FALL AVAILABILITY AT BLACKBERRY MOUNTAIN

Spanning 5,200 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, with 2,800 acres dedicated to land conservation, Blackberry Mountain continues the legacy of sister property Blackberry Farm and the Beall family’s world-renowned hospitality. One of only four Relais & Châteaux resorts in the world to earn the designation before opening, Blackberry Mountain is an adventurous retreat for family, friends or business, offering modern-day luxuries in an unencumbered natural environment. Blackberry Mountain offers guests equal parts of Blackberry Farm’s renowned hospitality, with seasonal food and beverage menus designed to complement the property’s diverse offerings and panoramic views. From restorative treatments in the spa to outdoor exploration, Blackberry Mountain fosters wellness with its own adventurous spirit and style celebrating its home adjacent to one of America’s most beloved national parks, Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

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ACCOMODATIONS

ROOMS: Six Watchman Cabins, 21 Stone Cottages and a variety of multi-bedroom ( 2-5 ) Azalea Gap and Mountain Homes that each feature a full-size kitchen, dining room, living room with stone wood-burning fireplace and an all season screened porch with a second stone wood-burning fireplace.

NOTES: we personally love the stone cottages for couples and the mountain homes for families or multi-generational trips, however the reality is the mountain is almost always sold out so we take what we can get.

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DINING

THREE SISTERS: signature fine dining located within the Lodge at Blackberry Mountain. Think pan-seared fingerling trout with roasted carrots and toasted amaranth. The restaurant also features a curated list from VicePresident of Food & Beverage Andy Chabot personal favorites, which include small, family-run wineries that make world-class wine without undue manipulation.

FIRETOWER: casual, 72-seat dining room and intimate 13-seat bar with stunning 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Chef Joel Werner, who has been at Blackberry Farm since 2015, oversees the menus which include breakfast, lunch and snacks, bowls, pizza and mussels and weekend dinner.

NOTES: Additional dining amenities include picnics and live fire and trail-side cooking excursions led by chefs Edwards, Feathers and Werner. Guests on the mountain can eat at their sister resort's The Barn Restaurant for dinner as well.

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ACTIVITIES

OUTDOOR: Clay shooting, paint ball, wine and whisky tastings, adventure ropes course, sunrise yoga, creek side meditation, endurance climbs, trail running, rock climbing, bouldering, mountain biking, fly fishing, horseback riding, and lake opportunities such as water slides, kayaking and paddleboarding.

INDOORS: An art studio, half basketball court, an indoor rock climbing wall, yoga and fitness classes.

SPA: Nest features eight treatment rooms, a tranquility lounge, sauna, steam showers, salon and an outdoor, year-round heated pool with scenic infinity edge.

NOTES: guests can also participate in the nearby farm's adventure and activities programming such as guided shooting, water sports, cycling and mountain biking, paintball, hiking, geocaching, garden tours, culinary schools, and wine and spirit classes and tastings.

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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

DATES AVAILABLE: September 30th-October 3rd, October 3rd-7th, October 13th - 17th and October 21st-24th

MAPPS X BLACKBERRY MOUNTAIN: 15 percent off daily nightly rate and spa credits.

LOCATION: 30 minutes from Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport by car.

IDEAL GUEST: families, multi-generational trips, couples and ladies looking for a long weekend getaway.

Photos courtesy of Blackberry Mountain

ON OUR RADAR: UTAH'S NEWEST KID ON THE BLOCK

On July 1,  Aman Hotels unveiled it’s latest masterpiece, Amangiri Camp Sarika, a luxury camping experience situated on 136 breathtaking acres of land in the glorious Utah Desert. Camp Sarika is comprised of 10 luxurious tented pavilions, covered by soft canvas made from recycled plastic bottles and house custom designed furniture. There are one and two-bedroom options, each including a living area, dining area, bar, and fire pit. The encampment is just a short 10-minute drive from its sister resort, Amangiri, a MAPPS fav. While the camp site has it’s own pool, restaurant and bar, those staying at the camp will also have full access to the resort’s facilities and adventure team, delivering an epic experience like never before. From horseback riding to hiking Antelope Canyon, from rock-climbing and repelling to a hot air balloon ride or a helicpoter over Bryce National Park or boating on Lake Powell, there is something for everyone. Ready to go glamping? So are we, so send us an email to start planning. A sneak peek below —

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CAMP SARIKA

BEHIND THE SCENES: CHECKING OUT THE GRAND DAME OF WATCH HILL

Watch Hill, Rhode Island is a low-key, unpretentious beach town with just the right dash of elegance thanks to The Ocean House Hotel, the perfectly manicured hedges and a sleuth of famous residents which include none other then Ms. Taylor Swift. This coastal village not only is less crowded than the Hamptons and easier to reach than MV or Nantucket, it also has endless pristine beaches, art galleries and a full food scene… making it an ideal destination 365 days a year. After 106 days at home, I packed my bags and trunk and drove North to check it all out. What I found was a playground for the discerning traveler and a heavenly sandwich from Sift Bakery that I still cannot replicate no matter how many times I have tried. The details below — xx Elisa

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STAY

OCEAN HOUSE: The grand dame of Watch Hill is perched dramatically on a hill that leads down to a white sandy beach. The elegant property, part of the Relais and Chateaux collection has the feel of an intimate resort even though it boosts 6 restaurants, an indoor/outdoor pool, a movie theater and a Forbes five star spa. Open year round, the hotel offers uncompromising service, Mercedes Benz house cars, world class amenities, endless activities and a full service kids club.

ACCOMODATIONS: 45 rooms, 19 suites that each features a full kitchen, dining and living are as well as terrace and ocean views and 6 private cottages.

MAPPS FAV: At the hotel we loved The Seaglass Suite and The Morgan Suite. Off property, the private cottages were spacious, well appointed and are the perfect option for those seeking privacy with access to resort amenities.

ROOM TO SKIP: Standard Queen room. It certainly is a lovely accommodation but neighborhood views are not for everyone and some of these do not offer a tub. 

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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

MAPPS X OCEAN HOUSE: Special nightly rates, upgrade subject to availability, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

GETTING HERE: 2.5 hours north of New York City, 2 hours south of Boston and 45 minutes south of Newport, RI by car. There is a daily train from Penn Station NYC to Westerly, RI on Amtrak ( 3 hour ride ) and guests will be picked up by a staff member in a house car Mercedes and make the ten minute trek to the hotel.

ACTIVITIES: Beach, water sports including surf lessons, boating, fishing, indoor pool, fitness center and spa, movie theater, squash courts, croquet, golf, tennis, paddle, kids club, cooking classes and wine tastings.

IDEAL TRAVELER: Families, couples or groups of friends looking for an easy and active getaway.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: June-September or holiday weeks to enjoy all the special activities and decorations such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas… especially the winter fondue igloos.

P.S. On property do not miss the Veuve Cliquot Secret Garden Champagne Bar, weekend beach lobster boils and the taco beach shack. Off property take a hike on Napatree Point, grab ice cream at nearby Claire Annex, baked goods, salads and sandwiches at Sift Bakery, dinner in town at The Olympic Tea Room and pick up candles at WH2O.

PACK YOUR BAGS and we will handle the rest. Email info@mappstravel.com to start planning.