Get 10% off gift card purchase

  • View from the Two-Story Balcony
    Swaggers enjoying one of The Swag's many Hideaways along the Nature Trail.
    View from the Dog Trot.
    The outdoor spa/hot tub.
    Hiking at The Swag
    View from the Rock Room
    The Living Room of the Two-Story.
    One of two bedrooms of the Two-Story.
    The Cataloochee Divide Trail located just inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and adjacent to The Swag property.
    Woodshed Bedroom
    Woodshed Bathroom
    The Swag's Dining Room
    The Swag House
    View from Gazebo up on Gooseberry Knob.
    The Swag's Great Room

    • Address 2300 Swag Road
      Waynesville, NC 28785
      USA
    • Phone+1-828-926-0430
    • Fax+1-828-926-2036
    • Toll free+1-800-789-7672
    • EmailContact Innkeeper
    Inn's website

    The Swag is an intimate hideaway that invites you to discover the wonders of nature just steps from your room. The Swag is where our favorite amenity, nature, meets the luxury resort. Great Smoky Mountains National Park shares an old split rail fence boundary with our inn that stretches more than a mile. The spectacular beauty of our Blue Ridge high country is captured architecturally in the historic hand-hewn logs and local field stone design. Our construction was inspired by the past while built for the future. Our hidden and secluded mountain top setting opens to you treasures the crowds have yet to find. It all starts to unfold at the bottom of our mountain where the pavement stops, our gate opens, and your romantic adventure begins. The Swag -- a small luxury resort as the Appalachians used to be.

    Professionally Inspected

    Diamond Collection Inspected and Certified

    Inspector Insights: The hospitality provided is as spectacular as the views.

    Reviews

    Score Breakdown based on 96 Reviews

    4.7 out of 5
     
    • Guest room  5
    • Services  5
    • Value  4
    • Cleanliness  5
    • Dining  5

    Explanation of Our Ratings

      Outstanding
      Exceeded my expectations
      Met my expectations
      Okay, but below average
      Unsatisfactory
    4.8 out of 5
     

    Returned to the mountain!

    June 14, 2013

    Celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary late, wife's birthday, and my birthday early. Thoroughly enjoyed the picnic on the mountain, missed it last visit due to weather. After dinner with Doug Peters and his lovely wife is a real treat. Dan and Deener continue to raise the bar - no misses here!

    5 out of 5
     

    David and Lynn's stay

    June 12, 2013

    This was our second stay at the Swag and it was even better than the first stay. Our expectations were exceeded and the quality of the room, service and food were outstanding. We will return soon.

    4.6 out of 5
     

    Too short & SO AWE-mazing !

    June 12, 2013

    My wife and I are well traveled and also very frequent travelers in NC, yet we had never heard of The Swag until someone I work with parents stayed there. We are STILL Savoring our Swag time, it was too quick a time to get it all in, we are so excited to be returning in October again. Deener, the staff, the accomodations, the FOOD, the warmth of guests and staff. Hideaway and it's Copper outdoor shower, SO nice. Just a GREAT relaxation and celebration of 27 years of marriage. Denner and the Inn went out of their way to recognize and celebrate with us. Bill Harley entertained us each evening as well, WHAT grand times and memories ! AWE-mazing !

    4.0 out of 5
     

    Very nice but expensive

    May 20, 2013

    We spent 3 nights at The Swag in May 2013. It is a lovely and special place. Our room, Laurin's Room, was wonderful. The food was great. We had bad weather throughout our stay and didn't get to see the views until the very last morning before we left. We did some hiking in the rain but overall we were unable to really enjoy the place at its best. We made the best of it and enjoyed ourselves but we think it worth mentioning that it is important to realize how dependent you are on the weather at a place like this -- and the weather on top of a mountain can be very different from the valley below. We have stayed all over North Carolina and this is an expensive inn, even for a luxury hotel. We have stayed in places that were just as nice that cost far less. In short, we really liked The Swag but are not sure if it is worth the cost.


    Location

    Innkeeper Information

    Innkeeper(s)

    Deener Matthews

    The innkeepers speak:

    • English

    Resident Pets

    1 Cat

    Explore The Swag Country Inn

    Visit Website Check Availability Video
  • Rooms & Rates

    • Nightly Rate $445 - $800

    Policy

    Reservation Policy

    • Check In: 3:00PM    Check Out: 11:00AM

    • Minimum Stay: A two-night minimum stay is required.

    • Deposit Amount Required: At the time of your reservation, a deposit of 50% of your stay will be due.

    • Cancellations: Your deposit, less $50 per room booked, will be refunded if we receive your cancellation request at least three weeks prior to your arrival.

