We would never have known about the Iron Mountain Inn if it weren't for Groupon. When we saw that offer and perused the official website, we decided it was the place for us to stay after a 7 mile hike on the AT - one of our "bucket list" activities. The Inn is a log home with 5 rooms to rent. A beautiful setting, on top of the mountain, offers spectacular views from any of the rooms or wrap around deck. Breakfast was served on the deck in the fresh mountain air - enhancing the delicious food that Vikki had prepared. We especially appreciated the amentities in the room (family memories) which included a spa tub and steam shower. We really needed those after our hike and felt much better as a result. The bed was so comfortable and linens above average. We slept with the door to the deck off of our room open and could hear the stream and wildlife. Loved being awakened by the Whipporwill in the morning!

The website for the Inn is very comprehensive, if you take the time to read it. Vikki's communicaton with you is excellent via email. Make sure to copy Vikki's directions from the website and you will have no problem finding the Inn. Don't rely on your GPS in this case. We also were introduced to many other trails and activities on their official site. We rented bikes in Damascus and "coasted" down the Virginia Creeper Trail as recommended by Vikki. The rental company takes you to the top of the trail and you can "coast" either 17 mi. back to Damascus or do the complete trail for 34 mi. It is a beautiful ride, almost entirely in shade, with a great little cafe at about the 10 mi. mark. We were told to try the chocolate cake - fantastic!! We did the 17 mi. ride.

We really enjoyed getting to know Vikki. Her hospitality made for a fantastic stay. She knows so much about the area and can tell you about anything you need to know. She will go the extra mile to make your stay memorable. She even took us down to her lake house (which she also rents out) to show us around there. It is spectacular - on the lake - and very high end amentities, also. We hope to return with our grown kids and their families to the lake house at some point. You could not go wrong staying at the Iron Mountain Inn.

While it is far from certain, I can only imagine it is very unlikely that we would have ever found the Iron Mountain Inn if we had not planned to do so. As it is, we had made reservations in advance, mapped our way there, had it on GPS and still had a heck of a time finding the place. But eventually we figured out the way around the bridge construction (that may or may not have actually been bridge construction), followed a winding route to the inn and made out way to the top. Only to find that the other way down is a whole lot faster.

Regardless, the perch near the top of the mountain is amazing, especially if you should happen to be there in the fall leaf season, as we were. The views across the valley (I do not know if this term is actually the correct one, but it seems right) allows you to see for what seems miles, and the colors on the trees goes on and on.

Inside the inn is perhaps not as huge - you are in what is essentially a large house. It is a nice one for being nestled in amongst the mountains, but it is not a giant place by any means. Much more like a bed and breakfast - of which we passed several (or at least, that is what the signs said). Our innkeeper was very friendly, even offering to tell us where the endless cookie jar was found when someone - who shall remain nameless - could not find it.

Breakfast in the morning was a tasty way to start the day for the next stage of our trip, and finding the way out again was much, much easier than finding the way in. Definitely a worthwhile stop if you are in the area.

We took a group of ladies from our ladies golf association to the Iron Mountain Inn. We rented the entire Inn. The kitchen was great, the views are spectacular, and the common area is perfect for evening refreshments, fellowship and laughter as you enjoy the pristine mountain setting. We played Red Tail Mountain golf course only 15 miles away, hiked the AT and took a spin around beautiful Lake Watauga. As always, Vicki is most accomodating and ensures everything is perfect...right down to the "bottomless cookie jar."

What a wonderful relaxing weekend! The house was so well equipped, even had spices :-) We hiked, kayaked, and swam. It was all just wonderful! I think two of my favorite things were the fire pit where we spent the evening chatting with our family while making s'mores and the swing/chaise lounge on the deck where you could still enjoy the outdoors while avoiding the sun. We would definitely, definitely rent the lake house again! Oh, I forgot to mention, our dogs had a blast swimming in the lake as well.