In 2024, The MICHELIN Guide announced the first-ever MICHELIN Keys – a brand-new distinction that recognizes the most outstanding hotels worldwide. Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennesse received Two Keys. Find our selection team’s official take here, then below, take a peek inside one of the hotel’s signature spaces.
The Space:
The two-story Carriage House comprises four single-level suites. Built in 2015, each 900-square-foot room boasts unobstructed, sweeping vistas of the Great Smoky Mountains. But if you have a choice, book the Hillsboro room for the best view on the entire property.
Where:
Just 30 minutes from Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport in Walland, Tennessee. Blackberry Farm is located on 4,200 acres of private wilderness and trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, with access to the National Park of the same name nearby.
Who Stays Here:
A bucket list culinary adventure for true oenophiles and gourmands — with a long list of notable chefs and vintners as guests. Big-budget travelers, business leaders, musicians, movie stars, and athletes pick this playground where privacy is paramount for milestone celebrations and large family gatherings.
What It’s Like:
Carriage House suites are perched atop the highest point on Blackberry Farm, where quintessential misty mornings can be enjoyed with coffee service delivered to your covered terrace (porch swing included). Inside, you’ll find an antique-adorned living room with complimentary pantry snacks and beverages, a wood-burning stone fireplace, and a two-person sitting area. The separate sleeping area has a dramatically draped king bed featuring Blackberry Farm’s exclusive collaboration with Frette linens and a custom mattress topper by Nature Spa. The ensuite bathroom brings in plenty of natural light with a glass shower, jacuzzi soaking tub, double vanity sinks, and plush robes. While the Carriage House is centrally located between The Wellhouse and The Main House, each suite comes with a private golf cart to quickly get around the rest of the sprawling grounds.
The Background:
What started as a six-room dream escape for Knoxville’s prominent Beall family in 1976 is now a 68-room country inn dedicated to carrying on a legacy of authentic Southern charm and hospitality. Singular service and the most memorable meals are set against a bucolic backdrop where you can choose your own outdoor adventure daily, from fly-fishing, clay shooting, and stand-up paddle boarding to hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Take time for self-care, too, at The Wellhouse — a stunning spa, pool, and fitness center where personalized programs, holistic treatments, and classic beauty services are offered alongside fresh pressed juices, smoothies, and light, healthy bites. With Mary Celeste Beall at the helm as proprietor, Blackberry Farm is a genuine extension of their home and a sublime summer camp-esque getaway (open year-round and extra special during the holidays) where adults and kids alike will have the trip of a lifetime.
Here’s A Hint:
As an active, working farmstead, get up close and personal with sheep, heritage pigs, chickens, turkeys, and donkeys by taking guided tours of the Dairy Barn and The Larder, where all of the cheeses served on the menu (and in The Oak boutique) are made. Self-supporting and sustainable agriculture practices are the priority at Blackberry Farm, including The Garden — another educational opportunity — whether you just want to stroll through rows of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers on your own or sign up for a class about seed preservation, foraging, and harvesting.
Room Service?
While the food and wine program across Blackberry Farm’s three restaurants (The Barn, The Dogwood, and The Main House) is in a class by itself, guests can also enjoy its famed seasonal cuisine in the comfort of their room or al fresco on the veranda. Specially curated menus and wines are offered à la carte. Another must-experience is “Meals Afield,” where an intimate, three-course dinner is prepared at the Yallarhammer lakeside pavilion during sunset.
How to book it immediately:
Head over to the hotel page for more information. Please note that this property offers rates and availability on request only. Please contact customer service.
