Old Edwards Inn

A 64-room Forbes Five-Star property in Highlands, North Carolina — the Blue Ridge mountain town that's quietly become one of the more polished small-town resorts in the southern Appalachians. Old Edwards anchors Highlands' Main Street and runs Madison's restaurant, a serious spa, two pools, a wine cellar, and the kind of operation that travelers from Charleston and Atlanta drive into the mountains specifically to find.

It is the high-luxury Carolina mountain pick — cool elevation, a full-service program, and a kitchen with a Michelin Key.

The setting

Highlands sits at 4,000 feet in the southern Blue Ridge, ninety minutes southwest of Asheville and two hours northeast of Atlanta. Old Edwards Inn occupies most of a block on Main Street, with the historic district's shops and restaurants spreading out from the property. The Highlands plateau is forested with hemlocks and rhododendrons; waterfall hikes are within a fifteen-minute drive in any direction.

The mountain elevation makes a real difference — in summer, Highlands is twenty degrees cooler than Atlanta. Locals call it the "summer capital."

The building

A historic inn — the original Highlands Inn dates to 1878 — with extensive expansions and renovations layered over a century and a half. The current Old Edwards is a stone-and-timber complex covering several connected buildings on Main Street, with brass-and-velvet detailing throughout. Public spaces include the Madison's dining room, the wine spectator room, the spa, two pools, and a courtyard. Materials are stone, timber, brass, and the kind of Carolina-mountain heritage detailing that fits the elevation.

The rooms

Sixty-four rooms across multiple buildings. Categories include classic kings, deluxe suites with sitting rooms and fireplaces, the historic inn rooms, and a few private cottages. Beds are kings; bathrooms are tile and stone, generously sized in higher categories with deep soaking tubs. From-rates open around $895 in season; suites and cottages run higher.

Food & drink

Madison's, the principal restaurant, holds a Michelin Key and runs a contemporary American menu with strong sourcing from regional Carolina producers. The wine list is one of the better mountain-property cellars, with deep Burgundy and a serious American selection. Hummingbird Lounge is the bar; Four65 is the casual all-day. Non-guests book Madison's regularly.

On the property

Two heated outdoor pools (one rooftop), a full-service spa with hydrotherapy, a fitness center, three restaurants, the wine cellar, and a courtyard. Hiking trails into the Highlands plateau (Whiteside Mountain, Sunset Rock) are short drives.

• Two heated pools, one rooftop
• Full-service spa with hydrotherapy
• Madison's restaurant (Michelin Key)
• Wine cellar
• Walking distance to Highlands Main Street
• Open year-round

Who it's for

• Couples doing a serious mountain weekend with full-service amenities
• Diners planning around the Madison's reservation
• Travelers from Atlanta and Charleston escaping the summer heat
• Anyone comparing Old Edwards with the Inn at Wintergreen, Greystone Inn, or Blackberry Farm

Who it's not for

• Travelers seeking a casual budget mountain stay
• Anyone allergic to upscale-resort programming
• Pet owners (some accommodations accept pets; verify on booking)

Nearby

Highlands Main Street's shops and a few additional good restaurants are right outside the door. Whiteside Mountain trail (the famous cliff hike) is fifteen minutes east. Sunset Rock and Sunrise Rock are short hikes from town. Cashiers is fifteen minutes east for additional restaurants. Dry Falls and Glen Falls are within twenty minutes. For dinner outside the property: The Wine Garden in Highlands and Wolfgang's are the picks.