Laughing Heart Lodge

Beautiful lodge in Hot Springs. The Hostel caters to hikers, and is fine, but we opted to pay a few more bucks and stay at the lodge which is much nicer and comes with a continental breakfast. The lodge is beautiful inside and furnished nicely with many antiques. The room was small but comfortable. The shower/bathroom is shared by 3-4 rooms, but that wasn't a problem. Nice breakfast in the morning with gourmet coffee. The only drawback was that the young man who checked people in at the hostel was not very friendly at all.

We used the chapel and garden area at Laughing Heart Lodge for a small wedding ceremony. Gabe and his team were easy to work with and very accommodating. They allowed us to visit the site multiple times ahead of the event, answered questions, and offered suggestions on how to best use the space. The site was also very picturesque, which made for a great reception and photo opportunities. I would highly recommend hosting any event here!

My wife and I stayed here on Christmas Eve and it did not disappoint. The staff was friendly and helpful. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable. The lodge also has an interesting history and the staff was more than willing to tell us all about it. There is also a hostel in one corner of the property that is conveniently located right on the Appalachian Trail for hikers. So if you are hiking the AT and only needing a place to stay for the night or if you are on a week-long vacation checking out the surrounding area, you cannot go wrong with the Laughing Heart Lodge and Hostel!

Laughing Heart is one of the VERY best hostels—from the care and attention of their staff/owners to the quality and cleanliness of their accommodations. Other noteworthy perks are their beautiful grounds, proximity to Hot Springs, relaxing and quiet environment, and the overall feeling of peace and tranquility during your stay. It is exceptionally well-run and maintained, with clean bathrooms for use and a small kitchen with everything you need for making/cooking some food (though the food in Hot Springs is some of the best along the AT!!). I stayed in a private room in early June 2023 and returned in late August 2023 for a few nights in the bunkhouse. I can’t wait to come back again. Thank you to Neon, Losty, and Reboot for all you do to make the hiker/guest experience SO GREAT.

Booked a room for our anniversary and to go see Cat Clyde at Rare Bird. The lodge cancelled on us a week before our trip, said the venue was booked for a private event even though we had booked months before. So basically they were willing to kick people out to take more money from someone else. So with only a week left to book nothing was available at a similar cost in the area, we have cancelled our trip and are losing money on the concert tickets we can’t use anymore. Would not recommend booking a stay here.

I had a fantastic 2-day stay here during my thru-hike last year. I hope it comes back strong when it reopens. It is such a wonderful location for a hostel. P-Rex

I stayed at the Laughing Heart Hostel. My room was clean & comfortable. They allow dogs, which made me & my dog very happy. The kitchen was well supplied. The staff friendly & helpful. The owners were accommodating & gracious. They told us to call if we needed anything while we were backpacking the AT. One of our group became ill on the trail & called - they were as good as their word!! Highly recommend this hostel!

This is such a lovely lodge. Perfectly comfortable. You can hike right in, off the AT. You have the option to stay at the hostel or the lodge. The lodge will not disappoint. Absolutely adorable. Clean and quaint. The decor is just charming. It is located a hop, skip and a jump from town. Be sure to stop in the Wine shop/Gourmet Grocery/Bodega. Possibly the best eatery in town. They have something for everybody. Such a charming little shop. Enjoy your stay at this lovely lodge. I sure did.,

Beautiful space for a retreat or rest or conference or connection with nature. Plentiful land and lovely view of the mountains. The lodge is wheelchair accessible, woth a room that has a roll in shower. Tight fit around corners, but my bulky chair navigated it all, and the weekend was amazing. A beautiful chapel sits between the lodge and the hostel. Lots of flowers and plants and trees. Easy access to the Appalachian trail. There are seating areas with lovely views, kitchen and dining areas, library space, old piano, and so many nifty nooks and so many touches of ambience. Rooms upstairs and down are all with unique character. Wow... thank you...

Very clean and organized hostel and lodge. Plenty of parking and it's within walking distance to everything. The Appalachian Trail goes directly beside the hostel part. The hostel prices are good.

Enjoyed my stay here after hiking 3 days. Nice spot near the main area of Hot Springs. Stayed in a private room. Bed was comfy. Walls are thin could hear every foot step and the snoring from the person in the next room. Still slept pretty good. Got a view of the bunk house which had good lighting and seemed roomy. There was a kitchen, indoor restrooms and showers, washer and dryer. Within walking distance from outfitter. The place was clean and tidy, staff were overall friendly. Reasonably priced. Recommend if on a budget or just getting a break from outside.

Stayed here as part of a vacation/section hike with a friend in which plans fell through, but went up anyways as I had reservations. The staff and thru hikers made it an experience I'll never forget!! Beautiful grounds right off the AT and met so many beautiful souls that were more than willing to share their stories and experiences on the trail, which is invaluable knowledge for a novice hiker. Did some day hikes that were recommended by Reboot (the owner) and Neon around Hot Springs and such a wonderful experience. Highly recommend this hostel for anyone on a thru hike or even wanting a phenomenal day hiking base as you won't regret it.

Lovely place and nice breakfast spread in the lodge. Cozy common rooms to lounge after a busy day seeing sights. The owners are so pleasant and really go above and beyond to make your experience. My family was there for a wedding when we found out the person getting the cake wasn't going to make it. The owner didn't hesitate to volunteer to pick them up himself so we wouldn't miss any of the festivities and he drove all the way to Asheville an hour away to help us out.

