As a traveler on a tight schedule, the idea of paradise has always seemed to me to be some far-off, unreachable destination seen only through the screen of my phone. Little did I know, paradise was a lot closer than I thought.
About ten minutes away from the heart of downtown Dahlonega, my partner and I found ourselves nestled comfortably in the North Georgia woods at The Mountain Top Lodge. What used to be an old farmhouse covered in handmade quilts and ceramic chickens is now a luxury inn with endless amenities and the most hospitable hosts we have ever encountered.
The owners of the property, Heather and Tommy Breedlove, have cultivated a space that deeply reflects their own personalities – and what a pair they make! With Heather’s love of local art and community, she has transformed the Lodge into a mid-century modern marvel. Deep greens, brass statues, and intricate woodwork tie the space together aesthetically, but it is Heather’s own love of bringing people together that permeates the Lodge.
If Heather is the heart of the operation, then Tommy Breedlove, author of the self-help guide, Legendary, is the brain that birthed it all. As someone who felt removed from the world and its natural wonders, Tommy had a Thoreausian epiphany to create a down-to-earth paradise in the hopes of combatting the isolating anxieties many face in our increasingly digital world. Thus, he purchased a bed and breakfast in the woods and got to work.
The inn itself contains nine rooms and houses 3 cabins, perfect for work gatherings, family reunions, weddings, or just an intimate vacation with your boo. Each room and cabin is uniquely decorated with an eye for fine detail and comfort, yet it is the communal spaces that truly shine. With a cozy living area (next to the very nice Welcome Bar), staff curated library, community dining room, wine garden, outdoor pavilion, onsite restaurant and more, the Lodge encourages strangers to meet, mingle, and leave as friends. I myself got a good taste of this community when I was invited by Heather and her guests to participate in making flower arrangements (I was not good at it, but they were very sweet).
What was even sweeter was the cuisine! As a baker, I never turn down a sweet treat and the Lodge is swimming in sugary treasures like homemade chocolates placed every morning in guest mailboxes, or the fresh baked cookies set out every day in the communal living room.
The sweetest treat of all, however, was the endlessly accommodating staff. Sean, the general manager, and Bella, our bartender, were both full of knowledge and welcomed us with open arms. Sean had us drooling over the menu for their five course dinners hosted at the onsite restaurant, Wit and Wisdom, while Bella kept us nice and warm with her bubbly personality and craft cocktails. I could tell that the employees of Mountain Top Lodge enjoyed working there as much as we enjoyed our stay.
As a space of constant expansion, The Mountain Top Lodge boasts many future upgrades that I am aching to see, but the staff and the sense of community are the reasons that I will keep coming back. It is a true blessing to have found a paradise so close to home.
