Blackberry Farm
Resort hotel · Blount County
1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886
Highlights
Elegant rooms, fine-dining restaurant, outdoor pool, spa, hiking, fishing
Elegant rooms, fine-dining restaurant, outdoor pool, spa, hiking, fishing
"An award-winning Tennessee resort that blends Blue Ridge Mountain charm with family programming—hiking trails, lakeside waterslides, and a notable children's club where youngsters can take part in nature-based activities like berry foraging and baking while parents tackle more strenuous pursuits." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Set in the Great Smoky Mountains foothills and long celebrated for its food-and-farm program, this Relais & Châteaux estate offers a variety of accommodations—from Main and Guest House rooms to private cottages and houses—and a working farmstead with gardens, pastures, a dairy barn, and resident animals for tours. Families can search Hess Creek for salamanders and crawdads, enroll kids (ages 4 and up) in Camp Blackberry for culinary arts, crafts, and wellness programming, and parents can enjoy wine and spirits tastings and a spa. Note that children under 4 incur no extra nightly charge, but ages 4 and up are assessed a $250 per child, per night fee; rates start at about $1,145 with a three‑night minimum." - Sarah Bruning Sarah Bruning Sarah Bruning is the special projects and surveys editor at Travel + Leisure, where she has been on staff since 2018. She assigns stories across the magazine, primarily for the Experiences section and feature well. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A Tennessee stalwart at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, this culinary-driven resort has been delighting guests since the 1970s and sees more than 70% of visitors return, so expectations are high. Leadership emphasizes classic techniques and strict seasonality to deliver consistent quality, while recent investments—including the 2024 opening of Bramble Hall for private events and a return to producing 100% sheep milk cheese on the farmstead—show a commitment to both tradition and thoughtful evolution. Dining is central: The Main House serves beloved staples (biscuits and sausage gravy are a must), The Dogwood offers a shorter tasting menu with fan favorites like farm egg pappardelle with pine nut–lemon pesto, garden greens, and asparagus and a standout beef ribeye cap, and The Barn—overseen by James Beard Award–winning chef Cassidee Dabney—is a warm, converted-barn setting where the team leans into grilling, caramelized summer tomatoes, lamb with a carrot Romesco, and the liberal use of house preserves. Beyond food, guests can enjoy fly-fishing, clay-pigeon shooting with expert guides, farmstead and garden tours, and foraging with a world-famous pack of Lagotto Romagnolo truffle dogs; the larder sells cheeses, cured meats, and preserves (the bacon onion jam is a particular favorite) to extend the experience at home. Regular special programming and high-profile collaborations—upcoming summits, chef residencies, and winery weekends—reinforce the sense that a stay here is itself the special event and encourages repeat visits." - Corina Quinn
"Set in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this storied estate is a culinary legend with a huge wine cellar (about 150,000 bottles) and an impressive whisky selection. Guests can choose among three rotating restaurants that showcase produce from the on-site kitchen garden, while dinner at the James Beard–winning Barn is often regarded as the pinnacle experience. The property also programs a calendar of high-profile food-and-wine events—ranging from Burgundy-focused Le Paulée to guest-chef weekends, foraging excursions with truffle-hunting dogs, and signature gatherings that draw national attention." - Corina Quinn
"A delightful retreat offering American hospitality, located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park." - Mark Fedeli
