I was recently able to stay a few nights in the North Carolina mountains at The Swag, a Relais and Chateaux property that has become quite well-known over the past few years.

Perched almost a mile above sea level, The Swag combines authentic hospitality with natural beauty, as you experience the great outdoors in the Great Smokey Mountains. With only 18 rooms, The Swag is an intimate experience that creates a sense of family and a true feeling of staying at your “home away from home.”

Each room at The Swag is unique, and we were lucky enough to stay in Hideaway, which features a steam, sauna, fireplace, and soaking tub. These features were perfect for our time in the mountains since it snowed and the temperatures dropped quite a bit.

During our time we were able to pick from a variety of activities, including a cocktail making class, a guided hike with a local expert, storytelling, and more. I also decided to indulge in a massage at the spa, aka The Still, and I’m so glad I did.

Meals are included with your stay at The Swag, and the food was truly incredible. Breakfast is served a-la-carte (get the grits!), lunch can be prepared in a number of ways depending on how you’re spending your afternoon (we opted for the picnic basket and enjoyed our lunch by the fire), and dinner is served at 7pm and varies nightly. Thursday night we enjoyed a Southern BBQ, complete with live music from a local band.

My favorite part? The hospitality. From the moment we stepped on property we felt like we were welcomed into an old friend’s mountain retreat.

Who is The Swag good for? Couples, groups of friends, and adults who are looking for a getaway in the mountains.