Smokey Shadows - Maggie Valley

THE place to go off the grid, have a group retreat, church camp group or wedding venue!!! Have the right mind set: this is not just a great place to unwind, and unplug; BUT it is an experience staying in a 150 year old building that did not have electricity (originally) and will help you to slow down, simplify and relax. Probably the best valley view from the back porch in all of maggie valley!! (pic from the porch included) As far as 2020 COVID health stuff goes: they seem to be keeping it very clean and using masks taking precautions appropriately. We rented out the place for our vow renewal (wedding party). Which is not that bad affordability wise. If you 're looking for a rustic wedding backdrop, for 20-60 people and great view inside and out; this is it! They 've got the perfect area for a dance floor and indoor ceremony, then a seperate dinning area, plus the back yard and deck where you can hear running water from a stream! Plus if you can be there on a cooking day, the meals are amazing. Apparently this is where tomato pie started. Or at least was made famous! I had one meal the and it was delicious southern comfort food that you could taste love in! This is also the perfect place to stay when skiing at Cataloochie; which is about a 5 minute drive further up the mountain. We went skiing one day and it was perfect.... You don 't wanna have to go far when you 're so soar afterwards! . It was about 10 minutes from the blue ridge parkway. Soco falls (which is worth seeing) in the Cherokee reserve was a about a 20 min drive. Water rock knob (an awesome place on the parkway with a 360 view and great sunsets is a 30 min or less drive. Verizon has excellent coverage up here. AT&T has adequate signal up ...and used my wifi hotspot on my phone easily. Well worth the stay. I only wish we could have stayed longer!

Smokey Shadows was established in 1953 by Henry T. Stewart and Harry, utilizing local labor and some assistance from my father. I'm not sure where the idea that it's over 100 years old comes from! It was Henry's dream project. He and my grandmother, Beth Stewart, managed it for many years until his health declined and they could no longer continue. Additionally, my dad, who was married to their daughter and living in South Carolina, had given them four grandchildren they wanted to spend time with. Eventually, they decided to sell The Lodge and relocate to Clemson. The last time I visited was in 2012 when Ginger and her husband were in charge. I took my mom for a visit since it had been a while since her last trip there. But just to clarify, it is NOT over 100 years old! It is a stunning place that my grandfather built with love and careful attention to detail to endure through the years!

Once seated, we were pleasantly surprised as the food started arriving without us having to ask. First came the salad, which was simply amazing, followed by the entrees. That night, we enjoyed roasted pork loin accompanied by an abundance of fresh vegetables, and for dessert, we indulged in strawberries atop homemade shortbread. Of all the family meals we've shared, this one was the absolute best. We also had friendly families at the neighboring tables, which added to the delightful evening. I hesitate to give such a glowing review because we want to ensure we can secure a reservation next time, but it truly was that extraordinary. We will definitely return, and we look forward to bringing out-of-town guests to experience the real mountain lodge ambiance.

I stumbled upon this hidden gem by chance, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience. The owner is wonderful and very accommodating. The setting is rustic, making it the perfect place to unwind and disconnect from the hustle and bustle. The homemade breakfast was outstanding. Unfortunately, they didn’t serve dinner during our visit, but I’ve heard their pot roast is legendary. We’re already excited about returning!