The Swag

I booked a two night stay at the Swag for my husband's birthday. It was a perfect all-inclusive experience. I recommend coming during a warmer climate so you can have the full enjoyment of the grounds and all the amenities. If you are a foodie, please bring your appetite and pace yourself!

Continental breakfasts, elaborate brunches, bbq picnics, hourdurves before a dinner with many courses. I brought tip money with me, but they strongly discouraged tipping. They suggested tipping at checkout. Nonetheless, it was the best service I have ever experienced. Consistent housekeeping with turndown service. I loved all the staff. It was worth the cost.

Personalized luxury experience. Incredible views. All service top notch. Amazing culinary experience using local ingredients. Main lodge is straight out of a Christmas movie, yet more authentic. Great for peace and quiet, no TVs. Spa is relaxing, outdoor hot tubs overlook the mountains. Hemphill Bald hike gives you panoramic views of the Great Smoky mountains and beyond. Glad we found this place

This is an amazing place and there is not a thing we'd change. True Southern hospitality in a pampering package at every turn. The Bishops room was fabulous! (And the massages even better!) Highly recommend!

Loved the Swag. Felt like fancy summer camp. You’re out in nature with incredible access to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, lots of hiking trails, ways to be active, and beautiful mountain views. The food was outstanding - fresh and delicious. The staff took great care to get to know us and make sure all guests have a comfortable stay. We had an overall wonderful time. I only wish we could have stayed longer.

I can highly recommend the dinner experience at the Swag. It is a top notch evening, from the first moment to the last. The view, property, staff, customer service, food, ambiance, history and socializing are all stellar. For any occasion, or none at all, dinner here is a sure bet. Guests have been returning here, satisfied, for decades. I am grateful to Jim, Kirsten, Nick, Tammy, Hannah, Courtney, and the entire staff for a perfect evening.

Lovely anniversary dinner with gracious and attending staff; food was superb, bar was superior with both stock and mixologist! Lovely Smoky Mountain setting, with over the top thoughtfulness to make your visit extraordinary! Owner is delightful and we will return for another special occasion! (Did not stay overnight, as we are locals - but certainly would if we were not!).

It is said nothing is perfect, if that’s true, The Swag is as close as you can get. From the moment the gate opens upon your arrival, and you drive the scenic, winding road up the mountain, until you leave, you are treated with love by the most professional, kind hearted staff I have ever encountered. We honeymooned here, and were amazed that it was even more magical 30 years later. The rooms are pristine and like no others. The menu that changes daily is phenomenal….I’ll miss making my daily selections. We had an “Expert in Residence” that not only entertained and guided us, but also educated us about the property and the mountains surrounding us. As we checked out, there was no hesitation when we were asked if we would like to rebook for next year. It’s not just a vacation it’s an experience worth every penny.

Super attentive staff and first class facility. Everyone went out of their ways to make the stay memorable and luxurious. Heart Attack Hill (haha) - view from a top on return from hike - last stretch before picnic lunch. Mountain pic view from Nature Center and flag pic from dinner terrace - snow in May.... Awesome - loved it.

Great place to enjoy the North Carolina mountains. The food and staff are fantastic. The hiking both on the grounds and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park make a wonderful experience. We have visited multiple times see many old friends on each visit.

Dinner with a small group... fabulous! A very sweet knowledgeable young woman took us on a tour of the facilities when we arrived. You pick your entrees and deserts earlier that day in communication with Chef. It just could not be any more top notch :)

We went for an anniversary dinner. Went on a Thursday night for Bluegrass and Barbeque. Amazing ride up the mountain to the property. Attentive staff give you a quick tour of the lodge and dining room areas. Hors d'oeuvres week great and have guests a chance to mingle while listening to the music. The food setting were great; the staff was very attentive and friendly. It was definitely worth the splurge for a special night out.

This place is first class all the way! The ambiance and customer service are next level. From the moment you arrive, you can tell this place is very special, as it feels very intimate and luxurious. We cannot wait to come back. After experiencing it myself, it is no wonder that guests return year after year. The food and drinks were great as well. There is no way you will go hungry here. In fact you will be full nearly 24/7 with the amount of food and treats offered throughout the day. I will never forget this weekend getaway!

Went to the Swag for the first time for an overnight stay this past weekend. I have to share that I've never had a better experience at any other vacation property. The staff is so incredibly friendly and you can just tell how proud they are to provide such a unique, wonderful experience to their guests. I had a message by Heather and WOW she did such an amazing job. She was very attentive to my needs, regularly checked in with me on how I was doing and I felt so amazing after my massage. Thank you to all the staff at the Swag, I wish more vacation experiences were as unforgettable as this one was!

Just getting home from an absolutely perfect weekend and I can’t say enough about how wonderful our experience was! The attention to ever little detail was incredible! Our Friday night wine pairing with dinner was lovely, it was neat to hear the descriptions of the wines and how they complimented the dinner. The food was amazing! Visit the spa - it’s worth it! Service was all around pretty great, but shout out to our server Connor and Sarah in guest services. She went out of her way more than once to ensure we had a great experience and she was simply delightful! We’ve already booked our next trip back!

A luxurious resort in a rustic mountain setting. Perfect place for special occasion celebrations. We had our anniversary dinner there. They allow outside (non-lodging guests) for meals if room permits. Great food and wine. The staff pays attention to detail and ensures a perfect evening. We’re local so I hope to visit many more times.

Unbelievable experience! One of the best places we have ever visited. It reminded us of Post Ranch Inn.

Heaven on earth. We came here for an anniversary 9 years ago and can’t believe it took us this long to come back. The most beautiful property, delicious food, and miles of gorgeous trails In which you can work off those calories. A retired park ranger is the expert in residence and she leads guided hikes where you will about plants and animals. The new owners have taken a perfect place and somehow made it more perfect.

We went for dinner only since we live locally. The signage was great since the GPS was taking us a round about. The Swag was at full capacity but had room for us at dinner. The views were wonderful at 5,000 ft, the service was very friendly, and the Chef created great dishes. It’s certainly a great place for a special dinner, $$$$.

Amazing staff! Amazing atmosphere! Amazing delicious food! Let me tell you about this place! This place feels like coming home! The staff…. Every single one of them make you feel like you are at home! They make sure everything is perfect! The facilities are beautiful and very well taken care of. Perfect place to get away to! Thank you to the amazing staff! ❤❤

Just really great in every way. Food is AMAZING, customer service is off the charts, but not in a snooty way. The altitude of 5000 feet = about a 15 degree drop in temperature from the Triangle area of NC. Rooms are very nice, kind of a chic rustic feel. Very restful and very relaxing.