The Skyview Cabin — Private Log Cabin Near Pittsburgh, PA

Your Private World Above It All

Private luxury cabin perched above a historic West Virginia estate. Hot tub. Gazebo bar. Fire pit. 2,000 acres of wilderness at your door.

High above the Hillcrest estate, at the top of a private winding lane through the trees, sits your retreat — the Skyview Cabin.

Step out of the car and stop. Look around. Forest on every side. The West Virginia hills rolling away in every direction. The Historic Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area — 2,000 acres of protected wilderness — stretching out behind you as far as you can see. No neighbors visible. No roads visible. No noise except birdsong, wind, and the sound of your own breathing slowing down for the first time in weeks.

This is the Skyview. This is what you came for.

Built from solid Eastern White Pine timber by Lancaster Log Cabins, the Skyview sits privately in its own open field above the historic 1890s Hillcrest Manor estate below. Guests at the Skyview have their own completely private world — their own hot tub, their own covered gazebo bar, their own sunken fire pit, their own piece of West Virginia wilderness. The cottage and farmhouse below are there if you want them. Up here you would never know they exist.

The Space

Inside the cabin: One bedroom sleeping up to 4 guests comfortably. A real bed with quality linens. A fully equipped kitchen with everything you need to cook and gather. A modern bathroom. High speed WiFi. Air conditioning and heat. Everything handled so you can focus on nothing except the view outside the window.

The gazebo bar: A covered outdoor gazebo bar with a large screen TV, Bluetooth sound system, and bar seating. Watch the game. Stream your playlist across the West Virginia hills. Pour a drink and watch the sun set over the WMA forest. Or do nothing at all. The gazebo bar is your outdoor living room — covered from rain, open to the breeze, looking out across the field toward the valley below.

The hot tub: A private hot tub with open field and sky views. Slip in after dark. Look straight up. No light pollution. No city glow. Just the Milky Way over West Virginia and the sound of the forest breathing around you. This is the moment guests write about in their reviews.

The sunken fire pit: A proper stone lined sunken fire pit in the field in front of the gazebo. Adirondack chairs arranged around the rim. Wood stocked and ready to light. Gather here as the sun drops behind the hills and the stars come out above you. This is where the real conversations happen.

The field: The Skyview sits in its own private open field completely surrounded by mature West Virginia forest. Green grass. Total sky visibility. Wildlife emerging from the tree line at dusk. A view in every direction that no building, road, or neighbor interrupts.

The Hillcrest Welcome

Every Skyview booking arrives to find Brian's welcome waiting — a growler of Hillcrest Real Ale, brewed on the premises by Brian himself using traditional British brewing methods. Cold in the fridge when you walk in.

Six 20 ounce imperial pint glasses behind the bar.

This ale cannot be bought anywhere else in the world. It is made here. For you.

Pour yourself a proper pint. Stand at the gazebo bar. Look out across the open field toward the West Virginia hills.

You are exactly where you are supposed to be.

The Wilderness At Your Door

The Historic Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area begins at the edge of the Skyview field. 2,000 acres of public West Virginia wilderness — hiking trails, hunting land, and forest that stretches all the way to the Pennsylvania border — accessible directly from the cabin without getting in a car.

Wake up early and walk into the forest. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, red fox, and hawks are regular visitors to the field and tree line. In hunting season the WMA is open to licensed hunters — no travel required.

The Ohio River is 10 minutes away. Our Sun Tracker pontoon boat is available for guests who want to take the experience onto the water — morning fishing, sunset cruises, or a farewell brunch on the river. Ask us about the pontoon experience when you book.

The Estate Below

The Skyview sits privately above the historic Hillcrest Manor estate — a 1890s property with a genuine antique pub, stone foundation farmhouse, and over 130 years of West Virginia history.

Guests at the Skyview have complete privacy from the estate below. But add the Hillcrest Pub Experience to your stay and spend an evening in the historic 1890s pub — carved mahogany bar, pot belly stove, brick fireplace, and Brian's real ale. The pub and the screened porch bar are both available as an add-on.

The best of both worlds — wilderness solitude above and historic hospitality below.

Perfect For

Romantic couples and honeymooners — the hot tub under the stars, the fire pit at sunset, the complete privacy, and a growler of handcrafted ale waiting on arrival. There is no more romantic setting within an hour of Pittsburgh.

