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

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January 2025

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

Exterior
Outdoor pool, a heated pool
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, table tennis
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, table tennis

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms6 bathroomsSleeps 12511 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Pool
  • Washer
  • Breakfast available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Lake Toxaway, NC
  • Lake Toxaway
    12 min walk
  • Gorges State Park
    11 min drive
  • Whisper Lake
    23 min drive
  • Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    60 min drive

Room options

About the area

Lake Toxaway

On lake.You'll find Nantahala National Forest and Lake Toxaway within a 15-minute walk of this Lake Toxaway vacation home. Gorges State Park and Pisgah National Forest are also within 6 miles (10 km).
View more Vacation homes in Lake ToxawayOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Lake Toxaway - 12 min walk
  • Gorges State Park - 11 min drive
  • Whisper Lake - 23 min drive
  • Lake Glenville - 35 min drive
  • Lake Jocassee - 53 min drive

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Mica's Restaurant - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Osteria Del Monte - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪SlopeSide Tavern - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Villa Amato - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Library Kitchen & Bar - ‬25 min drive

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 Toxaway 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
*Private rooms for peaceful escapes
* Motouk linens and pillow top mattresses
*Gourmet fully equipped kitchen (herbs, spices, Keurig pods, professional knives and cookware)
*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 manager

Theresa Cannon

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Pool/Spa

  • Outdoor pool
  • Heated pool
  • Shared/communal pool
  • Spa tub
  • Sauna
  • Massages

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

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

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Paper towels
  • Kitchen island
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Blender

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

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

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Table tennis
  • Arcade/game room
  • DVD player
  • Video library
  • Stereo
  • Music library
  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

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

Things to do

  • Fitness center
  • Snow sports gear
  • Water sports equipment
  • Golf privileges
  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Boat on site
  • Kayak on site
  • Golfing on site
  • Tennis on site
  • Hunting nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Horse riding nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 5500 sq ft (511 sq m)

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

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

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
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

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

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 98 out of 104 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 104 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 104 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 104 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 104 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susan B., Cincinnati, United States

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Robyn H., Asheville

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Pat J.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Perry L.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Kelley V.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

suzanne b.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Hugh H.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Sam C.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Betsey W., Jacksonville

Liked: Cleanliness
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
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

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

8/10 Good

Charles R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property
Very nice vacation spot right on a private lake
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan B., Cincinnati, United States

Liked: Cleanliness
The Perfect Thanksgiving Family Week
We had a wonderful time at Cardinal Zen. The house was perfect for our group. The five bedrooms with their own bath is great for couples/families. Lots of room to spread out in the common areas! Outdoor screened in porch with fireplace was lovely for conversation. The great room with fireplace and open to kitchen was perfect for entire family to be together for game playing while meals were being prepped. The dining room with fireplace was lovely for all our meals, especially our Thanksgiving dinner (table nicely fits 11 or 12). The kitchen table was great for game playing and quick meals. The formal living room was nice for quiet morning coffee. The primary bedroom and bath was an escape and delight! We enjoyed sitting on the dock during the day for some sunshine. And several enjoyed the hot tub both during the day and evening hours. The house sound system was excellent. All equipment met and exceeded our expectations. As you can tell, we had a fantastic time. And Theresa made everything easy! Any question or need, she answered immediately. That made for a carefree planning process and week. A few even went out in the kayaks and canoe. This house would be wonderful any time of year!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hendrick S.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

john m.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Susan C W., Orlando Fl/New Orleans La

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Tricia W.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Stephen F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
Very spacious home and great spot on the water to relax
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

dawn s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mountain Getaway!
This house is amazing. The views of the lake from every room of this spacious house were spectacular. The interior of this home was absolutely beautiful especially the works of art that adorned the walls. This home gives one a sense of peace and relaxation. There is a gentle slope from the back of the house to a wonderful dock with comfortable furniture to sit out on and take in the surroundings. We really enjoyed fishing from this spot and for those who want more adventure, kayaks and paddle boards were also provided. We arrived late our first night and Theresa had the lights on for us and relaxing music playing over the Sonos System as well as logs ready for an evening fire in one of the 3 fireplaces. This is definitely a home we hope to revisit!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Claudia M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake Retreat
Home is lovely. Extremely accommodating for a large group. Hostess was very helpful in addressing questions and issues that arose.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Olga K.

Beautiful location
beautiful home with 4 regular bedrooms and one bonus room, fantastic location, very peaceful and picturesque, great communication with manager
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephen M., Boca Raton Florida

Liked: Cleanliness
Spectacular Home on Cardinal Lake
Cardinal Zen is one of the best equipped and best maintained homes we have ever rented. The home is immaculate and all mechanicals functioned perfectly during our stay. Very private setting with views of Cardinal Lake from all first floor rooms. Property Manager and owner are very responsive. This was our second visit to Cardinal Zen and we look forward to returning in 2023.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful family time
Enjoyed this property so much. Beautiful home and interior. Wonderful location on Cardinal Lake where all got to enjoy the dock for fishing, paddle boards, and kayaks etc Extremely well stocked kitchen !! And the two washers and two dryers were great. Rented boats from marina for two days on Lake Toxaway for skiing and tubing. Property manager was always available. Would definitely recommend and would love to stay again in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Greg B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cardinal Zen Indeed!
By far the nicest luxury rental property our family has visited. From plenty of water sports to a well-appointed kitchen, the property is designed for maximum comfort, enjoyment, and relaxation. Our family varied in ages, and there was something for everyone with exquisite views in a beautiful mountain and lakeside setting. Would highly recommend
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022