The Swag is a little piece of heaven, literally, at 5000’. THE VIEWS! This was our 4th stay and we loved our 3 nights there; two in the Salmon Room and fortunately the third (by way of a cancellation) in the Bishops Room. LOVED the sunrise views from the Bishops Room as well as the fireplace on a cool evening. The steam shower, small refrigerator, coffee maker and beans for grinding make for a comfortable room. The staff, the food and service could not be better. The beautiful and comfortable new Swag additions recently build make it possible to dine outdoors on a patio with heating lamps and a fireplace. Intimate setting for special occasion celebrations. Special events were super- storytelling by Charles, cooking class by Jake and Phyllis were outstanding. The gift apron and recipes are nice touches. We will be booking next years trip very soon!!
Great Service and Majestic View (5500 ft)The rooms, food, and staff are Great.The walking trails and Majestic Great Outdoors are Very calming!Try to get a room with a Fireplace........This was one of our Anniversary/Vacation spots ever!We will return next year....Can’t wait.
Wonderful experience! Steak was done perfect. The service is great! And it is absolutely beautiful here. Thanks to the staff! And the kitchen staff!
Absolutely incredible property! Perfect service and delicious food. Easy to see why its rated so high. So glad we decided to make this our 2020 vacation spot!
The most wonderful place on Earth!
A stay at The Swag has been on my bucket list for a few years, since my in-laws who live in Maggie Valley treated me to a dinner one evening some time ago. If theres one piece of advice, BOOK EARLY. I did not get the room I desired, yet this is because I was looking for an out-of-town drive-cation in the middle of all of this COVID craziness and got what was available. Im super lucky I was able to get anything! The room, the LOFT, was still absolutely perfect (although it does not have the view like other rooms) and I LOVED the outdoor shower. How fun. I spent time sitting indoors in the library and outdoors on the porch soaking in the views and hiking around the property. I felt like a little kid when I climbed up into the treehouse (better than Disneys fake Swiss Family Robinson, in my opinion); and played a little cornhole. Attention to tiny little details, like a souvenir hiking stick and having coffee beans you can grind yourself each morning. I felt super safe with their distancing measures and enhanced sanitization, even providing personal hand sanitizers for use. And, I believe that Marlenes massage was probably the best massage I have ever had. The food was exquisite, particularly the one mornings breakfast of pastrami hash with a poached egg. One other reminder: bring your own liquor if you are a martini drinker. And, you can bring your own wine if you like to imbibe a bit. The Swag had excellent wines. It could just get pricey if you are purchasing each time. (Note: They have a modest uncorking fee). The only downside is the amount of construction going on, yet it wasnt a huge impediment (just scary when having to pass HUGE dumptruck on the narrow road up/down from The Swag. All in all, the entire staff were extremely pleasant and very geared toward making your stay as enjoyable as possible. This place is for those who want to relax, read quietly, walk around aimlessly and be able to disconnect. Dont expect to be working here, or catching the latest news on a TV. Oh yeah, LOVED the garden.
Beautiful views... outstanding service... extremely accommodating... delicious dinner... great music.... wonderful storyteller!!!!
My wife and I visited for our anniversary and were swept off our feet from the moment we arrived. The staff is exemplary and precise attention is paid to every detail. You receive a complimentary walking stick, (a nice one) upon arrival and the food from breakfast to dinner was incredible. One of our favorite parts about the swag was the sense of community and inclusion the innkeepers promoted. Even though we were there for our anniversary and definitely wanting some alone time, we were enamored by the live music by the fire at night, group hikes during the day, and plenty of other options for both introverts and extroverts alike.
Superb meals and gorgeous location
The Swag restaurant is not worth the 70 youll spend for the meal. The atmosphere was perfect but the food was terrible for the price. The cauliflower pickled apple soup tasted like a cream of broccoli base. The salad I was given, in lieu of an appetizer because Im vegetarian, had some greens, a few cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced cucumber with ranch dressing. No choice of dressing. The vegetarian sweet potato gnocchi was rubbery and tasteless. I ate two bites. There was no sauce with the gnocchi, just some wilted kale and a sprinkling of feta. The chocolate cake was so inedible that I brought it home and never ate it. Eating at The Swag is not worth the money. The people I was with agree.
The cabins are stunning. All the little touches make it warm and cozy. A great place to relax and get away from the noise of life. Staff is very friendly and food is excellent.
Rustic luxury at 5,000 feet in the North Carolina mountains. Excellent staff serving your every need and the chef prepares gourmet dishes daily. Guided daily hiking in the Great Smoky mountains. Program leaders present varying experiences. Great place to just relax, read and watch the numerous hummingbirds with fabulous views of mountains.
