10 of the Best Places to Stay in Blue Ridge Mountains
A mountain retreat can be the perfect vacation spot for the scenery, natural beauty, and serenity. There are few areas in the country that can rival the Appalachian Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia for gorgeous vistas, clean air, and all the peace and quiet available in an escape from a busy life. Just a short drive from Asheville, North Carolina, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia, and other southern cities, the Blue Ridge region is a short drive to a peaceful locale. To fully immerse yourself, finding the right accommodations at a unique mountain rental is a great way to start.
There is a great selection of places to stay in or near the towns of Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Helen, Morganton, Cherry Log, and Mineral Bluff, which are located in the Blue Ridge area. Here are some of the best places to stay and embrace the tranquility of a mountain vacation, divided by: best for large groups, romantic getaways, zen solo holidays, corporate retreats.
Best Vacation Rentals for Large Groups
Whether you want to bring your family together for special celebrations, host a bachelor or bachelorette weekend, or host a retreat for your best friends, it can be challenging to find the right place that suits your needs. While gathering together may be the ultimate goal, it's still important to have personal spaces for individuals.
If you want to pull your guests away from their electronic devices, having a variety of activities helps. Game rooms, firepits (for evening bonfires or campfire treats), places to take in the beautiful vistas, and water features like hot tubs, pools, rivers for tubing, or lakes for swimming will help keep boredom to a minimum—for guests of all ages. You might also want to consider how remote your gathering should be. If you want an occasional trip into a more populated area, take that into account before booking even the most enticing-looking space.
Let’s dive into the best mountain vacation rentals and mountain cabins in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia for you and your traveling crew.
Mountain Top Lodge | Ellijay, Georgia
For a full-on family reunion, this beautiful, rustic mountain lodge has amazing mountain views, game rooms (yes, plural), and lots of room for socializing. The Mountain Top Lodge sleeps 14 guests in seven guest rooms—so no one is sleeping on a pull-out sofa bed. With three full bathrooms and a half-bath, you won't feel like you're on top of each other.
A substantial kitchen can handle crowd-sized meals, and the outdoor spaces include a hot tub, fire pit area, and ample decks for watching sunsets. And while the lodge is one of the higher-price options, splitting the nightly cost among seven families brings the cost down to around $100 each.
A-pool-achian Escape | Suches, Georgia
If your idea of family fun includes summer outdoor pool time, this spot is ideal. With five bedrooms that sleep 10 guests and three and a half bathrooms, your family will have plenty of space to rest after splashing in the gorgeous infinity pool.
And as if that weren't enough, there is a beautifully appointed game room, outdoor grill area, and a spectacular fire pit area. The pool is only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but in cooler weather, you can still enjoy the hot tub with great sunset views and the three indoor fireplaces (two wood-burning and one gas). Access to this location is on paved roads and there are several hiking trails close by.
CornerStone River Lodge | Mineral Bluff, Georgia
If your family vacation just isn't complete without the family pets, this might be your ideal location. The CornerStone River Lodge is located adjacent to a beautiful stream and a lot of outdoor spaces for activities, including a grill and a basketball course!
Cozy indoor spaces include a game room and two fireplaces, including one in the great room. Not all vacation rentals are pet friendly, but this one is, so you don't have to leave the furry family members behind.
Best Vacation Rentals for Romantic Getaways
Sometimes the best gift we can give ourselves and our partners is to plan a romantic getaway from all of the stresses in our lives and reset our relationship clocks. If you are having some trouble finding time for romance in between work and home obligations, there are dozens of options to make your heart flutter. With a little planning, you can have a stress-free vacation that allows you to reconnect with your partner.
Some locations even offer more space for couples to retreat together, so your best friends and their partners can enjoy the same serenity. If you crave solitude but want amenities similar to those of a bed and breakfast, a little pre-planning is all you need. If you are worried about cooking duties during your time away, don't avoid those secluded options just because you can't get food delivered. Contact a caterer or restaurant in a close-by town to see if you can have them prepare some heat-and-serve meals for your mountain cabin stay that you can pick up on the way.
Here are our favorite cabins for romantic getaways to the North Georgia mountains.
Living On The Ledge | Cherry Log
How about getting away with your partner to a place where you can feel completely alone? This beautiful location is remote enough that having an AWD vehicle to reach it is recommended. Once you arrive, you can try your hand at some friendly competition in the gaming options—or simply do nothing at all. Bring some groceries with you to take advantage of the full kitchen. Whether it's morning mimosas on the deck, s'mores at the fire pit, or some champagne while soaking in the hot tub, relaxing is inevitable at this stunning mountain-side retreat.