What a gem of a lodge. Looks so inviting from the outside and once you enter it gets better. Guests feel like they are invited into a warm and loving home. The entire lodge is spotless and the rooms are gorgeous. Every member of the staff sees to your comfort. The lodge is the epitome of peace and tranquillity.

Fantastic hotel! Great owners. Fit for a king! Hostile for hikers also looked great.

There are a lot of options to review here. There is the hostel, the chapel, the inn, and the host of events that they host. I stayed in the inn, so that's what my review will reflect. The first thing that you'll notice is that the building is awesome! This old Jesuit lodge is situated in the woods overlooking the town and just up the road from the main street a short walk away. The building is adorable with its large, bark shingles, heavy use of wood, multiple fireplaces, overstuffed furniture and a libraries worth of books to kick back and read while relaxing. The rooms are sizable and comfortable. The mattresses were firm and might be a bit too much so if you prefer softer beds. The in-room electronic fireplace was very helpful as well. The chairs near the large windows provided amazing views of the forested mountains as well. Breakfast is ready at 8:30 and was basic, but tasty with homemade biscuits, cereal, fruits, and a selection of teas, cocoa and locally roasted coffee. This is a great option if you are looking for a relaxing home away from home.

Stayed in the hostel. They have private rooms and bunks. The rates are reasonable. Paid $23 including tax for a room with 3 singles. The room's baseboard heater was broken, but they provided a portable heater that kept the room plenty warm, there is an air conditioner for warmer days. The sheets were clean. The room was clean. The hostel is rustic and charming. If you're a Ritz Carlton kinda person, this isn't for you. The hostel caters primarily to hikers on the App Trail. There are 3 bathrooms with showers. A washer and dryer, which they charge $5 per load. There is also a kitchen stocked with pots, pans, plates, cups, and silverware. There is also a refrigerator. At the entrance, there is a coffee maker and a microwave. They provide coffee, but you just have to make it. There are also clean towels to use when you take a shower. The hostel is on the same grounds as a lodge/bed and breakfast. The grounds are quaint and maintained nicely. There is also free WI-FI. The staff was friendly and checked us in with a smile.

This lodge definitely needs to be listed on Yelp so I have made it happen! I attended a yoga retreat at the Laughing Heart Lodge this past weekend. The event was just what I needed and hope to attend future events. Now, the lodge itself is really perfect for a retreat, a quiet weekend, or an overnight break from sleeping on the Appalachian Trail which is a short walk from the lodge. Rooms in the main lodge are comfortable, clean and have private bathrooms. There are also cabins and the hostel. A nice breakfast was served in the morning. I love the lodge, the grounds, the garden. I love walking down the hill to the main part of Hot Springs - what a nice place to visit.

Such a great atmosphere here at laughing heart hostel! Jeff cleans every single morning and it shows. When you are here you feel at home and your family (trail family) are all there to enjoy with you. The prices have every other hostel beat as well. Had a wonderful stay here thank you and can't wait to see you again! Keep laughing! WildFlower and Dionysus

Great bang for your buck. Truck is really friendly and always available to help. Can do your laundry, have clean toiletries and towels, free coffee and water. Wifi works well, can hang out outside on hammocks and relax. Love this place!

We arrived to find a classic Carolina mountain lodge with fire blazing and all sorts of good books to read. Staff was helpful on several levels, including giving us ideas about good places to go for fall foliage. Rooms are smallish but the bath is large and it looks like everything has been redone, including fresh paint. Add a very reasonable rate in high season and you can understand why I'm giving it five stars.

This was no 5 star hotel or anything but they had everything you'd need and a great friendly atmosphere. I hope to return someday.

I really wish I could give a glowing report, but we traveled 550 miles to arrive at a very awesome lodge in the midst of the Appalachian Trail where our reservation had not been recorded, there was no fire in the fireplace nor an offer of a glass of wine or hot chocolate, the night manager (a nice guy, but not an outgoing "host" kind of person) studiously made sure we even had a reservation, and we found breakfast was Continental. (He did get the word to the morning crew that we would at least appreciate some eggs.) Although the night guy conveyed an apology from the owners (the place is actually held in a trust), no one the next morning mentioned anything. I write this in hopes that they do better for future guests. Laughing Heart Lodge really deserves it.

I stayed in the lodge which is the bed and breakfast next to the hostel. I had a very good experience. The room was very large with a sitting area. The bathroom was very nice and spacious too. And the staff was more than accommodating. Overall I would highly recommend it.

I have stayed in the hostel twice. Both times I have found it clean & with all the amenities a section hiker needs - bunk, bathroom, fridge, coffee, clean towels :D. Jeff, the host, is knowledgeable & delightfully sarcastic. He provides a nice campfire in the evenings that encourages conversation. In the morning it is pleasant to sit on the porch and watch the birds that are drawn in with the feeders. If that is not enough - there is a labyrinth & Hiker - the Australian Sheppard pup. My most recent stay was over this past labor day weekend. Could not have asked for anything more! Laura S.

I stayed at The Hostel at Laughing Heart and I really enjoyed myself. Tie runs a tight ship here with clean rooms and a well-organized hostel. Caught up with some hiker buddies and got a good night's sleep.