N.C. holiday getaways

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N.C. holiday getaways

The Carolinas are graced with many fine inns. For the holidays, we spotlight a half dozen.

BALSAM MOUNTAIN INN, Balsam, N.C.: The three-story resort catered to the railroad trade when it opened 105 years ago. The train station, at the edge of the property, had the highest elevation of any east of the Rockies. The trains still run by twice a day. The inn sits on 24 acres, with the Nantahala National Forest on the edge of its parking lot (there are hiking trails on the property, as well as in the forest). The inn is decorated for the holidays.

FEARRINGTON HOUSE COUNTRY INN, Pittsboro, N.C.: The inn dates to 1986 but was designed to complement the Fearrington House restaurant, which was built as the Fearrington family homestead in the 1920s. Enjoy the rural-esque, wood-construction charm. Readers of Travel + Leisure magazine rank it as one of the 100 top hotels in the world. Around the holidays, the Fearrington Village center is decorated with cut trees wrapped in traditional white lights for a romantic, European feel.

OLD EDWARDS INN & SPA, Highlands, N.C.: The traditional European look dates to its inception in the late 1800s. Accommodations range from historic inn rooms to multiroom suites and rustic lodges. The owners finished a $65 million renovation in 2009. The Old Edwards spa was voted No. 1 in North America this year by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Every Saturday through Christmas, there are free wine tastings, with the sommelier dressed a la Charles Dickens. Elf Tuck-In are available for the kids.

CHETOLA RESORT, Blowing Rock, N.C.: Chetola began as a way station before the Civil War and evolved into an upscale summer resort by the early 1900s. The picturesque Blue Ridge property was purchased in 1926 by Charlotte Coca-Cola bottler Luther Snyder, whose family owned it until the 1970s. The original 1846 manor holds the restaurant and overlooks Chetola Lake. During the holidays, The annual drive-through Festival of Lights display has more than 50,000 bulbs in 25-50 displays.

GROVE PARK INN, Asheville, N.C.: The AAA Four Diamond resort overlooks Asheville's skyline and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The original section was constructed in 1912-1913 -- the inn is on the National Register of Historic Places. The original Arts and Crafts look of the interior remains strong. The Grove Park is among Travel + Leisure's Top Five Spa Resorts in the United States. The National Gingerbread House competition/display is on view through Jan. 2. The inn displays around 100 trees.

SANDERLING INN, Duck, N.C.: The famous coastal inn is framed around the restored 1899 United States Lifesaving Station and is decorated with nautical artifacts and historic memorabilia. The property consists of three low-slung main buildings, plus freestanding multibedroom homes. The inn won top-50 honors in Conde Nast's 2010 Readers Choice list. Daily holiday events include wine tastings or hot tea and gingerbread or hot chocolate and cookies gatherings.

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BALSAM MOUNTAIN INN, Balsam, N.C.: The three-story resort catered to the railroad trade when it opened 105 years ago. The train station, at the edge of the property, had the highest elevation of any east of the Rockies. The trains still run by twice a day. The inn sits on 24 acres, with the Nantahala National Forest on the edge of its parking lot (there are hiking trails on the property, as well as in the forest). The inn is decorated for the holidays.

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