bedtimes The kitchen was great. The appliances are top of the line, and there are every kind and size of pots and pans! The china and glassware is not what you would expect in a rental.. beautiful, and the cabinets filled with spices The front lawn is big and great for the kids. The dock is spacious with comfy furniture and large umbrellas to shade the sun. Everyone loved the paddle boards, kayaks and canoe. Blowup rings and fishing poles are a must. (Worms can be found at Toxaway Outfitters) Kids did bring water shoes All and all a great rental. Thanks for sharing! Suzanne and Jimmy New orleans
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024