Chetola is a Cherokee word meaning “haven of rest.” It’s an apt name for Chetola Resort, a 78-acre property just a short stroll from downtown Blowing Rock, North Carolina, where you can create a getaway full of idle relaxation and peaceful pursuits. But if you prefer to punctuate vacations with a bit of active adventure, Chetola has you covered, with plenty of opportunities to try something new.
Tucked amid the Blue Ridge Mountains and right next door to 3,500-acre Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, Chetola Resort got its start in 1846 as a horse stable and way station and became a family homesite after the Civil War. Through the decades, it’s been an ice house, a private estate, and an inn.
In 2004, the inn received a makeover with furnishings, accessories, and artwork from one of North Carolina’s most revered artists, Bob Timberlake, who is still a frequent visitor—we were fortunate to run across him in the lobby. Timberlake has held art exhibitions internationally for decades and has been honored by presidents Carter and Reagan, in addition to partnering with Lexington Furniture to create the best-selling furniture collection in industry history.
The artist’s name is also honored at Chetola’s on-site Timberlake’s Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As befitting the restaurant’s association with Timberlake—a realist watercolor painter known for capturing the natural beauty of his native North Carolina—the dining room and bar are a study in rustic comfort, decked out with old skis, scenic paintings, clubby leather, rough-hewn wood—the perfect blend of mountain style and plush comfort.
The menu was inspired by Timberlake’s own favorites, and offers plenty of variety, including local salads, vegan “meatloaf,” grilled snapper, and dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye.
We stayed in the central Chetola Lodge in a spacious suite with a balcony overlooking the eight-acre lake. Another lodging option is the Bob Timberlake Inn, a bed and breakfast within the resort with its own uniquely designed rooms, a dedicated innkeeper, and a stocked pantry. Premier condominiums of various configurations round out the offerings.
In 2009, the Spa at Chetola opened, with five treatment rooms, a juice bar, and an area for manicures and pedicures. My husband and I enjoyed a luxurious couple’s massage followed by champagne in the relaxation room, a serene space with plush seating and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace.
If you’re looking for outdoor pursuits, don’t miss the short drive to Chetola Sporting Reserve, set on 67 acres near the Blue Ridge Mountain Club. The well-appointed clubhouse includes a pub, five indoor shooting stands, and a 13-station clay-shooting course, along with ranges for rifles, pistols, and archery.
Fly fishing adventures can take numerous forms. Chetola is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge, and the shop at the resort features knowledgeable staffers who are happy to set up an excursion.
You could easily while away a long weekend without leaving the resort, but the town of Blowing Rock offers its own treasures, so we compiled a list of five fun on-site options and five more to check out nearby.
Chetola Resort, 185 Chetola Lake Dr., Blowing Rock, NC. 800.243.8652, chetola.com
Don’t Miss These Five Chetola Experiences
Sporting claysA few hours at Chetola Sporting Reserve can have anyone feeling like a sharpshooter, with 12 shotgun stations scattered on a wooded course that has been described as “golf with a shotgun.” Our instructor, Grayson Jones, had me joyfully blasting shells in no time. Also recommended: archery with one of their recurve bows.
S’mores by the fire: There’s just something comforting about a lakeside fire, an Adirondack chair, and a friendly staffer handing out bags of graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey bars.
Water biking: Kayaks are available at Chetola Lake, first-come, first-served, but you’re less likely to get wet before dinner if you hop on a hydro bike. A new addition at Chetola, these steady, floating “bikes” let you cruise with ease, offering a closer look at the swans and goslings cavorting across the lake. Fishing is available here as well, along with disc golf, lawn games, and tennis/pickleball courts.
Massage at the spa: I love an active vacation, but there’s nothing like a massage to make you feel truly rested. After a busy month, Tracey had massaged my cares away within half an hour.
A walk or run in Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: This expansive national park abuts Chetola and offers 25 miles of trails traversing meadows, winding past pretty Bass Lake, and offering a glimpse of Moses Cone’s estate, named for the textile magnate known as “the Denim King.” The white Colonial Revival manor now houses the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Nearby in Blowing Rock
Dinner at Storie Street Grille: This family-run bistro offers falafels, grain bowls, North Carolina trout, and much more in a charming brick-lined space downtown. storiestreetgrille.com
Drinks and live music at Twigs: The lengthy wine and beer lists, a spacious bar, a cozy fireplace, and live music every Friday and Saturday make this a fun spot where locals and tourists converge. twigsbr.com
Camp Coffee Roasters: A small space downtown, Camp offers the finest espresso drinks, as well as beans perfectly roasted by owner Jason Campbell and team. Try a large cappuccino and an even larger cinnamon roll muffin. camproast.com
The Blowing Rock: The scenery is mind-blowing here, with views all the way to Mt. Mitchell, Table Rock, and beyond. Legend has it that a woman’s beloved leapt off the rock and was blown back up into her arms. Though the winds weren’t gusting when we were three, the outcropping over the Johns River Gorge is unforgettable. Be sure to say hi to Grover, the attraction’s resident cat. theblowingrock.com
A drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway: If you’re heading to the sporting reserve, you’ll get a close look, but in any case, take the time to drive a few miles down the parkway. Just outside of Chetola are several overlooks offering stunning vistas and picnic spots; you can also access the Mountain to Sea Trail for a hike. nps.gov/blri
