As the sun rises over the mountains, Ron, a guest at Long View Resort in Bryson City, is preparing to hike Mount LeConte, the third highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains. When his wife opts out, he takes advantage of the resort’s full-concierge service that assists in planning your trip from creating an itinerary for exploring Bryson City to booking a train ride at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad; and in this instance, taking a guest on a hike. Resort owner Melissa Lambert gladly steps in and upon their return, they exchange phone numbers and addresses to send Christmas cards and keep in touch. “When you’re here, you’re family,” Lambert says.
Lambert found her passion for hospitality when she founded Sky Ridge Yurts — another mountain resort close by. Her European travels sparked the idea for her second resort. She was surprised by the staff’s involvement in ensuring her comfort including offering to escort her to a restaurant. “They really got involved with making sure that we were very comfortable and could navigate a foreign surrounding,” Lambert says. Seeing the benefits, she wanted to bring the same model to western North Carolina. Bryson City is special to Lambert because her and her late husband spent time together working as river guides on the nearby Tuckasegee River. When a property with unusually vast mountain views due to a forest fire became available in Bryson City, it was meant to be.
European-style freestanding lodges offer privacy without feeling confined. “They have a very spacious feel, even though they have a small footprint,” Lambert says. Photography courtesy of Long View Resort
Long View’s private lodges combine modern accents with breathtaking views. Black exteriors are softened by light-colored porches and earthtone interiors. Each lodge is named after Appalachian Trail shelters. Book the “Pretty Hollow,” or “Upper Flats,” for an intimate, romantic weekend. With a plush, king bed, a fully-tiled bathroom, and private seating area next to a large window framing the view, you and your partner can relax in a cozy atmosphere. Outside your door, a semi-private balcony lets you drink in the crisp air while your eyes dance over the mountain peaks.
Natural light fills the room as guests wake up to sweeping views of the mountains. Photography courtesy of Long View Resort
For trips with friends or family, choose from one of four spacious Nordic-themed longhouses, that include a king suite and living room with a queen pull-out sofa, allowing your group to spread out. Enjoy a large private covered porch with a wood-burning fire pit, where you can socialize against the background of shuffling leaves, whispering winds, and wildlife sounds.
Long View Resort caters to all levels of mountain adventure, from backcountry hikes to luxurious spa treatments. The outdoor LongSpa, for instance, provides treatments amid all-natural surroundings. “You’re greeted with this massive, beautiful mountain scene, and you hear the birds chirping and you just feel so immersed … It’s almost like the mountains are hugging you,” Lambert says. Soaks, massages, sauna sessions, facials, and detoxes engage the senses, with add-ons like hot stones, scalp massages, and wellness cocktails. One of the most popular treatments is the Scandinavian wood-fired soak, where mineral-infused hot water soothes tired muscles while you take in the beautiful surroundings.
For a culinary experience, book a meal with Chef Haley Armitage. She works directly with guests to satisfy their cravings, building a dinner that makes their mouths water. Once the menu is set, she goes straight to the market for ingredients. The result is a flavorful, fresh meal, curated exactly to your tastebuds, served at the time you choose.
With the privacy of the individual lodges, and the ease of a full-service concierge, Long View Resort embodies what Lambert describes as, “Scandinavian style with Southern hospitality.” She says, “What we really strive for is to have people come in and feel like they’re visiting someone they already know.”
Long View Resort
101 Longview Pass
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 273-7537
longviewresort.com
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