This unpretentious, peaceful lodge is so popular that reservations are accepted beginning October 1 for the following year. Every room looks out on Abbott Lake from a private terrace or balcony, and their interiors have a folksy quality. Nestled between two of the three peaks of its namesake, the lodge was built in 1964 and is the flagship of a chain of visitor concessions along the Blue Ridge Parkway. In non-winter months a complimentary bus takes you to Sharp Top Mountain if you prefer not to hike, and you can see the same mountaintop from the lodge's Lake View Restaurant. Pros: restaurant and lounge on-site; ADA-accessible rooms; nice views. Cons: may be too rustic for some; must reserve far in advance.
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