Family, Fun & Foodies in Western NC

My family just finished up a weekend in Maggie Valley, NC. I have been dying to try out the newly opened Catalooche Ranch for a few reasons. First, the property is part of the Relais & Chateaux hotel collection which focuses on small, family owned properties with food and wine at the center (yes please!) Second, the property is in the mountains of Western NC just 2.5 hours from Charlotte. Third, the resort has a focus on outdoor adventure which is perfect for my family with three busy kids.

Catalooche Ranch is a sister property of The Swag, located just a short 20 minute ride away in Waynesville, NC. We had a chance to go have dinner at The Swag and it was such a special experience. The 4-course dinner and wine pairing that begins with a cocktail and appetizer hour is focused on community. They only have one seating per night and open up the dinner with every guest gathering around a fire to celebrate people in the room. We celebrated honeymooners, birthdays and anniversaries with strangers before indulging in an amazing dinner with incredible service. It was super special!

I loved the vibe of both of these properties as it was both laid back and relaxed paired with exceptional elevated service – and you felt like family the whole time. We were greeted by name (including my kids) everywhere we went and there were so many personal touches that made it feel special. Here are some of the activities we participated in while at Catalooche Ranch:

• Brunch and Dinner at the Switchback Restaurant. The carmelized onion & greyere grilled cheese, and the red snapper & gnocci were two of our favorites!
• During dinner service they took my girls back to the kitchen to be “little chefs” and they both got to make their own pizza!
• My husband and son spent the afternoon shooting air rifles, shooting bow and arrows & ax throwing for some manly bonding time.
• My girls took a horse-back riding lesson which included “painting with the ponies.” The girls each put paint on a canvas then proceeded to stuff it in a bag and cover it in horse food. While the horses ate the food, the paint smeared around and created an abstract horse painting which they topped off with a horse-shoe print. It was the most adorable and creative activity that my girls haven’t stopped talking about.
• Our entire family took a watercolor class where we learned to paint mountain scenes with the art director. My husband ended up painting a portrait of me after finishing his mountains and it was so hysterical that it ended up being shared with the entire staff who all got a good laugh out of it!!
• Every morning the staff delivered a basket to the front porch of our cabin with homemade pastries, coffee and more!
• There were so many fun outdoor activities that we loved participating in – fishing in the pond, playing ping pong, playing board games in the lobby, and corn hole.

The property is in the middle of constructing some additional buildings to include a golf simulator, a mercantile and a new art studio. They are also about to open the lodge which features 6 rooms in one building (vs. the typical cabin format) that can be rented individually or the entire building for a group traveling together!

I’m already looking forward to going back to this property! If you are interested in going please reach out with any questions or to book – my clients get the VIP treatment!

~Until Next Time