Overlooking the quiet village of Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Fryemont Inn offers you secluded comfort and excellent dining, warm fireplaces and scenic vistas. The beautiful bark-covered building was built in 1923 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Historic Inn and Dining Room are open mid-April through November. The Fireplace Suites and Cabin are open all year.
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Your enjoyment of a stay at the Fryemont Inn will be based mostly on your expectations. If you are expecting luxury accommodations, you will likely be somewhat disappointed. If you are adventurous in your travel and willing to trade modern amenities for rustic charm, you will love the Fryemont. First of all, the building is very old. The floors are uneven and the walls are the original cypress. The rooms are all different shapes and sizes. We had a queen room. The sink was in the room itself, but there was separate bathroom with an old fashioned tub/shower and toilet. The bed was reasonably comfortable but did not have a high quality mattress. The rooms have no TV or air conditioning. The October weather made the room comfortable and the only time I wanted to watch a football game on TV, I was able to do it comfortably in the lobby. Our stay at the Fryemont included breakfast and dinner each day. This was very nice not to worry about where we would get our meals each day. There were about 4-5 choices for breakfast and about a dozen choices for dinner. All of the choices that we tried were very good. Over the five days we stayed we got to know the wait staff who were very friendly and efficient. After driving through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, we really appreciated coming back to Bryson City each evening. Much less traffic, tourist traps, and congestion. I would highly recommend staying on the southern side of the National Park unless you like big crowds and lots of action.
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Date of stay: October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As you pull up to the Inn, you feel like it's the backdrop of a movie scene: perched in a hill with tall overgrown hardwood trees, cypress', piney woods. It may 2 in the afternoon but it's dark because the foliage. And in the middle of all that is a structure of dilapidated wood paneling, moss infused sections and open windows with drapes partially opened gently blowing in the breeze. As you walk up the stone steps and enter the main lobby, you'll notice the sheer size of the door (not the screen door) giving you access to the Inn. You'll immediately notice to the left a huge porch with rocking chairs overlooking parts of Bryson City. Within the lobby across from the door is a huge fire place with large, oversize furniture in front. Slightly to the left is asitting area with a TV and small library. In the center is big table for socializing and gathering with friends, family or other guests. The check-in desk is just a small desk toward the back of the lobby with just a single desk space. To the right is a real small convenient shop with basic necessities and souvenirs. As you walk the long hallways you'll notice two (2) things: 1) the deep red carpet and 2) the uneven flooring. The hallways set the scene for a some spooky fun. The rooms are similarly situated with old furniture and fixtures. The rooms are dark, airy and very spacious. Old lanterns and dark flooring give the ambiance of the era in which the Inn was constructed. Don't expect a comfortable sleep or plush linens. But - this isn't a knock toward the amenities. It really adds to the overall environment of the Inn. The restaurant is a very large open space with plenty of room between guests. The service was outstanding from all the staff. The food was quite good and offered plenty of options for everyone to enjoy. The Inns grounds are amazing - almost left untouched other than modernizing parking and pouring a couple paths. And the landscaping is left to a minimum, almost undisturbed with the exception of near the cabins and the pathway leading to it. In all, the stay at the Inn was a fun family experience. While a little on the price side, it did come with dinner and breakfast which wouldhave easily ran up close to $150 or so. I highly recommend a stay at the Fryemont Inn. And don't let the spirts of Eugene get you!
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is nearly a hundred year old inn, the innkeepers have kept with the heritage. They have not changed the wood floors or beams or the massive fireplaces that can burn 8 ft logs. The rooms and the inn in general have been kept in a period correct motif. Very charming. You get breakfast and dinner included in the price of the room and it is true sit down country cooking, and it's delicious, not a Holiday inn Express buffet. If you were looking for a place to relax in the mountains that has a laid-back atmosphere with delicious food and great people, then look no further.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:If you plan on going in the fall you need to book a room in the summer or earlier.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We chose the Fryemont Inn for our recent trip to Bryson City because my husband saw a piece about the Inn on North Carolina Weekend and decided he wanted to check it out.