A true gem! I wasnt fortunate enough to be staying there as a guest, but the gentile people I met were friendly and welcoming with hearts as grand as their hospitality. They offered me a fine meal while I visited, and let me tell you... it was superb! I highly recommend this tucked away paradise to anyone wishing to experience the unadulterated beauty and splendor of the Great Smokey Mountains!
Beautiful place. Was only there for a few minutes. Wish I could have been there longer.
We went for dinner, did not stay at the inn. We have done this numerous times. The atmosphere and service was great, as was dinner. However after dinner there was a musical program by the Activities Leader that seemed totally inappropriate and out of place. He made unusual and offensive comments about Andrew Jackson being a sissy because of his clothes and all of the awful things he did to the Cherokee. Perhaps he could have used this time as a teaching moment instead of mocking a past President. Plus in a beautiful setting, who needs someone elses political opinion...Wrong! On a positive note, our server, Tyler, was wonderful. Smiling, pleasant and efficient. Not sure the Swag needs this type of entertainment at all.Disappointing!
We just returned from a weekend celebrating our 5th Anniversary. Our expectations for a relaxing getaway were more than exceeded. The Swags views are incredible and so is the service, staff and cuisine. Be prepared to be catered to all day long. We caught a break in the rain and took a hike to the waterfall - highly recommend. We also had Gooseberry Knob and its spectacular views to ourselves for a picnic lunch. What an escape.... especially for parents of two toddlers. We spent a lot of our time just enjoying the quiet!
This has to be one of the finest retreats in the world. My wife and I just spent three nights here celebrating our 20th anniversary and it was truly a life event! It has all the elegance of a Vanderbilt estate and has the welcoming atmosphere of a grandmothers hug. The food is beyond exceptional and totally adds to the experience. The service is unparalleled. There is a divine peace that engulfs you as you spend time at the Swag. You truly get every bit of your moneys value when you stay here. Everyone should make the time to experience what the Swag Inn has to offer. This isnt Heaven but, you definitely feel like you are one step closer to it.
I have never been there. But my boyfriend is a massage therapist there and he says its very nice..
Unbelievable experience! 10x more beautiful than we imagined. One of the coolest hotels I have ever stayed at, 11/10!
Great accommodations, friendly staff in a peaceful, beautiful setting. The food is also excellent and plentiful.
Excellent! The Swag reflects the character and personality of its new owners, Annie and David Colquitt, whom Im proud to call my next door neighbors. Though rustic in nature, this retreat combines that ambience with 5 star service and accommodations. My wife and I are inn aficionados. We have experienced the good fortune to have roomed and dined in some of the worlds finest. None is better than The Swag.
My husband and I came to your beautiful Swag in November a few years back and totally was relaxing place. We were curious about the drive up the mountain then we drove into the Swag it took our breath away. Felt like Heaven. It was during Thanksgiving and the chef made this delicious delectable Turkey feast. We met the nicest people from everywhere. We truly loved our visit.
We had the reservations required guest dinner at The Swag and it was very nice. Most of the folks at the dinner were also guest room folks and experienced with the format. The appetizers course was shy of the appropriate quantities of fruit, cheeses, crackers for the full roster of diners. The servers were great, the food was very good, the room to eat in is that with the.massive fireplace, so request that when you make your reservations.
The swag is a wonderful place to stay! The service and means are outstanding. The staff are very friendly and always ready to assist you! The rooms are very nice and comfortable. I would highly recommend the swag for your vacation in the mountains you cannot go wrong!
Great atmosphere and amazing food.
Great food and lodging
Great service and excellent food & views.
Magical place with great staff. Trails on the property, magnificent views
This is our favorite place to stay. The food is wonderful, the hiking is great and the owners are delightful. It is expensive but worth it. All of the rooms are unique and are artistically furnished. I cannot say enough good things.
It was great. Well worth the modest price for the weekend.
This place is breathtaking, what an adventure just to drive to
Worst server ever Kira. If she comes to your table, just move. Improve your place, get rid of her.
The best upscale small inn in the country. Service, amenities, food, atmosphere, are all off the charts. You cannot do better for a relaxing unplug getaway.
SIX STARS!!! Dan and Deener Matthews run a great place with great staff, awesome food, and an wonderfully inviting atmosphere. I do not have enough room to write all the good things that they do but to say the least they make you feel so welcome and taken care of that you will not want to leave. Food is out of this world and you will not go hungry, ever! I was there when Joel & Kathy were there to take us hiking and they were so accommodating, knowledgeable and friendly. I was lucky to have stayed while they were there. I met so many wonderful people. View is so great there are no words. Single travelers should make this stop on their journeys because you will not feel alone. Everything was great and I cant wait to go back. You guys knocked it out of the park. Thanks to all the staff who were so helpful and to the cooks for doing a great job feeding me. This is place is by far the most welcoming place I have ever stayed. There is no doubt you will come back to The Swag over and over again.