Clear Lake | Ellijay, Georgia
If you find peace, tranquility, and romance while living near the water, then this is the right place for you. If you want to have a retreat with your besties, this location, featured on the HGTV show "Log Cabin Living" in 2018, sleeps four in two separate bedrooms. You can even bring your furry friends! There is space for outdoor grilling, campfires, and comfy chairs right by the water to help you step away from all of the stress in the outside world. Rebalance your mindset next to this small lake with a lot of privacy.
Aska Sunrise | Blue Ridge, Georgia
This quaint, rustic cabin is just right for those who want an ideally located retreat. For those with concerns about accessibility, the main bedroom and master bath are both located on the main floor, and the bathroom features a walk-in shower. Maybe you start your vacation wanting to get away from it all, but decide halfway through that getting dinner out or visiting a local brewery would be a nice change. Situated within minutes of main street shopping and fine dining, but also close to many hiking trails, this cabin's location offers something for everyone.
Best Vacation Rentals for Zen Solo Holidays
We all need some time alone sometimes. For many, time alone provides the necessary means to refocus, and give clarity to projects, life decisions, or simply quiet the mind. The busier our lives become, the more important self-care is. The nature and peace of the Blue Ridge Mountains is an ideal place to find your center and reset your spirit.
Wind Song Retreat | Cherry Log, Georgia
While this sweet, rustic retreat can sleep up to four, it's not so big that one person will feel lost. It is within an easily traveled distance for shopping or dining on those days when you want to be catered to but is remote enough to get away from it all. There is firewood provided for the wood-burning fireplace and a propane gas grill for easy outdoor cooking.
Pets are allowed, so if your solo retreat includes your four-legged best friend, you can bring them along. Nearby state parks with hiking trails, rivers, and creeks mean there is plenty to explore outdoors when you are ready to commune with nature.
Blessings N D Skies | Blue Ridge, Georgia
Think of the amazing peace and quiet you can experience in this tree-top retreat with spectacular overlooks! With a gas-burning fireplace, massive windows to bring the outdoors in, and a hot tub for unwinding those tight muscles, this adorable location also welcomes pets. Bring along some of your favorite foods and something to drink and you are all set for time away from everyday stresses.
Above The Clouds | Talking Rock, Georgia
With a view that lives up to its name, this home away from home might seem like an extravagant choice for a solo traveler. No matter how long or short your stay, you can explore a new area of the house every day and recharge in new and tranquil ways.
- Want a reading nook? It has that.
- Want to soak in a hot tub? You can do that too.
- Want to sit above the treetops and contemplate the meaning of life? There are multiple levels in this home to make that happen.
A climate-controlled sun porch even lets you enjoy the sunset views without having to deal with bugs or other wildlife. At this high country retreat, all you have to do is focus on yourself and find new sources of inspiration.
Best Vacation Rentals for Corporate or Group Retreats
For smaller company gatherings, there are several properties that provide room for meeting spaces, strategy discussions, and group activities. Consider this one for your next business retreat.
Baby Blue Ridge | Morganton, Georgia
This location sleeps 10 guests, including a bunk-house space. With many different spaces that facilitate comfortable meetings, the only thing you need to worry about is whether the soaring views are too distracting. There are indoor and outdoor seating areas, plus a rec room with a wet bar and a 65" TV for catching big games.
The cabin is accessible on all paved roads, but the parking is limited to three vehicles, so you may want to carpool.
Summary
Whatever your reason for getting away, the picturesque scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains is spectacular at any time of year. Cabin rental prices are really reasonable when compared to local motels, especially when considering the number of guests that can be accommodated and all of the amenities offered by most locations.
Be mindful of check-in and check-out times. Keep in mind that most indoor fireplaces are only operational from October 1 through April 1. Firewood is not necessarily provided, so be sure to check with your booking agent to see if you need to bring your own. In most cases, you just need to bring any food and condiments you want for your vacation—dishes, linens, and other items are typically provided. Free wifi is typical, so you don’t have to feel completely cut off if you don’t want to.
With its amazing landscapes, this region also offers hiking and biking on Appalachian trails, fine dining options, lots of great shopping, local art galleries, and many interesting festivals throughout the year. If you want a get-away that has it all, choose one of these best places to stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you won't be disappointed.