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Why Picturesque Blowing Rock, N.C. Is a Must-Visit Town

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, a quick exit off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is one of my state’s most charming and quaint towns. At least that is my opinion.
Picturesque Blowing Rock, N.C.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina 

Aside from the snow in the winter, I think I could live here.  A lot of people feel as I do. The town’s population swells from 1,500 to 8,000 in the summer months.   When we visited in May, the town was bustling with activity.

There’s a lot for city folks to love about this affluent mountain town without the pretense.
Dogs can walk with their owners, and children can play in an awesome park right in the middle of the town square.
My children loved this park right in the middle of town. 

Eating homemade ice cream is a must-do on Main Street.  It’s fun to people watch and enjoy the atmosphere.

ice cream on main street in Blowing Rock, N.C.



charming shops in Blowing Rock, N.C.
Shopping is grand in Blowing Rock

 The upscale boutique shopping is grand, and so is the outlet shopping. It is shop after shop.Your credit card will certainly get a workout if you are a shopper. But carrying those unique shopping bags is when life gets good.  Right?
Life is good.


Blowing Rock is also a haven for art galleries and artists. From May to October, the town hosts six shows called “Art in the Park.”  One hundred exhibitors showcase works of art from paintings to jewelry to pottery for one Saturday each month. 

Enjoying the beautiful area outside the Bob Timberlake Gallery
For foodies, Blowing Rock is an epicurean adventure. It has some of the best restaurants in North Carolina, from five-star delights like Crippen’s Country Inn to down-home favorites like Woodlands BBQ.

On this trip, I met up with blogger Mandi McClure’s family and had dinner at the locally owned Woodlands.  And just a quick note: If you are a fried-okra fan, order it.  It’s delicious.

We ate at Woodlands BBQ for dinner

Blowing Rock is also home to the Relais and Chateaux Inn, TheWestGlow Resort and Spa, which was named by Travel and Leisure Magazine as the “Number 2 Destination Spa in the World.”  That’s quite an honor.  With kids in tow, I didn’t get a chance to visit the Inn this time, but you can bet it’s on my list for another time.

And, of course, kids who come to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, love to visit Tweetsie Railroad, a scenic Wild West theme park featuring a three-mile, steam-powered train ride through the North Carolina mountains.




My kids loved Tweetsie, and I’ll share that fun adventure on another day.  But I want to show you one more photo to showcase this town’s beauty.  The churches are gorgeous.  This is the Episcopal church in town.  Can’t you just imagine a wedding here?
Church in Blowing Rock, N.C.
Visit http://www.blowingrock.com/ to learn more about this town. 


Where We Stayed on Our Trip:

While exploring Watauga County, my family was a guest of The Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, which is an easy, 30-minute drive to Blowing Rock.  You can learn more about this exceptional and luxurious Inn in my “Pack Your Bags” post for this month.  


Mast Farm in Valle Crucis, N.C.
Interior of our cabin at The Mast Farm Inn 

The Mast Farm Inn, being quite popular on weekends, was booked on one of the nights we were in town. After reading many reviews, I felt the brand new Courtyard Marriott in Boone, North Carolina, about three miles from Tweetsie Railroad, was an excellent family choice.  Built this January, it gives guests a modern luxury, boutique-type stay.  My kids loved the pool, and I think the outdoor fire pit area of the hotel is a great amenity.


Courtyard marriott in Boone, N.C.
The Courtyard Marriott is located in Boone, NC 




My thanks to The Mast Farm Inn, located in Valle Crucis, for being the main sponsor for my trip to Watauga County.  The Courtyard Marriott Boone also helped sponsor my trip and gave my family a discount on our lodging. Affiliate links. 


Related Posts:
Pack Your Bags: We're Heading to the Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, NC
Top 5 Reasons to Visit N.C's High County in the Summer





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The Chetola Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains is worth a Visit in NC

185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA

Updated 2021. This story was originally written in the summer of 2020 during the middle of the Covid pandemic. Since our visit, my beloved pet, Andy, crossed the rainbow bridge. This story will always be special to me because it was our last trip with Andy. He died in November 2020 of congestive heart failure. We have since added Ollie, the poodle, to our family.  He is currently nine months old, and I'm not sure if the Chetola Resort is quite ready for his puppy ways, but I do look forward to traveling to Blowing Rock again in the future.  In 2021, the Chetola Resort still offers a dog-friendly package for its guests.  Summer is one of the best times to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains in NC. 


