9 Best Hotels in The North Carolina Mountains, North Carolina

These six spacious lofts in downtown Bryson City are comfortable for an extended stay or a large family, with two bedrooms in each unit. Local art, architectural nods like exposed brick, and high ceilings complement oversized bathrooms, plush furniture, and big TVs. 

Recent renovations have brought this celebrated resort back into focus, including overhauls of the spacious lodge rooms that now sport attractive wood paneling and new furniture. Choose between Chetola Lodge, the eight-room Bob Timberlake Inn, or from the collection of rental condos on the tranquil property. There's an on-site restaurant and pub, a stocked lake (with free fishing rods to rent), a kids' room with toys and crafts, and a spa, a sauna, and a gorgeous indoor pool. An Orvis outpost within the lodge has the gear—and the guides—needed to target trout in the nearby private-access streams. There's also a sporting reserve that includes archery and a clay-shooting course. 

At this century-old stone house turned boutique inn, 2 miles from downtown Blowing Rock, you can take in breathtaking views of the mountains from the gardens and stone terraces or relax with a book by the fire in the library. Most of the 10 guest rooms and suites have gas fireplaces, and all are nicely furnished in a country-home style with updates like flat-screen TVs and modern showers. A full breakfast is included, as is afternoon tea. Guests are guaranteed a reservation at the restaurant, which is reason enough to stay here. 

The 10 off-the-wall accommodations at this "glampground" range from a renovated double-decker English bus to a super hero–themed tiny house. Each space has a different theme, and several are large enough to accommodate families. The grounds are beautiful and include a small pond and creek. 

The Harrah's complex now includes two hotels, doubling down on its status as North Carolina's largest lodging. The Cherokee opened in 2021, adding 725 more rooms to the 21-story towers of the existing resort. The comfortable rooms and suites on the higher floors overlook the mountains, and escalators get you to the casino and the extensive restaurant selection that includes a Wicked Weed Brewpub, a Ruth's Chris Steak House, BRIO Italian Grille, Guy Fieri's Cherokee Kitchen, and a food court by Gordon Ramsay that stays open late. The casino is larger than three football fields and has live blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker games along with some 5,000 electronic gaming machines. There's also a bowling alley and a 3,000-seat theater that presents big-name stars like Travis Tritt, Pat Benatar, and Three Dog Night. The lobby and other public areas incorporate traditional Cherokee art themes. Room prices surge beyond $500 on weekends, but are often under $100 on weekdays.

This midcentury-modern lodge was designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright devotee, abandoned for decades, and is now restored to glory. Forty rooms all feature porches or patios, and an exemplary restaurant, Oak Steakhouse, offers views across the valley below. Perks of the modernization include heated bathroom floors and the gorgeous Butler's Bar speakeasy, featuring a small library, a fireplace, and a wall of windows to soak in the mountain vista. 

Like an oasis after miles of driving remote roads, Tapoco Lodge offers large stylish rooms in a lodge that's on the National Register of Historic Places. Exposed brick, hardwood floors, and king-size beds make for comfortable digs in the original lodge (built to house workers during the construction of the nearby Cheoah Dam in the 1930s) and cabins scattered throughout the property. 

Walkable to the Village Green and with its own on-site brewery, this polished option features single rooms, suites, and luxurious cabins, making it suitable for any travel party. Canopy beds, shiplap, black exterior stain, and sapling trees used in porch construction lend thoughtful, boutique appeal. The property also includes Whiteside Brewing, which offers a full lunch and dinner menu, and a breakfast food truck. 

Just outside town, this lovely two-story Victorian, painted a cheerful sunflower yellow, sits on 5 acres with gorgeous gardens, a fish pond, and shady trees. Indulgent breakfasts range from sweet potato pancakes to savory cheese soufflé. Most of the rooms and suites have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Rooms in the adjoining Pond House allow children and have a touch more privacy.