By Cathy H. Burroughs, Adventure and Travel Blogger, journeyPod
Pass Looking Glass Falls, you’ll turn up the steep, curvy mountainous pass which ultimately leads you to the charming town of Highlands, NC. A roaring fire and champagne greet you as you enter the area’s premiere 4-star Old Edwards Inn and Spa taking you up in its magical embrace.
This elegantly appointed and luxurious to the nth degree 92-room and cottage spa hotel established in 1878 makes you feel you are in the mountains of Vienna or somewhere tucked away at one of Europe most select retreat hotels. Here the staff dotes on you and it is no surprise that the gorgeous Inn has been named Trip Adviser’s #5 Top Hotel in the U.S. in 2015, and Travel and Leisure #2 Best Resort in United States.
You may stay in one of the inn’s new cottages or as we did in a suite in the inn with sitting room, heated tiled bathroom floors in an exquisite bathroom and ultra cozy period antiques and European bedding. By all means fall far into the maze of the Alice through the Looking Glass piece d’ resistance – its world class spa with mineral baths and talented spa team. The waiting area is beautifully appointed with multiple fire places and through the French doors is a solarium just for reclining.
It doesn’t take much to understand why Conde Nast named this exceptional spa #2 in the U.S. with its restorative hot stone massage or Journey to Bliss Facial as well as both indoor and outdoor pools.
Places to Eat
At Madison’s, the hotel’s in-house restaurant, their brilliant chef spins his enchantment in the idyllic surrounds with the rainbow colors (the pinwheel radishes dazzle) of the artfully plated and scrumptious offerings that in our case culminated with a custom chocolate mousse. Do not, under any circumstances, miss the Truffle Mac and Cheese.
The Highlands has no end to terrific places to eat. A one of kind culinary adventure can be found at the eclectic Acadian international restaurant Cyprus. Here the inspired and passionate chef/owner Nicholas Figel changes the entire menu to global and unusual food cultures weekly – one week Thai, another Korean, another Greek, another more exotic than the week before – all prepared in an open kitchen. This exotic culinary experience with its exceptional chef deserves its own cooking show pronto! We had lunch twice at the upscale Wild Thyme Gourmet Restaurant and adored their soups, salads, their evocative decor, and had one of the best veggie burgers ever.
For an exposure to the contemporary art of the region be sure to stop by this architectural showplace The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts — a converted barn with high raised barn ceilings and adjacent artist and pottery studios and classes.
The Old Edwards Inn
445 Main Street
Highlands, NC 28741
(828) 526-8008
Spa (828) 526-9887
Deep appreciation to Marjorie Christiansen, Director of Marketing at The Old Edwards Inn for her invaluable help and support.
Cathy H. Burroughs is an international travel writer and adventure blogger who is published widely.
