These North Carolina Resorts Make the Perfect Country Getaway
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If you're looking for an idyllic getaway to the countryside, set your navigation to North Carolina. From romantic, adults-only inns ideal for couples to family-friendly resorts with non-stop activities, there's a stay that's right for everyone. Outdoor adventures are easy-to-access in the Blue Ridge Mountains, while charming small towns like Highlands and favorite vacation destinations like Asheville make day trips to town easy, too. Here are 10 top-rated inns and resorts to start your North Carolina vacation planning.
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Fearrington Village, Pittsboro
Fearrington Village was the first Relais & Châteaux property in North Carolina and remains a standout in the state. Foodies in particular will find a lot to love: Fearrington House Restaurant offers fine dining via a seasonal, prix-fixe dinner menu, as well as afternoon tea. For casual fare, try The Belted Goat, which serves breakfast favorites like buttermilk pancakes and picnic-friendly lunches like chicken salad. Spring through fall, wood-fired pizza is served outdoors beneath the oak trees at Roost Beer Garden. The village's gardens supply many of the ingredients for the restaurants, as well as beautiful walks for visitors.
Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville
This historic Asheville resort has been welcoming guests for over a century. There's something for everyone here, with indoor and outdoor pools, a 43,000-square-foot spa, and 18-hole golf course designed by Donald Ross. Resort dining options are abundant too and include the Sunset Terrace where guests can take in views of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a glass from the award-winning wine list.
High Hampton Resort, Cashiers
From canoeing Hampton Lake, to a newly expanded pickle ball program, to the Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course, there is plenty to keep guests out enjoying the mountain air at High Hampton. With several restaurant there's a lot to eat, too, including southern fare created with regional Blue Ridge Mountain ingredients at The Dining Room (beer enthusiasts will also appreciate the long list of local brews at The Tavern). Rustic-luxe rooms are easy on the eyes, and offer cozy nooks for curling up with a good book at the end of the day.
Cataloochee Ranch, Maggie Valley
If you love horses, you'll love the recently renovated, 700-acre Cataloochee Ranch, where guests can saddle up for guided rides through Smoky Mountain National Park. Visitors can also try their hand at archery or axe throwing, cast their reels during a fly-fishing excursion, or find a new favorite hobby during a pottery or leatherworking lesson at the Barn Studios. Take in the views from the property's perch on Fie Top Mountain from Switchback restaurant, where Chef Jeb Aldrich, serves up Southern Appalachian cuisine.
The Swag, Waynesville
Nestled on 250 acres, The Swag lures visitors with sweeping views of the Great Smoky Mountains (the resort even has its very own entrance to the National Park). Visitors can take in the scenery on guided hikes, during a soak in the pool, or on a picnic with gourmet provisions. Unwind in guest rooms with private balconies, patios and, in some, outdoor soaking tubs, or around the fire pit with s'mores and a cocktail.
The Greystone Inn, Lake Toxaway
Originally built in 1915 by Savannah heiress Lucy Armstrong Moltz, The Greystone Inn has been welcoming hotel guests since 1985 to its beautiful perch on the shores of Lake Toxaway. Water activities like canoeing and paddle boarding are available right from the inn, and a cruise around the lake on the handcrafted, mahogany boats is a staple during a visit. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served overlooking the lake, while guests can unwind in the evenings with seasonal cocktails at the Mansion Bar.
Snowbird Mountain Lodge, Robbinsville
This all-inclusive lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains is an ideal jumping-off point for outdoors lovers, with on-property hiking trails offering views of the sunrise and sunset, and complimentary canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards supplying ways to navigate Lake Santeetlah. Back at the lodge, a four-course meal is served each evening, craft cocktails are mixed at Fireside Bar, and books from the lodge's library are read by the fire in the great room. A robust calendar of events and workshops offer more reasons to go.
Skyline Lodge, Highlands
Skyline Lodge's Hiking Concierge will set you on the right path—literally—during a visit to this Highlands hideaway. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Arthur Kelsey in 1929, the lodge was revamped in 2021 and includes Oak Steakhouse, which hosts the Under the Stars, On the Rocks guest chef dining series. Modern accommodations and a spacious courtyard with fire pits round out the appeal.
Half-Mile Farm, Highlands
This adults-only, luxury country inn set on 14 acres offers lots of ways to relax, from sipping drinks poolside to canoeing around the property's private lake to biking Half-Mile's trails. Hit the trails to nearby waterfalls, then soothe sore feet with the Hiker's Heaven treatment at Serenity Spa. Start each evening with complimentary hors d'oeuvres are served in the Main House from 5 to 6 p.m., then head to J. Henry Farmhouse Tavern for a burger or salad, or head to Main Street in Highlands for a meal at Half-Mile's sister hotel, Old Edwards Inn & Spa.
Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock
Options for outdoor enthusiasts abound at Chetola Resort, like Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing, clay shooting and archery at the sporting reserve, as well as onsite hiking, paddle boating, and lawn games. A robust activities calendar with family-friendly choices like movie nights and scavenger hunts—as well as a kids menu at Timberlake's restaurant—make it a good choice for groups with little ones.
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