Travel Guide- Blackberry Farm, Mountain & High Hampton
* Images above are from google search
When it comes to luxury retreats, there is one name that stands out from the rest, and if you’re interested in boujee locations like me, you know exactly what I’m referring to: Blackberry Farm. The Blackberry resorts are known for their unique offerings and exceptional experiences, and they definitely deliver on both. Its proprietors, the Beall family, set the standard for stellar service and luxury accommodations with their first property, Blackberry Farm, a resort located in the foothills of Tennessee. They opened a sister property 15 minutes from the farm, Blackberry Mountain in 2019 and then took over High Hampton in Cashiers, North Caroline in 2021.
Each of these properties manage to embrace nature while also offering upscale amenities and service. In my opinion, they are absolutely worth the hype and STEEP price tags. I’ve had the pleasure of staying at all three resorts on more than one occasion for work and for “play.” For this reason, I get asked about which resort is best for families, couples, groups, etc, so I’m finally sharing my personal insight into each property and what sets them apart. These opinions are all my own. I will definitely not cover everything each resort has to offer, but it’s easy to find information about each property online if you wish to know more or book a trip to one of these luxurious destinations. One thing to note for sure about booking: the sooner you book, the better. All three resorts are on the smaller side (which is one of the perks if you ask me), so there are a limited number of rooms available, especially during their peak seasons. I’ve been able to find a room last-minute at Blackberry Mountain, but it was because of a cancellation. High Hampton is especially tough to book without advanced planning, as it’s very popular for larger families, which I talk more about below.
Blackberry Farm:
*Images above are from Blackberry Farm website
Let’s start with the “OG” property shall we? Blackberry Farm is nestled in the hills of Maryville, Tennessee and is synonymous with luxury and service. My father-in-law actually grew up in the picturesque small-town of Maryville, which it’s about a three-hour drive from Nashville. The farm is where one goes to unplug. Cell service is spotty at best, and it’s truly an escape from the daily hustle of every-day “city life.” There are activities to partake in, but overall, there isn’t a ton to do other than to eat, relax and enjoy the stunning landscape around you.
The farm is well known for it’s culinary excellence. I will not do it justice here, as I’m not a “foodie,” but everyone I know who is a foodie and who has visited the farm, says it serves up some of the best meals they’ve ever had. They are also known for their catacomb wine cellar and collection of vintage wines. Again, I am not a wine savant, so it’s all a bit lost on me, but if you’re into superior food and beverage selections, then the farm is absolutely the place for you. When you book a room or entire cottage at the farm (they offer individual rooms as well as larger options for families and groups), the price includes all meals starting with dinner on the day of your arrival through lunch on the day of your departure. Much of what they serve comes from their own gardens on property, which you can learn all about during. your stay. The food is definitely on the heavier side, and though it is delicious, one of the reasons Paul and I prefer staying at Blackberry Mountain, is because the food is a bit on the healthier/lighter side.
The rooms in the various cottages and homes (they are spread throughout the property), are beautifully decorated in true southern fashion. Those are details that I do appreciate, and every inch of our cottage was tastefully addressed, as is every common space on property. I love interior design, and the southern-traditional vibes on the farm speak my language fluently.
As for activities, there are plenty of outdoor options, including horseback riding, hiking, a sporting club, fly fishing, culinary classes, paddle sports and more. Something to note: many of the activities cost an additional fee that can be pricey. The spa- also known as the “Wellhouse” is new-ish, and provides a relaxing atmosphere of typical spa services along with a beautiful pool to enjoy on warmer days. There are some activities for kids, but personally, I wouldn’t bring my young children to the farm or the mountain, as they feel more formal and adult-oriented. High Hampton is the place for children in my opinion.
I have not personally visited Blackberry Farm over a holiday, but I’ve heard great things about spending Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years on property. They even offer services to decorate your room or cottage/house depending on the holiday, and as you can imagine, their holiday meals are extraordinary. They also offer various events throughout the year, and with the addition of an event space onsite, they even host concerts on occasion with famous headliners like Little Big Town. You can see their list of events offered throughout the year on their website.
Blackberry Mountain:
*Images above are from google search
Now up to the mountain (get it). Blackberry Mountain was an immediate favorite for me and for Paul. We both love the mountain views and the more modern design of the property itself. I love the traditional decor of the farm, but clean lines and more organic spaces at the mountain feel a bit more youthful and tranquil, especially “above the treetops.” The level of service is the same on the mountain as it is on the farm, which is some of the best service I’ve ever experienced. To give you an idea of how “above and beyond” the staff goes to make you feel special, one of our waiters at lunch overheard me mention to Paul that it would be fun to roast marshmallows and make s’mores on our outdoor fireplace. I never said anything about it again all day, but that night after dinner, we arrived back at our cottage to a fire roaring in our fireplace and all the fixings we needed to make s’mores. You never have to wait on service, and with travel the way it is right now, it’s a true luxury to experience exceptional service.
The views from the mountain can’t be beat. You can look out into the smokey mountains from almost everywhere on property (until you go into The Valley of course, which I’ll chat about in a minute). We visited the property in the fall and the color of the leaves changing was truly breathtaking. The views from each cottage and cabin look like a painting. If you want to experience a more traditional (still chic) set-up, you will want to book one of the cottages. The mountain also offers cabins that are more sleek and smaller, and you feel like you are staying in a glass box. They might actually be too modern for me, so we book a cottage when we stay on the mountain.