Travel in 2020 has been a downer. For many, it has been non-existent. With hotels and restaurants closed, COVID quarantine restrictions, many traveler's plans were scrapped, or people were afraid of traveling. My own family vacation to France and Germany came to a screeching halt. No flights going to France made that decision automatically for us. Still, even if traveling continued all summer during this health crisis, I do not believe we would have continued with our plans to Europe at all. More than likely, we would have canceled them on our own. 


Lucky for me, I live in North Carolina. So I have a beautiful state to explore in my own backyard. North Carolina ranked sixth in the nation for overnight visitation in tourism last year. In fact, North Carolina was on an upward swing in tourism spending in all 100 counties. 



The lake on the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC
The Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC



Unfortunately, no one could predict the massive tourism halt that COVID caused in 2020. First, hotels and restaurants were closed to guests for months. Then, when they slowly started opening at 50% capacity, they were faced with the public hesitation about travel in general and the additional responsibility of extra sanitation and safety diligence. 


Chetola Resort Lodge




During quarantine, I launched a new Live Interview Chat from my home office on OutaboutNC Instagram. Each week, that interview segment became my weekly dose of joy and my new connection to NC. For example, when Governor Roy Cooper announced the state could operate in Phase 2 of COVID Restrictions, I interviewed management with the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock. It was one of the first hotels in North Carolina to undergo the new "Count on Me NC" NCRLA Safety Certification. 





After that interview with Chetola, I had the itch to travel and look at something besides my living room.  Will was more skittish about travel than I was. However, he was sad about missing our trip to Europe.


Leigh Powell Hines, founder of OutaboutNC/HinesSightBlog Visits the Chetola Resort during COVID



After some sweet talk-coaxing, I convinced Will that getting away would be excellent for our family's mental health.  Let me rephrase that. I did say it would be good for our mental health, but I also flat out announced I would take the Chetola Resort up on its offer for a press trip. He could stay home and work or go with us to the mountains, but COVID would not stop me. I felt confident in the steps the resort put into place after my interview.  I also was so tired of cooking in quarantine that the thought of getting room service was really appealing. 

My list of pros for visiting the Chetola Resort was strong. 


I stressed that the hotel was taking a full 24-hours between guests to clean rooms during COVID. This top-ranked North Carolina mountain resort, located on 78-acres between the mountain towns of Boone and Blowing Rock, has received many housekeeping accolades throughout the years, so cleanliness has always been a resort strength. Still, that strength is even more critical in 2020 and is at the top of every guest's checklist due to the COVID circumstances. 


The Chetola Resort recently received the AAA "Best of Housekeeping" Award.  Following CDC guidelines, masks were also required in all public spaces. In addition, the temperatures of all guests were being taken at the entry gate before checking in. 


The resort's Timberlake restaurant served at 50 percent capacity, offering take-out, room service, and outside seating.  The hotel also had a list of restaurants at the Front Desk that offered outdoor dining and take-out in Blowing Rock and Boone. 


Another strong pro travel point I gave to Will was there were activities for us to do on the property, so it would definitely feel like a vacation. The pro there for safety is that there was a lot to do outside while staying on the resort property.  If we didn't feel safe leaving the resort to go into Boone or Blowing Rock, we would be entertained with tennis courts, resort activities,  hiking, and swimming. 


The Blowing Rock-Boone area is also an easy drive two to three-hour drive from Raleigh. However, it is shorter in length than a trip to the Asheville area. 


And last, but certainly not least, our dog, Andy, could go with us to Blowing Rock for this get-away. The Chetola Resort is pet-friendly in the newly-renovated Chetola Lodge only. The condos available for reservations through the hotel reservation system and The Bob Timberlake Inn do not allow pets.  VRBO rentals on resort property for individual condos could possibly allow four-legged friends if you want to stay on the resort property in a larger space. 



Pet-friendly Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC

Andy, our poodle, loved the Chetola Resort.  


I could not think of one negative con to put on the list for not making the trip. However, we did agree that if either one of us did not feel comfortable about something while staying at the resort when it came to COVID safety, we would leave even if on a press trip. 


