Best hotels in Highland-Cashiers: top 5 places to stay in North Carolina for families, couples, or solo travelers

North Carolina's Highland-Cashiers is full of luxury hotels for a relaxing vacation. East Coast travelers especially prefer this region for fall travel, as the Highland-Cashiers Plateau offers spectacular views, especially when the foliage is covered in mottled fall colors. The area is also full of opportunities for outdoor activities. Art lovers, wine enthusiasts, and travelers looking to get away and unplug will find activities to their liking here. North Carolina is also known for its abundance of spectacular waterfalls, with nearly 250 in the western part of the state alone.

The reasons to visit the Highland-Cashiers are many, as are the great places to stay here, from luxury hotels with all the amenities to escapes with a rustic atmosphere. Relax after colorful hikes, interesting shopping and active leisure activities at these fine hotels in the Highland-Cashiers region of North Carolina, USA.

For a luxurious vacation: Old Edwards Inn & Spa

European elegance, casual mountain relaxation combined with a convenient central Highlands location and exquisite accommodations will justify every penny you spend on a vacation at one of the finest spa hotels on the scenic Highland-Cashiers Plateau. The Old Edwards Inn is harmoniously woven into the culture and atmosphere of the vibrant town. The hotel has prepared rooms, suites and cottages for its guests with unique furnishings, antiques as décor and luxurious Italian linens.

There is a stunning selection of restaurants showcasing the rich flavors and vibrant aromas of North Carolina, from farm-fresh fare at Madison's to wood-fired Neapolitan pizza at Four 65 Woodfire. Guests will also be impressed with the selection of scenic places to enjoy lunch or dinner. For example, dine at the beautiful The Wine Garden under market umbrellas surrounded by lush greenery and a waterfall on the patio, enjoy signature cocktails at Art's at The Lodge in a casual rustic setting, or grab a bite to eat in the relaxing atmosphere of the spa café.

Wellness, sports and rejuvenation are part of the experience at this hotel. There is an award-winning spa, tanning salon, fitness center, seasonal pool, hot tubs and in-ground tennis courts. Guests also receive exclusive access to golf courses, and the rest of their free time can be devoted to theater, music, Highlands galleries and outdoor adventures in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

For secluded travel: Highlander Mountain House

Many travelers choose a personalized stay at the best hotels in the Highlands, using this time as a panacea for all worries and stress: enjoy the privacy of a room on a big comfy bed, relax with a glass of wine while sitting in an Adirondack chair, or sip coffee while deep into a book. And the Highlander Mountain House Boutique Hotel provides just such a place for them.

It opened in 2019, presenting the public with a combination of English rustic style and modern comfort. The building was originally established in 1885 as a mountain farmhouse for a retired long-distance sea captain originally from Charleston. The hotel in its place has retained many of the architectural details of the period, such as exposed timber framing or original wood floors. The modern design is quite eclectic, with custom furniture, antiques, whimsical wallpaper and artwork.

The hotel's 18 rooms feel like private sanctuaries where you can hide away after hiking the trails exploring trout streams, waterfalls and untouched forests, or settle in with a cup of tea or punch by the wood-burning fireplace in the dining room or lobby. The heart of the hotel is The Ruffed Grouse restaurant, where guests and locals alike gather in the tradition of Old World taverns. Soft couches, a large wood-burning fireplace and marble-topped tables are complemented by beautiful patio seating where, in nice weather, you can enjoy a coffee or cocktail while overlooking Main Street.

For a trip with friends: Skyline Lodge

One of the region's most stunning hotels sits atop the mountains in Highlands, North Carolina. Its history dates back to the mid-1930s, and it reopened its doors to the public in the summer of 2021 after a major renovation. The hotel's first impression is of a whimsical patio adorned with magical lights, a perfect gathering place for small and larger groups. Skyline Lodge has 40 rooms, modeling itself after a southern boutique hotel. They feature comfortable beds with custom mattresses, luxurious linens, heated bathroom floors, and suites are complete with a separate living room with a local granite fireplace and balconies.

Your stay at one of the finest hotels on the Highland-Cashiers Plateau begins here with a welcome drink with hors d'oeuvres while check-in is in progress. Next, you can fully appreciate the local cuisine and exceptional service at Oak Steakhouse, which continues the legacy of the original restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, complementing it with innovative approaches and regional specialties. The hotel organizes a number of exciting activities for guests to make the most of their Highlands experience, from al fresco dining against the backdrop of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains with guest celebrity chefs from around the country and fly fishing to whitewater rafting, guided hikes on the Whiteside Mountain Trail and more.

For family vacations: High Hampton

This spot in the Highland-Cashiers region at the foot of a dramatic cliff on the shores of a private lake is home to one of the most popular and well-known historic hotels in the United States. Opened after a recent restoration, it is located just a couple of miles from downtown Caschers near the Nantahala National Forest. The hotel's interior retains details of its storied past even after the renovation. For example, its walls are adorned with old ledgers, where you can find detailed guest sheets from the mid-20th century. The hotel is luxurious and spacious, yet cozy and inviting, with rustic paneling and circular verandas. This place represents everything you could want while staying at the finest Highland-Cashiers hotels in the highlands of North Carolina.

Guests of the hotel and cottages can enjoy the comfort of renovated rooms with updated bathrooms while exploring the abundance of on-site activities at their leisure: pool, fitness center, boating, swimming, golf, croquet, etc. The hotel also has several restaurants, and while they are all different, what they all have in common is a commitment to classic regional cuisine. For over a century, families have gathered for breakfast or dinner in the hotel's main dining room with its wood-burning stone fireplace and large windows. A more casual atmosphere awaits them in the 1st floor tavern with access to the shaded outdoor terrace. There are also three exquisite club restaurants on site.

For a couple's getaway: Half Mile Farm

This location is an offshoot of the Old Edwards Inn. The "country inn" is away from the hustle and bustle of Main Street, but don't let that mislead you. The hospitality here is on the same high level as the main establishment, and the setting is just as luxurious. The inn is surrounded by beautiful mountain views and bucolic scenery, presenting your eyes with the best vacation spots in the Highland-Cashiers region of North Carolina.

Guests can stay in modern farmhouse rooms or luxurious rustic cottages, located a couple of minutes' walk downhill from the main house. Stylish comfortable interiors are complemented by gas fireplaces, parquet floors, luxurious bedding and balconies from which to admire the green lawns, surrounding forest and Lake Apple.

This place to quietly relax and be one with nature only accepts adult guests. Each morning at the farm begins with an included breakfast of local and organically grown produce from the farm's gardens. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy a meal at the Henry Farmhouse Tavern and finish it off with complimentary appetizers in the main house. Half Mile Farm guests also receive dining privileges when booking Old Edwards Inn restaurants. On the grounds you can enjoy the seasonal heated saltwater pool and hot tub, canoe or surf on the lake, picnic on the green lawn or explore the grounds by bike.