My wife and I️ recently stayed at The Swag for our honeymoon. We were looking for a drive-able destination where we could relax and enjoy nature. The Swag delivered. The views were breathtaking, the hospitality of the staff and owners was exceptional, and the food was incredible. Already discussing when we can return.
Since Chef Jake Schmidt and Sous Chef Dee Rose have taken over the kitchen, their food has become absolutely amazing. It is definitely worth the $60/person for a romantic dinner experience at 5,000ft. Bring your own wine though, they only sell wine made by Biltmore and only by the bottle. They have a few select beers by the bottle, but no draft. Also, no liquor, so make sure you bring that too.
My wife and I went to The Swag for our 2nd Anniversary and could not be more impressed and pleased with our stay! The owners, David and Annie Colquitt, have done a tremendous job preserving, improving, and expanding the property. If I had to describe The Swag with a single phrase, it would be Rustic Mountain Top Luxury. I can honestly say Ive never stayed anywhere like it, and Ive regularly stayed in cabins throughout the broader Smokey Mountains/Southern Appalachians area. From the moment you arrive, the staff are attentive, warm and friendly. We happened to arrive on a weekend of particularly bad weather and considering it was at the end of the season and we had a 14-month-old with us, we were unable to take advantage of the amazing system of trails The Swag sits on.That being said, from the moment we arrived at the top of the 2-mile scenic mountain road, we felt like we were entering a secret kingdom where we were treated like royalty. Despite the humble outer appearance of the various cabins and lodges that comprise The Swag, the experience is nothing short of 5-star luxury. Greg unloaded our bags and we were provided with commemorative walking sticks, compliments of the Swag. There is complimentary soda pop and ice cream, as well as apples, coffee and tea whenever you like. The rooms are spacious, with steam showers, jacuzzi tubs, and fireplaces meticulously stocked with fresh dry wood and firestarters, which are replenished daily. There is a wonderful reading library and warm fireplaces galore where one can curl up with a good book.The food alone deserves its own several paragraphs. Here the theme continues: The Swag is incredibly attentive to details. All the meals are included and you never have to worry about finding something delicious to eat. The breakfast had everything you could imagine: waffles, sausage, eggs-made-to-order, oatmeal, and all with a taste and quality befitting a 5-star dining experience. Lunches were chosen the day before and packed and ready in the morning after breakfast, so you could eat well, while not having to come back from a long days excursion until dinner. In the evening, my wife and I feasted on roast lamb, ribeye steak, and halibut, all cooked with the highest order of culinary sophistication. On top of all this, the staff is incredibly accommodating: although dinner starts promptly at 7:00pm, we were having to put our 14 month old son down to bed and the staff graciously waited to serve us a whole hour later until he had fallen asleep. Additionally, they cooked custom dishes just for him so he was never left out of the dining experience and we were able to feed him easily.Finally, staying at The Swag felt not so much like staying a resort or hotel (though the amenities were equivalent) as it felt like an intimate mountain retreat with friends. The small number of guests, coupled with the intimate dining area and shared living spaces ensured that while we had plenty of privacy to celebrate our anniversary, new friends were close by and easily made. We felt as if the complete strangers we started the weekend with had become old friends and companions. Conversations flowed naturally and my wife and I intend to follow up with a lovely couple we met from Nashville. You are never far from friends, both old and new, at The Swag. My wife and I cant wait to return: if its possible to have such an incredible time during a cold, wet, rainy weekend, I can only imagine how spectacular The Swag is during the warmer months! No matter the weather or the time of year, you can be sure to enjoy yourself in this most pleasant place in the dip between two mountain peaks (the literal definition of the word, Swag).
We are planning an elopement wedding here and I spoke to Shell, so far the communication and service is phenomenal. He worked us into their schedule for a last minute tour and was extremely helpful. Super friendly and professional and very comforting when planning a stressful event in life. I am super happy. We visit monday! Looking forward to continue the great customer service Ive already been provided!
Wonderful view, great drive going up the mountain. Staff and food or excellent
Weve visited The Swag twice now, once in May and once in October and both times the hospitality was second to none. The ground are kept top notch and the food is varied and yummy. The various trails on and off property will make you hungry for dinner. Dont forget to grab a few Swag bars to fill your tank for the hikes. One note is the property is in a dry county so stop in town before heading up to grab libations. Well worth the price for any of the different rooms.
