Groups & whole lodge
Bring everyone to the mountain
Samuel Kress built this 15-bedroom private mansion in 1940. Groups can reserve all of it, 13 rooms with the guest spaces to themselves, the top floor, or the five-bedroom Kress Suite. You don’t need to know which yet: tell us your dates and headcount and we’ll help you choose.
- 15bedrooms in all
- 4ways to rent
- $3,000Entire Lodge, per night
- 21 + 3beds + sleeper sofas
- 50%deposit holds your dates
13 rooms or 15?
The difference is the owner’s quarters
Both give your group the lodge with no other paying guests. The Entire Lodge adds the private owner’s quarters and the commercial kitchen, and no staff stay on site.
15 rooms
Entire Lodge
$3,000/night
- The entire property
- Sapphire Suite / owner's quarters included
- Commercial kitchen included
- No staff staying on site
13 rooms
13-Room Exclusive
$2,500/night
- The guest side of the lodge, exclusively yours
- No other paying guests
- Staff may stay privately in the separate owner's quarters
- Commercial kitchen access can be added for $250 per stay/booking.
The Entire Lodge adds 7% NC sales tax and a one-time $450 service/cleaning fee, with a 2-night minimum. The 13-Room rental adds 7% NC sales tax and the cleaning fee, confirmed with your quote.
Top floor
- Kress Suite: 5 bedrooms
- Buffalo & Cardinal: 2 bedrooms
- Angler: 1 bedroom
- Blue Ridge: 1 bedroom
Ground floor
- Violet: 1 bedroom
- Scarlett: 1 bedroom
- Eagle Crest: 1 bedroom
- Elk: 1 bedroom
- Sapphire owner's quarters: 2 bedrooms
Choose a rental to see which bedrooms it includes.
Top floor: 9 bedrooms. Ground floor: 4 guest bedrooms plus the Sapphire Suite's 2. The Entire Lodge is all 15; the 13-Room rental is everything except the Sapphire Suite; the Top Floor rental is the top floor's 9.
Four ways to rent
Choose how much of the lodge you need
Rates are per night, plus 7% NC sales tax and a cleaning fee.
Exclusive use of the whole property
15 bedrooms
Entire Lodge
The entire lodge is yours.
$3,000/night
Plus 7% NC sales tax and a one-time $450 service/cleaning fee · 2-night minimum
Exclusive use of the whole property, including the Sapphire Suite and the commercial kitchen. No other guests, and no staff staying on site.
- Other guests
- None. The whole property is yours.
- Staff
- Staff greet you and help you check in, then leave. No staff stay on site.
- Commercial kitchen
- Included
See what's included
Included
- All 15 bedrooms, including the Kress Suite
- The Sapphire Suite (owner's quarters) with its own living room and dining area
- The commercial kitchen
- The Great Room, the upstairs living and gathering area with the pool table
- The Grand Patio, hot tub and fire pit
- Every other guest space and lodge amenity
View sleeping arrangements
Top floor · 9 bedrooms
Kress Family Suite5 bedrooms
- Bedroom 11 king
- Bedroom 21 queen
- Bedroom 32 twins
- Bedroom 42 queens (bunks)
- Bedroom 52 queens
Queen sleeper sofa · Full kitchen · 2 full baths · 2 living areas, one with a gas-log fireplace
Buffalo & Cardinal Suite2 bedrooms
- Buffalo1 queen
- Cardinal1 queen
Shared Jack-and-Jill bath between the two rooms
The Angler Room1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
The Blue Ridge Suite1 bedroom
- 1 king
Queen sleeper sofa · Larger bath · Small kitchen · Private balcony · Gas-log fireplace
Ground floor · 6 bedrooms
Violet Room1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
Scarlett Suite1 bedroom
- 1 king
Sleeper sofa · Private bath
Eagle Crest1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
Elk Room1 bedroom
- 1 king
Private bath
Comes with the 13-Room and Entire Lodge rentals.
Sapphire Suite2 bedrooms
- Bedroom 11 queen
- Bedroom 21 king
Shared bath between the two rooms, plus a half bath nearby · Large living room with a gas-log fireplace · Large dining area · Access to the commercial kitchen
Comes only with the Entire Lodge rental. During a 13-Room rental it stays private, and staff may stay here.
Exclusive use of the guest lodge
13 bedrooms
13-Room Exclusive Lodge Rental
$2,500/night
Plus 7% NC sales tax and the cleaning fee, confirmed with your quote
All 13 guest bedrooms and the guest common areas, for your group alone. The separate owner's quarters (the Sapphire Suite) stay private, and staff may stay there.
- Other guests
- None. No other paying guests on site.
- Staff
- Staff may stay in the private owner's quarters (the Sapphire Suite), which are separate from the guest spaces.
