Partner News – Blowing Rock, NC

Meadowbrook Inn Unveils Stunning Guestroom Transformation

September 2024- Meadowbrook Inn is thrilled to announce the completion of an extensive renovation project that has transformed its guest rooms to offer an unparalleled blend of comfort and style while visiting the North Carolina High Country. Nestled in the heart of Blowing Rock, Meadowbrook Inn has long been a favorite escape for travelers seeking the perfect mountain escape. Now, with the unveiling of 62 fully redesigned guest rooms, the boutique hotel is setting a new standard for upscale mountain accommodations. “We can’t wait for our new and returning guests to enjoy our newly renovated rooms!” says Ali Borchardt, General Manager of Meadowbrook Inn. “New flooring, specially designed furniture, and artwork make our rooms a relaxing and peaceful retreat after a day of exploring.” The renovation showcases a harmonious color palette of soft blue hues, evoking the tranquil skies and misty mountains of the Blue Ridge Mountain region. Each room features:• Newly updated furniture, combining rustic charm with contemporary elegance• Enhanced lighting fixtures that create a warm, inviting ambiance• Stunning new flooring to ensure both comfort and functionality• Thoughtfully curated art pieces Guests will find themselves in a setting of exceptional relaxation, where every detail has been carefully curated to ensure a memorable stay. The redesign seamlessly blends functionality with comfort, offering the perfect retreat after a day full of adventure in Blowing Rock and North Carolina’s Blue RidgeMountains. “Our aim was to design spaces that instill a sense of serenity and draw inspiration from the surrounding mountains,” said Vishal Savani, Managing Director of Savara Hospitality. “We believe these renovations will enhance the overall experience of staying at Meadowbrook Inn, reinforcing its position as the premierchoice for those seeking a truly special mountain getaway.” The newly renovated rooms are available for booking, allowing visitors to experience this fresh take on mountain magnificence. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a family vacation, corporate retreat or a solo adventure, Meadowbrook Inn’s revitalized accommodations promise to provide the perfect backdrop for your stay. About Meadowbrook InnMeadowbrook Inn is a 62-room boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Downtown Blowing Rock, a charming town in the breathtaking North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests can enjoy the indoor swimming pool, fitness center, complimentary hot breakfast and wireless internet, as well as lovelylandscaped grounds all just one block from the center of downtown. Meadowbrook Inn is managed by Savara Hospitality, along with sister properties Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins, Azalea Garden Inn and Blowing Rock Inn located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. To learn more about Meadowbrook Inn, visitmeadowbrook-inn.com.

Christmas in Blowing Rock Wins “Best Holiday Glow” 2024

Christmas in Blowing Rock has been awarded the title of “Best Holiday Glow” for 2024! Twenty shop windows were part of a public rating poll, available via QR codes in the windows and announcements on social media. This poll is always fun for our shops and helps spread holiday cheer with festive displays! Leading up to the Holiday Stroll on December 13th, over 700 people rated shop windows to crown the “Best Holiday Glow” in Blowing Rock. The team at Christmas in Blowing Rock created a sweet and festive window with wrapped gift boxes, a candy cane pajama set and sweater, a peppermint snowman, frosty garlands, and a candy-strewn Christmas tree. Christmas in Blowing Rock got the highest rating, with Barks & Co coming in second, followed closely by neaco. A big thank you to everyone who participated and voted in this year’s poll. What fun window displays will next year bring? Stay tuned, the search for “Best Holiday Glow” will be back in 2025.

