Name: The Highlands at Sugar
Address: 2173 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, North Carolina, United States of America, Sugar Mountain, North Carolina, US
Rating: 7.57

What guests think

At The Highlands at Sugar, guests consistently highlight spacious condo-style units, friendly staff, and sweeping mountain views near Sugar Mountain, making it a good-value base for skiing and family trips despite the property’s older feel and variability.

Many reviews mention dated decor, thin ceilings that transmit footsteps, and a lack of air conditioning in several units. Cleanliness and upkeep are inconsistent, with some stays described as very clean while others cite dirty dishes or linens, bad odors, pests, and appliance or fixture issues. Amenities like the pool, hot tub, sauna, and game room are convenient, though guests sometimes face closures, murky water, faulty jets, or temperature problems. Expect a scenic, good-value base with ample space and views, but uneven finishes and occasional noise.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

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Facilities

Many guests enjoyed the pool, hot tub, sauna, and game room. Others reported issues such as dirty or murky water, jets or temperature not working, occasional closures, and worn equipment.

Related guest reviews

8

Misty

Mar 18, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Lots of space in the apt but it’s pretty outdated. Need the pullout couch replaced. The pool and pool room appreared very dirty. Would stay there again though for location and size.

10

Claude

Aug 10, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

After hours check in went well but phone number to call could have been on a weatherproof label. Rooms were large and very suitable for a "family" stay. Chairs and rugs were dated but better than the new items some organizations are using. Kitchen was great and well appointed. Baths were fine. View was amazing out our large windows. Game room and pool area were a real winner. Liked the way access was available 24/7.

10

Matthew

Jan 31, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I like the building with the pool, hot tub and games, everything was real cozy

6

Hattie

Jun 15, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The swim pool did not look clean the hot tub. The Jets didn’t work and it looked like it was molded. It was so old ,did not realize they did not have air conditioner. We were on the bottom floor. Needless to say it was a bit hot thank goodness it wasn’t in July or August that we stay there.

8

barry

Feb 16, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hot tube and pool tables were nice

6

Analyn

Mar 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The unit was very spacious and the amenities (pool, hot tub, and game room) convenient and accessible. The location was perfect for us, as we were there to visit the Sugar Mountain Resort (only a couple miles down the road). The unit was not clean at all. Hair in the showers and sinks. Dirty under the beds and couches. The dishwasher was full of dishes from a previous. The walls and floors are old and not maintained. The refrigerator smelled horrible. We only stayed for a few nights and ate at the local restaurants, but the refrigerator smelled horrible, just for using it for keepung our bottled water. We returned one night after night skiing and the refrigerator smelled so bad, we had to turn on the microwave vent to help air out the kitchen.

6

DAVID

Feb 22, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Close to slopes and spa/pool and game area were nice.

10

Jared

Nov 4, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

We enjoyed everything about our stay here. The rooms were very clean and had everything that you could need. We were also very happy with the pool area being open 24 hours.

10

Ray

Jan 25, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Although I rated this stay “excellent” there were two minor issues that occurred. 1. The unit above was occupied & while there was no other noise present the footsteps of the occupants were very noticeable. It was difficult to go to sleep. 2. The hot tub amenity on Wednesday was wonderful ( approx 102-104 F.), but on Thursday the water was more like in the 70s F.temperature was in the 70s F. 3. Everything else was wonderful & exceptionally clean!

4

Emily

Oct 29, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was not as described, pool was not available, hot tub not available. Has definitely declined since our first visit there. Will not be returning. Very disappointed. When issues are we addressed with staff, nothing was done to correct or make visit better. No reimbursement offered.

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness is mixed: some units were reported very clean, while others cited dirty dishes or linens, hair in bathrooms, bad odors, pests, and poor housekeeping. A few reviews also mention checkout tasks like taking out trash or stripping beds.

Related guest reviews

4

Tiffany

Jan 13, 2023

·

Stayed 19,362 nights

Nothing unique about this terribly outdated and dirty property! After bringing concerns to the office, nothing was done. There are many other properties in the same area that you should consider. The mattresses on both beds sunk in the middle, the pool and hot tub were filthy with a film on top of the water and crud all along the edge of the tile, The game room and office smelled horrible. It was overall just disgusting!

10

Angela

May 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful serene Mountain View. Grocery and restaurants within 5 min not walkable but driving. Staff was very friendly. Apartment was very clean and I would definitely recommend

6

Cristiane

Mar 30, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The bathroom was not clean. The room did not look like the one I rented, and the main thing is that the bathroom ceiling had dark stains that looked like mold. Oh, and you have to clean it before leaving the place, which I only found out after I checked in and they gave me a paper saying that I have to clean the fireplace if I use it and take the trash out of the apartment and throw it in a trash can 300 meters away.