Pros: Cool old building. We expected old, crooked floors, 100 year old doors, no AC or television (it is stated on their website) etc, and indeed that is what we got, along with beautiful bark shingle siding, gorgeous wood everywhere, and beautiful fireplaces. Location is great. A nice downhill walk right into town. Food was plentiful and good, and the service was good. If you are a picky eater or don't like having limited options you won't enjoy the meals, but we are neither, and thought the food was a plus, making the overall cost acceptable. Nice covered porch with rocking chairs, a view, and comfortable chairs and game tables in the main lounge/lobby.
Cons: The rooms (we stayed in the main Inn) need attention. We loved the original windows and view of the woods, but the finishes/surfaces all need some attention, from the ceilings to the wallpaper to the replacement vanity, tub, and fixtures that looked like inexpensive stock options from a box store. The mattress was not great either. The bathroom especially was particularly unappealing. Another problem is that the walls are paper thin. I mean, you can hear everything if you have occupants in the room next to you. The last major con is the internet service. The website says that the lobby is the only place where there is wifi, so we were prepared for that, but it barely worked, and was really slow when it did.
So, in a nutshell, the room was disappointing, as was the internet service, but there were other aspects of the place we liked very much, thus a rating in the middle.
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Date of stay: October 2020
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would nominate the Fryemont as the unofficial Great Smokey Mtn. National Park Lodge, since there is none in the park and this hotel oozes history and character much like the great lodges of western parks. Rooms in the main inn have no A/C, but if you can handle it, are a great bargain as breakfast and dinner are included. We stayed in the Stone Cottage, which is in the back of the inn and completely different from the main inn rooms (and air conditioned). Check out the photos of this great room (room 4). While it could use an interior redo from the 80s vibe (I expected JR Ewing from Dallas to walk in at any moment), we also thought it was a great value for what we got. There's also a huge outdoor pool, cold but inviting. The porch on the stone cottage is shared, and the rockers are right outside your room 4's patio door; it would be a bit awkward if someone sat out there that wasn't you (no one used the porch but us during out stay). We loved the food: simple fare with a southern slant, all expertly prepared. You can have your trout prepared 5 ways, and the side dishes rotate each day and come out family style. Amazing pancakes for breakfast. You really need to stay here once before it is too late, as it's truly unique and special.
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Date of stay: August 2021
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our first stay here and definitely won't be our last, an old historical lodge that was built in 1923, there are several type of accommodations, original historic inn, modern remodeled cabin, and units called Balcony suites are available. We chose the balcony suite, it has tv, heat. Each suite has a large sitting area with sofa and armchair, small ample kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave and sink. All rates include a full breakfast and dinner with many chocolate included a bar menu, the food is excellent along with the service and staff. We had planned to stay 2 nights but one of us became ill and needed another day of rest, we were instantly accommodated and didn't have to move to another room, these people were angels. We will absolutely return to this place in the future. Also the Bar is great! Both bartenders were the best.
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was not our “normal” to book into a historic Inn, but we had seen the Inn written up in Southern Living Magazine and decided to give it a try. This is a great area and we should have allowed at least a half day to eat and shop in Bryson City, but failed to do so. We appreciated the entire staff at the Inn, who were always friendly, cheerful and helpful. The Inn itself is truly historic and it would seem has had few upgrades or improvements in a very long time. The rooms and common areas were clean. However, the entire Inn is worn and tired looking, and had an unpleasant odor, possibly of old wood and smoke, in the main lodge. The Inn is not ADA compliant and there is no accommodation for the physically challenged. We stayed in a balcony suite which is separate from the historic Inn, so thankfully did not have the odor issue. It was comfortable and very private, but furnishings were basic and worn. We had a second floor room, thankfully stairs are not an issue for us. If you book into one of these suites, be sure to indicate if stairs are an issue as you will be carrying your luggage up a flight of stairs. We were disappointed with the view from our balcony. The trees around the property are quite tall and dense with Kudzu growing over much of the vegetation. You could catch a glimpse of the mountains from the main lodge porch. We loved the ease of breakfast and dinner being provided with our room. Breakfast was a good assortment of basic hot breakfast items. It was served quickly, with wonderful wait staff and was tasty. The dinner menu had many choices, however we felt the food was average. The prime rib was good, the New York strips average and the chicken overcooked. We did not sample the fish. The ambience of the old dining hall décor and music was enjoyable and the wait staff worked hard to ensure we had what we needed. For our travel preferences we would not choose to stay at the historic Inn again and opt to go with something newer and with a better view. But if you like historic feel and rustic furnishings, you should consider staying 1 or 2 nights at the Inn.
