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I’m a cold-weather girl, which means summer has never been my season. I’ve learned to cope by booking “cool-cations,” a trendy getaway that promises temperatures even a few degrees lower than the furnace I live in.
So last May, I wound my way up Lookout Mountain en route to Rock City for the first time. Imagine my delight as the temperature on my dashboard slowly ticked down as I went up.
My smile grew wider as I approached the Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, just steps away from the Rock City entrance. Perched more than 1,800 feet above sea level in the Fairyland neighborhood of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, the historic stone inn feels like a nice little respite from city life, despite downtown Chattanooga being only a short drive away.
A storm slowly drifted in as I stepped inside the inn’s little lodge-style reception room. I exchanged lovely pleasantries with the staff, who gave me a rundown of the property and the surrounding area. Then they handed me a physical key to my room, which tickled me to no end.
I wove my way through a garden gate on the way to my room, its front door set into the stone facade of one of the property’s buildings. Outside, there was plenty of mature landscaping, winding stone pathways, and established garden beds that really upped the historic feel of the property.
But once inside, I found the room had been beautifully updated without stripping away its unique qualities. There was a massive, plush bed, a comfortable sitting area, and a chic bathroom with white marble, a spacious shower, heated floors, and thick robes. As thunder crackled overhead, I knew exactly how I was about to spend my evening.
Built in 1927, the property began as a private home for Richard M. and Ann Lee S. Watkins, arriving as the Fairyland neighborhood took shape atop Lookout Mountain. After Richard died in 1929, Ann began renting rooms to the growing number of travelers heading up the mountain.
Tourism on Lookout Mountain was gaining momentum right around that time. Through the 1920s and ’30s, the Chanticleer became part of the area’s allure, inviting guests who came for the mountain air, unique scenery, and attractions like Rock City to stay a while.
The inn has expanded and evolved through several family ownerships over the decades, and in 2022, Rock City Enterprises reacquired it. Today, 17 unique guest rooms are spread across a collection of stone buildings.
Depending on the room, guests may find a fireplace, a Whirlpool tub, a steam shower, a private patio, or outdoor seating. Each room has its own private bath, individual heating and air conditioning, and a direct entrance. The grounds have a seasonal outdoor pool, bocce court, fire pit, gardens, and quiet outdoor spaces.
Morning begins with a made-to-order breakfast, served inside the bright breakfast room or outside on the garden patio when the weather cooperates (I, obviously, took mine in the breakfast room).
For groups, families, or wedding parties, the property also includes The Watkins House, a four-bedroom home that sleeps up to eight adults. The house comes with a full kitchen, living and dining areas, and a garden-view terrace.
Rock City is close enough to walk, and some of Lookout Mountain’s most popular outdoor destinations are a rock’s throw away. Then, the city of Chattanooga is just down the mountain.
Nearly a century after its inception, the Chanticleer remains a cozy, quiet respite where you can choose grand adventure… or to simply do nothing at all.
| This article is presented in partnership with See Rock City, a Modern South Founding Partner.
