2 Nights at High Hampton.

2 Nights at High Hampton

This past weekend was one of the most relaxing and restorative ones in a long time. Four of my girlfriends (Molly, Chassity, Katie, and Jackie) and I went up to High Hampton (in Cashiers, NC – pronounced Cash-errrs, not Cash-ears, for the record!) and it was just the best ever. I realize this probably sounds silly and ignorant but as the token “Northerner” of the group, I didn’t know that places like this existed in the South. I went into it blind, completely unsure of what to expect. Luckily, I packed well enough but in my head, the South always equaled warm and all the cold and snowy getaways were further North. Not true!

High Hampton is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It’s one of America’s most beloved historic hotels with a 100 year history. Think of one of those Dirty Dancing style camps… laid back and easy, the sort of place a family would visit every single summer. The family that owns Blackberry Farm (high on my travel bucket list) bought it a couple years ago. They went about restoring the property in a really meticulous way that would maintain the character and unique appeal of the original buildings (vs. creating another Blackberry property). The result is something cozy and laid back (but also, very luxurious).

They invited my friend Molly (you might know her brand, Red Clay Hot Sauce) to come up for the weekend and lead a spicy cocktail making workshop (they are doing this really cool tastemaker series, the next one is with Gen Sohr). Molly invited us up as her guests and I absolutely fell in love with the property. I can’t wait to go back (especially in warmer weather when it gets unbearably hot in Charleston – it would be the perfect place to escape the heat). I already shared everything I packed and wore, as well as High Hampton’s Bloody Mary recipe… today I wanted to share more about the trip itself!

The drive was a little over 5 hours from Charleston.

The last hour of the drive is a bit windy, so be forewarned.

When we arrived, the staff greeted us and immediately grabbed our bags. We checked into a cozy cabin (Halsted Cottage) which could not have been be more perfect for a girls trip.

Our cottage was beautiful. You can get more of a sense of it from the reel I posted, but it was incredible. There were four cozy bedrooms (each with its own bathroom, including soaking tubs)

We started with drinks at the tavern. I highly recommend the caviar and potato chips. The chef sent those as a treat as he knew Molly, and they were just divine. For dinner we shared a bunch of things but my personal favorites were the wedge salad (I know that sounds strange but it’s the best wedge I have ever had!) and the pasta. But also: the steak tartare and the beef tenderloin!

The food was absolutely exquisite.

We opted to eat all of our meals on property (we almost ventured out for brunch nearby one day but the roads were bad and windy). They change the menu daily but if the wedge salad is on the menu, you have to get it! I realize this may be a strange recipe but it’s the best wedge salad I’ve ever had. The blue cheese isn’t quite as strong as with other wedge salads, making it light and refreshing and just perfect. On the first night we shared one… on the second night, we got our own!

Also, I was just so impressed with the service. I was telling my girlfriends to please remind me to go to the front desk to pick up a toothbrush (I always forget one) and the server overheard and brought one over to the table with dessert. So freaking thoughtful!

Basically, this place is a (very, very luxe) sleepaway camp. In our case it was sleepaway camp for adults but I think it would be great with kids too… I didn’t see any kids but the property felt super family-friendly.

I can’t believe how cold it was… we really had to bundle up!

Molly, in her element. I posted the famous Bloody Mary recipe yesterday and will be posting the rest of the cocktail recipes this week and next.