Decades ago, when two friends shared their dreams for life after nine-to-five, their stories collided and intertwined. Both had a vision to create a wellness retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains where guests could seamlessly embrace nature during a luxury stay. Amy Cavanaugh and Shari Robins purchased a piece of property along Shope Creek, in the outskirts of Asheville, North Carolina. In 2014 and opened Firelight at Shope Creek in 2025.
They collaborated with local architects and interior designers initially renovating a hilltop cabin, then building seven smaller modern cabins along the grassy lawn leading to the creek.
Horses graze in the rolling meadow across the way and Brownie, the resident rooster reigns over the families of ducks and chickens and a pretty produce garden, all for guests to enjoy. And, we did!
One night after a strenuous hike up the trail on the property, we enjoyed scrambled eggs from the coop with fresh herbs from the garden. For dessert, we roasted marshmallows over the coals in the mod wood stove and steeped tea, stepping onto the deck and into the hot tub under the stars.
Shari and Amy have thought of everything, including soft robes (two per guest!), radiant heat in the bathroom, a perfectly stocked kitchen, and enough stacked firewood to please even the most enthusiastic scout (me).
Plans for spring and summer at Firelight include adding an elevated yoga platform nestled in the woods, more wellness amenities and an expanded collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours (already in place). We enjoyed a private yoga practice in our living room followed by a mini spa session just steps away in the outdoor barrel-shaped sauna, complete with herbal tea and reusable water bottles. Each choice here seems intentional and powered by design and guest service. It’s personal too. “You'll often find us tending the animals and gardens on-site, restocking the cabins between stays, and interacting with guests in the communal areas of the property,” says Amy. “Our community of cabins creates a haven for guests seeking both tranquility and adventure, all surrounded by breathtaking mountain and forest views.” With 22 miles of wooded trails on the property, guests don’t have to adventure out to the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest to explore, but it’s there for the taking. The nearby small town of Black Mountain is 20 minutes away, as is Asheville, both packed with coffee, good food, beer, and art.
My longtime friend Elizabeth and I had a beautiful dinner at The Pure and Proper in Black Mountain, then built a roaring fire in the stone fireplace at Firelight’s community lounge, a beautiful outdoor covered patio along the creek. I greedily rubbed my hands together at the giant stack of firewood and settled into the couch, smothered with cozy blankets, for a long conversation with my pal.
We wished upon the stars.
They came true at Firelight.