Half-Mile Farm by Old Edwards Inn is a luxury country inn in Highlands, North Carolina. Our weekend getaway there to celebrate my 30th birthday with a little rest and relaxation was nothing short of amazing. The only downside was that we had to leave! The Half-Mile Farm is a sister property to Old Edwards Inn, and about a 5 minute drive from downtown Highlands, where the Old Edwards Inn & Spa is located.
Half-Mile Farm cuts no corners when it comes to luxury. Arriving around 7pm on Friday evening in January, we had just missed the sunset as it was going down. In our defense, the drive there is stunning and there are a few different overlook pull-offs on the windy mountain road to take in some pretty amazing views {see picture below}, to which we took full advantage. When we walked into the main lobby area of the original farmhouse we were greeted with sounds of live music and a gentle hum of the guests chatting over their complimentary hors d’oeuvres {Social Hour is 5:30-6:30pm daily}, followed quickly by the smiling faces of the staff, who promptly checked us in and helped us unpack the car and get everything into our room.
Oh, the room. Where to begin? We were in one of the Woodlands Luxury King Balcony Fireplace guestrooms. This has to be possibly one of my most favorite hotel rooms that I’ve ever had the pleasure to stay in. Old Edwards Hospitality purchased Half-Mile Farm in 2015 and lovingly renovated the already beautiful property to add comforts, conveniences, and a higher degree of luxury in the bedding, furnishings, and accents. Our room had gorgeous hardwood floors, a beautiful fireplace, plush king bed, private balcony and view of the forest, the most perfect bathroom {with heated floor tile!}, a romantic standalone tub, and the softest robes & slippers just begging you to put them on! Did I mention the little sugar cookies they put on your pillow with turn down service?
Friday night we ventured into town after we got unpacked and grabbed pizza at Sky Pie. This pizza was so good, definitely add it to your list if you’re a pizza fan like me! Craig knows that one of my favorite meals of all time is pizza and wine, so kicking off my birthday weekend with that dinner was perfect.
Saturday we woke up and went to the Main House dining room for breakfast, which is included in your stay and available each morning from 8-10:30am. The chef specially prepares each breakfast, which has a starter course and a main course. The first day we had this little baked cobbler with fresh fruit to start, and then sweet potato grits, fried pork schnitzel, and two eggs over easy as the main course. The second day the starter was a honey melon fruit cup followed by a ricotta pancake with peach butter and a side of scrambled eggs and sausage. Coffee & fresh juice are served as well!
After breakfast we were treated to a tour of the property, including the historic southern cabins that have been renovated and reconstructed into luxury cabins, also available to rent! Craig absolutely loved these. They are so rustic and woodsy; these are definitely a great option if you want something even more private. Often times wedding parties or family reunions will book out the entire property, including the cabins, and wedding parties will stay there, etc. Something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a great venue!! Renting out this entire place for a wedding weekend would be so dreamy and amazing!
Following our tour, we took the brief 5 minute drive into town to use the fitness center, which is located at the main Old Edwards Inn. It is a fully stocked gym that has pretty much any piece of equipment you would need. Following our workout, we headed back to Half-Mile to shower and relax in the room that afternoon. We popped some champagne, turned on the fireplace, and watched college basketball 😉 No really, that is our idea of a perfect afternoon!
We headed down to check out the social hour before dinner, and we grabbed a glass of wine and headed out to the bonfire set up in the front yard that overlooks the lake. I could have stayed there all night! At social hour there is a full bar with cocktails, beer, and wine available for purchase so you can find something you like!
Our dinner reservations were at 6:30 at Madison’s, the Old Edwards Inn’s farm-to-table restaurant. We had truly spectacular service (our server, Bryan, was amazing!) and probably a 6-course meal {I lost count!!} of the most delicious, fine, and fresh foods. Not only were they delicious but they were also creative, but in a good way. Sometimes restaurants can go a little overboard with their creativity. Madison’s really hits that sweet spot where you know the chef absolutely knows all of the little flavor intricacies that are involved and really nails it. Both the server and sommelier were also incredibly knowledgeable and helpful about the extensive wine list.
So from the menu we tasted so many things and loved them all: the potato & ham hock soup, the fresh garden salad, the homemade pimiento cheese dip, the beef tartare, the seared scallops, the stuffed pheasant breast {my entree}, and the 48-hour braised short ribs {Craig’s entree}, finished off with the english toffee pudding and chocolate variation dessert with fudge, mousse, & praline truffle.
I cannot say enough about this meal. It was one of the best I’ve ever had, no doubt!! Craig and I left stuffed and so so happy.
The next morning we slept in a bit, made a Nespresso in the room, and meandered on down to breakfast around 9:30. I had a spa appointment for a massage at 11am, so we headed over there for that and Craig was granted access to use the spa amenities such as the sauna and whirlpools. I had a one hour massage and it was so perfect!! It was definitely one of the best I have had in my life. My therapist was Dana, in case you want to request her in the future, but I am sure they are all fabulous! The spa is quiet, relaxing, and I loved the fruit infused water. I didn’t get any pictures because it’s a device-free area and I wanted to respect that. But trust me, it’s lovely! It was truly a perfect cap on such a relaxing and lovely weekend. I felt so rejuvenated on the way home, and I already am looking forward to going back.
To top it all off, Old Edwards Hospitality has offered a complimentary upgrade just for my readers if you book a stay at Half-Mile Farm. Call 855-271-7246 to book your stay. Please note the complimentary upgrade is valid until May 1, 2018. Let me know if you go…it’ll make me really jealous!!
Thank you to Old Edwards Hospitality for the complimentary experiences. All opinions are my own.
xo,
Bess
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