Cloudland at McLemore Resort

Set high on the bluff of Lookout Mountain, overlooking North Georgia’s McLemore Cove, Cloudland, named for the nearby canyon and state park, delivers on its moniker: Sweeping views of the skyline show off more sky than land here, and on misty mornings, the hotel feels lost among the clouds. The design of the resort—a modern mountainside lodge—is meant to enhance those views, thanks to massive paneled windows on the bluff side. Whether you’re dining in the restaurants, sitting in the Library or Great Room, or hanging out by the infinity-edge pool and the Skyside bar, you’ll feel as if you’re floating. Take full advantage of a stay in one of the 245 guest rooms (including 21 suites) by traversing the on-site hiking trails, indulging with a day at Selah spa, or taking in a round of world-class golf, including the recently opened 18-hole The Keep course, which offers outstanding views at every turn. Just 40 minutes from Chattanooga, Cloudland is a Mid-South escape that’s worth seeking out.

• On-Site Dining: The area and the resort are named for a Scottish family that moved to the area in the 1700s. The main dining room, Auld Alliance, honors that history with a blend of Scottish and French cuisine—it’s one of the only restaurants in the US to boast this regional expression. Think Laphroaig malt-washed bone-in ribeye, whole lamb served three ways including a merguez Scotch pie, and jumbo lump crab with buttered crumpet—all set within a modern lodge-like room with extraordinary views, especially at sunset. The Highlands theme bleeds into Croft, the all-day tavern where you’ll find tartan accents and a comfortable bar, plus breakfast, high-country picnic boards, and club sandwiches for lunch and well-crafted cocktails. The Pocket Café provides coffee drinks and freshly baked pastries (go for the sausage roll) plus charcuterie boards and flatbreads all day and complimentary wine and cocktails at happy hour. And at the poolside bar Skyside, you’ll find some of the best views on the property.

• Neighborhood: Set within the private, master-planned community of McLemore, a club and residential community, the resort offers access to the area’s amenities, like the Highlands Golf Course, which sits at the cliff’s edge, and the newly opened The Keep. 

• Amenities:  The modern lodge vibe extends to the rooms, where the hotel’s signature puffy pillows and bedding await. Request a balcony room to enjoy coffee among the clouds. 

• Don’t Miss: Be sure to book time at Selah, the sensory-engaging spa, for a range of body and facial treatments, as well as access to the sauna, cold-water plunge, and soothing relaxation room.