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Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Ask about accessibility issues if you need assistance.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When looking for a place to stay in Bryson City, you really should consider The Fryemont Inn. This place is totally enchanting and the food is incredibly delicious--breakfast AND dinner included in the price! I really wish I were a writer instead of a reader in order to do justice to a review. I could almost hear the whispers of stories to be told both in all the quaint, historical features of the inn itself and brief encounters with helpful staff members who are so proud to be a part of this establishment. First, our room #108 in the Lodge was HUGE. Two queen size beds that barely took up any space, and so many period features like pocket windows, push button wall light switches, sink in room, original doors and hinges, and things I'm sure I missed because we only stayed 2 nights. I loved everything about this place from the rocking chairs on the porch to reading all the memorabilia on the hall walls. The staff was friendly, informational, and helpful. We enjoyed our breakfasts and dinners, not just for the wonderful food like perfect bacon, sausage, and pancakes for breakfast or 4 course gourmet dinners like pecan crusted trout with lemon cream, center cut sirloin with baby portabella mushrooms in a red wine reduction, or 12 oz prime rib; but for the smiling faces and quick attentive service provided by local high school students. We were lucky in getting Zach for both dinner and breakfast service, and learned that his mother and grandmother work there, too. Some of you may be put off by the lack of wifi, TVs, and air-conditioning in The Lodge rooms, but for our stay the temperature was perfect and the lobby was only a few steps away from our room. We went to Bryson City to do the train ride, but are already planning a return trip just to stay at the Fryemont Inn again.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A historic place certainly with an interesting features but definitely on the shabby side. Lobby area and porch are lovely and comfortable. Great place to hang out with family and friends. The rooms are average at best. The room carpet is old indoor/outdoor stuff with wrinkles, the beds were firm, but the linens are not high quality and the pillows are very old. The sink/vanity is 70"s era but worked fine. There is no insulation anywhere so you can hear your neighbors snore and if someone is walking in the room above you, forget sleeping through it. The food was all very good, but a little pricey given that you didn't have a choice of appetizer, soup, or sides and there are limited entrée choices. That said, the prime rib and lamb shank were outstanding. It was a fun trip (we were with group of 7) but I wouldn't stay there again. It cost me $850 bucks for 3 nights.
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Date of stay: October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Decided to book a room after the hotel was recommended in a travel guide and Southern Living. We had originally planned to spend Friday night on Asheville and discovered that we could have a room, dinner and breakfast at the Fryemont for less than we would have paid for the room alone in Asheville.
Loved the chestnut paneling, windows that slide open, giant fireplaces in the gray room and dining area and rocking chairs on the porch. Outdoor patio was lovely and swimming area looked tranquil, although it was closed in October.
Hotel has some quirky features, but they were out mitigated by the overall charm of the hotel. Doors are left open until guests arrive so that everyone can see the rooms, the sink in our room (112) was only 1 foot from one of the beds making it hard to use at night without disrupting the person sleeping in it, the bathroom did not have a light switch—the fixture had to be turned on directly, the floor slopes on one side of the dining room.
Staff were very friendly and accommodating. Everything we tried for breakfast was delicious, especially pancakes with pecans and blueberries. Pecan crusted trout with lemon cream sauce was delicious and the lamb shank was very tender. Mac and cheese was good. Did not like the vegetables which were frozen, not fresh.
Would definitely go back if we return to the area.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Ask staff about configuration of rooms—especially how close sink is to bed
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's usually in the 50s and 60s in early March, and in the 60s and low 70s in late March. I'd contact the outdoor venues you'd like to do (like ziplining or whitewater rafting, both of which are cool), to see if they are open for the season in March.
The train station is 5 minutes from the lodge. Bryson City is very small, so if anything is within the city, it won't take long to get to it. I don't know anything about the ballooning events. You might contact the lodge and see if they know where tickets can be purchased.
Hello. The cabins and balcony rooms have wifi. There is wifi available in the lobby of the lodge. Wifi is not available in all the rooms; but this IS an experience of being free from the short chain.
There are more places to choose from in the Bryson City area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
fryemont hotel bryson city
LOCATION
United StatesNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina MountainsBryson City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
44
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