- Commercial kitchen
- Not included. Commercial kitchen access can be added for $250 per stay/booking.
See what's included
Included
- All 13 guest bedrooms
- Exclusive use of the guest side of the lodge
- The Great Room, the upstairs living and gathering area with the pool table
- The other guest sitting and living spaces
- The Grand Patio, hot tub and fire pit
Not included
- The owner's quarters (Sapphire Suite): 2 bedrooms, a shared bath, a separate living/sitting room with TV, a dining area and a nearby half bath. Staff may stay here.
- The commercial kitchen (access can be added for $250 per stay/booking)
View sleeping arrangements
Top floor · 9 bedrooms
Kress Family Suite5 bedrooms
- Bedroom 11 king
- Bedroom 21 queen
- Bedroom 32 twins
- Bedroom 42 queens (bunks)
- Bedroom 52 queens
Queen sleeper sofa · Full kitchen · 2 full baths · 2 living areas, one with a gas-log fireplace
Buffalo & Cardinal Suite2 bedrooms
- Buffalo1 queen
- Cardinal1 queen
Shared Jack-and-Jill bath between the two rooms
The Angler Room1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
The Blue Ridge Suite1 bedroom
- 1 king
Queen sleeper sofa · Larger bath · Small kitchen · Private balcony · Gas-log fireplace
Ground floor · 4 bedrooms
Violet Room1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
Scarlett Suite1 bedroom
- 1 king
Sleeper sofa · Private bath
Eagle Crest1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
Elk Room1 bedroom
- 1 king
Private bath
Comes with the 13-Room and Entire Lodge rentals.
9 bedrooms
Top Floor Rental
$1,800/night
Plus 7% NC sales tax and a one-time $250 service/cleaning fee
Every bedroom on the top floor: the Kress Suite, Buffalo & Cardinal, the Angler Room and the Blue Ridge Suite, with the lodge's shared guest spaces.
- Other guests
- Possibly, in the ground-floor rooms.
See what's included
- Staff
- On site.
- Commercial kitchen
- Not included. Commercial kitchen access can be added for $250 per stay/booking. The Kress Suite also has its own full kitchen.
Included
- Kress Suite (5 bedrooms)
- Buffalo & Cardinal (2 bedrooms)
- Angler Room (1 bedroom)
- Blue Ridge Suite (1 bedroom)
- The lodge's shared guest spaces
View sleeping arrangements
Top floor · 9 bedrooms
Kress Family Suite5 bedrooms
- Bedroom 11 king
- Bedroom 21 queen
- Bedroom 32 twins
- Bedroom 42 queens (bunks)
- Bedroom 52 queens
Queen sleeper sofa · Full kitchen · 2 full baths · 2 living areas, one with a gas-log fireplace
Buffalo & Cardinal Suite2 bedrooms
- Buffalo1 queen
- Cardinal1 queen
Shared Jack-and-Jill bath between the two rooms
The Angler Room1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
The Blue Ridge Suite1 bedroom
- 1 king
Queen sleeper sofa · Larger bath · Small kitchen · Private balcony · Gas-log fireplace
5 bedrooms
Kress Suite Group Rental
$599/night
Plus 7% NC sales tax and the cleaning fee, added at checkout
The lodge's largest suite: five bedrooms, two full baths, a full kitchen and two living areas, one with a gas-log fireplace.
- Other guests
- Yes. The rest of the lodge stays open to other guests.
See what's included
- Staff
- On site.
- Commercial kitchen
- Not included. The suite has its own full kitchen.
Included
- 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths
- A full kitchen
- 2 living areas, one with a gas-log fireplace
- The lodge's shared guest spaces
View sleeping arrangements
Top floor · 5 bedrooms
Kress Family Suite5 bedrooms
- Bedroom 11 king
- Bedroom 21 queen
- Bedroom 32 twins
- Bedroom 42 queens (bunks)
- Bedroom 52 queens
Queen sleeper sofa · Full kitchen · 2 full baths · 2 living areas, one with a gas-log fireplace
Every bed
Sleeping arrangements, room by room
21 beds and 3 sleeper sofas across 15 bedrooms.
View all 15 bedrooms
Top floor · 9 bedrooms
Kress Family Suite5 bedrooms
- Bedroom 11 king
- Bedroom 21 queen
- Bedroom 32 twins
- Bedroom 42 queens (bunks)
- Bedroom 52 queens
Queen sleeper sofa · Full kitchen · 2 full baths · 2 living areas, one with a gas-log fireplace
Buffalo & Cardinal Suite2 bedrooms
- Buffalo1 queen
- Cardinal1 queen
Shared Jack-and-Jill bath between the two rooms
The Angler Room1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
The Blue Ridge Suite1 bedroom
- 1 king
Queen sleeper sofa · Larger bath · Small kitchen · Private balcony · Gas-log fireplace
Ground floor · 6 bedrooms
Violet Room1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
Scarlett Suite1 bedroom
- 1 king
Sleeper sofa · Private bath
Eagle Crest1 bedroom
- 2 queens
Private bath
Elk Room1 bedroom
- 1 king
Private bath
Comes with the 13-Room and Entire Lodge rentals.
