mountain moment with michele and elisabeth Owners of Brightwaters Vacation Rentals

In 2007, Michele Azan and Elisabeth Perez made their first visit to Hendersonville for a four-day weekend with friends. The New York City dwellers were so charmed by Hendersonville’s warm and friendly residents, they called a real estate agent on a whim and wound up putting an offer on a house during their vacation. “The mountains worked their magic, and we never looked back,” Michele says. “This is the place we were meant to settle.”

Not able to replicate their NYC careers here, they opted for a new take on something they dabbled in years earlier in Florida — vacation rentals. With keen eyes and a love of history, they came across a group of cottages and cabins surrounding an old stone guest house in an area known as Brightwaters. And Brightwaters Vacation Rentals was born.

Q: You immersed yourselves in the history of Brightwaters. Can you share a shortened version of its history?

A: In the early 1920s, a former shoe salesman from Pennsylvania named Samuel Childs purchased 400 acres west of Hendersonville, from which he carved a 100-acre resort. He named it Brightwaters after an area near Tampa and promoted the resort to Floridians seeking to vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The resort consisted of 25 cabins, an eight-bedroom hotel, plus lodge and dining hall. Today, the two-story, 1938 former hotel is the centerpiece of our property.

Q: Guests often compliment you on the interior design of your rentals. What philosophy drives the designs?

A: Each home has its own personality, designed to be warm, comfortable and inviting. Our style has several components: thoughtful attention to detail; uncluttered spaces; texture and layering that delight the senses; decorative accents and large-scale artwork to add flair and drama; and mixing high/low, modern and vintage furniture to create interest and make the spaces feel like home.

Q: What are your guests’ biggest reasons for vacationing in Hendersonville and Henderson County?

A: Our guests frequently tell us they come here for the plethora of outdoor activities our area offers — from pristine lakes, rivers and waterfalls to forests that welcome hikers, bikers and nature lovers. In particular, they also choose Henderson County for U-pick apple orchards and charming, family-friendly downtown Hendersonville full of art galleries, unique boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and breweries.

Q: Is there a “secret season” visitors might not be aware of that you recommend?

A: Yes! We tell guests September is one of the best times to visit. In September, it still feels like summer, with a hint of fall, and it’s easier to get reservations at popular destinations in our area.

Q: What has been the key to becoming such a big part of the local community in a relatively short amount of time?

A: We love meeting new people and offering help where we can. Over the years, many guests have become Henderson County residents and we’ve helped them get settled. We support and share advice with local business owners, and partner with them to provide memorable visitor experiences.

Elisabeth and Michele’s Top 5

Hendersonville recommendations:

» Jump Off Rock

One of the few peaks from which visitors can experience amazing views and sunsets without having to hike.

» Umi Japanese Restaurant

Offers consistently delicious food and great service seven days a week.

» Horse Shoe Farm

Provides guests with luxury accommodations, a restaurant and spa, on an 85-acre riverfront estate.

» Marked Tree Vineyard

Serves award-winning wines in a thoughtfully designed setting, including spectacular views from every angle.

» Packa’s Place – A beer garden that welcomes everyone like family, offering music, food trucks and agritourism on their beefalo farm.