High Hampton Inn
Blogging From Our Little Corner Of Cashiers And Highlands, North Carolina

Archive for the ‘Staying at High Hampton’ Category

Kicking off the 90th Season – A Q & A with High Hampton Owner Will McKee

May 2nd, 2012 by Staff

As High Hampton Inn begins its 90th season, owner Will McKee took some time out of his day to discuss what’s new this year and some of his favorite things about High Hampton.  He offers a unique view into life at High Hampton, since the property has been owned by his family since 1922.

Family posing for a photo by a bush

The McKee family enjoying a lovely day at High Hampton

1. What new changes are awaiting guests this year?

During the off-season, we were hard at work preparing for our 90th season. When you return to High Hampton, you will notice a number of updates throughout the property that include two new bocce ball courts and improved parking adjacent to the Pro Shop and Hampton Market.   We’ve also expanded and re-landscaped the back lawn by the Inn and improved the kennels.  These are a few of the many improvements we’ve made this winter.

In honor of our 90th season, we are also bringing back some favorite High Hampton traditions, such as nighttime milk and cookies, homemade wooden napkin rings made from the Rhododendron bushes found on the property, and cinnamon toast during tea time.  We will also be featuring some favorite historical recipes on the menu throughout the season.

We are also excited to announce a new Summer Solstice party on June 20th that will celebrate the start of summer.  The event will feature dancing, S’mores, and fun on the back lawn.

Becky McKee has been working around the clock to create a coffee table book filled with 90 years of pictures, testimonials and High Hampton memories. I can’t wait to see the finished product, which should be available later in the summer. If you love High Hampton as much as I do, it’s definitely an item you should add to your library.

2. What is your best childhood memory of High Hampton?

For as long as I can remember, High Hampton has always been a part of my life.  When I was a child, I enjoyed spending my summer days playing throughout the property.  As I got older, I worked in every position at one point or another.  All of these experiences have provided me with many unforgettable moments, but my all-time favorite memory is of spending warm summer afternoons swimming in or fishing on Hampton Lake.

Kids swimming and boating on a lake

Children love spending hours swimming, boating and fishing on Hampton Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. What part of the High Hampton property is your favorite?

There are so many great aspects of High Hampton, but I would have to say that my favorite place on the property is at the summit of Chimney Top Mountain because you not only get an aerial view of the estate but you can also enjoy a 35-mile panoramic view shed.  It’s s peaceful and unique place.

View from the top of a mountain

The breathtaking view from the summit of Chimney Top Mountain.

 

We look forward to welcoming you back to celebrate our 90th season with us!

 

Posted in History| Q & A| Staying at High Hampton| What's New at High Hampton | 6 Comments

Only at High Hampton

March 29th, 2012 by Staff

Only at High Hampton

Arriving in the Cashier’s area more than 50 years ago, High Hampton is home to the unique white squirrel.

1.  White Squirrels – Only at High Hampton can you see North Carolina White Squirrels, which arrived in the Cashier’s area more than 50 years ago. Even though many people think these squirrels are albinos, the actually aren’t.  They are variants of the Eastern Gray Squirrel. Lucky guests can find these unique squirrels zipping around High Hampton’s expansive grounds. When you search for them, don’t forget to bring your camera so you can get a shot of them in action!

2.  100-Year-Old Dahlia Garden – The stunning dahlias were first planted more than 100 years ago by Caroline Halsted, a niece of General Wade Hampton, the original owner of the High Hampton property. Only at High Hampton can you cut blooms from the acre-long garden to display in your room as well as take home with you upon your departure.  High Hampton also invites you to enjoy the second-annual Dinner in the Dahlias, which will take place on August 20th and September 10th.

A Copper Beech Tree, with its beautiful purple leaves, can be found in the High Hampton Giant Heirloom Tree Garden.

3.  Giant Heirloom Tree Garden – High Hampton is home to a one-of-a-kind heirloom tree garden. Planted more than 100 years ago by the Halsted family, a Ginkgo tree, Bottlebrush Buckeye, Bald Cyprus, a fiery Copper Beech, and one of America’s largest Frasier Firs not only offer amazing foliage each fall, they also provide an escape from the summer sun. Only at High Hampton can you walk among trees fit for giants!

Miniature donkeys Fred and Ed enjoy taking children on cart rides.

4.  Miniature Donkeys – Fred and Ed are one-of-a-kind – actually, two-of-a-kind. Only at High Hampton can you feed our famous miniature donkeys snacks. Long time visitors will tell you they love carrots and apples, which guests can pick up from the kitchen. Fred and Ed also happily take kids on hayrides every summer and during holiday House Parties.

5. Completely disconnect – Only at High Hampton are we proud to feature no telephones or televisions in the guest rooms. Here you are encouraged to “unplug” from technology and get back to basics by spending time with family and friends. Outdoor entertainment rules the roost, and you can enjoy our 18-hole golf course, Hampton Lake for swimming and boating, numerous hiking trails, tennis, and more.  (There is wi-fi available throughout the property if needed)

Do you have a favorite only at High Hampton highlight?

Posted in For the Kids| Golf| Health and Fitness| History| Natural Wonders| Staying at High Hampton | No Comments

High Hampton Inn Celebrates 90 Years of Making Memories in 2012

February 28th, 2012 by Staff

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 90th year of making memories.  Our special packages will make your next trip even more affordable.

 

 

 

Posted in Events| Fishing| For the Kids| Golf| History| Natural Wonders| Spa| Staying at High Hampton| What's New at High Hampton | 2 Comments

©2011 High Hampton Inn • 1525 Highway 107 South, Cashiers, N.C. 28717 | 800.334.2551 | info@highhamptoninn.com | Main Website