A Weekend Away at Trailborn Highlands
Ahhh. The cool mountain air. Vibrant stars in the dark sky at night. A fire pit, a glass of wine (or three…), a warm meal, a hike, downtime to read a good book, time spent relaxing in a sauna, a walk through cute downtown shops… give us any combination of these items and we’ll call it a magical weekend away.
A recent visit to Highlands, North Carolina gave us all of this and more.
Trailborn Highlands, a modern yet cozy hotel nestled in the heart of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, was a perfect location for our girl’s weekend. From the moment we arrived, the serene atmosphere at Trailborn Highlands set the tone for our trip. The stylish and thoughtfully designed rooms made us feel instantly at home, blending chic comfort with rustic charm. Our room had a lovely porch perfect for sipping coffee each morning while looking out at the mountainside – although coffee was enjoyed later than usual given the comfy beds. They contributed to some much-needed sleeping in!
Trailborn Highlands, which just launched in August of 2024, had everything we needed for our weekend.
- The Market was stocked with an array of food, drink and fun retail finds.
- There were complimentary games in the Azalea Room, perfect for an afternoon with friends or with your family for a trip with kids included.
- We woke up each morning to breakfast options, including fresh fruits, hot coffee, and maple pecan granola. The perfect way to start your day, and complimentary to hotel guests.
- Wind down each afternoon with Afternoon Tea served in the lobby.
- The outdoor space was a perfect place to share an afternoon picnic or wind down each day enjoying wine by the fire pit.
- And our favorite… the outdoor Nordic Spa. There’s no better way to sweat out the bad stuff, followed by rehydrating and relaxing by the fire.
The hotel just opened an onsite restaurant, the Highlands Supper Club, as well. After a morning of hiking and an afternoon of relaxing, we topped it all off with a night of indulging! The Highlands Supper Club bartenders kicked off our experience with an incredible Cabin Negroni. The Field Green Salad with candied pecans and goat cheese, followed by the Wagyu steak and garlic mashed potatoes was delicious. We saved room for dessert though… we shared the Mud Pie which was the perfect way to top off our decadent meal. Compliments to the chef… and time for our cozy bed!
Outside of our amazing stay at the Trailborn Highlands, what did we do with our weekend away? Well, we explored the sweet mountain town!
- When we arrived Friday night, we headed into town to eat dinner at the hopping Ugly Dog Pub. It felt like a favorite of locals!
- Saturday, we ventured out and hiked Whiteside Mountain. This 2.5-mile loop is the perfect hike for great views and just enough incline to make you hungry for lunch.
- For lunch, we headed to Whiteside Brewing. We were lucky to have beautiful weather, so we refueled with our burger, fries, and a cold beverage on the outside picnic tables.
- After lunch, we walked from Trailborn Highlands to the downtown area. We loved that it was just a quick walk away to find an afternoon coffee and browse the local gift shops, art galleries, and clothing stores.
- No trip to Highlands can be complete without a stop at Mountain Fresh Grocery. On our way out of town, we popped in for road trip snacks. This location is so much more than a grocery store with gourmet coffees, a bakery, a deli with sandwiches and pizzas… if you are in town, drop by for picnic-worthy meals.
Our weekend trip was a great reminder of how important it is to carve out time for rest and relaxation. If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a girls’ getaway, a solo trip with the hubby, or a family trip to disconnect with electronics and reconnect with each other, the Trailborn Highlands delivers.
