Historic Mast Farm Inn
Is it a romantic hide-away?
Is it a place to escape day-to-day life?
Is it a historic mountain retreat suitable for enjoying adventure, scenery, gourmet dining and Southern hospitality?
The answer is a resounding yes to all of the above at the The Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis near Banner Elk in the North Carolina Mountains.
The Mast Farm Inn sits perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains over-looking incredible vistas that are beautiful year-round. The main house features 7 elegant, en suite guest rooms and there are 8 cottages on the surrounding 10-acre property.
The thriving inn consistently garners rave reviews with customers and has earned the distinction of being listed in the Select Registry of Historic Inns of North America .
The historic inn is the epitome of upscale Bed and Breakfast lodging while maintaining down-to-earth charm.
Mast Farm Inn is a charming Bed & Breakfast in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina
Although not quite as old as the surrounding mountains, records indicate the property was deeded as far back as 1790 with the original building being constructed in 1806.
In the early 1900s the home was first used as a guest house welcoming visitors from around the south providing refuge from the warm temperatures at lower elevations.
From 1945 until 1985 the house was vacant and fell into a state of disrepair before a family by the name of Presley purchased the ailing building and with the help of many locals began restoration.
In 2006 Henri Deschamps and family purchased the inn and initiated yet another make-over providing a welcomed breath of fresh air not only for Mast Farm Inn but for the town of Valle Crucis and visitors to the North Carolina Mountains.
One of the elegant rooms in the main house.
The inn offers a variety of reasonably priced customized packages while providing high-end lodging. Prices range from between $150 – $250 a night for rooms and $250 and $400 a night for cabins -depending on time of year and day of week.
Who is the typical guest at Mast Farm Inn?
That’s difficult to answer because there’s so much appealing to so many.
Most visitors come from within a 3 to 4 hour radius but there’s been an up-tick in international clientele. In recent months they’ve welcomed several guests traveling from the United Kingdom and as far away as Norway.
Relaxing and enjoying nature is high on the list of favorite things to do at Mast Farm Inn.
What can lodgers expect at Mast Farm Inn?
Couples take pleasure in the relaxed atmosphere and intimacy of the surroundings while small families enjoy staying in one of the cabins. All visitors delight in the personable, friendly service.
Inside one of the cozy cabins at Mast Farm Inn.
There’s also a wealth of activities nearby attracting visitors interested in kayaking, cycling, zip-lining, snow skiing, snow-tubing, hiking and more.
The historic town of Valle Crucis as well as the surrounding towns of Watauga County offer a plethora of antiques shops, boutiques, museums and galleries.
Couples choose Mast Farm Inn for their destination wedding.
Weddings are a beautiful and popular affair at The Mast Farm Inn. The ethereal beauty of the mountains combining with the elegance of the environs makes The Mast Farm Inn a choice destination for couples wanting to say, “I do” in a romantic setting.
The Mast Farm Inn isn’t solely known as a charming country inn, it’s also a culinary center of the mountains.
Not only do visitors enjoy a full breakfast in the morning but they have the opportunity to dine each evening in one of the finest gourmet restaurants in North Carolina.
Simplicity is the name of the restaurant which has quickly become a favorite with guests and the locals alike.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Danielle Stabler of the Mast Farm Inn. Stabler cheerfully describes the chef’s philosophy of using only the finest local ingredients. Everything is made fresh and from scratch.
When she says all ingredients are local, she means local.
The vegetables served come from the expansive on-site garden. The meat, fresh water fish and cheese is the finest found in the North Carolina high country. Even the flowers adorning the tables come from the garden.
Stabler notes if guests eat at Simplicity one evening they often end up returning each evening throughout their stay. The food is simply that good.
One of the delicious cheeses from the Highlands of North Carolina.
I ask Stabler what’s her favorite time of year at Mast Farm Inn.
She has difficulty answering since each season holds its own special beauty. Finally she responds, “I have to say it’s spring time. The mountains are coming alive with the most amazing colors, hues and tones. It’s impossible to describe the breath-taking colors of spring in the mountains.”
With so much to offer and the beautiful location; it may be worth visiting The Mast Farm Inn each season before deciding your favorite.
Photographs courtesy of The Mast Farm Inn
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As always, Happy Travels!
*** Where We Belong Package***
This is a special package Mast Farm Inn offers gentlemen and gentlewomen returning home from deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan.
