A Blackberry Mountain Birthday
- Sally Rychlak
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
Before visiting Blackberry Mountain, I read Kris Beall's memoir, The Great Blue Hills of God. It was nice to know the family's story and compare the version of the property I had built in my imagination to reality. The trip itself was a surprise birthday gift, and as someone who had spent plenty of time admiring Blackberry Mountain from afar, it was hard to imagine a better way to celebrate turning 29. I knew it involved a spa, great food, robes and slippers, mountain views, hiking, and fitness classes. In other words, my dream vacation. Somehow, Blackberry Mountain still managed to exceed every expectation and, perhaps unfairly, set the bar extremely high for turning 30.
Perched high above the Smokies, Blackberry Mountain feels both luxurious and deeply comfortable. The views are stunning, but what impressed me most was the staff. Every interaction reflected a level of care and attention to detail that felt genuine rather than rehearsed. We were lucky enough to visit during perfect spring weather, but even if it had rained the entire time, there would have been no shortage of things to do in this quiet corner of Tennessee.
While there are certainly elegant dinners and elevated experiences, the overall atmosphere is surprisingly casual. The property feels like a mountain cabin and a five star hotel had a very successful child. It's small enough that you begin recognizing familiar faces: groups of women on reunion trips, honeymooners, young families, and couples seeking a little adventure. Spend enough time people watching, and with a bit of imagination, you can create your own season of White Lotus.
One of the best parts of Blackberry Mountain is the sheer variety of activities available. During our stay, we went horseback riding, took a wheel thrown pottery class, attended a sound bath, enjoyed a couples massage, and squeezed in a few HIIT classes. At one point, we were randomly playing a game of "horse" at the indoor basketball court. We also set off on our own hiking adventures and stumbled across a beautiful waterfall and one of the property's most memorable surprises: Leo the Enlightened.
Created by Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo, Leo is a towering wooden troll standing more than twenty feet tall overlooking the Smokies. His purpose is simple: to encourage visitors to slow down and appreciate the mountains, the wildlife, and the beauty surrounding them. It sounds a bit whimsical, and it is, but it works. Not to mention, Leo was the kindest of trolls - he did not require us to pay a toll or demand that we solve a riddle.
Now, the food deserves its own section. Every meal was exceptional, and the culinary team was incredibly accommodating when it came to dietary restrictions. While I generally avoid gluten, I made a notable exception for a few bites of Blackberry Mountain's famous Saturday cinnamon rolls. No regrets. Even more impressive was the gluten free sourdough, which somehow managed to be every bit as satisfying as the traditional version. My main piece of advice to any future Blackberry guest is to never miss a meal (duh), but absolutely never miss dessert!!
Wheel thrown pottery is something I had always wanted to try. I envisioned a future of making my own bowls, mugs, vases. In our private pottery session, we created a few pieces that will be fired and shipped to us in the coming weeks. The experience was entertaining, although after an hour of hunching over a pottery wheel, I concluded that pottery would not be my next hobby. My posture and spine thanked me for making that decision.
If there was one activity everyone seemed to rave about, it was the sound bath. Staff members and fellow guests described it as a meditative experience designed to guide participants into a deeply relaxed state by using vibrations from a gong or singing bowl. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but it ended up being unlike anything I'd ever experienced. Rather than the post-nap groggy feeling, I emerged from what can only be described as a 75 minute zen blackout feeling energized, clear headed, and completely refreshed.
The quieter moments were just as memorable. We spent afternoons reading with a mountain view, lounging by the pool, playing chess, and taking golf cart rides through the valley. Blackberry Mountain is the kind of place that encourages you to do more, but also reminds you that doing less can be equally worthwhile.
Blackberry Mountain manages to create something that feels different than any other getaway I've experienced. It combines luxury with adventure, wellness with indulgence, and thoughtful hospitality with an atmosphere that never feels stuffy. It is the rare destination that lives up to the fantasy you create in your head before arriving. In our case, it somehow managed to surpass it.
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