Mountain Magic: Skyline Lodge

Remember when vacations were about completely disconnecting? When the mountains called and you answered, leaving behind emails, notifications, and your to-do list? That escape still exists at Skyline Lodge in Highlands, North Carolina—a place where time slows down and the world outside fades away.

A Mountain Retreat That Demands Presence

Nestled high among the trees at over 4,000 feet, Skyline Lodge stands as a testament to thoughtful preservation. This historic 1930s motor lodge has been beautifully restored by The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, who unveiled their renovation in July 2021 while preserving the soul of the place.

What makes Skyline special isn't the amenities listed on a website—it was the way the morning fog rolled across the mountains in layers, visible from my balcony.  It's how the property, originally designed by Arthur J. Kelsey (a student of Frank Lloyd Wright), seems to have grown from the mountain itself, with clean lines and natural materials that blur the boundary between indoors and out.

The 39 guest rooms and suites offer smart TVs and device docking stations they offer something rarer: invitation. An invitation to notice the quality of light changing throughout the day. An invitation to hear actual birdsong rather than notification pings.

While the Wi-Fi is strong enough for video calls (with a backdrop that's the envy of any office), the real gift here is the setting, which encourages you to unplug in ways that a screen never can. Those like me who need to mix business even on vacations, you will find the perfect balance here. But I did find the true magic came when I finally closed the laptop.

The magic of Skyline happens when you step away from the screen. The back terrace with fire pits offers panoramic views that reset your mind after hours of digital focus. A quick walk around the property clears your head more effectively than another cup of coffee ever could. But be careful - that walk might invite something else … the thought, “hmmmm maybe I could live here?” 

A View (and Meal) To Savor

The crown jewel of Skyline Lodge sits on its second floor—Oak Steakhouse, the only steakhouse in Highlands.

Here, Executive Chef Matt Weinstein and team delivers delicious dinners. I dined here both nights, and my top picks were the Chicken Schnitzel and the Pork Chop. Also, start with the Oysters Rockefeller and an Old Fashioned—an unforgettable way to begin your evening.

What happens at Oak Steakhouse tables feels almost revolutionary in our digital age—people talking to each other over dinner without phones in sight. The restaurant's windows frame mountain vistas that shift with the changing light. As darkness falls, the space transforms into a cozy vibe where hotel guests are chatting it up with locals. 

And yes, save room for dessert—pastry Chef Ashley Cannon is delivering deliciousness with the Eight-Layer Chocolate Cake. 

Downtown Highlands: A Walkable Escape

When you're ready to explore beyond the lodge, downtown Highlands awaits just minutes away. This charming town isn't just a place for tourists; it's a vibrant community with a rich history. Named one of USA TODAY's "Best Small Towns for Shopping" in 2023, downtown Highlands invites you to wander its picturesque streets without constantly checking your phone for directions.

Main Street feels pulled from another era—when people window-shopped without Googling reviews first. The town's simplicity is its magic: park once and wander for hours between shops offering European antiques, local art, and yummy sweets. 

Make time for Appalachian Harvest (JAM 'n JELLY) on your stroll through town. This charming shop offers preserves made the old-fashioned way—with patience, care, and mountain-grown fruit. Take home a jar of blackberry jam that tastes like summer hikes. I was lucky enough to get a still warm jar of strawberry preserves. 

What makes Highlands special is how little it cares about being Instagrammable, despite being incredibly so. Founded in 1875 at the crossroads of what developers hoped would become major trade routes, Highlands instead became a health resort and summer haven sitting at the highest incorporated elevation east of the Rockies—a place people came to heal, not to hashtag.

By the 1880s, this mountain paradise was home to 300 residents, with northern and southern pioneers creating a unique cultural blend. Walking these streets today, your footsteps echo those of artists, musicians, and nature lovers who came here generations before social media told them to.

Finding Your Reset Button

At Skyline Lodge, it's easy to forget the hustle of everyday life and reset your mind. The constant presence of nature—whether it's morning light filtering through trees or the evening chorus of crickets—doesn't just invite you to look up from your screen; it makes you question why you ever looked down in the first place.

This lodge is for anyone who needs a break from the grind. Here, the backdrop of ancient mountains puts problems into perspective, and the simple pleasures of a quiet moment or a fireside chat can lead to some of your most meaningful insights.

My Days:

1. Morning Ritual - Started  with a coffee from the lobby cafe. The early mountain light is worth waking up for, and those first quiet hours can restore your sense of peace

2. Midday Reset - Took a quick drive to Dry Falls just minutes away. The short walk to this 75-foot waterfall cleared my mind and I welcomed the splashes of water from the waterfall.

3. Evening Transition - The team at Oak Steakhouse indulged me and let me do cocktails and oysters on the patio before heading to the bar for dinner. Christine and Kevin were amazing both nights!

4. Weekend Extension - If possible, add a weekend to your stay. Highlands has a different energy on Saturdays, with local events and a pace that reminds you what life felt like before constant connectivity.

In a time when "getting away" often means sharing every moment online, Skyline Lodge and Highlands provide the space to truly disconnect from notifications, from being constantly available, and from the digital ties that have become second nature.

The mountains have been here all along, waiting patiently for me (and you!) to look up and reconnect with them.