I recently had the opportunity to re-visit High Hampton Resort following the completion of a massive renovation + expansion program. I thought it fitting to put together a full High Hampton Resort Review for y’all, as it’s a wonderful mountain escape that’s drivable/pretty accessible for much of the Southeast. Since the last time I was in Cashiers, the property has been greatly improved, while maintaining the woodland charm I absolutely love about this part of the country.
High Hampton is currently celebrating their 100th year anniversary, and with that rich history in Cashiers comes a depth and tremendous amount of significance for the community. Felt it best coming directly from them:
Property History
“Over the past two years, a group of passionate families took the helm of this storied property. Birmingham-based Arlington Family Offices and Daniel Communities led the redevelopment of the golf course, new club amenities and private real estate offerings. The Beall family, and leadership from their acclaimed destination, Blackberry Farm, oversaw the revitalization of the property’s Inn, cottages and restaurants within the Inn with a keen focus on maintaining the unusual character and unique appeal of the original buildings and not creating another Blackberry property. High Hampton’s local management team is now charged with delivering a food, wine and hospitality experience distinct to High Hampton and unique to the Inn’s rich history and character.”
What’s Included in Your Stay
- Breakfast + Dinner at the main dining room is included in your room rate.
- Access equipment for kayaking, canoeing and paddles.
- Access to Club amenities; pool, golf, etc.
- Around 1,400 miles of nearby trails.
How Long Should I Visit?
We stayed for 3 nights, and I think that was perfect. Just the right amount of time to settle in, enjoy the on-site amenities, explore a couple trails and shop in town. Don’t get me wrong, I could stay here for MUCH longer haha, but if you’re looking for a long weekend getaway that’s drivable in the Southeast, 3 nights at High Hampton Resort will do just the trick.
What Time of Year Should I Visit?
High Season is determined as summertime. Starting Memorial Day Weekend through August/September. The temperatures are on the rise, and Cashiers comes alive. Downtown is bustling, all the shops are open, the golf courses become active…and so on and so on. I previously visited in fall, and it was also lovely! Chilly of course, but fall is dahlia season in these parts and there’s still plenty to take in. From what I understand, winter becomes a bit of a dead zone. A lot of the shops and hotels are closed, so not sure what visitors can expect that time of year.
Food
A High Hampton Resort review wouldn’t be complete without discussing the new food program. With several restaurants on-property, there’s everything from fine dining to casual snacks for guests to partake in. We thoroughly enjoyed daily breakfast + dinner in the dining room. Truly, every single meal was better than the last! We were very impressed with the selection and freshness of seasonal fare.
For lunches, we dined just downstairs at The Tavern for mid-day casual dishes like pizza + salads. All of which were delicious. If you find yourself poolside, there are several options – Mitch’s, which we found offered more of a buffet style lunch. Or you can also order from the Club restaurant and have it brought to you at the pool.
Amenities
The property does have the new addition of an on-site spa! It’s located on the 3rd floor of the Inn; utilized newly designed guest rooms for services. It doesn’t have all the bells + whistles you may expect {as in a dipping pool, large lounge room, etc}, however the services themselves are absolutely worth a visit. In addition, there’s a state of the art fitness center. Sterling utilized it several times during our stay and was very impressed with the large size of the facility and equipment selection – which includes Pelaton bikes and a reformer, to name a few. You’ll also find the usual country club actives at your fingertips – golf course, croquette field, tennis + pickle ball courts.
Interiors + Our Room
The renowned team from Blackberry Farm did a phenomenal job sprucing the new interiors at High Hampton Resort. I love how they maintained the integrity of the wood paneling and overall layout/structure of the original Inn. It still has that cozy, cabin feel that I personally love and crave when visiting the mountains. But the layers of designer textiles, unexpected colorways and contemporary art bring a whole new feel to the property. It’s elevated and the perfect melding of old + new.
We stayed in a King Superior Cottage room in Rock House Cottage – conveniently located steps from the main Inn. The room was comfortably outfitted with a king size bed and the comfiest linens for a good night sleep. The bathroom was somewhat on the smaller side, but beautifully done. There was a good size closet and the room equipped with in-room coffee/tea and mini fridge.
Is It Child Friendly?
Yes, very! The surrounding landscape is full of open space for kiddos to run around, along with tennis + pickle ball courts with regular programming, swimming pool and an entire kids clubhouse + playground. The Inn does have an elevator, along with an ADA compliant room located on the second floor. And while there are quite a few steps surrounding the Inn and nearby cottages, it’s something that would totally be manageable {as far as I could tell}. I think it would be such a fun family getaway.
What to Wear at High Hampton
The resort is refreshingly laid back, so anything goes really! You’ll want to pack athleisure wear for day-time adventuring. Between endless hiking + walking trails, water activities and casually exploring town, a pair of leggings and comfy top will serve you well. If you’re visiting during high season, don’t forget your suit + sunscreen as well!
In the evenings, as guests arrive in the dining room, you’ll see a mix of what I would consider Business Casual and more Formal Wear. Most ladies wear dresses, skirts or slacks. While gentleman are required to wear collared shirts – jackets + ties optional, however I will say most evenings the majority of men I saw did sport jackets. It’s a well dressed crowd, but not overly stylish if that makes sense. You’re still in the mountains in a cabin-esk atmosphere, so don’t overthink it!
Disclosure – this was a gifted stay, however all thoughts + opinions are absolutely my own. I stand behind them 100% and can’t wait to re-visit High Hampton again in future.
