North Carolina’s spa scene seriously impressed me with its creativity and variety. This state has everything from mountain retreats in Asheville that incorporate Appalachian healing traditions to coastal resorts on the Outer Banks where you can get seaweed wraps using actual Atlantic seaweed. The coolest part? These places feel authentically Southern without the pretentious attitude you sometimes get at luxury properties.
I’ve discovered some genuinely unique experiences here that you won’t find anywhere else. Mountain spas that use local wildflower honey in treatments, historic hot springs resorts that have been welcoming guests since the 1800s, and modern properties that blend cutting edge wellness with Blue Ridge Mountain charm. These coolest spa resorts in North Carolina prove the state deserves way more recognition as a wellness destination. The hospitality feels effortlessly warm, the settings range from dramatic to dreamy, and you’re getting serious value compared to similar properties in more obvious spa destinations. Plus, the local food scene means your relaxation weekend comes with incredible farm to table dining.
9 Best North Carolina Mountain Spa Resorts
So, buckle up for a journey to a relaxing getaway like no other. We’re on a mission to uncover those perfect spa resorts in the mountains of North Carolina for kicking back, zoning out, and finding a blissful state of zen. Let’s check out these havens of tranquility together, each one ready to welcome you with open arms and serenity.
1. The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville
- 📍 Location: Sunset Mountain, overlooking downtown Asheville
- 💰 Prices From: $420/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Rock-carved spa, mountain-view pools, historic architecture, multiple restaurants
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Spa weekends, history lovers, mountain views and fine dining
This is the kind of spa resort that feels legendary the second you pull in. Perched on Sunset Mountain, The Omni Grove Park Inn has been pampering guests for over a century. You feel it in every detail, from the stacked-stone architecture to the sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The spa here is what truly sets it apart. Built right into the mountain, it feels more like a sanctuary than a facility. I love how the stone walls, underground pools, and flickering light create a sense of calm you can’t manufacture. You’ll move from mineral soaks to steam rooms to fireside lounges without ever checking the time, which is exactly how it should be.
When you’re ready to explore, Asheville’s indie galleries, craft breweries, and the River Arts District are just a short drive away. Spend an afternoon downtown, then head back up the mountain to unwind. But it’s the mountain quiet and spa calm that stay with you the longest.
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2. Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Highlands
- 📍 Location: Right on Main Street, Highlands, NC
- 💰 Prices From: $420/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Garden-view spa, fireside lounges, solarium, historic cottages
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Boutique stays, spa days, charming downtown strolls
There’s something instantly grounding about arriving at Old Edwards Inn. Right along Main Street in Highlands, this elegant hideaway blends European charm with a relaxed mountain spirit. Garden paths wind between stone cottages, and the whole place feels lovingly layered like it’s grown into the town over generations.
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I always tell people not to rush the spa here. It moves at a different rhythm, one that encourages you to truly pause. After a massage, you can even slide in a sun lounger in the solarium and just sit there, watching the light shift across the tile. The scent of eucalyptus, the soft hum of water nearby pulls you into that deeper kind of calm.
If you’re into the outdoors, the best of Highlands is just steps away. Follow the sidewalk past antique shops and art galleries, or detour toward Glen Falls for a quiet forest walk. There’s no pressure to do anything, but if you follow your instincts, this town has a way of delivering exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
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3. The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville
- 📍 Location: Biltmore Estate grounds, just south of downtown Asheville
- 💰 Prices From: $375/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Garden-inspired spa, vineyard views, historic estate access, fine dining
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Romantic weekends, wine lovers, garden strolls and quiet luxury
The Inn on Biltmore Estate feels like it was made for travelers who want their spa days surrounded by history, vines, and rose gardens. Set on the grounds of the largest privately owned home in America, this place wraps you in Gilded Age elegance while offering all the modern comforts you’d expect from a high-end retreat.
What stands out is how the spa connects with its setting. Treatments are infused with herbs and florals grown right on the estate, which makes everything from the lavender facials to botanical scrubs feel deeply rooted in place. You can lounge in the quiet relaxation room, walk the gardens in your robe, or sip tea before heading to the steam room.
After your session, head over to the on-site winery, which is set inside what used to be the estate’s old dairy barn. It feels like a well-earned reward, especially when paired with a stroll through Frederick Law Olmsted’s sweeping landscapes.
4. Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock
- 📍 Location: Blowing Rock, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Parkway
- 💰 Prices From: $280/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Lakeside spa, cozy lodge rooms, nearby mountain trails, lakeside dining
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Family mountain getaways, outdoor enthusiasts, romantic escapes
Spend a day hiking the nearby Blue Ridge trails, exploring downtown Blowing Rock, or casting a quiet line in the stocked lake. Once you’re ready to slow things down, Chetola Resort is exactly where you’ll want to be. It’s calm, quiet, and designed to help you switch gears.
Set beside the lake, the resort’s very own spa feels peaceful in a way that’s hard to replicate. The treatments reflect the surroundings, using soft scents and gentle techniques to ease you into a slower rhythm. You can linger in the relaxation room, gaze out at the water, and let stress melt off your shoulders without even realizing it.