I was looking for a quiet getaway in the woods when google found this place. We booked it knowing nothing about it. Oh my, what an experience. We were pampered and thrilled at the personal attention and charm of this place. We went hiking for miles. You can be with a group or alone as much as you want. I cannot say enough about how delightful this place is. The owners are very involved and got to know us. The place oozes with hospitality and excellence.
I have an allergy to 3 types of nuts and my server and the chef went out of their way to see that I was safe...even fixing my own separate apple crisp! We also learned a little history of the place which they do at each meal!
A magical mountain resort!
The Swag is amazing and I highly recommend staying there. It was beautiful, peaceful, welcoming, the staff was amazing, and the food was even better. My wife and I stayed at The Swag over Memorial Day weekend. We loved it so much we are planning on going back in the fall. It is the perfect getaway for a couple. You can enjoy great food, great hiking trails, and captivating views. We also were able to go white water rafting and view the Biltmore Estate. They really go the extra mile to make you feel welcome, whether its leaving little gifts in your room every day (that they dont charge you for), or the custom walking stick that they give you, or the genuine friendliness and care for their guests. Dont miss out on an opportunity to stay at this beautiful getaway.
The Swag is not inexpensive or easy to get to, but so worth every mile and every dollar!They have mastered every detail, to make your stay memorable. The location is astounding, the food is delicious and served with care. The staff is so attentive and welcoming. This was my 4th visit to the Swag and I can hardly wait to go back.
It was heavenly!
Such beautiful views and also the buildings and grounds perfection!
High in elevation but beautiful
The people are very kind and the foods amazing
My wife and I eloped to Maggie Valleybthis past weekend and were married Saturday afternoon (October 13th). We stumbled across The Swag via internet a few months ago and made dinner reservations here for our small party of six. SO GLAD we did! The grounds are nothing short of magical. We had the opportunity to meet the owners and the entire staff were warm and accommodating. The food was excellent. As someone who spent 20+ years in special event catering, I was beyond impressed with their attention to detail. The charm of the hand-writtenplace cards at the dinner table was a beautiful touch. There was even a card for my bride and I with Congratulations and a pottery vase with flowers that was ours to take home as a memento. It was dark when dinner was over, and we were given small flashlights (also to keep) to help guide our way back to our cars. I absolutely will be back not only for dinner, but to stay as a lodging guest. This little piece of heaven tucked away high above the clouds is perfection. Thank you to everyone there!
My husband and I stayed at your resort for the first time ever. We were so impressed and we had so much fun. Our cabin was wonderful and had a steam shower and sauna. Most of all I liked the fact that there was no TV. Only a radio with old country music on. We hiked with Donald Davis and then hiked on our own and wore ourselves out. Our room charge included breakfast, lunch, and dinner which I thought was such a great idea. The food was wonderful, from breakfast, to our backpack lunch, to our amazing filet mignon dinner. Grace was said and that was a special touch. The day we left was a Sunday and the Swag had an amazing brunch with a dessert table and I feel I am gaining 5 pounds just thinking about it again. It was relaxing and we did a lot of nothing on the back porch. Just what we wanted in this crazy, busy world.
Beautiful views
Great name
A magical place to work and the most wonderful people to work with
Im starting as a server. Its a very beautiful place. 5 star service!!
Great place. Nothing more beautiful than a view from the Swag.
The Swag is a place of timeless beauty, a gate to the higher realms of spiritual existence, a heavenly gate on our good old mother earth. The Matthews at their tender age are exemplary and kind leaders for young and old alike, who have put together over the years this most spectacular, cozy - gemuetlich retreat with great Southern hospitality. Their staff is well selected and trained, all of the serving folks are wonderful, a world of bygone days. Their brunches and evening cookouts are simply legendary. Thank you Deener and Dan and your Staff.
Beautiful views and friendly staff. Worth the reservation during their open season.
Not finished yet
Wonderful rooms with wonderful views. The staff are all amazingly friendly and helpful.
A step back in time with modern convienance.
My wife and I just spent our 15th anniversary at the Swag and a great time. The entire staff led by the owners Dan and Deneer took excellent care of us and took hospitality to the highest level!! We thoroughly enjoyed the property and the adjoining Great Smokey Mtn National Park. Well be back!
The nicest, most relaxing place you couls ever visit. It is not cheap but worth every dollar, everything is perfect.
Gorgeous setting, rooms that are amazing, and staff that are so wonderful!
The nicest, most relaxing vacations of my life. The whole experience was beyond compare.
Loved loved loved this place!!!!!
Excellent as always.
It was awsome
Really swag
Absolutely Beautiful!
- Address:2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785, United States
- Site:https://theswag.com/
- Phone:+1 828-926-0430
- Resort
- Inn
- Lodge
- Restaurant