Balsam Mountain Inn

Breakfast was delicious!

If you love history and nostalgic places, this is your Inn. The new owners are in the process of restoring the Inn so expect some imperfections. Since the original inn had communal bathrooms when rooms were converted to en-suites, the bathrooms are small. The rooms are large and comfortable. The is no AC but as it sits on Balsam Mountain there is no need. The porch is huge with rocking chairs to enjoy the view and just relax. The weekend breakfast buffet is tasty and substantial. Finally, the staff is very friendly and accommodating. We are so glad we found this hidden gem and plan to stay every time we return. WARNING….if you expect spa-like accommodations you WILL be disappointed but if you like a relaxing spot to unwind this is your spot.

Very friendly, excellent staff and breakfast!

I really liked staying here. The setting is just beautiful! The inn reminded me of the setting for Dirty Dancing. Our room had a claw foot tub. I loved all the historic aspects of the inn. I would have liked to have more time to explore the property around the inn. Nancy was the lady who greeted us and was there the next day as well. She was super nice. I also enjoyed the breakfast. The grits were top notch! The inn is very quiet-they give you a notebook with info on the site. There is an explanation that the inn is 100 years old, and made of wood, so sound travels. They have quiet hours from 10pm to 7 am. There are no TVs. I did not mind this at all. They have activities scheduled at different nights. I would love to come back for one of their specialty weekends. Highly recommend.

This place is absolutely horrible. No AC that was never mentioned, requested a refund due to health reasons and would not give a refund. Asked to speak to a manager and would not be called by a manager! Photos do not match what is seen in person! Do not recommend!

I have mixed feelings about the Inn. Pretty location with easy access to Sylva and Waynesville. But, if you want amenities you have to look elsewhere. Peace and quiet are great but don’t expect coffee or breakfast early or even on time. If you like sleeping in and no ac, then this place is for you.
The staff are all very pleasant!
The Inn still needs work. Mold and rot around the tub in the bathroom. I felt guilty taking a shower and adding to the moisture. Not sure I would stay here again.

Great place!

Balsam mountain inn is a place for someone who wants to be away from the hassle and busyness of life. If you want peace and quiet with picturesque view, then this is your place. No TV, no AC but since you are at high elevation, it is nice and cool. Has great hot fresh Buffett breakfast on the weekends. Sandwiches on the weekdays. I just wish they can start breakfast promptly at 8 am as advertised for it was about 20 min late the whole weekend we were there. Our bathroom was small with a small walk in shower but they do have rooms with bigger bathroom and you can surely request for that. My husband is over 200 #s and it was an inconvenience for him. People are very cordial and very helpful. The building has a rich history and beautiful antique furnitures. Will definitely return.

The owner made us feel welcome and went out of her way to ensure we had something to eat even though it was late.
The rooms were wonderful; it was like stepping back in time, but they had modern comforts.
Breakfast was amazing!
I am looking forward to returning for a longer stay

The staff are all friendly, a plus, but disorganized. Our room had no sink stopper and no hangers in the closet. Had to ask. We were not given enough towels--had to ask. The weekend breakfast was good, but we didn't know about the breakfast sandwiches on other days till our 5th day there.

Coffee was served late. Okay, we're early risers.

If one looks at the lovely rooms online and then sees our room, it was very different. Our room was all right. The bed was comfortable. It's a good thing we are not obese, could not have used the toilet.

We found the Inn relaxing. We loved sitting on the front porch reading. Bar prices were reasonable, bartenders were very friendly.

It took us a day or so to relax and the Inn did that. We loved the history too.

The restaurant wasn't open due to staffing, but the building was beautiful and the staff was very welcoming and friendly. The inn has wonderful character you don't find most hotels these days.

What a great stay at this historical inn! If you are looking for a relaxing place to stay this is it. It's quaint and charming. While there is no air conditioning, the fans were plenty to keep the room cool (mid August visit). It's the perfect spot to get away from the stress of everyday life.

Historical stories of area and the Inn itself were interesting. Staff and fellow guest were nice. Comfortable beds and delicious breakfast. Will recommend to friends and family.

After a crazy week of travel and stuff, we ended our vacation here. It was so laid back and quiet. We didn’t eat in their restaurant for supper because we wanted to try other local businesses, but the breakfast was amazing. This place is full of history and it's peaceful and pleasant.

Nestled in a tranquil mountain village, this charming 19th‑century building offers a perfect blend of history and nature. Ideally located in the mid‑section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s just a short drive downhill to reach. Friendly staff, delicious breakfast, and clear guest instructions make the stay even more enjoyable.

Nights are peaceful, accompanied by the gentle chorus of insects. However, as with any historic property, a faint musty scent lingers. The pillows carried an oily smell, and the bathroom sink seemed in need of a deeper clean. The water‑saving faucet, required by local environmental regulations, can be a bit awkward to use—an infrared sensor option might be more convenient.

Despite these small drawbacks, the serene setting, warm hospitality, and tasty breakfast make this a place well worth considering.

Originally couldn't make my Saturday night reservation due to circumstances beyond my control but the staff graciously (and without hesitation) changing it to the night after, even though this was a fully paid reservation and they didn't have to do so. My son ended up staying and he loved it! Thanks BMI for being so understanding and gracious! It helped the stressful weekend be much less so!

We have stayed at the inn before several years back, and decided to stay again. We love the historic look of the Balsam mountain Inn, we learned that it changed ownership a few years back and the new owners are looking to preserve the classic look that appeals to everyone so much. They want to keep it as original as possible which is great, the down side of that is they removed the window units from the rooms. This may sound bad to some but for me it was a welcomed trip back to my childhood of sleeping with the window open and a fan blowing which is surprisingly soothing. The property is secure so I felt safe and secure the whole time and the nighttime temperature was in the low 70’s and high 60’s so it was comfortable. After a full nights rest the continental breakfast is waiting for you, it was a full breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, grits and muffins or yogurt if you desired. The staff was friendly and courteous, if you are looking for an escape to unplug this is your place, there are no televisions and they do have WiFi but they also have puzzles and board games to help reconnect with each other and disconnect from technology. Would definitely stay again.