As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.

The mountains of North Carolina hold much history and many secrets. The historic Grand Old Lady Hotel can be considered both. In fact, it may be one of the best kept secrets along the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. From its rich history dating back more than 100 years, to the whispers of ghostly occurrences, this hotel is both eerie and fascinating.

Located less than a mile from the Grand Old Lady Hotel (mp 443), the Balsam Mountain Inn is a step back in time to a bygone era.
TripAdvisor/management
Built entirely of wood, this grand old hotel originally had 100 rooms, each with views of the surrounding mountains.
TripAdvisor/n sutrich
A restoration/renovation phase resulted in some important changes: bathrooms were added, making space by reducing the number of rooms to 50.
TripAdvisor/Alicia C
Built as a grand railroad stop, the hotel is also one of the last of its kind in North Carolina. The walls are fashioned from the original horizontal bead boards, the rooms have no television and the hotel has no air conditioning.
TripAdvisor/Alisha D
But once you arrive and discover what a charmer this spot is, that won't even matter. Besides, in mountains it rarely gets hot enough to need air conditioning, right?
TripAdvisor/2x2wheel

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You probably won't even mind the few 'permanent' guests that have been reported, or the occasional odd occurrence attributed to said guests.
TripAdvisor/AuntEd
There are even whispers of a secret guest book that allows you to record those sightings - if you dare.
TripAdvisor/2x2wheel
But ghosts aside, the warm and inviting atmosphere of the Balsam Mountain Inn are what keep people coming back year after year.
TripAdvisor/Alisha D
The dining room patio and 100-foot front porch add to the charisma of this shabby chic abode in the mountains, dishing up views as grand as the hotel itself.
TripAdvisor/Alicia C
The historic building, charming atmosphere and the whispers of occasional sightings of the 'permanent' residents at Balsam Mountain Inn, all combine to make this hotel both eerie and fascinating.
TripAdvisor/AuntED
Have you stayed at the Grand Old Lady Hotel (formerly known as Balsam Mountain Inn)? We'd love to know!

You’ll find it at 68 7 Springs Dr., Balsam, NC, just 25 minutes away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Learn more on their official website.

To see some rare photos of the Blue Ridge Parkway when it was being built, keep on reading here.

 

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