Local Guide Wins Orvis Fly-Fishing Award

Chetola Resort’s manager of fly-fishing and head guide Dustin Coffey was named the 2024 Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year on April 5 during the organization’s annual owners and partners meeting in Manchester, Vermont. Coffey calls the award the “heavyweight championship of the world for fly fishing guides.” It goes annually to the Orvis-endorsed guide who earns the highest customer satisfaction rating, while also excelling in the areas of conservation and recruitment of new people to the sport. Pete Kutzer, head fly-fishing instructor and endorsed operations manager at Orvis International, presented the honor to Coffey. Kutzer noted that Coffey not only received the best customers ratings, he also received the most customers ratings. “Dustin blew us out of the water,” Kutzer said. “He created a new standard for getting guest reviews.” Coffey, 44, began fishing with his grandfather at age five, and has 25 years of experience as a professional guide. He’s known for his friendliness, attention to detail, and ability to explain complicated fly-fishing techniques to everyday anglers, while making it fun and rewarding. Chetola is one of only two Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing lodges in North Carolina, and Coffey says the award is definitely a team effort. He gives credit to each of the resort’s guides and to his wife, Morgan Tarbutton, with whom he co-manages the fly-fishing program. A native of Western North Carolina, Coffey grew up just outside Blowing Rock in the small community of Globe. In addition to his work at Chetola Resort, Coffey is a member of Trout Unlimited and owner of Native Innovation Consulting, which provides consulting for land owners who are interested in fly fishing programs. Chetola Resort is a 78-acre mountain resort tucked between downtown Blowing Rock and the Blue Ridge Parkway. For information about fly-fishing guide service and lodging options, visit www.Chetola.com or call 800-243-8652. More information about Fishing, Hiking, Canoeing and other Outdoor Adventure experiences >>

BRTDA staff stand with Unity Blaze banner for Black Folks Camp Too

Blowing Rock TDA Partners with Black Folks Camp Too

Through this partnership with Black Folks Camp Too, the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority aims to promote more unity and inclusion in outdoor spaces and activities.

cropped Image of map indicating construction zones on Main Street for spring 2024

Main Street Construction: What to Expect

Blowing Rock infrastructure is getting some much-needed upgrades! Main water and sewer lines are being replaced along Main Street in the downtown core now through Spring 2024. Key Takeaways: Access to businesses and activities on Main Street will remain open. Expect single-lane closures and potential travel/traffic delays. One full closure of Main Street is required in a residential section. Construction activity will be limited to Mon-Thurs when possible. About the Project: According to the contractor’s project page, “the existing and new water and sewer lines are located within the roadway. In order to complete replacement of these lines, the pavement on Main Street will be removed within the trench area. With the majority of this work occurring within the paved roadway, traffic control is required, and travel will be reduced to one lane during construction.” These single-lane closures will be controlled with automated flagging devices with barrier arms. While every effort will be made to reduce traffic impacts, some delays should be expected when driving through all downtown areas. Main Street Closure Details: One full closure of Main Street is required north of Chetola Resort. This closure will not prevent access to any businesses, but visitors to Chetola Resort, McCoy Minerals, and other north Main locations will need to access those places from the south end of Main Street. That simply means that downtown visitors, including school traffic, will need to access Main Street via Sunset Drive. This full closure of north Main Street from Chetola out to the US Highway 321 intersection will be active Monday mornings through Thursday evenings from February 12 through at least mid-April 2024. The road will be opened Friday mornings through the weekends. This closure is for 18-inch sewer line replacement. See area marked in red on full map below. Downtown Core Construction Work: Currently, sewer installation continues on Main Street between Chestnut Drive and Morris Street, along the parking spaces on the east side of Main Street. Sewer installation will progress north on the east side of Main Street toward US Hwy 221. Single-lane closures and lane shifts will be necessary during this construction. Sidewalk access for pedestrians will remain open throughout the project. Fridays of each work week will be reserved for clean-up (unless work days are lost through the week), with both traffic lanes and on-street parking reopening for each weekend. Starting in mid-March, water line installation will begin on the other side of Main Street, following the same method. This work will begin at Ginny Stevens Lane and continue north on Main Street through downtown. The west side of Main Street parking and the south bound lane will be utilized for water installation. Single-lane closures and lane shifts will be necessary during this construction as well. See this area marked in yellow on full map below. Additional Details: For information about additional parking areas off of Main Street, click here. Entire water and sewer project completion date is September 10, 2024. Please note that all dates listed are approximate and the timing of all construction activity is weather-dependent. More information about the project is available on the project website.

A dish of mountain trout at the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge, with a bright garnish of seasonal vegetables.