As I mentioned earlier, there are lighter menu options available when it comes to food, and we spent several nights dining in the Fire Tower, which is literally a restaurant built into the base of an old Fire Tower. We preferred to eat our dinner their over the dining room in the main building as it was such a cool set-up and more casual. The nice part about the mountain is that there is a more formal and more casual option for dining, so we could enjoy both experiences at the property and decide which one we wanted to return to for our last night.
The mountain also offers fun activities that are enjoyed by adults and kids, but what really sets the mountain apart from the farm in my opinion is The Valley. A quick golf cart ride takes you down into a literal valley and offers an additional pool, a lake with waterslides as well as tennis courts. It’s the perfect spot for younger guests, and allows the pool at the top of the mountain to remain adult-only. I’ve yet to visit the mountain when it was warm enough to enjoy the pool, but I’m very much looking forward to trying it out this summer. Additional activities include: horseback riding, ropes courses, hiking, mountain biking, paddle sports on the lake, and more. However, my favorite activities, and while I will return to the mountain over the farm, are the artistic experiences and the wellness options. I love art, and the mountain offers ceramic classes, drawing lessons and so much more. Their spa and wellness options are incredible, and I participated in sound bathing last year that was one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever experienced. All of these activities cost extra, so again, that is something to consider when booking at the resort. Your booking fee includes lodging and food, but many activities and experiences are additional fees that can add up. I do love the mountain though.
High Hampton:
*Images above are from google search
Time to talk about a Blackberry property not in Tennessee- High Hampton. While the Tennessee mountains, valleys and foothills are all beautiful settings, there is something truly special about the mountains in North Carolina. The High Hampton resort is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Cashiers, North Carolina, which is an hour outside of Asheville. Cashiers is the most charming town, as is the nearby town of Highlands. I’ve spent several fall breaks vacationing with my family in that part of North Carolina, and it is truly magical. I could go on and on about both towns and the shopping, dining and activities they offer, but for now, I’ll focus on the High Hampton resort.
The High Hampton resort was a popular family destination when it initially opened in the 1930s, offering the same ambiance as a summer camp, but with adult-appropriate amenities like a golf course and nicer restaurant. It was owned by the McKee Family, but after nearly a century, it was due for a refresh, which is when the Blackberry team stepped in.
Set on a sprawling estate encompassing a private lake, golf course, and miles of hiking trails, High Hampton offers a range of recreational activities for guests of all ages. It feels more laid-back than the farm and mountain properties, but just as nice. The resort feels upscale but still approachable, which is why I like it for families. While the day-time activities are more casual, the children do need to dress for dinners and sit through a seated meal, but I’ve always been a fan of this for our kids. They are old enough now to participate in nice meals with us, but of course they get to order from a kids’ menu, which I also believe in- ha. After dinners, we enjoyed sitting outside by the fire pits where the kids roasted marshmallows and the adults enjoyed an after-dinner beverage while overlooking the lake and mountain vistas.
The accommodations are rustic but still refined (a trademark of all the Blackberry properties), and include rooms inside the inn, cottages and larger homes to rent. They do feel more “campy,” and I would absolutely ask for a room on an upper floor (of the inn or cottage) as you can hear through the older walls and ceilings. We did have to move rooms during one of our stays because of noise, so be sure to ask for a quite room on an upper floor if you are in one of the shared buildings. The bathrooms are also on the smaller side in the cabins, but are still very nice. If you are wanting to spend more time in your room during your stay, I suggest choosing the mountain or farm as opposed to High Hampton. The rooms are not the highlight of this property, where they really shine at the others. Also, if you are looking for a more romantic and quieter location, I suggest choosing the farm or mountain over High Hampton, as it is geared more toward groups and families. The rooms might not be as nice at High Hampton as they are at the other two properties, but I personally enjoy the outdoor amenities more at High Hampton. The pool is very fun (not quite as it is always full of kids, which is a perk for my own kids), the golf course is fantastic and the hiking trails and views from atop the mountains are incredible.
Something else to note: If you are interested in spending a lot of time in a spa, then I suggest selecting the farm or mountain resort over High Hampton. They do not have a spa (as of the last time I stayed there), so that’s not even an option. Again, it’s why I suggest High Hampton for families with young children, as there are so many family-friendly activities available.
Lastly, I cannot confirm this, but it appears that you can now book a stay at High Hampton without including the meals at the resort. My guess is that they offer this option because of the fabulous dining options located in Cashiers and the nearby Highlands. I personally like including dining as it’s one less thing for me to think about (you will need reservations almost anywhere you want to eat in Cashiers and Highlands). However, some of the cottages come with small kitchens, so if you do want to save some money and not including the dining package, you could always cook yourself as well. It is nice to have the option to opt in or out of inclusive dining. This is not an option at the farm or mountain properties.
In summary, High Hampton is clearly still known for its traditional Southern hospitality and timeless appeal, which makes is a go-to destination for families, groups of friends and active couples alike.
Whether you prefer the gourmet delights of Blackberry Farm, the adventurous spirit of Blackberry Mountain, or the classic elegance of High Hampton, each of these destinations offers a distinctive and luxurious retreat into nature. Whichever property you choose, you can expect impeccable service, exquisite surroundings, and a memorable experience that will leave you refreshed and rejuvenated. As I’ve previously mentioned, these are not cheap vacation options, but in my experience, they have been well-worth the money spent each and every time.