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High Hampton Resort

From $695/night • Score: 4.9★ (940 reviews)

Exterior 1Exterior 2Interior 1Interior 2Surroundings

Introduction: The Rebirth of a Southern Legend

There are very few places in the American South that command the sort of generational reverence reserved for High Hampton. Nestled in the dramatic folds of Cashiers, North Carolina, at an elevation that invites crisp, pine-scented breezes even in the height of July, this historic estate has long served as a sanctuary for those in-the-know. For generations, life here was defined by unpretentious summer camp nostalgia, rocking chairs that groaned under the weight of afternoon storms, and the timeless, glassy expanse of Hampton Lake. Yet, when the legendary Beall family—the masterminds behind Tennessee’s world-renowned Blackberry Farm—acquired the property, discerning travelers held their collective breath. Would the rustic charm be paved over in the name of modern luxury?

The answer, happily, is a resounding no. High Hampton has not been reinvented so much as it has been lovingly awakened. Spanning an astonishing 1,400 private acres beneath the imposing, sheer granite cliffs of Rock Mountain, the resort now bridges its storied past with a sophisticated contemporary vernacular. At $695 a night, it commands serious investment, but what awaits is an exercise in elite mountain escapism. It is a place where history is not merely preserved behind glass, but lived, breathed, and tasted at every turn. High Hampton is no longer just a historic mountain retreat; it is a world-class luxury destination that honors the raw, untamed majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

First Impressions & Architecture: Mountain Vernacular Meets Modern Elegance

Arrival at High Hampton is nothing short of theatrical. Leaving behind the winding curves of Highway 107, you pass through the stone gates and enter a sweeping valley where time seems to instantly decelerate. The air shifts—cooler, heavier with the scent of hemlock, Fraser fir, and damp earth. Your first glimpse of the historic inn immediately grounds you in the vernacular of the Southern highlands. The exterior is defined by its iconic, deeply textured chestnut bark siding, a tactile masterpiece that blends seamlessly into the surrounding old-growth forest. It looks as though it sprouted organically from the valley floor, weathering decades of mountain mist with stoic grace.

The architectural stewardship here is nothing short of miraculous. Led by the design sensibilities that made Blackberry Farm a household name among global tastemakers, the public spaces strike an impossibly difficult balance between rustic authenticity and refined elegance. Step inside the main lodge, and you are greeted by soaring timber-trussed ceilings, massive stone fireplaces that crackle with local hardwood, and wide-plank pine floors that carry the echoes of a century of footsteps. The interior design avoids the tired clichés of mountain taxidermy and heavy plaids, opting instead for a sophisticated palette of moss greens, deep ivories, rich leathers, and tactile wools.

Sipping a welcome beverage on the wrap-around veranda, looking out over the manicured lawn toward the towering silhouette of Rock Mountain, the sheer scale of the 1,400-acre playground becomes apparent. Pathways meander through historic boxwood gardens, past secret nooks and shaded hammocks, inviting exploration. The architectural brilliance of High Hampton lies in its ability to make a sprawling, high-end resort feel entirely intimate, like a private estate belonging to an extraordinarily well-traveled friend. Every sightline has been carefully curated to frame the natural drama of the Blue Ridge, ensuring that nature remains the ultimate protagonist.

The Room Experience: Sanctuary in the Canopy

Accommodations at High Hampton span the historic inn rooms, private multi-bedroom cottages, and standalone cabins tucked discreetly into the surrounding forest. Regardless of which category you select, the design ethos remains steadfast: understated luxury, residential comfort, and an unyielding connection to the great outdoors. Entering a newly renovated room or cottage is an exercise in sensory decompression. Crisp, high-thread-count white linens dress plush beds that invite deep, uninterrupted slumber, while custom millwork and hand-selected antiques honor the heritage of the property without feeling dated.

Details in the guest quarters are meticulously considered. You’ll find hand-thrown ceramic mugs for your morning coffee, custom botanical bath products that capture the essence of the surrounding forest, and artisanal snacks sourced directly from regional purveyors. Many rooms feature private stone porches or screened-in sleeping porches outfitted with daybeds, offering a quintessential Appalachian ritual: dozing off to the symphony of crickets and the patter of summer rain on a tin roof.

Bathrooms are sanctuaries of relaxation, clad in white marble and local stone, featuring oversized walk-in rain showers and deep soaking tubs positioned beneath windows that open to the forest canopy. To bathe here is to experience total immersion in nature, accompanied only by the rustle of leaves and the distant call of a red-tailed hawk. It is a masterclass in residential hospitality where every physical touchpoint has been elevated to luxury standards.

