After dropping our older boys at camp last summer, a close friend and I took our daughters on a special getaway to High Hampton, a 100-year-old classic mountain retreat in Cashiers, North Carolina.
My friend and I truly enjoyed being there with our girls and we both agree the resort was kid-friendly overall (with a few minor caveats I’ll address below). We’re both hoping to get back for an adult getaway sometime soon to enjoy what High Hampton has to offer sans kids.
The Property + Interiors
Interestingly enough, Blackberry Farm now co-owns this property (if you haven’t yet read about our trip there, you can do so here).
Over the last three years or so, the owners have worked with the National Register of Historic Places to restore and preserve High Hampton’s buildings, including the property’s centerpiece, the bark-sided inn.
I’m happy to report that the interiors are gorgeous. They’re inspiring and have great attention to detail but they still feel cozy and approachable.
Samantha Feuer, Senior Interior Designer at Blackberry Design, who headed the project says the new design was intended to reflect High Hampton’s original character and eclectic charm. The design uses a mix of antiques and art from the Inn’s archives, as well as vintage items and modern pieces commissioned for the project.
The Setting
High Hampton’s setting is hard to beat. Just look at that mountain lake view!
We were there in the summer when the dahlia garden was in full bloom (gorgeous!) and the water temperatures were warm.
While summer is considered ‘high season’ there, with 1,400 acres of beautiful surroundings near the Nantahala National Forest, I can’t imagine it ever being anything less than picturesque.
The rooms featured a rustic charm with beautiful chestnut board and batten walls and branch beds. Classic lighting with custom fabric shades and botanical accents added to the cozy, casual feel.
The Amenities
Between the lake, the golf course, and the tennis and pickleball courts, there’s plenty for adults to do on the property–but remember I told you I have a few caveats when it comes to how family-friendly it is? The pool is not owned or managed by the resort and we definitely noticed a difference in the quality of the kids’ camp childcare there, as well as the boathouse food.
The kids absolutely loved visiting the donkey brothers, Fred and Ed, that are fixtures at High Hampton. So cute!
My friend and I enjoyed the bar and we loved hanging out by the fire in the lobby with our daughters on cool evenings.
Although I’d say the food wasn’t quite Blackberry Farm level (that’s a very high bar!), everything was delicious and I could see the Blackberry influences coming through.
My only other caveat about High Hampton is to keep in mind that the dining there is intended to be an experience so service is not speedy. Be sure to bring entertainment options if you’re dining with kids to keep them occupied.
Overall, we really enjoyed ourselves and I’m sure our girls will always remember the fun trip they took together to the mountain inn. I, for one, can’t wait to come back with my husband or a group of grown-up girlfriends!