    • Open All Year Round: No


    General Policies

    • Smoking Allowed: Limited

    • Guest Pets Allowed: No

    • Drinking Allowed: Yes

    • Drinking Description: Please bring your own spirits...

    • Drinks Available: No

    • Children Allowed: Please contact us to make arrangements for children.

    • Suitable For Children: Yes

    • Childcare Provided: Limited : Possible with prior arrangements.

    Explore The Swag Country Inn

    Visit Website Check Availability Video
  • Reviews

    Score Breakdown based on 96 Reviews

    4.7 out of 5
     
    • Guest room  5
    • Services  5
    • Value  5
    • Cleanliness  5
    • Dining  5

    Explanation of Our Ratings

      Outstanding
      Exceeded my expectations
      Met my expectations
      Okay, but below average
      Unsatisfactory
    4.8 out of 5
     

    Returned to the mountain!

    June 14, 2013

    Celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary late, wife's birthday, and my birthday early. Thoroughly enjoyed the picnic on the mountain, missed it last visit due to weather. After dinner with Doug Peters and his lovely wife is a real treat. Dan and Deener continue to raise the bar - no misses here!

    5 out of 5
     

    David and Lynn's stay

    June 12, 2013

    This was our second stay at the Swag and it was even better than the first stay. Our expectations were exceeded and the quality of the room, service and food were outstanding. We will return soon.

    4.6 out of 5
     

    Too short & SO AWE-mazing !

    June 12, 2013

    My wife and I are well traveled and also very frequent travelers in NC, yet we had never heard of The Swag until someone I work with parents stayed there. We are STILL Savoring our Swag time, it was too quick a time to get it all in, we are so excited to be returning in October again. Deener, the staff, the accomodations, the FOOD, the warmth of guests and staff. Hideaway and it's Copper outdoor shower, SO nice. Just a GREAT relaxation and celebration of 27 years of marriage. Denner and the Inn went out of their way to recognize and celebrate with us. Bill Harley entertained us each evening as well, WHAT grand times and memories ! AWE-mazing !

    4.0 out of 5
     

    Very nice but expensive

    May 20, 2013

    We spent 3 nights at The Swag in May 2013. It is a lovely and special place. Our room, Laurin's Room, was wonderful. The food was great. We had bad weather throughout our stay and didn't get to see the views until the very last morning before we left. We did some hiking in the rain but overall we were unable to really enjoy the place at its best. We made the best of it and enjoyed ourselves but we think it worth mentioning that it is important to realize how dependent you are on the weather at a place like this -- and the weather on top of a mountain can be very different from the valley below. We have stayed all over North Carolina and this is an expensive inn, even for a luxury hotel. We have stayed in places that were just as nice that cost far less. In short, we really liked The Swag but are not sure if it is worth the cost.

    5 out of 5
     

    A truly magical place

    May 10, 2013

    My husband and I chose The Swag to celebrate our anniversary. We have stayed in the Blue Ridge mountains several times because we love to hike. But this time we were looking for something a little bit nicer than a rented cabin. The Swag gave us that and so much more.You are pampered constantly and yet feel like one of the family. They have fantastic hiking right on their property. You come back from a long hike and shower and then dine on a gourmet meal. One night after dinner the hosts and most of the guests sang around a player piano. It was great fun with some great people. We can't wait to go back. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the cost.

    4.0 out of 5
     

    Mountain bliss

    May 06, 2013

    Outstanding hospitality

    5 out of 5
     

    A Delightful Stay

    April 29, 2013

    This is the third time we have been to The Swag. We stayed 3 nights (Tuesday-Thursday). They opened for the season the day before we got there. The room (Bishop's Room) was terrific. It was the week that Donald Davis was there to tell stories and lead hikes. Once again, he was wonderful. Deener and Dan are the most gracious hosts. They greet and know everyone in such a way that the stay is like a family get together without family rivalries. There is a new executive chef, and the food is still outstanding. We have stayed at many inns around the world. The Swag is the most beautiful and relaxing of them all. Dan and Deener really do involve everyone in such a way that it becomes a event with old friends.

    4.4 out of 5
     

    Fall visit to the Swag

    November 15, 2012

    We arrived at the same time as Hurricane Sandy but fortunately for us it was far to the North but we received between 8" and 1' of snow. While it was a devastating storm for the Northeast it created a magical wonderland at the Swag. Cozy, warm, log fires set in our fireplace in the cabin, rustic but with all the amenities. Meals were in the main lodge and were generous and fun to share experiences and time with other guests. The owner and staff are fabulous; we had great service the whole time. The weather eventually cleared, the snow melted and we were able to view and experience some of the great beauty of the Smokey mountains. Highly recommend the Swag; it's a must see.