Hunters — direct access to 2,000 acres of WMA hunting land from the cabin door. Early check-in available. Secure gear storage. The perfect base camp for deer season, turkey season, and small game. Wake up, step outside, and you are already there.

Small groups of friends — the cabin sleeps 4, the gazebo bar handles a crowd, the fire pit gathers everyone. A weekend at the Skyview with your closest people is the kind of trip that gets talked about for years.

Anyone who needs to disappear for a few days — no agenda required. The Skyview has everything you need to do absolutely nothing in the most beautiful possible setting.

Location

Situated on the upper field of Hillcrest Retreat estate in Chester, West Virginia.

• 1 hour to downtown Pittsburgh
• 30 minutes to Pittsburgh International Airport
• 15 minutes to Mountaineer Casino and Resort
• 10 minutes to the Ohio River
• Steps from 2,000 acres of public wilderness
• Adjacent to Historic Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area

Amenities

Sleeping and living:

• 1 bedroom — sleeps up to 4 guests
• Quality bed with premium linens
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Modern bathroom with shower
• High speed WiFi
• Air conditioning and heat
• Smart TV inside

Outdoor:

• Private hot tub with open field and sky views
• Covered gazebo bar with large screen TV and Bluetooth sound system
• Sunken stone fire pit with Adirondack chairs
• Fire wood stocked and ready
• Open private field — completely surrounded by forest
• Direct WMA wilderness access

Welcome:

• Growler of Hillcrest Real Ale brewed on premises — included
• 20 ounce imperial pint glasses — included
• Brian and Charlene available by text throughout your stay

Pets:

• Pets welcome — bring the whole family

Parking:

• Private parking at the cabin

House Rules

Check in — 4pm Check out — 11am Minimum stay — 2 nights Pets welcome No smoking inside the cabin Maximum 4 guests Quiet hours — 10pm

Add The Pub Experience

Make your Skyview stay extraordinary. Add the Hillcrest Pub Experience and spend one evening in the historic 1890s manor pub below — carved mahogany bar, cast iron pot belly stove, brick fireplace, and four 20 ounce imperial pints of Brian's handcrafted real ale per person.

Then walk back up the lane to your hot tub under the stars.

That is a night you will not forget.

Pub Experience add-on — $50 per person · Minimum 2 guests

[Add The Pub Experience] [View The Pub Experience Page]

Add The Ohio River Pontoon

Take the experience onto the water. Our Sun Tracker pontoon on the Ohio River — 10 minutes from the estate — is available for Skyview guests who want a morning on the river, a sunset cruise, or a fishing afternoon.

[Ask About The Pontoon Experience]

Rates

From $395 per night Minimum 2 night stay · Pets welcome · Self check-in

Seasonal pricing: Spring and Summer — from $395 per night Fall Foliage October through November — from $495 per night Holiday weekends — from $495 per night Hunter's season packages — contact us

Now accepting reservations for Fall 2026 opening. Reserve your dates now — availability is limited.

[Reserve The Skyview Cabin] [Check Availability] [Contact Us 

What Guests Say About Hillcrest Retreat

Our sister property — the Hillcrest Manor Cottage — holds a 4.99 star rating across over 100 reviews on Airbnb. Here is what guests consistently say:

"Truly exceeded all our expectations. The hot tub, the atmosphere, the owners — everything was incredible."

"The only sounds you hear are the birds and the wildlife. Absolute peace."

"Brian and Charlene go above and beyond for every guest. We will be back."

The Skyview Cabin brings everything our guests love about Hillcrest — the privacy, the wilderness, the genuine hosting — elevated to an entirely new level.

About Your Hosts — Brian and Charlene

We are Brian and Charlene Mahaffey and we have lived on this historic property for years. We brew real ale in our 1890s pub. We maintain 5 acres of West Virginia hillside by hand. We know every trail in the WMA and every curve of the Ohio River.

We built Hillcrest Retreat because we wanted to share what we have. The history. The wilderness. The quiet. The feeling of being somewhere genuinely different from everywhere else.

The Skyview Cabin is our newest chapter. We are proud of it.

We live on the property. We are always close by if you need us and always respectful of your privacy if you do not.

This is our home. We are honored to share it with you.

— Brian and Charlene

[Reserve The Skyview Cabin] [View All Hillcrest Retreat Properties] [HillcrestRetreat.com]

Hillcrest Retreat · Chester, West Virginia 26034 - Contact US - HillcrestRetreat.com Hosted by Brian and Charlene