Signature Amenities & Atmosphere: A 1,400-Acre Playground

At High Hampton, the amenities are not merely additions to your stay; they are the very fabric of daily life on the estate. The crown jewel is the private 35-acre Hampton Lake, a mirror-like body of water that serves as the recreational and spiritual heart of the resort. Mornings here often begin with a misty stroll along the shoreline, followed by catch-and-release fly-fishing where native trout rise eagerly to the surface. By afternoon, the lake transforms into a haven for paddleboarding, canoeing, and refreshing open-water swims, supervised by the gentle lapping of water against wooden docks.

For golf enthusiasts, the resort boasts a newly redesigned Tom Fazio masterpiece. Fazio took an already historic routing and elevated it into a world-class mountain golf experience. The course weaves dramatically through valleys, across bubbling streams, and up dramatic elevation changes, offering sweeping views of the surrounding peaks from nearly every green. It is a challenging yet fair layout that requires both strategy and a steady hand, rendered all the more memorable by the pristine, uncrowded mountain setting.

Beyond the lake and links, the atmosphere is defined by an effortless, barefoot luxury. You might spend your morning on a guided medicinal plant hike with the resident naturalist, your afternoon sinking into a plush lounger by the heated pool, and your early evening gathered around a communal fire pit swapping stories with fellow travelers over small-batch bourbons. There is a palpable sense of community here that is exceedingly rare in high-end hospitality, fostered by spaces designed for genuine human connection.

Food, Drink & Local Nightlife: Elevated Appalachian Gastronomy

Given the DNA of the ownership group, culinary excellence is not just a feature of High Hampton—it is a foundational pillar. Under the culinary leadership inspired by the Blackberry Farm philosophy, dining here is an exploration of the bounty of the Southern Appalachian region, elevated through classical technique and hyper-seasonal creativity. Meals are served primarily in the main dining room, a magnificent space framed by windows that look out onto the lake and mountains, bathing every service in shifting natural light.

Breakfast is a hearty yet refined affair, featuring house-made pastries, farm-fresh eggs sourced from regional producers, and stone-ground grits that honor Southern tradition. Dinner, however, is where the kitchen truly flexes its considerable muscles. The multi-course tasting menus read like a love letter to the Blue Ridge high country: think delicate mountain trout kissed by woodsmoke, heirloom vegetables harvested hours earlier from the property’s own garden, and perfectly rendered heritage meats accented by foraged chanterelles and wild ramps.

When night falls, the nightlife at High Hampton remains true to its serene mountain character. Rather than thumping bass or neon lights, your evening entertainment consists of stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the region, listening to live acoustic mountain music on the porch, or nursing a nightcap by the massive hearth in the historic inn. For those seeking a taste of local culture, the charming village of Cashiers is just moments away, offering sophisticated boutiques, local galleries, and cozy watering holes where mountain locals and visitors mingle effortlessly.

Who This Stay Is For: The Discerning Mountain Connoisseur

High Hampton is not a generic resort designed to appeal to everyone; rather, it is a profoundly specific destination crafted for a discerning breed of traveler. It is tailor-made for couples seeking an elevated, ultra-romantic mountain hideaway where days can be spent in total privacy and evenings unfold over candlelit gastronomy. It is equally suited for multi-generational families looking to forge lasting traditions, mirroring the summer camp nostalgia of yesteryear but executed with five-star comforts.

Golfers will find paradise on the Fazio-redesigned links, while outdoor enthusiasts, fly-fishermen, and hikers will revel in having 1,400 private acres of pristine Blue Ridge wilderness as their personal backyard. Most importantly, High Hampton is built for travelers who appreciate the subtle art of place—those who value historic preservation, impeccable design, and a slower, more intentional pace of luxury. If you require flashing neon, frantic city-style nightlife, or homogenized corporate hospitality, look elsewhere. But if your soul craves pine-scented air, world-class hospitality, and the profound quiet of the high valley, this estate is nothing short of mandatory.

Practical Travel Notes: Navigating the High Valley

Planning a journey to High Hampton requires a modest degree of logistical forethought, given its secluded mountain setting. The resort is most easily accessed by flying into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) roughly an hour and fifteen minutes away, or Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) about an hour and a half away. Renting an all-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended, not only for the winding mountain ascents but for exploring the breathtaking waterfalls and scenic byways scattered throughout Jackson and Macon counties.

Ultimately, at $695 a night, High Hampton represents a significant financial investment in your leisure, yet it delivers an extraordinary return on experience. By fusing the unmatched heritage of its historic Blue Ridge estate with the visionary hospitality of the Blackberry Farm team, it has achieved rare air. It is a monumental mountain sanctuary that does not merely meet the standards of modern luxury travel—it quietly, confidently redefines them.