Historic Photo of the High Hampton Inn

Many things have changed during the span of the last 90 years.  Communication has evolved from Morse code to iPhones, sixteen US presidents have ruled the country, and popular music stars have gone from flapper to rapper.  Few places today can proudly say they are still around after that amount of time and still maintain the traditions that were popular when they first opened.   High Hampton Inn is one of those places.

Fred and Ed still offer children hayrides each summer

What appealed to guests about High Hampton in 1922 is the same in 2012.  Tradition reigns here, where gentlemen don coats and ties for dinner, high tea is served everyday at 4 p.m., miniature donkeys Fred and Ed still offer children hayrides each summer, and Southern favorites like High Hampton Fried Chicken make an appearance on the menu each week.  At an elevation of 3,600 feet above sea level, “air conditioning” in the summer is still a cool mountain breeze through an open window, especially since evening temperatures drop into the low 60s in July and August.  Free from the trappings of technology, the Inn encourages you to unplug from today’s seemingly omnipresent tech-fueled world and reconnect with family and friends.

Our mountain setting makes High Hampton the ideal location for outdoor recreation.  A George W. Cobb-designed golf course, six clay tennis courts, miles of hiking trails, and a 35-acre lake for swimming, boating and fishing await you.  A European spa with a plethora of pampering treatments is perfect if you want to relax.  The interactive summer children’s programs are perfect for families looking for entertainment that doesn’t require a gaming system.

Golf overlooking Jewel Lake

House Parties have become a tradition for many families and feature picnics on the side lawn overlooking the lake, live music and entertainment, and family games and activities.  We also offer a number of workshops and golf and tennis clinics throughout the year.

Making a splash in Hampton Lake

Since we are located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you have easy access to the quaint antique shops, boutiques, and art galleries located throughout Cashiers and nearby Highlands.  The area’s unique geography also boasts hundreds of waterfalls, quiet lakes, stone mountains, and rhododendron forests.

Memories and families are at the core of High Hampton.  In the estate’s more than 200-year history, it has changed hands only three times.  In the mid-nineteenth century, General Wade Hampton, who would later become governor of South Carolina and then a U.S. Senator, purchased the property.  He later gave the property to his niece, Caroline Hampton, and her husband, Dr. William Stewart Halsted.  In 1922, E.L. McKee, a Sylva businessman and industrialist purchased High Hampton, starting a family tradition that continues with his grandson, Will, who oversees the property today.

What are your favorite High Hampton memories?

We hope to see you again as we celebrate our 90^th year of making memories.  Our special packages will make your next trip even more affordable.