Sapphire Suite2 bedrooms
- Bedroom 11 queen
- Bedroom 21 king
Shared bath between the two rooms, plus a half bath nearby · Large living room with a gas-log fireplace · Large dining area · Access to the commercial kitchen
Comes only with the Entire Lodge rental. During a 13-Room rental it stays private, and staff may stay here.
The lodge’s main guest common areas: the Great Room (the upstairs living and gathering area with the pool table and wood-burning fireplace), the Grand Patio, the stone fire pit, the cedar hot tub and the lawn. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
Who comes
Weddings, reunions, retreats and family gatherings
Weddings. The Parker Mill is five minutes away on the same mountain and has no guest lodging of its own. Put the wedding party, the families and the rehearsal dinner under one roof. Wedding guest lodging.
Family reunions. Grandparents on the ground floor, cousins in the Kress bunk room, the family photo on the patio with the Smokies behind it.
Retreats. Yoga, wellness and writing groups use the Great Room for sessions and the patio for everything else. More on retreats.
Days out. Big groups tend to split up by day: rafters to the Nantahala, others on the train or in Cherokee, and everyone back for dinner. Plan your stay has drive times and ideas for every season.
Clubs and offsites. Fishing clubs in trout season, church groups, and small companies that want one long table and no conference-center carpet.
“A very beautifully maintained 1940s built home that has been converted into a lodge. Rent a single room or the entire Lodge. This lodge is a must-see, so put it on your list to stay for a weekend or longer.”
Charles B. · Guest review
Questions groups ask
Can we rent the entire lodge?
Yes. The Entire Lodge rental is all 15 bedrooms and the whole property, including the Sapphire Suite (owner’s quarters) and the commercial kitchen, for $3,000 per night plus 7% NC sales tax and a one-time $450 service/cleaning fee. Two-night minimum.
What is the difference between the 13-room and 15-room rentals?
The owner’s quarters. With the Entire Lodge (15 bedrooms) you have everything, including the Sapphire Suite and the commercial kitchen, and no staff stay on site. With the 13-Room Exclusive rental you have all 13 guest bedrooms and the lodge’s main guest common areas to yourselves; the owner’s quarters (the Sapphire Suite with its separate living and dining area) stay private and staff may stay there, apart from the guest spaces. Commercial kitchen access can be added to a 13-Room or Top Floor rental for $250 per stay/booking.
Will anyone else be staying at the lodge?
Not with the Entire Lodge or the 13-Room rental: there are no other paying guests. During a 13-Room rental, staff may stay in the private owner’s quarters. With the Top Floor or Kress Suite Group rentals, other guests may be staying in the rest of the lodge.
Which common areas do we get?
Every rental includes the lodge’s main guest common areas: the Great Room (the upstairs living and gathering area with the pool table and wood-burning fireplace), the Grand Patio, the cedar hot tub and the fire pit. With the Entire Lodge or 13-Room rental they are yours alone; with the Top Floor or Kress Suite Group rentals they are shared with other guests. The Sapphire Suite’s separate living and dining area belongs to the owner’s quarters and comes only with the Entire Lodge.
Is the commercial kitchen included?
With the Entire Lodge, yes. With the 13-Room or Top Floor rental, commercial kitchen access can be added for $250 per stay/booking. The Kress Suite has its own full kitchen.
How many people can the lodge sleep?
Fifteen bedrooms with 21 beds plus 3 sleeper sofas. Tell us your headcount and we'll confirm the fit. Every bed is listed room by room on this page.
What deposit is required?
A 50% deposit holds your dates. The remaining 50% is due 60 days before arrival. Online reservations can be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. For cash, check, or Venmo arrangements, please call the lodge at (828) 631-2531.
Is there a minimum stay?
The Entire Lodge rental has a two-night minimum.
Is there parking for a bus?
Yes. The lot handles shuttle buses, and The Parker Mill’s shuttles already use it.
Inquire
Plan your group stay
Tell us roughly when, and roughly how many. You don’t need to pick a rental; we’ll suggest the one that fits. Or call (828) 631-2531 and talk to someone who knows which room the bunk beds are in.
- Deposit
- A 50% deposit holds your dates. The remaining 50% is due 60 days before arrival.
- Payment
- Online reservations can be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. For cash, check, or Venmo arrangements, please call the lodge at (828) 631-2531.