Old Edwards Inn & Spa Review: Cozy Mountain Luxury Meets Storybook Charm in Highlands, North Carolina

The Basics

Name of accommodation: Old Edwards Inn & Spa

Location: Highlands, North Carolina

Getting there: Highlands is tucked into western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. For visitors flying in, Asheville Regional Airport is one of the closest options, approximately 90 minutes away by car. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina is another convenient option, while Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport offers additional flight choices but requires a longer drive. A rental car is helpful for getting to Highlands and exploring the surrounding area, although much of downtown is easily walkable once you’ve arrived.

Price: Rates vary considerably depending on season and accommodation type. Fall is especially popular in Highlands, so expect higher rates and book well in advance if you’re hoping to visit during peak foliage.

Accommodation options: Here’s where things get interesting. Old Edwards isn’t one traditional hotel building. Accommodations are spread across several distinct areas, including historic rooms and suites in the heart of town, Spa Suites attached to the spa, Lodge rooms and cottages nestled among the trees, newer Falls Cottages and larger residences and lofts.

My daughter and I stayed in a two-bedroom Lodge suite, and it felt less like a hotel room and more like our own little mountain home. We had separate bedrooms, a living area with a fireplace, a covered porch and a spacious bathroom with heated floors and a soaking tub. Add Molton Brown bath products, bath salts and exceptionally plush robes, and suddenly staying in for the evening sounded every bit as appealing as going out.

Who Should You Bring?

I visited with daughter, and Old Edwards turned out to be a wonderful mother-daughter getaway. There was plenty to keep us entertained—beautiful restaurants, pools, a spa and lovely places to relax—but we could also wander into Highlands for coffee, shopping or dinner whenever the mood struck.

I could easily picture returning for a romantic weekend with my husband or a girls’ trip with friends. And with larger cottages and multi-bedroom residences available, families and groups have plenty of options, too.

What I particularly appreciated was that we didn’t have to choose between a resort vacation and exploring a destination. We could enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel, spend a few hours shopping in town, return for lunch and then head back out for dinner. No elaborate itinerary required.

What’s the Food Like?

Food was one of the highlights of our stay.

Our first dinner was at Madison’s, Old Edwards’ signature restaurant, which feels more like an elegant country house than a typical hotel dining room. Think intimate spaces, warm lighting and the kind of atmosphere that practically begs you to linger over dessert.

We were welcomed with champagne for me and a non-alcoholic option for my daughter, and the chef prepared a special cheese plate for us. I ordered a spiced pear martini that tasted like October in cocktail form.

My favorite dish was the wild mushroom agnolotti, although the caramelized banana pudding gave it some serious competition. Consider that my official recommendation to save room for dessert.

The next day, we had lunch at The Wine Garden, where tables are arranged around a beautifully landscaped stream. During our visit, the space was decorated for Oktoberfest, adding another layer of seasonal charm. Between the greenery, running water and relaxed outdoor setting, lunch felt like its own little event.

Another perk? Highlands has plenty of restaurants beyond the hotel. We walked into town for dinner at Ristorante Paoletti one evening, and I loved having that flexibility. At Old Edwards, dining out in town feels like an extension of the experience rather than leaving it behind.

Did You Get a Good Night’s Sleep?

An excellent one, actually.

My bedroom was wonderfully dark and exceptionally quiet, two qualities I appreciate more and more in a hotel room.

But I have to give some credit to the pre-bedtime routine. A hot bath with Molton Brown bath salts, heated bathroom floors, an impossibly soft robe and a fireplace waiting in the living room? It was basically an invitation to call it an early night.

This was something I kept noticing throughout the stay. Luxury at Old Edwards isn’t particularly flashy. It’s sensory and understated—the warmth of the floors, the softness of the robes, the scent of the bath products and the quiet of the room.

Sometimes the most luxurious thing a hotel can offer is making you genuinely excited to put on your pajamas.

What Amenities Are Available?

Quite a few—and because Old Edwards is spread across multiple buildings and areas, there’s more to discover than you might initially expect.

The property offers a full-service spa, pools, whirlpools, fitness facilities, restaurants and various gathering spaces.

I toured the spa during my stay, and the relaxation areas were especially inviting. Picture oversized chaises, natural stone, warm wood and soothing water features. It’s the kind of setting where I’d happily spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Which, when you’re on vacation, is sometimes the entire point.

One important detail: Full access to the spa facilities isn’t automatically included with every hotel stay. Access depends on treatments booked and certain accommodation types, so it’s worth checking the specifics before arriving.

And then there’s everything just beyond the property. Highlands’ Main Street is filled with shops, restaurants and coffee spots, while the surrounding mountains offer plenty of opportunities to get outdoors.

We made a quick trip to nearby Dry Falls, where a relatively short walk leads to a waterfall you can actually walk behind. It was beautiful, peaceful and surprisingly accessible. We even encountered plenty of visitors with their dogs. You don’t need to be an avid hiker to enjoy a little mountain scenery here.

How Was the Service?

Attentive, thoughtful and polished without being overly formal.

Our dinner at Madison’s was a particularly good example. From the welcome drinks to the specially prepared cheese plate, the staff made the evening feel personal without making a production of it.

That understated approach seemed to reflect the property as a whole. Old Edwards has a lot of moving parts, but the experience never felt fussy or overly complicated.

What Was Your Favorite Part?

As much as I loved our suite, the restaurants and the beautiful grounds, my favorite part was actually the relationship between Old Edwards and Highlands itself.

Highlands is storybook, cozy, seasonal and almost ridiculously charming—especially in October. One morning, my daughter and I simply wandered around town, stopping for coffee and hot apple cider and browsing the shops. There were pumpkins, flowers and inviting storefronts everywhere. It was giving Hallmark movie, in the best possible way.

But here’s what makes Old Edwards different: The hotel doesn’t separate you from any of that charm. Instead, the town becomes part of your stay.

You can wake up in a quiet Lodge suite surrounded by trees, wander into town for coffee, return to Old Edwards for lunch beside a stream, drive a short distance to see a waterfall and then come back for a bath before walking to dinner.

It’s a lovely balance of resort comforts, small-town charm and accessible mountain scenery, without the pressure to squeeze a dozen activities into every day.

Know Before You Go

First, understand that Old Edwards isn’t a conventional resort where everything is contained within one building or behind a gate.

The property’s history helps explain its unusual layout. Its roots trace back to one of Highlands’ early boarding houses in 1878, and over the decades it evolved into a collection of accommodations, restaurants and amenities. A major expansion beginning in 2001 helped shape the Old Edwards experience guests enjoy today.

I’d recommend spending a little time exploring the accommodation options before booking. Where you stay can influence the feel of your trip. Historic rooms put you right in the heart of town, while accommodations around The Lodge offer a more tucked-away, residential atmosphere.

I’d also make restaurant reservations ahead of time, particularly during busy fall weekends, and book spa treatments early if they’re a priority.

And my biggest piece of advice? Don’t overschedule yourself.