The rest of the resort keeps that same easy pace. Lodge rooms are warm and inviting, the fireplace lounge is perfect for evenings, everything you might want like scenic drives, art shops, and fresh mountain air are close at hand.
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5. Westglow Resort & Spa, Blowing Rock
- 📍 Location: Just west of Blowing Rock, with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains
- 💰 Prices From: $360/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Hilltop spa, wellness programs, art-filled mansion, serene forest trails
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Solo resets, creative souls, nature-infused relaxation
Westglow Resort makes an impression before you even step inside. Set on a grassy ridge above Blowing Rock, the former estate of artist Elliott Daingerfield looks out across a sea of mountains and sky. It’s peaceful without trying too hard, the kind of place where time naturally slows down.
The spa leans into that same quiet confidence. Treatments here are personalized and full of thoughtful touches like herbal oils, gentle aromatherapy, and therapists who actually listen. I recommend arriving early just to soak in the views from the relaxation lounge or join a sunrise yoga session on the lawn before your massage.
You won’t feel pressured to do much, and that’s the beauty of it. Take a slow walk through the sculpture-dotted trails, flip through art books in the mansion, or head into Blowing Rock for a quiet afternoon of antique shopping and mountain-town charm.
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6. The Swag, Waynesville
- 📍 Location: Private ridgeline near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- 💰 Prices From: $550/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Outdoor spa treatments, lodge-style suites, scenic trails, farm-to-table dining
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Nature lovers, honeymooners, unplugged luxury
Reaching The Swag feels like stepping into another world. You follow a winding mountain road that climbs higher than you think it will, then arrive at a quiet ridge where handcrafted cabins overlook layer after layer of the Smokies. Everything here is quiet, still, and full of small, intentional beauty, from handmade quilts to the scent of fresh wood smoke.
What I love about the spa experience is how natural it feels. Forget about treatments in buildings, here they unfold on porches, garden clearings, or near open windows where the wind slips through. It’s deeply grounding in a way no indoor spa could match.
When you feel like stretching your legs, nearby Waynesville offers local galleries, mountain-made goods, and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. But most days, you’ll likely stay put.
7. Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Autograph Collection
- 📍 Location: Biltmore Village, Asheville
- 💰 Prices From: $320/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Poseidon water-inspired spa, eclectic art gallery, rooftop lounge
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Art lovers, urban explorers, stylish weekenders
Step through the doors of the Grand Bohemian and you’re instantly wrapped in a world of velvet textures, gilded frames, and moody lighting that feels part gallery, part fantasy. This boutique hotel brings a bold personality to Biltmore Village, mixing vintage elegance with a dash of rock-and-roll edge.
The whole property feels like a living gallery, and that creative energy flows right into the wellness experience. Once you’ve had time to soak in the art-filled halls and velvet lounges, the Poseidon Spa offers a softer kind of immersion. Most treatments use water-inspired techniques, such as rhythmic massage, warm compresses, and hydrating rituals that bring your body back into balance.
Once you’re back on solid ground, hop into vibrant downtown Asheville. You’re a short walk from brewpubs featuring local hops, art studios brimming with handcrafted goods, and live music spilling through open-air doors. It’s a stylish city retreat that never loses its creative spark.
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8. The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte
- 📍 Location: Southpark neighborhood, Charlotte
- 💰 Prices From: $290/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Carolina Lavender spa therapies, eucalyptus steam room, championship golf course
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: City escapes, golf fans, Southern-style glamour seekers
Elegance comes easy at The Ballantyne. This stately retreat rises from manicured grounds in one of Charlotte’s most polished neighborhoods, where everything from the marble lobby to the sunlight-filled guest rooms feels carefully considered. It’s polished without being stiff, which makes it a great choice for a restorative weekend close to the city buzz.
The spa brings that same refined touch. Their signature treatments weave in regional elements like Carolina lavender, creating a scent trail that stays after your session ends. The eucalyptus steam room adds just the right amount of warmth and clarity before you drift into a plush lounger for a tea break or nap.
Don’t miss a stroll through nearby SouthPark mall or brunch at one of the hip cafés in the Uptown area. Between metropolitan buzz and polished luxury, The Ballantyne offers a serene but spirited city retreat.
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9. Lakeview at Fontana, Bryson City
- 📍 Location: Hillside above Fontana Lake, near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- 💰 Prices From: $215/night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Treetop soaking cabanas, lake-view yoga, rustic-modern rooms
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Solo escapes, romantic retreats, off-the-grid calm
Lakeview at Fontana feels like the kind of place you find when you’re not really looking. Located just above the lake and surrounded by trees, it’s quiet, modest, and deeply relaxing. Rooms are minimal but charming, with soft linens, earthy tones, and balconies that catch the breeze just right.
You can’t miss out on booking one of the treetop soaking cabanas. Elevated in the trees and facing the lake, each one offers more than an hour of pure stillness, warm water, and scented steam that seems to wash the stress right off you. The silence, the view, and the scent of eucalyptus or lavender combine in a way that’s hard to forget.
You’re just a short drive from Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, but this is one of those rare places where doing nothing feels like the best part of the trip.
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