- Sleeps 20 · 7 bedrooms · 14 beds · 5 baths
- Banner Elk, Watauga County
A 7,000 square foot castle on a wooded summit in Banner Elk, centered on a 40-foot stone turret with views of Grandfather Mountain. Three floors, seven bedrooms, five bathrooms and two full kitchens, so a group of 20 can be in one place without being in one room.
The main level is where the group gathers: a stone fireplace in the living room, tall windows facing Grandfather Mountain, a kitchen stocked for cooking for everyone, a coffee bar and a cocktail station with its own fridge. The game room has more than 60 classic arcade titles, skee-ball and shuffleboard.
The lower level is a second home in itself, with its own full kitchen, living space and a library in the round at the base of the turret. The night owls stay up in the game room; the early risers make coffee downstairs.
Then there are the secret rooms. A bookcase swings open onto a bunk room. A closet tunnel connects two spaces. There is a forest-themed kids' area. Expect the first hour to go to exploring.
The castle is centrally located off NC-105, with no winding back roads. Banner Elk is 5 miles, Grandfather Mountain 8, the ski areas at Sugar and Beech 10 to 20 miles, Blowing Rock 18 and Boone 20.
Sleeping arrangements
Top floor (sleeps 9, 1 bath)
Primary suite with a queen bed and attached full bath; bunk room with 4 twin beds; a second bunk room with 4 twin beds behind the bookcase door.
Main level (sleeps 3, 2 baths)
Primary suite with a queen bed and a wet room with dual showers and a soaking tub; queen bedroom. Living room with stone fireplace, game room, kitchen, coffee bar.
Lower level (sleeps 8, 2 baths)
Large bedroom with 2 queen beds; queen bedroom; library in the round with flexible overflow sleeping. Second full kitchen, living space, full bath with tub, patio.
What the house has
Amenities
- Hot tub
- Fire pit
- Game room: 60+ arcade games, skee-ball, shuffleboard
- Two full kitchens
- Stone fireplace
- Library in the turret
- Secret rooms and bookcase door
- Washer and dryer
- Wi-Fi and workspace
- Crib, high chair and kids' books
- Free parking
- 10 private acres
Nearby
- Grandfather Mountain, 8 miles
- Otter Falls hike, 2.8 miles
- Hawksnest zipline, 4 miles
- Sugar, Beech and Appalachian ski areas, 10 to 20 miles
- Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, 1.3 miles
- Banner Elk, 5 miles
- Blowing Rock, 18 miles
- Boone, 20 miles
House rules
- Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM
- No smoking
- Dogs welcome; tell us when you book
- No parties or events
- Quiet after 10 PM; the castle has neighbors
Book direct
You book with the owners of the castle, through the same secure checkout our returning guests use. Pick your dates and the total shows before you pay. Choose how much of the castle you want:
- The whole castle: sleeps 20
- Castle Tower (upper two floors): sleeps 14
- Castle Keep (lower level): sleeps 6
The whole castle
All three floors, all seven bedrooms, both kitchens and the whole 10-acre property. For reunions, friend groups of 10 to 20 and retreats. Pick your dates below; the total shows before you pay.
Castle Tower (upper two floors)
The main and top floors: full kitchen, game room, hot tub and the Juliet balcony. Private entrance and living space. Pick your dates below; the total shows before you pay.
Castle Keep (lower level)
The lower level on its own: its own kitchen, the library, a big deck with hammocks and egg-chair swings. For couples and small families. Pick your dates below; the total shows before you pay.
Questions before you book? Call or text (828) 478-8024 or email welcome@hostcarolina.com; an owner answers.
Questions guests ask
How many people can stay at Hidden Castle?
The whole castle sleeps 20 in 7 bedrooms with 14 beds and 5 bathrooms across 3 floors. The Castle Tower sleeps 14 and the Castle Keep sleeps 6, each bookable on its own.
Are the Tower and the Keep private from each other?
Yes. Each has its own entrance, kitchen and living space. When the whole castle is booked, the two connect.
Where is it?
On NC-105 in Banner Elk, Watauga County, 5 miles from town and 8 from Grandfather Mountain, with no back roads to climb.