Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / United States / Highlands / Skyline Lodge
Skyline Lodge
Highlands, North Carolina, United States · Independent · Accessible Luxury
Arthur Kelsey, a pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright, began this clifftop lodge on Flat Mountain above Highlands, North Carolina, in 1937 in native stone, chestnut, and cedar shakes. Owner Howard Randall died in 1938 and the unfinished structure sat for decades until Robert Opsahl completed it in 1965. Steve Palmer's Indigo Road Hospitality Group reopened 40 rooms in 2021 with Oak Steakhouse and Butlers Bar. Nominated to the National Register.
- 40 rooms
- Opened 1965
- Architect: Arthur Kelsey; Robert Opsahl
About Skyline Lodge
- Construction began in 1937 under architect Arthur Kelsey, a pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright, but was abandoned in 1938 after owner Howard Randall died, leaving the structure unfinished for decades.
- Architect Robert Opsahl finally completed the mountaintop lodge in 1965, using native stone, chestnut wood, and cedar shakes in a rare example of Wrightian organic architecture in the southern Appalachians.
- Indigo Road Hospitality Group reopened it in 2021 as a 40-room boutique retreat; it has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
History
Perched on Flat Mountain above Highlands, North Carolina, Skyline Lodge is a rare example of Wrightian organic architecture in the southern Appalachians. Construction of the mountaintop lodge began in 1937 under architect Arthur Kelsey, a pupil and associate of Frank Lloyd Wright, using native stone, chestnut wood, and cedar shakes to root the building in its dramatic clifftop setting. The project was abandoned in 1938 after owner Howard Randall died, and the unfinished structure sat for decades.
The lodge was finally completed in 1965 by architect Robert Opsahl, and it has operated as a public hotel ever since. In the summer of 2021, Charleston-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group, led by Steve Palmer, reopened the property after a full renovation as a 40-room boutique mountain retreat, adding an Oak Steakhouse and the Butlers Bar while preserving the building's mid-century organic character. The lodge has been recognized for its architectural significance and nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
The setting
2 miles from Route 64. 4 miles from Highlands.
Restaurants and bars
- Oak Steakhouse — Restaurant · steakhouse
Experiences
- Bear watching — Bear watching cited as part of a weekend getaway at the lodge.
- Wine around the fire pit — Wine served around the fire pit, mentioned as part of the getaway.
Amenities
- Pet-friendly
Open Skyline Lodge in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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