Luckily for us, there was not one concern during our three-night stay at the Chetola Resort, and we had the best family vacation that we've had in a very long time. It was relaxing, and just like its name in the Cherokee language was meant to be,  Chetola is truly a "haven of rest." I think everyone needs to visit the North Carolina mountains and enjoy this resort in any season. 


The Chetola Lodge is my Preferred Lodging Choice



I like the location of the Chetola Lodge, which is the resort's pet-friendly option for guests. There are 42 modern, nicely decorated, and also in this building is resort ware and local sundries, including the best cider from Appalachian Mountain Brewery. The lodge is adjacent to the Bob Timberlake Restaurant, and all the resort amenities such as the indoor pool, the spa, and recreational activities ran by the hotel. 




The Bob Timberlake Inn is operated more like a Bed and Breakfast manor above the resort's restaurant in the estate's old manor house. It's a romantic hideaway for couples only featuring a complimentary cheese and wine reception plus a butler's pantry for ice cream and drinks.  The inn rooms depict artist Bob Timberlake's craftsman furnishing style and feature period furnishings from the 1920s to the 1940s. 


The Chetola Premier Condominiums make up the majority of accommodations on the scenic 78-acres. One hundred one to four-bedroom condos are individually owned, and many are available for both nightly and weekly rental through both the resort. 




Chetola Resort Condos


Condos are dotted throughout the estate, and some condos are a mile or so away from the restaurant and resort activities.  All condominium guests have access to resort amenities, but they do not have housekeeping services. In addition, condos under the resort's management are not pet-friendly. 


Check-In and Housekeeping During COVID


The Chetola resort has implemented a touchless check-in service since reopening after COVID, and the housekeeping staff does not enter your room once you have checked in. Each morning, I greeted housekeeping in the hall, got fresh towels, and replenished coffee supplies. As a result, our room was spotless, and I did not have one concern about cleanliness. 


I loved our balcony overlooking the resort lake, and all of you know that this type of vacation is my cup of tea. We are not very active. Some may call my family boring, but we had enough adventure and relaxation mixed in with this stay, and we left feeling relaxed and rested as opposed to being on the go. 


The Spa at Chetola Has Medical Grade Ventilation Fans in Treatment Rooms

Spa services are back open at Chetola. This was my first time visiting the spa on the property, even though it was my third time staying at the resort. The Chetola spa is tucked away adjacent to the indoor pool. It's full-service but small in capacity even before COVID.  In 2020, spa capacity is so low now for that safety reasons that you feel as if you have been whisked away like a Hollywood Star, and you are the only person they are pampering. The resort is spacing out their appointments, so that will be the case. It is truly a magical experience and probably at the top of my spa experience list. 


The spa at the Chetola Resort


The Chetola Resort spa menu is extensive, and they are offering their full-spa menu except for a couple massages.  Spa guests are asked to receive spa services in a mask. 


When this spa first opened, it was built as a medical-grade spa, and that is now a blessing for the resort because the ventilation is top-notch, which is another plus that makes guests feel more comfortable post-COVID.


This spa experience was so great that I think it would make the perfect girlfriend getaway for a spa weekend. Blowing Rock is known for its adorable shops, great food, and add a visit to this spa and resort, then you will have a perfect getaway. 


On-Site Chetola Resort Recreation


Archery lessons at the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC



The Chetola Resort offers many fun activities for the family, such as campfire s'mores, paddleboat rides, archery lessons, disc golf, tennis, pickleball, lake fishing, and hiking. My family loved the archery lessons. While the girls toured all the accommodations on the property with marketing, Will and my son got in a game of disc golf.  That was also great exercise because the course took them throughout the resort's sprawling condominium area. 


The premier condo area at the Chetola Resort in Blue Ridge Mountains


Chetola Sporting Reserve


The sporting reserve within the Chetola Resort
The Chetola Resort Sporting Reserve is off-site of the main property and is about a 30-minute drive away from the resort. 

The Chetola Resort operates a state-of-the-art sporting reserve about thirty minutes away from the resort. To get there, you basically go up a mountain then back down a steep cliff. I did not visit the reserve, but Will and my son decided to reserve a spot for shooting. They loved the experience. Will thought there was a lot of value for the approximate $200 cost for the two of them. I think this activity was a highlight for some father and son bonding. Meanwhile, Andy, my daughter, and I tried the paddle boats and kayaking. 


