Elk & Embers Mountain Hideaway

Our experience was wonderful. We stayed in the Crabtree Cabin. Our breakfast and lunch were delivered daily and were delicious. Plenty of hiking trails to explore while on the property. Beautiful sunrises every morning. We were able to rest, relax, and unwind from a busy lifestyle. This was our first time staying here but we will definitely be back!

We had an absolutely wonderful two-night stay at Elk & Ember in the Nuthatch tent. It was such a peaceful and beautiful getaway! The tent was cozy, comfortable, and thoughtfully set up, with the perfect balance of enjoying the outdoors while still having all the comforts we needed. The setting was gorgeous and so relaxing. Waking up surrounded by nature and enjoying the quiet was exactly the escape we were looking for. Every detail made the experience feel special and memorable. We loved our stay and would absolutely come back. If you’re looking for a unique, peaceful, and cozy mountain getaway, we highly recommend Elk & Ember!

We stayed in the Huthatch tent. IWe loved the porch and beautiful views of the mountains. Every night we enjoyed a campfire. Elk & Embers did a beautiful job with the tent interior. Lots of snacks and beverages, plus a market shed full of goodies to enjoy. Great hiking trails on the property and fun exploring in our golf cart too.

You know that place where you hope to be the only person who has found it because it’s so magical and you want it all for yourself? This is it. Elk & Embers was so magical, lovely, peaceful, and perfect. For comparison, if you like The Swag, then you will love Elk and Embers. It’s hard to describe the peaceful magic of this place, just book it, you won’t regret it. And you’ll have to decide if you tell others, or hope to keep it to yourself. ;)

From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by how beautiful everything was. The views were absolutely stunning, and it was clear that so much thought had gone into every detail of the property. One of my favorite parts was the swing outside our tent. I spent many hours taking in the scenery from that swing. In the mornings, we woke up to the sunrise from our bed and porch. The Tanager Tent was beautifully designed and extremely comfortable. And the Avocado mattress was hands down one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. Our room was stocked with drinks and the Market Shed was stocked with frozen dinners, ice cream, snacks, and spirits available whenever we wanted them. Breakfast and lunch were delivered daily, all of the meals were delicious. I especially loved the breakfast options and the turkey club was amazing. What really sets Elk & Embers apart is the level of service. Everyone went out of their way to make sure we had an incredible stay. Megan was wonderful and so attentive throughout our visit. She even helped me with a last-minute birthday request and made sure I had candles for my cake. When we mentioned we were interested in hiking, one of the owners’ husbands generously took us on a private hike to the waterfall on the property. You could tell he genuinely enjoyed sharing it with guests, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The property feels incredibly private and peaceful, which is exactly what we were looking for. One recommendation I’d make for visitors is arranging a professional driver rather than relying on rideshare services. Having someone familiar with the mountain roads and area felt more safe. We visited at the end of October when the leaves were changing colors and it honestly looked like something out of a dream. Even from the tub, the views from the Tanager Tent were incredible. The golf carts made getting around the property easy and convenient. I’ve stayed at some wonderful resorts and the service and overall experience at Elk & Embers truly rival many five-star properties. We stayed three nights and wished we had booked four. It’s such a special place and I can’t wait to go back.

We loved it here. Everything was carefully and so well thought out. planned . The room was amazing , from the snores by the indoor fireplace to the throw blankets and extra touches like games, the stocked fridge and amenities in the bathroom. We didn’t have to ask for anything ! The views are spectacular and we spent a good amount of time on our porch enjoying them. With the risk of. Sounding pretentious, we have traveled a lot, all over the world and there is something special about this place …. Peaceful and beautiful. There are great hiking trails on the property or you can do a quick drive into The Great Smokey Mountain park for more. We will be back !!

My wife, two sons (ages 14 and 12), and I took a 3-night trip to Elk & Embers over Labor Day weekend and absolutely loved it. We booked 2 cabins (Creekside and Crabtree) that are near each other, and they were both fantastic in their own way. Creekside is elegantly rustic and cozy with a private back porch. Crabtree is more spacious, a bit more luxurious, and has a great view off of the deck. We hiked the property each day and enjoyed the various trails and the waterfall. (We tried to go on the Cataloochee Divide Trail to head toward Hemphill Bald, but we couldn't figure it out where to connect to it...not sure if it was user error on our part or an issue with the map?) Along one of the property trails, there is also a cool tree weave (best way I can describe it is a net that's kind of a cross between a giant hammock, a trampoline, and a treehouse). Our boys thought that was really cool. Breakfast and lunch are delivered to your cabin/tent each morning. Breakfast was the perfect size meal (hard-boiled egg, yogurt, granola, muffin, and a piece of cheese). For lunch, you have your choice of a few sandwiches along with a side of fruit. We got the egg salad sandwich and the club sandwich, and both were substantial and delicious. Perfect lunch after a morning hike. Additionally, each of the accommodations is stocked with packaged snacks and has a fridge with drinks (beer, wine, sodas, etc.) of your choice. Toward the bottom of the property is a gathering area that includes a fire pit, Bluetooth speakers, and the Market Shed. The shed is generously stocked with a little bit of everything that you could want: snacks (gourmet frozen pizzas, local giant ice cream sandwiches, etc.), drinks (a selection of local beers, wine, liquor, local sodas, etc.), a toaster oven, a cool automated mixed drink station, supplies to make s'mores, games (e.g., cornhole boards), etc. We spent quite a bit of time in this area relaxing and playing cornhole. We also sampled the pizzas and ice cream sandwiches (both excellent), the local sodas, and an adult beverage or three. The views are amazing all over the property, especially from the area where you park your car and pick up your golf cart. (Would be a perfect spot for a wedding.) The golf cart is a fun way to explore and navigate the property. The owners (and the entire staff) can't do enough for you and are super friendly. I had the pleasure of talking to some of the owners while giving them a ride back from the Market Shed after they completed a long day's work. They gave us some great tips on dinner restaurants in Waynesville and provided a little insight into some of the history of the amazing resort that they have been building for the past few years. All in all, it was an incredible trip, and we are thankful that we got to visit during the opening year (and proud to be Gold Ember Members for life!). We are already thinking about when we can get back to visit again next year!

Our 4-night stay at Elk & Embers Mountain Hideaway was absolutely magical! ✨ We stayed in the Hemlock Treehouse, and from the moment we arrived it felt like stepping into a dream. The design was gorgeous, the space was spotless and cozy, and every thoughtful detail made it the perfect blend of comfort and adventure. We loved starting our mornings with coffee and breakfast (on our doorstep each morning) on the deck among the trees, hiking the nearby trails, and coming back to our pre-made gourmet lunches. 🥪🌲 Evenings by the fire were the perfect way to end each day. We took full advantage of the Pavilion activities and even enjoyed a day trip to Bryson City, so much fun! The hosts went above and beyond to make everything seamless, and it truly felt like our own little haven in the mountains. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape with a touch of magic, this is it. 🌄💫 We’re already counting the days until we can return!