Featured image: Chipper Hatter
When it comes to getaway goals, we’re lucky the South has it all: sprawling porches prime for sippin’ sweet tea, sunsets that inspire song lyrics, and plenty of resorts so gorgeous you’ll never want to leave. Whether you’re craving a romantic escape, a spa weekend with friends, or just a few days of Southern hospitality with a shot of whiskey in hand, these resorts deliver the sort of swoon-worthy vibes that make you wish you packed more in your suitcase.
They’re more than just getaways; they’re full experiences to inspire lifelong memories. In my opinion, these sorts of gifted getaway experiences make way better memories than wrapped packages beneath the tree and last far beyond the holiday season.
Ready to inspire wanderlust, Southern style? Let’s explore a few of the South’s prettiest spots worth gifting a getaway to this year.
Blackberry Mountain | Walland, Tennessee
Spanning 5,200 acres amid the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Mountain is likely top of mine when it comes to swoon-worthy Southern resorts. But since my sweet Southern Mama raised me to be sure we’re all acquainted (and to always say please and thank you), allow me to make a proper introduction.
Just a few hours drive from Nashville, Charlotte, Greenville, and Atlanta, Blackberry Mountain is an ideal, world-class destination for those looking for the best in food, wellness, and adventure. Both the hospitality and a true “get away from it all” experience are unmatched here in this luxe, private national park setting with breathtaking mountain vistas.
Hike miles of private trails, relax in a sound bath, test your flexibility with aerial yoga, snake your way though the ropes at Arbor Adventure, or take an art or mixology class. Then unwind at Nest, the Mountain’s world-class, Joanna Czech-certified spa that revitalizes mind and body via natural spa treatments. Regional, flavorful dining options and inspired beverages beckon after a day of outdoor activities, infusing ingredients foraged from around the property. Then kick back and soak in the moments in your own modern treehouse, stone cottage, or cabin accommodation.
Southall Farm & Inn | Franklin, Tennessee
Southall has mastered the art of slowing down, and let me tell you, that’s good for the soul. Nestled on a 325-acre working farm in the rolling hills of Franklin, Tennessee, Southall Farm & Inn is a breathtaking sanctuary and another world-class resort destination. Revel in forest and sound bathing, relaxing yoga sessions, spa appointments, and a wealth of farm and adventure activities from falconry and fly fishing to mountain biking, axe throwing, and honey tasting.
Then kick back and enjoy top-tier culinary programming in a stunning setting from Executive Chefs Andrew Klamar and Nate Leonard. Everything you’ll find gracing your plate is fueled by the rich bounty of Southall’s fields, greenhouses, and orchards. Picture rolling hills, fields bursting with seasonal blooms, a warm, sparkling mineral pool, and that crisp air that makes you breathe a little bit deeper. The farm’s rustic charm and luxurious comforts combine for your own little slice of heaven just south of the neon lights of Music City.
The Horse Shoe Farm | Hendersonville, North Carolina
A once bustling cattle farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains sees new life as a picturesque retreat at this one-of-a-kind boutique hotel, the Horse Shoe Farm. Borrowing its name from the horseshoe-shaped bend the French Broad River carves into the surrounding landscape, the Horse Shoe Farm is a cozy hideaway set among 85 acres of mountainous farmland.
My family owns a cattle farm, so I especially love this resort’s farming roots, offering guests an escape to that simpler way of life. Seek out solitude in the property’s unique accommodations that were carefully restored and added to provide a memorable experience for up to 75 guests; farm-to-table fare and hand-crafted cocktails at The Silo Cookhouse; and an unparalleled spa experience in a renovated equestrian stable known as The Stable Spa. More themed on-site wellness experiences include the “Grains of Truth” Silo Meditation Tower and on-site Labyrinth, plus other farm-friendly activities.
Bolt Farm Treehouse | Whitwell, Tennessee
This place is kind of like a fairy tale, y’all, for anyone looking to escape the mundane and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature—all while indulging in upscale amenities.
Nestled up in the treetops amid a sprawling 55-acre expanse on the outskirts of Chattanooga, Bolt Farm Treehouse offers an exquisite glamping destination. Escape the mundane and fully immerse your inner child in this very adult treehouse where you can wake up to singing birds, sipping coffee, and feeling like a kid again (but with far better snacks and a hot tub).
The brainchild of husband-and-wife team Seth and Tori Bolt, Bolt Farm features an array of stunning accommodations including five elegant treehouses, eight serene domes, and five captivating mirror cabins. Each element is designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape, providing an unparalleled experience of comfort and connection with the outdoors. They also serve up several spa treatments, and will soon be debuting the expanded LVV Couples Spa and Wellness Haven. Guests at Bolt Farm Treehouse can join in on a variety of immersive outdoor activities, from tranquil mountaintop yoga sessions to exhilarating kayaking adventures, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure amidst the beauty of nature.
Check out our full review.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee | Greensboro, Georgia
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from downtown Atlanta, cradled by towering Georgia pines, the peaceful Lake Oconee is the ultimate lakeside retreat for a nature-inspired and relaxing experience. The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is a popular Georgia resort where luxury meets peaceful lakeside bliss, and it recently unveiled its newly renovated, 27,000-square-foot spa.
It’s poised to become a can’t-miss wellness destination while providing plenty of lake activities like canoeing, paddleboarding, or resting on the shore. The new Oconee Cove speakeasy-style lounge is perfect for a nightcap, set just off the lobby in what feels like a stately home library, with plenty of charm and Prohibition-era-inspired vibes.
Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards | Bristol, Virginia
The breathtaking Nicewonder is like a home away from home—complete with 450 picturesque acres of vineyards, farms, meadows, and gardens in the Virginia Highlands. Take a seat and soak up the lush greenery at the Inn or its private, standalone yurts, then head to their signature restaurant, Hickory to sink your teeth into Chef Travis Milton’s take on elevated Appalachian cuisine, highlighting produce grown from heirloom seeds on property.
Tasting medal-winning wines at the onsite Nicewonder Vineyard Tasting Room makes Napa Valley feel a little less far away, but with plenty of Southern hospitality, spa treatments, hatchet-throwing, archery, hikes, mountain biking, nightly s’mores, and even private helicopter tours, who needs to go to California anyway?
The George | Georgetown, South Carolina
Sitting pretty in the heart of Georgetown, South Carolina’s historic district, The George is new in town, and it’s all gussied up with Southern elegance and modern flair. The waterfront boutique gem features 56 aesthetically pleasing rooms and suites alongside the full-service restaurant, bar, and private event space. History, hospitality, and charm combine for a perfect, timeless recipe, inspired by the surrounding 18th and 19th-century architecture and chock full of historic fabrics flanked by whimsical paintings from local artists of today (all hand-selected by Jenny Keenan Design).
There’s a seafood-focused restaurant, The Independent, that pays homage to the community’s former yet iconic seafood market by the same name. On the property’s greenspace along the waterfront sits Eliza’s, an outdoor bar perfect for watching boats cruise in and out of the harbor or partaking in family-friendly lawn games. The George offers marina access, allowing boaters the opportunity to enjoy the hotel’s amenities, while also providing a place for guests to enjoy excursions, such as fishing and sailing, in Winyah Bay.
Looking for more gift ideas? These give back.