Recreational activities at Chetola Resort


The Sporting Reserve features clay shooting, rifle and pistol range,  archery, Orvis endorsed fly fishing and special events. The sporting reserve also coordinates snow skiing, tubing, zip-lining, golf at Hound Ears Club and white water rafting. 


Timberlake's Restaurant at the Chetola Resort 

Chetola Resort Timberlake's Restaurant serving casual, comfort-style food.



I like to save the best for last when I write about hotel stays. Guests need to eat, and when a resort restaurant is good, that makes a hotel stay even better, especially in this post-COVID travel time.  For us, dining at Timberlake's was an easy choice, especially because Andy was with us on this trip.


Patio dining with a dog in Blowing Rock at Chetola Resort


 As sweet and cute as he may be, Andy is, unfortunately, a high-maintenance traveler and barks when he is left alone in a room. So we had no choice but to take him with us wherever we dined.  


Under the culinary leadership of Matt Rivers, Timberlake's restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has a very casual, comfort-food style, and Bob Timberlake, a foodie, gave his seal of approval before putting his name behind any menu item.  We ate two dinners and one lunch at the restaurant. One last dinner at the resort was a carry-out meal that we ate on our porch. 





I was extremely impressed with the food, and that's nothing new for me because when I visited the resort years ago, I felt the food was very memorable then.  I plan to share one of Matt River's recipes on this blog soon for the home chef. 


The special lunch order request for the delicious Korean BBQ short ribs


The Korean BBQ short ribs were a clear family favorite entree.  I had it with delicious collards and golden roasted potatoes. After tasting my entree, my youngest child loved the short ribs so much that we had to ask if they would make a lunch portion for her.  It's also important to note that our waitress had no idea that I was there working with the resort for an editorial review. She immediately asked the chef if that was possible. He had not even met me yet, but Chef Rivers was so thrilled that some child would want his Korean BBQ shortribs for lunch that he gave her a huge portion.


I personally think the gesture speaks volumes about the resort's customer service. Staff from housekeeping to the front desk make this resort so special. Resorts can have the most beautiful views and facilities, but a guest's stay is off if customer service is off. I feel 100 percent confident in recommending this resort to vacationers.  The  Chetola Resort is a family-owned resort, and by its customer service, it shows.  They treat their staff like family, and the attitude is passed on to its guests. 


The sesame ginger dressing was divine. It was so good that I almost licked the bowl. 


I must point out that this area of the North Carolina mountains has great food in general. Some of the meals I had at other area restaurants are some of my best-tasting meals in 2020.  Be sure to watch my live interview with Chef Matt Kelly on Timberlake's patio. He shares some hints about how he makes his Korean BBQ and the sesame dressing I adored. 


Resort Packages at the Chetola Resort 

Many resort packages are bundled together for travel savings. We experienced the resort's doggone-friendly package. At the front desk, there was a welcome sign for all the guests with four paws. Typically, pet owners are assigned to the first floor of the lodge for easy access. 




The pet fee is waived when the doggone-friendly package is active (it goes in and out on the calendar and is a popular summer package). Dogs get a complimentary bandana, leash, doggie treats, and pup bags in a cute fire hydrant dispenser. 


Dogs and humans have plenty of places to walk on the resort



Whether you escape for two nights or a week, you will fall in love with the Chetola Resort. I did. 


The Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC, a Western NC mountain town on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is pet-friendly




Read some of my older Blowing Rock area posts when my kids were a lot younger. 


Check out more recent  posts about this beautiful area in the NC Mountains from my friends at NC Tripping.com

13 Wonderful Hikes Near Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk

17 Beautiful Waterfalls near Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk

Glen Burney Trail in Blowing Rock

A Weekend in Blowing Rock: 25 Things To Do, Hotels, and More


We visited the Chetola Resort in July 2020. My editorial writing is funded through my Beautycounter affiliate website. Join my new VIP group on Facebook for Deals and Sales. It pays to shop clean. 


Fall in love with two of my favorite Beautycounter products: Vitamin C-Serum and The Overnight Resurfacing Peel


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#OutaboutNC Family Adventure Idea: New Zip Line Adventure now Offered in Blowing Rock, N.C.