2

Bryan

Jan 13, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The unit was incredibly dirty with previous visitors dirty laundry under the couch and around the unit. Also, dirt, food, and a dirty q-tip was found when asking the sofa bed.

8

NICOLE

Jan 6, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

We have stayed at this property many times. In the past, we always booked the 2BR condo and found it to have plenty of room for our family to spread out and was very comfortable. This year, we had the 1 BR because that was all that was available when I booked. Probably the worst thing about it was hearing the ridiculous stomping of feet above you (seriously sounded like they were teaching elephants gymnastics). The unit was not as clean as I would have liked/expected- especially since there is a list of things you must do at check-out. (The dishwasher had dirty dishes in it) All in all, it is a good value for what you get with a great location to explore everything in the area

6

Analyn

Mar 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The unit was very spacious and the amenities (pool, hot tub, and game room) convenient and accessible. The location was perfect for us, as we were there to visit the Sugar Mountain Resort (only a couple miles down the road). The unit was not clean at all. Hair in the showers and sinks. Dirty under the beds and couches. The dishwasher was full of dishes from a previous. The walls and floors are old and not maintained. The refrigerator smelled horrible. We only stayed for a few nights and ate at the local restaurants, but the refrigerator smelled horrible, just for using it for keepung our bottled water. We returned one night after night skiing and the refrigerator smelled so bad, we had to turn on the microwave vent to help air out the kitchen.

10

Catrina

Aug 4, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful area. Clean room.

8

ma victoria

Nov 5, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

clean, needs a little upgrade. found cockroaches.

2

Christopher

Sep 17, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

This place is ok. If you don’t actually need a place to stay but want a hotel. The bed was very uncomfortable, pillows hard as a rock, and we found foot prints on our sheets. After speaking to management they didn’t care and just advised they would alert maintenance and housekeeping. Speaking of which you have to take out your own trash and take off the sheets too. Don’t advise it for the price. But it’s not like there’s many choices.

6

james

Feb 26, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Property was good, but the following need to be addressed: Some dirty pans and dishes. Some pans had buildup on the bottom with no steel or sos pans to clean them. No dishwashing soap to clean dishes or silverware and no silverware basket to put them in the dishwasher. Burners on electric stove did dot fit and were not able to be leveled and only 2 of the burners could be used. The mattress is old and somewhat lumpy. Bedspread did not seem to be clean.

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Rooms

Units are spacious with full kitchens and mountain views, but decor and furnishings are often dated, TVs can be small or old, and many note thin ceilings and noise from upstairs. Comfort varies, and several reviews mention no air conditioning.

Related guest reviews

6

Ron

Jul 23, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

No A/C and the people above us sounded like they were going to come right through the ceiling. Running going on almost all night.

8

Lukasz

Feb 25, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I didn’t like tv , too small and not smart tv

10

Diego

Jan 17, 2023

·

Stayed 19,373 nights

Amazing place to stay, wonderful view, perfect location in sugar mountain…

8

Jessica

Jan 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We did not get the unit that the pictures had shown. Our unit was very outdated, and the mattress was horribly uncomfortable. It was very clean, however, and the location was great.

8

Jonathan

Dec 1, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Clean comfortable spacious unit. Older complex could use some soundproofing between the upper and lower units.

8

Krishna

Feb 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The place is older but completely redone. Everything was great. The only thing is that the ceiling is paper thin and you hear the people above you.

6

Todd

Aug 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The property is older but well maintained. The unit we were assigned had an old, lumpy or cheap mattress and the headboard squeaks when you move in the bed.

6

Regina

Nov 6, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Loved the views. Disappointed in how outdated the unit was. It definitely was not the unit in the pictures. BED was horrible. Maybe slept 2 hours straight. Check-out was 10 and we were out by 0730 due to not being able to sleep.

8

Lauren

Feb 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great value and proximity to the mountain. The units are quite dated, but very clean. We would stay here again for the price.

10

Joseph

Jul 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great place to stay. Only thing it needs is AC.

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Service

Staff are frequently described as friendly and accommodating, with some prompt help. However, responses to problems can be slow or unhelpful, and a few guests found check-in instructions unclear or checkout strict.

Related guest reviews

10

Hester

Mar 17, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Polly was kind enough to move me to a quieter unit, so I could work on my book. It took them some trouble and extra cleaning. What a kind extra mile!

6

rhonda e.

Feb 27, 2022

·

Stayed 2 nights

All went very well except the day I was traveling I did not receive any information on checkin. The. I tried emailing host and there was no response for over an hour. I called VRBO and they too kept me on the line for another hour. I thought I had been abandoned. Pretty strange case.

10

Bo

Oct 26, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Staff was very friendly, communication was clear. The location was gorgeous! Some of the decor was a bit dated and there was some peeling paint, but other than that it was a perfect stay and I'd be glad to stay there again.