    Explore The Swag Country Inn

    Visit Website Check Availability Video
  • Location Type

    • Countryside

    • Mountains

    • Small town

    City - Asheville

    • Distance to city: 45 miles

    • Directions to property:
      Via Interstate 40: N.C. on I-40. Exit #20 onto Hwy. 276 South for 2.8 mi. Right on Grindstone Rd. At stop sign turn right onto Hemphill Rd. Four miles up blacktopped road, left on Swag Road. Swag Road is 2.5 miles and 1,000-ft change in elevation, bringing you to our front door at 5,000 feet!

    Airport

    • Asheville, NC (AVL) 45 miles

    • Directions to property:
      I-26 West to I-40 West to exit 20. Exit #20 onto Hwy. 276 South for 2.8 mi. Right on Grindstone Rd. At stop sign turn right onto Hemphill Rd. Four miles up blacktopped road, left on Swag Road. Swag Road is 2.5 miles and 1,000-ft change in elevation, bringing you to our front door at 5,000 feet!


    Area Attractions

    • Amusement Park

    • Antique Shopping

    • Aquarium

    • Art Galleries

    • Casino

    • Concert venue

    • Gourmet/Fine Dining

    • Historical interests

    • Lake

    • Live Music

    • Movie Theater

    • Museum

    • National/State parks

    • Nature area

    • Blue Ridge Parkway

    • White Water Rafting

    • Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    • Mountain Golf Courses

    • Zip Line Canopy Tours

    • Biltmore Estate

    • Outlet Stores

    • Performing Theater

    • Picnic area

    • Religious Services

    • River

    • Vineyard

    • Winery

    • Zoo

    • Bird watching

    • Fishing

    • Golfing

    • Hiking trails

    • Horseback riding

    • Horseshoes

    • Mountain Bike trails

    • Racquetball

    • Croquet

    • Badminton

    • Shopping

    • Sight-seeing

    • Whitewater Rafting

    Explore The Swag Country Inn

    Visit Website Check Availability Video
  • Amenities

    Type:

    • Country Inn

    Property highlights

    • Croquet / Horseshoes

    • Dry Sauna /Steam Shower

    • Hiking / Brid Watching

    • Laze in a hammock by The Swag Pond

    • Outdoor Spa / Hot Tub

    • Raquetball / Badminton

    • Antiques/decor

    • Excellent views

    • Family Travel

    • Gourmet food

    • Honeymoons

    • Luxury

    • Nature

    • Peaceful getaway

    • Romantic escape

    • Weddings

    On-site

    • BBQ grill

    • Board games

    • Computer

    • Conference Rooms

    • Copier

    • DVD Player

    • Fax Machine

    • Library

    • Piano

    • Satellite/Cable TV

    • TV

    • VCR

    • Videos

    • Washer/dryer

    • Wedding Facilities

    Guest room(s)

    • Alarm clock

    • Amenities Basket

    • Bath robes

    • CD player

    • Ceiling fans

    • Coffee/Tea facilities

    • In-room internet

    • Desk

    • Fireplace

    • Fridge

    • Hairdryer

    • Hot tub/whirlpool tub

    • Internet Service

    • Ironing Board

    • Private entrance

    • Radio

    • Telephone

    • Turndown Service

    • Wet bar

    • Wi-Fi

    Other

    • Great Smoky National Park borders The Swaproperty.

    • New York Times Digest delivered each morning

    • XM Satellite Radio

    • Bose CD players

    • Hiking

    • Personalized Hiking Sticks

    Explore The Swag Country Inn

    Visit Website Check Availability Video
  • Breakfast

    • Type: Full

    • Time Served: 8:00 - 10:00

    • Serving Location: Breakfast/dining area,Dining Room,On-site restaurant

    Complimentary Perks

    • Afternoon Tea

    • Dessert

    • Fruit

    • Non-alcoholic Beverages

    • Wine/Cheese Plate

    Signature Dish

    The Swag Chef's Gourmet Picnic
    Join our chef and staff for a fabulous "Gourmet Picnic" lunch on Wednesdays. Breathtaking 30-mile views from high atop Gooseberry Knob provide a stunning backdrop for grilled buffalo burgers, venison and blueberry brautwurst, grilled fresh vegetables, corn-watercrest and red potato salad, 7-grain salad with grapes and proscuitto, fresh fruit, and for dessert, seasonal berry tarts and mini chocolate molten cakes, along with root beer floats.

    Special meal options

    • Low fat

    • Restrictive

    • Vegetarian

    Additional food services

    • Coffee Beans

    • Cookies at "High" Tea

    • Hors d'oeuvres

    • Soft Drinks & Trail Mix in Rooms

    Explore The Swag Country Inn

    Visit Website Check Availability Video
 

Explore The Swag Country Inn

Check Availability Video Visit Website