High Gravity Zip Line Adventure in Blowing Rock,NC

High Gravity Adventures, an aerial adventure park in Blowing Rock, N.C.opened a new Zip Line Tour on July 1, 2017 adding to the park’s aerial ropes courses, Ninja Ground Course and Giant Swing. Guests, age 11 and up with a minimum of 75 pounds in weight, can now enjoy a full day of high-flying, family-friendly fun in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.

High Gravity Adventures’ new Zip Line Tour takes guests on an exhilarating ride high above the forest floor through the trees of the North Carolina mountains. Adventurers will fly over scenic ravines as they make their way through a series of zip lines and a swinging sky bridge, the culmination of which is a 1000-foot line that propels guests directly above the trestle bridge at nearby Tweetsie Railroad. The experience ends with a heart-pumping 70-foot free fall.

“With the addition of this new Zip Line Tour, High Gravity Adventures has become the ultimate adventure destination in the High Country,” said Carson Rivers, Vice President of High Gravity Adventures. “Our new Zip Line Tour offers an experience unlike anything else around. Starting from our treehouse, guests will soar through a forest wonderland, take in beautiful views, cruise over the Tweetsie Railroad trestle bridge, and culminate in an exhilarating 70-foot free fall through the middle of our existing adventure course. With this addition, guests can now spend the whole day at our aerial adventure park zip lining, climbing, balancing and swinging to their hearts’ content.”
High Gravity Ropes Course


Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains between Boone and Blowing Rock, N.C., High Gravity Adventures is a family-friendly adventure park that is ideal for adults and children alike. Guests can combine the Blue Ridge Course, three-person Giant Swing, and the new Zip Line Tour to create “The Ultimate Adventure” for only $89. Zip Line Tour will also be available as an exclusive stand-alone experience. High Gravity Adventures also offers aerial experiences for those that like to keep their feet a bit closer to the ground, with challenges of varying difficulty levels ranging from 15 to 50 feet in the air. The park offers something to please everyone, from adults to teens and children as young as four-years-old, and all activities utilize state-of-the-art safety systems and the latest technology.
High Gravity Three Person Swing


Boone, N.C. is home to Appalachian State University and ski resorts in the winter. I personally love this area in North Carolina and have visited the area many times. These are some of my older and popular posts on for this area. I have stayed at the Mast Farm Inn, the Courtyard by Marriott in Boone, and at the Chetola Resort. 

Pack Your Bags:  A Traveler's Look at Mast Farm Inn 
Why Blowing Rock is a Must-Visit Town
5 Reasons to Visit North Carolina's High Country in the Summer
Tweetsie Railroad
Daniel Boone Inn (Great Cuisine)

High Gravity Adventures also has three hotel partners they are recommended by them.
Country Inn and Suites  and others. This area has lots of hotels for your budget. Go to my Book a Hotel Tab to book your adventure.

Zipline adventure in Blowing Rock, N.C in the Blue Ridge Mountains


Post contains affiliate links.


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Top Five Reasons to Visit N.C.’s High Country in the Summer

In North Carolina, we are lucky. We have the scenic coast and the beautiful Appalachian Mountains as great choices for family vacations.  In Raleigh, we can get to both within hours.

My family recently spent a few days in North Carolina’s High Country Mountain area, and our destination was the Boone-Blowing Rock area in Watauga County.  We didn’t see everything, but I thought I would share my views on why it makes a great vacation destination.

The Scenery
The Blue Ridge Parkway, High Country in the Sumner.
The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway, the 77-year-old highway that links Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park in the north to the Blue Ridge National Park in the south, snakes through the Appalachian Mountains.  The Boone portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a pivotal point along the scenic highway.  We didn’t make a trip to Grandfather Mountain, the tallest mountain in the Blue Ridge located in Linville, N.C., on this trip, but it is a must-see when in the area.  We were short on time, and we wanted Baby Diva to get a little older before making that trek across the famous mile-high swinging bridge.  This park is wonderful for families, though, who like to hike and explore.

Kid-Friendly
Jake's at the Rock in Blowing Rock, NC

I have talked about the beautiful town of Blowing Rock in a previous post, but I cannot emphasize enough how much fun it was for my children to play in the park, eat ice cream, and stroll down the main street.  Even if you are just passing through the area on the Blue Ridge Parkway, get off and take some time to stroll the streets of this charming town.


Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, N.C established in 1883
And talk about a kid in a candy store! The Mast General Store, established in 1883 in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, is on the National Register of Historic Places.  The annex, located down the street, has over 500 types of candy for sale.  I am not exaggerating.  It’s incredible. 
Tons of Candy can be found at Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, N.C.
It's hard to choose just one piece of candy
And it’s hard to get your kids out of the candy store, but if you tell them that you are going to the adorable park behind the candy store, then you may get them out of the store a little quicker.

Old-Time Adventures
Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, N.C.
Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, NC

If you ask my children what they enjoyed most about our trip to the High Country in May, both will say “Tweetsie Railroad.” So what if Baby Diva is afraid of any mode of transportation other than a car; she still had a great time at Tweetsie Railroad, located between Boone and Blowing Rock.  She didn’t get aboard the famous train, and she cried hysterically as she rode a bus to the top of the mountain, but she loved every other minute of this historic, fun amusement park.



The Cuisine

Watauga County is known for its restaurants, where chefs use the farm-to-table approach, cooking with local fresh ingredients.  It’s a mecca for little cafes with down-home charm and fine-dining establishments that will delight your palate. Since my dad was in the restaurant business for over 30 years, I make a point on my travels to seek out restaurants that are independently owned

Great food at Pepper's

On one of our nights in the area, we dined at Pepper’s Restaurant and Bar, which is a member of the Boone Independent Restaurants Organization.  Pepper’s was a great family choice for us, and the bar-type food was delicious.  They have a fabulous children’s menu, too.  Pepper’s also helps support North Carolina breweries by dedicating ten taps for N.C. beers, and they have numerous N.C. beers by the bottle on the menu as well as other popular national brews.

Outdoor Adventure, Wineries and Spas

In the winter, the Boone area is a bustling ski community, but in the summer it is the perfect playground for hiking, rafting, tubing, kayaking, biking, ziplining, and all things active.  There is also golf, tennis, and swimming plus luxury spas, and local wineries in the area that are open for tours.  In Watauga County, you can be as busy as you want or do as little as you want. ExploreBoone.com can help you plan your special itinerary.

Where We Stayed:

The Mast Farm Inn, Valle Crucis, North Carolina



This luxury bed and breakfast inn, which is now a member of Historic Hotels of America, is a luxury haven in the small mountain village of Valle Crucis, North Carolina.  We stayed in one of the inn’s family cabins, and you can read about our stay in May’s“Pack Your Bags” segment.  Our only regret was that we didn’t stay long enough.  I highly recommend renting a family cabin to explore the area.  The Mast Farm Inn does not disappoint the luxury traveler or the foodie. The historic farm house is perfect for couples who want a romantic getaway, or if you want a little more space and a kitchen, the larger cabins provide a peaceful sanctuary away from it all.  Now, that’s a vacation!




 Courtyard Marriott, Boone, North Carolina

My family also stayed one night in the brand new CourtyardMarriott in Boone before checking into The Mast Farm Inn.  This was my first time staying in a Courtyard Marriott after many years, and the first time with my kids. The hotel chain’s new slogan is, “It’s a New Stay!” I couldn’t agree more, and I think the hotel chain is doing a great job on providing guests with what I call “affordable luxury” for families.   This Courtyard looks like a regular chain hotel on the outside, but when you walk in you get the feel of a luxury boutique property.  This is why I chose it for our trip.  With special touches like a reading area, a fire-pit area, and a bistro that serves wine and beer, it embodies the quality of a four-star hotel.  Our bedding was nice, and the beds were as comfortable as I have found in the chain’s upscale sister properties.  It certainly doesn’t have a resort pool, but the small indoor pool was a fun experience for our children, and it was exciting for them to go swimming one night before bed.  I would definitely stay at the Courtyard Marriott again and would perhaps even seek one out if I was passing through town for an overnight stay. 

Related Posts:
Pack Your Bags: We're Heading to the Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, NC
Why Picturesque Blowing Rock, N.C, is a Must-Visit Town



I received a media discount on my stay at the Courtyard Marriott and was a media guest of The Mast Farm Inn in order to write my “Pack Your Bags” feature.  All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the hotels. 

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