Cataloochee Ranch Hotel Review | Hotels Above Par

"Equal parts rustic and refined, this Relais & Châteaux high-country resort spans 825 acres bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cataloochee Ski Area, reaches 5,556 feet at its peak, and marries polished luxury with the wild-hearted Smoky Mountain charm that’s defined it since its 1933 Alexander-family beginnings. After Annie and David Colquitt acquired the property in 2020, it reopened in March 2024 following a thoughtful reimagining: original stones were repurposed for the fireplaces and timber reminiscent of the old support beams was used throughout, while cabins orient windows, porches, and gathering spaces toward sweeping mountain vistas to draw the outdoors in. I loved the porches—sitting to journal with tea and snacks in a huge field of green felt more restorative than a spa—and from ours the crisp, pine-scented air and views of the nearby stables where horses graze set the tone. Amenities lean outdoorsy (horseback rides to the top of the property, meeting contented cattle, leatherworking classes, archery, axe-throwing, and air rifle practice), and the rotating public events—sommelier-led wine tastings, stargazing nights with local astronomy clubs, summer cookouts, pastry-making workshops—add a communal spark; plans are underway for a pool and a few hush-hush additions in the coming year. Recently earning DarkSky Approved Lodging status from DarkSky International—among the first on the East Coast, with only 10 throughout the United States—stargazing here isn’t optional; it’s part of the experience." - Katie Mok