2

Kris K.

Feb 18, 2022

·

Stayed 2 nights

Pictures in the listing do not match the property we were assigned at check-in. Condo is structurally unstable and very concerning being several stories off the ground. Check-in process requires calling number to open a lockbox with the paperwork and keys, but this was never communicated to us prior to arrival. If we had been warned about the lockbox ahead of time, it would have been ideal.

10

Elliott

Mar 13, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great property in a great location. The unit was clean, roomy and comfortable. My only complaint is the strict checkout time. We were really hoping to get an extra 30 minutes to check out but management was unable to accommodate us. We ended up leaving some valuables behind as we were rushing out the door.

2

Katrina

Jan 22, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

The heater in the bedroom was broken. Despite the temp being in the teens it took three days for someone to bring a space heater alternative. We returned home to find that the family had contracted HEAD LICE from the linens. Which were suspicious looking to being with. When I opened the pull out couch the old linens were still on it unwashed. I am disgusted. The office offered no attempt at making it right over the heater. And they were swapping furniture during our stay. Throwing couches out into the parking lot and road which stayed that way for days.

10

Latasha

Jan 11, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

My family and I booked this cabin last minute for my granddaughter's birthday, and let me say it exceeded my expectations. The view is absolutely breathtaking and the property is well maintained. Although the staff is not on the property after 5:00 pm, however they do provide an after hours phone number. They are quick to respond and assist

2

Christopher

Sep 17, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

This place is ok. If you don’t actually need a place to stay but want a hotel. The bed was very uncomfortable, pillows hard as a rock, and we found foot prints on our sheets. After speaking to management they didn’t care and just advised they would alert maintenance and housekeeping. Speaking of which you have to take out your own trash and take off the sheets too. Don’t advise it for the price. But it’s not like there’s many choices.

10

Joy

Jun 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

We were there to celebrate my son’s 15th birthday! We enjoyed everything in the surrounding areas. We had an issue with our washer and they fixed our issue the next day! We will definitely be back!

4

Emily

Oct 29, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was not as described, pool was not available, hot tub not available. Has definitely declined since our first visit there. Will not be returning. Very disappointed. When issues are we addressed with staff, nothing was done to correct or make visit better. No reimbursement offered.

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Location

Scenic mountain setting close to Sugar Mountain and nearby attractions, with great views. Access is by steep, winding roads, driving is required, and 4WD or AWD may be needed in winter.

Related guest reviews

8

Scotty

Jan 26, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Overall, this is not a bad place to stay. For the price, you can’t beat it. The biggest “issue” with the room is oddly, none of the TV remotes worked. Also, the water pressure in both showers in our room felt like a pressure washer on your skin… Glad it had water pressure though. The hot tub and pool were a little icky. The room had a wonderful view of the mountains! Also, minutes from the Sugar Mountain ski resort! Also, tip: if you are coming in the winter, make sure you have a 4WD/AWD vehicle. If not, get you some snow chains. This place is at the tip top of the mountain.

8

John

Sep 18, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Excellent location for Lees McRae or skiing. Great views! My only complaint is that it was warm when we were here in early September and the unit didn't have air conditioning. (we didn't see that in the listing) In addition, the unit doesn't have any windows (just screen doors) and the ceiling fan in the primary bedroom didn't work.

10

Angela

May 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful serene Mountain View. Grocery and restaurants within 5 min not walkable but driving. Staff was very friendly. Apartment was very clean and I would definitely recommend

10

Paul

Mar 13, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

If you are going to sugar mountain skiing great place to stay 2 minute drive to ski area parking lot.

8

Brandy

Mar 19, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

This is wonderfully located to access both Sugar and Beech Mt. The staff was absolutely amazing and wonderful to do business with. The property is older but has such beautiful views and the size of the apartments are huge. I wish I had booked directly instead of through Expedia.

10

Austin M.

Feb 10, 2022

·

Stayed 2 nights

Good place to stay close to the ski lodge. Note that 4x4 is recommended on steep uphill roads, and required with any snowfall. Will stay again.

10

Felcy pavithra

Dec 26, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Well stocked kitchen, close to sugar mountain resort, lovely views of the surrounding mountains

10

Lorin

Feb 16, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great stay! And a short drive to the ski resort which made the trip enjoyable

10

José

Jul 18, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location and quite place I will go back

8

Jeanette

Jul 16, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Close to Grandfather Mountain and other venues

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Month	Average price
January	$173
February	$242
March	$182
September	$212
October	$216
November	$174
December	$213

The Highlands at Sugar

Prices for The Highlands at Sugar

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Two-Bedroom Apartment

One-Bedroom Suite

Two-Bedroom Apartment with Single Beds

Guest reviews of The Highlands at Sugar

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