Checking In: A Cozy Log Cabin in the Heart of Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Sharing an honest review of the log cabin at the Azalea Garden Inn in Blowing Rock, North Carolina

As I hit publish on this post, it’s 93°F in my home city of Charlotte, North Carolina. But in Blowing Rock, just two hours away? It’s a perfect 72°F.

The mountains call me frequently in the fall, winter, and spring – but their cries simply cannot be ignored in the summer. The weather is consistently at least ten degrees cooler in the High Country than in Charlotte, so when I find myself indoors for weeks on end, I have no choice but to go.

Our stay at the Azalea Garden Inn's log cabin was generously hosted by the team at Savara Hospitality, but as always, all opinions are my own

The mountain town of Blowing Rock is traveler-friendly, with walkable streets and plenty of shops, galleries, and restaurants to occupy a visitor’s time. It’s also home to the Azalea Garden Inn, a charming property with a one-of-a-kind log cabin in the heart of downtown and an excellent place to call home for a few days:

ABOUT THE AZALEA GARDEN INN

Pulling into the parking lot at the Azalea Garden Inn brought back so many memories of road-tripping with my grandparents, staying at tiny motels dotting the Eastern Seaboard. This motor hotel has been welcoming guests to Blowing Rock for decades thanks to its prime Main Street location and honest room offerings, yet has managed to keep up with the times with amenities for modern-day travelers.

Today the property features sixteen guest rooms, a log cabin, and a beautifully landscaped outdoor living room for enjoying every moment of the High Country’s four seasons (complete with fire pits for the coldest nights!). The rustic hotel feels wholly embedded into the town tapestry, blending in with its surroundings and providing visitors with an authentic North Carolina mountain getaway experience, but perhaps nowhere does it better than the Azalea Garden Inn’s Log Cabin.

ABOUT THE LOG CABIN

View of the log cabin from a distance, with a water wheel, flowers, and chairs in the foreground — The log cabin is set back away from the rest of the guest rooms

Four photos showing the interior of the cabin, including the kitchen, decor, fireplace, and loft — The interior is rustic and cozy, with farmhouse and vintage knickknacks

The back porch of the log cabin with a two-person glider chair — The cabin’s back porch tempts guests with wooden glider chairs

The log cabin is situated away from the inn’s main guest rooms, giving it a surprisingly secluded feel for just how close you are to downtown. The cabin features two private porches with seating, a full kitchen with a breakfast table, a living area, a loft bedroom with a king-sized bed, and a spacious bathroom. Each space feels cozy and homey, from the wooden table and chairs to the kitchen hutch filled with dishes emblazoned with chickens to the overstuffed sofa to the embroidered coverlet on the big, big bed.

The entire unit is climate-controlled with a window A/C unit and a heater, but the wood-burning fireplace would be the most delightful way to warm the cabin during a winter stay. Modern amenities are here, too, in the form of free WiFi across the grounds, flatscreen TVs, and a Keurig coffeemaker in the kitchen (free coffee is also provided in front of the lobby and at the inn’s sister property, but why leave?). The kitchen is also outfitted with cookware and cutlery, as well as some staple items, should you choose to cook during your getaway.

MY REVIEW OF THE LOG CABIN AT THE AZALEA GARDEN INN

Exterior of the cabin with hydrangeas in the foreground — The cabin is charmingly rustic

As much as I love the idea of disconnecting and heading to a remote cabin for the weekend, it has been several years since I last did so. Why? The remoteness is lovely, but so often a cabin stay feels like work. Lugging not just your clothing for the weekend, but linens, cookware, and food supplies – and of course, you have to cook the entire time, leaving little room for leisure.

But a log cabin right in the middle of a town gives you a cozy cabin experience and solves all of those worries. Everything is provided should you choose to indulge in a little cabin cooking, yet there are excellent restaurants, a market, and a brewery right around the block if you’d prefer to take it easy.

Two chairs sit facing away from Blowing Rock's Main Street — The inn is located on Main Street, but you’d never know it thanks to strategic landscaping

A bridge and flowers on the property — The Azalea Garden Inn is a Certified Wildlife Habitat, and it is such a delight to watch happy bumblebees at work

From the moment I set foot on the grounds, I felt a little more centered, a little more at ease. Happy bees and birds zoomed by, drinking in the season’s blooms just as I was. Check-in was a breeze, popping into the office in the afternoon to pick up our keys and a little welcome information (a helpful pre-arrival email informed us that check-ins after 6 p.m. are handled next door, but we made it before then).

The log cabin is set away from the main guest rooms, reached by a delightful path and surrounded by lush flowers and greenery. The front porch beckoned me with a two-person swing, but of course, I had to unpack first. Heading inside, I found a warm and welcoming interior and headed up the stairs with my belongings.