Restaurant at Gideon Ridge a James Beard Award Semifinalist

The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock, North Carolina is a 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Semifinalists are recognized as exemplary in their category; the top 5 in each award category will be announced as Nominees this spring. According to the James Beard Foundation’s website, the Outstanding Restaurant Award recognizes restaurants that “demonstrate consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to their broader community.” The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge has been a fine dining staple in Blowing Rock for many years. It has become known for thoughtfully crafted, locally-sourced fare and attentive service. Wide mountain views surround the intimate dining area. The restaurant is housed inside a rustically elegant inn, built in 1941 as a summer estate by the Lindau family, relatives of Moses and Bertha Cone. The Milner family purchased the establishment in 1984 and in 2000, Cobb and Cindy Milner opened The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge. “This honor is the result of many years of effort by our wonderful staff, from the kitchen, to the servers, cleaning staff and managers who made this all possible,” Cobb Milner said. “And especially our Executive Chef, Hunter Womble.” Womble became the Executive Chef at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in 2014. As he has applied his creativity and vision, the restaurant’s reputation for exceptional experiences has grown. He is excited about this latest recognition for the restaurant. “There are so many incredible chefs and restaurants represented in these categories,” Womble said. “Just to be considered for this distinction really is an honor. We appreciate the show of confidence, as well as the consistent support from our local community over the years.” Community connection is especially valued by the team at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge. “We couldn’t have reached such success without our local community including our farmers, suppliers, friends, and families who have given their time and expertise to helping our business shine,” Cindy Milner added. “Families have been with us for decades and shared their generations. We are ever grateful and humbled by that support.” The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge has been recognized with multiple accolades in the last several years. Just a few months ago, the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge received Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award for the second year in a row. The online travel review giant ranked The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge as #2 Fine Dining Restaurant and #3 Date Night Restaurant in the United States, based on quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings. The restaurant is also currently recognized by Fodor’s Travel as a Fodor’s Choice selection. The 2024 James Beard Award Restaurant and Chef semifinalists are recognized across 22 categories. North Carolina’s rich culinary culture is well represented in the lists. Eleven other North Carolina restaurants and chefs join The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge as semifinalists across several categories. Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 3, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 10. The 2024 James Beard Awards are presented by Capital One. Learn more about the James Beard Awards and see the full Semifinalist lists at jamesbeard.org. Get information and reservations for The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge at gideonridge.com. January 2024

Blowing Rock Inn Under New Ownership

Savara Hospitality and Piedmont Capital are pleased to announce the acquisition of Blowing Rock Inn located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The property was purchased by a joint venture between Fairfax, Virginia based Savara Hospitality Inc. and Charlotte, North Carolina based Piedmont Capital RE, LLC. Blowing Rock Inn, situated in the heart of Downtown Blowing Rock, features twenty charmingly appointed guest rooms, four spacious villa-style suites, and an exclusive two-bedroom suite. Conveniently situated on Main Street, the inn is within walking distance to the town’s vibrant shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure offerings, as well as driving distance to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the High Country’s most popular attractions. “We are proud to welcome Blowing Rock Inn to Savara Hospitality’s portfolio of boutique hotels. In the spirit of timeless hospitality, we look forward to curating moments for our guests that weave into the fabric of this property’s rustic charm. The High Country offers a wealth of experiences for visitors, and we are ecstatic about partnering with Piedmont Capital to complete this acquisition in one of North Carolina’s premier destinations,” stated Vishal Savani, Managing Director of Savara Hospitality. William Hodges, Founding Partner of Piedmont Capital, added “The Blowing Rock Inn is a landmark property in downtown Blowing Rock and a perfect complement to Piedmont Capital’s growing hospitality portfolio. We are excited to grow our presence in the market as well as expand our partnership with Savara Hospitality.” Savara Hospitality operates a portfolio of unique upscale hotels in Virginia and North Carolina, including Blowing Rock’s Meadowbrook Inn, Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins and Azalea Garden Inn, which are all located just steps away from Blowing Rock Inn. Savara Hospitality will be operating Blowing Rock Inn following the acquisition. About Savara HospitalitySavara Hospitality owns, operates, and provides hospitality management and consulting services to historic and boutique hotels and inns in urban and vacation destinations throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Featuring a portfolio of independent hotels that boldly express their individuality, Savara Hospitality utilizes a customized, hand-on approach to ensuring that each property in its portfolio finds its way to thrive. Savara Hospitality’s hotels and inns have received countless accolades for their attention to design and unwavering commitment to service. For more information, visit www.savarahospitality.com. About Piedmont CapitalFounded in 2021, Piedmont Capital is a Charlotte-based real estate investment firm focused on core plus and value-add retail, office, and hospitality assets throughout the Carolinas. Blowing Rock, NC (January 18, 2024)

Blowing Rock Voted Best Mountain Getaway and Best Downtown

NC Tripping, the go-to website and social media resource for North Carolina travel, has announced the winners of their third-annual Best of North Carolina (Best of NC). After tallying thousands of votes, Blowing Rock came out on top in two categories! Blowing Rock was voted Best Mountain Getaway in North Carolina AND the Best Downtown in North Carolina by NC Tripping’s readers and social media followers. Additionally, Blowing Rock’s Tweetsie Railroad was voted as the runner up for Best Family-Friendly Attraction, and Blowing Rock was a finalist for Best Dog-Friendly Destination. Folks can find the pick for Best Breakfast in neighboring Boone, the Best Winery in nearby Foscoe, and the Best Trail and Most Beautiful Waterfall (Linville Falls selected for both) in the local area. Thousands of website readers and social media followers nominated and voted for destinations and local businesses in 4 main categories, including: • Getaways • Outdoors • Food and Drink • Community To see all the 2023 winners, visit www.nctripping.com/best-of-north-carolina-2023 NC Tripping announced contest winners on its website, social media, and to email newsletter subscribers. One participant was also chosen to receive a $100 gift card to a business of their choosing. “We’re so grateful to our readers and followers forparticipating. Most importantly, our thanks goes out to the local businesses and destinations that make this state such an ideal place to live in and visit,” explained Carl Hedinger, co-founder of NC Tripping. The fourth-annual Best of NC tentatively planned for November 2024 and more info is available at nctripping.com/best-of-north-carolina. About NC Tripping NC Tripping is a website and social media brand focused on North Carolina travel and things to do in all 100 counties. Based in Durham, the family-run company has published hundreds of travel guides and two books that cover destinations from the mountains to the sea. For travel inspiration and sponsorship opportunities, visit nctripping.com and follow @nctripping on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. December 14, 2023

Blue Ridge Parkway announces Blowing Rock sledding hill closure due to unsafe conditions

Heavy traffic and safety concerns necessitate closure of popular, but unofficial, sledding hill at Sandy Flat Gap. Blue Ridge Parkway officials announced today that the area locally known as “Sled Hill,” near milepost 294.5, is closed effective immediately to all winter activities including sledding, tubing, skiing, and snowboarding. The hill is located at the intersection of Shulls Mill Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway. In addition to the hill closure, parking is prohibited along the nearby Parkway administrative access road and portions of Shulls Mill Road within park boundaries. “The growing popularity of winter recreation activities in this area unfortunately can no longer be accommodated. The area was not designed for snow play or a high level of pedestrian use, and these activities, combined with roadside parking, have created a dangerous situation for park visitors,” said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. “In recent years staff have witnessed multiple near misses of adults and children with passing vehicles due to unsafe conditions, high volumes of traffic, and poor sight lines. While we know that this will be disappointing to many of our winter visitors, we must take this action in the interest of visitor safety.” In the coming days, park staff will install closure fencing and signage in the area, and anyone found not in compliance with the closure order may be cited. BLOWING ROCK, NC – December 13, 2023 Looking for downhill fun? Try tubing at Hawksnest Tubing or Sugar Mountain. Or see our list of sledding locations here. –NPS– www.nps.gov/blri www.Facebook.com/BlueRidgeNPS www.Twitter.com/BlueRidgeNPS www.Instagram.com/BlueRidgeNPS https://npgallery.nps.gov/BLRI

Funky Tulip Chosen as “Best Holiday Glow” 2023

Funky Tulip has been awarded the title of “Best Holiday Glow” for 2023! Leading up to the Holiday Stroll on December 8th over 250 votes were cast to crown the “Best Holiday Glow” in Blowing Rock.

Category: Partner News