A loft bedroom with king bed and other furniture — The cabin’s loft bedroom offers plenty of room for relaxation

Two photos of Alyssa drinking coffee and knitting on the porches — (yet I spent most of my time on either of the cabin’s porches, moving along with the sun)

The upstairs loft is surprisingly spacious, with a king bed, leather armchair, nightstand, and luggage rack. Truth be told, I spent little time up here outside of sleeping in the big, comfortable bed; it was just too tempting to laze on the porch or the sofa downstairs. As a note for guests with mobility issues that make using stairs a challenge: because of the nature of the cabin’s layout, the entrance and upper floor are only accessible via stairs. The interior stairs are somewhat steep and a little difficult to climb in the middle of the night, but there’s a well-placed motion sensor light to help you ascend or descend safely. However, if you’re not comfortable with stairs, I would suggest checking out one of the guest rooms in the main inn.

Although I made every effort to soak in each moment, our two nights passed way too quickly. Lingering over coffee in the morning on the porch swing, walking to our meals in downtown Blowing Rock, enjoying a glass of wine in the meticulously maintained gardens – all of these experiences enhanced our stay in the cabin. Embracing a slower pace is what a cabin in the mountains is all about, and I’m glad I was able to take home a slice of that peace as a souvenir.

AZALEA GARDEN INN FAQS

Where is the Azalea Garden Inn located?

The Azalea Garden Inn is located at 793 Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.

Does the hotel offer parking?

Yes, parking is available in the hotel lot and is included in your stay (just provide your vehicle’s make and model information at check-in).

Is breakfast included?

Breakfast is not included, but the Meadowbrook Inn’s High Country Breakfast can be added as part of a package. Complimentary coffee is available adjacent to the lobby in the morning or at the Mountainaire Inn’s 24-Hour Beverage Center.

What types of rooms are available?

In addition to the log cabin, the Azalea Garden Inn’s motor hotel-style lodging includes Standard King, Double Queen, and Deluxe King rooms.

Can I bring my pet?

Not this time – all rooms are pet-free.

Are there any sales or deals at the Azalea Garden Inn?

Yes! Head here to view the latest packages and special offers.

Can I host an event at the hotel?

As charming as the grounds are, the hotel’s sister property next door is better suited for events and conferences. Head here to learn more about the Meadowbrook Inn’s meeting and event spaces.

What is there to see and do (and eat!) nearby?

A photo of The Blowing Rock and the mountains in the background — The Blowing Rock

Four images from nearby restaurants — *clockwise, top left* | Over Yonder | Trout Nachos at The Speckled Trout | Hellbender Bed & Beverage | Big Red Pizza from Lost Province Brewing Co.

The hotel is perfectly situated for a weekend in the High Country, as it is just steps away from all of Blowing Rock’s amenities and a short drive from Boone and beyond. Food and drink are always the first order of business for me; in Blowing Rock, I highly recommend breakfast biscuits from Hellbender Bed & Beverage, lunch or dinner at The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop, drinks at Blowing Rock Brewing Company, and a little bit of everything else at Blowing Rock Market. In and around Boone, some of my favorite spots are Lost Province Brewing Co. for beer and excellent pizza and Venture Chocolate and Wine Co. for a treat. If you can make it out to Valle Crucis, Over Yonder Restaurant is worth the extra drive, pinky promise!

As for how to fill your time between meals, you can find excellent hiking nearby, visit The Blowing Rock or Grandfather Mountain, or get out on the water (rivers, lakes, or snow, depending on the season!). For me, though, I was plenty content in just soaking up the good weather on the porch or in the hotel gardens.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE LOG CABIN AT AZALEA GARDEN INN

Escaping to the mountains of North Carolina is such a privilege, and after living in Florida for most of my life, it’s one I don’t take for granted. If you’re a single person or a couple looking for a rustic mountain cabin experience with a hearty dose of comfort, I can’t imagine a better spot than this. It’s equipped with everything you might need for a few days away, yet ideally situated for the visitor who gets antsy and prefers to explore.

The only downside of this unique getaway spot? Well, it’s the only one. The cabin books out at peak times, so be sure to book early or be flexible with your dates (all booked up? The Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins is right next door, and as the Azalea Garden Inn’s sister property, I expect the experience would be just as lovely!).

Thank you to the team at the Azalea Garden Inn and Savara Hospitality for your generous hospitality during our stay!

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Questions for you

Have you ever stayed in a log cabin?

Do you prefer to cook your own meals in your rental, or enjoy every meal at local restaurants?

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One Comment on “Checking In: A Cozy Log Cabin in the Heart of Blowing Rock, North Carolina”

Veronika says:

September 13, 2023 at 10:36 am

Oh my goodness, this is absolutely breathtaking. Love the surrounding area / garden and the cabin is so charming too. Definitely a place I’d love to visit xo

Hearted Life (life + style blog)