5 New Hotels Around The South To Love

Historic Magnolia Inn Greensboro NC

I don’t know about you, but new hotels get me excited about exploration and experiencing new things. Across the South, new hotels are booming. Here are five that recently opened and a couple on the horizon. All of these new hotels give me hope for a post-pandemic travel extravaganza. There’s something about the southland in the springtime… amirite? In other words, let me know in the comments which one of these five new hotels you want to book first.

High Hampton North Carolina hotel
The reimagined High Hampton in Cashiers, NC, owned by the team behind Blackberry Farm

High Hampton Inn

Cashiers, NC

The Adirondack chairs still overlook a sprawling lake, hiking trails and a granite-sided mountain. The floor boards, the creaky front desk, the grand four-sided fireplace, some of the cabins and the layout are all pretty much the same too. But that’s about all regulars will recognize at the century-old High Hampton Resort in Cashiers. The team behind Blackberry Farm in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains rehabbed the old beauty and reopened doors in April 2021. In fact, it’s coming up on its one-year anniversary this spring.

Moreover, cottages were all redone in lovely leather, pops of red and plaid. Therefore, the inn’s guest rooms have doubled in sized and expanded to add exquisite marble bathrooms and claw foot tubs. Handwritten hotel registries framed in the hallways recall olden days, while the quaint spa upstairs in an attic space is the utmost luxurious indulgence. This foodie is most excited about the Winter Culinary Experiences and The Sip Series they have on the docket right now. Much looks different at High Hampton, but the hospitality and coziness is still paramount. Oh and the signature red rocking chairs are still perfect for happy hour on the porch.

Rooms from $595 off-peak, highhampton.com

Thompson buckhead hotel
The guestrooms at Thompson Buckhead hotel, photo by Chelsea Patricia

Thompson Buckhead Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

In December 2021, a new 201-room property opened in tony Buckhead near Atlanta. It’s mere steps from some of the city’s best shopping, dining and nightlife, but it’s the Southern modern vibe of its decor that everyone is loving the most. That, and the rooftop pool. Above all, grab reservations at Dirty Rascal, chef Todd Ginsberg’s newest Italian hot spot. Locally owned by The Loudermilk Co., Southern charm exudes from every corner. The private membership club knowns as Tesserae is an exclusive lounge that everyone is trying to get into right now.

Rooms from $306 to $550, https://loudermilkco.com/portfolio-item/thompson-buckhead-hotel/

Historic magnolia inn greensboro nc hotel
Each guestroom in the Historic Magnolia Inn is unique.

The Historic Magnolia House

Greensboro, NC

I’m beyond excited about this unique opening in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. The BYB property is female-owned—owner Natalie Miller is a Carolina native with deep roots in the area—and opened the doors in January 2022. The luxe interiors are colorful, happy and bright. The historic hotel famously hosted African American guests and celebrities (think James Brown, Ray Charles, Tina Turner and Gladys Knight) and is one of only four original Green Book sites still in existence in the state. Furthermore, the mid-century modern decor of the four gorgeous guest rooms could be found in any luxury interiors magazine. It’s a small boutique hotel with an adorable on-site restaurant and beloved Sunday brunch. But above all, it’s truly a living piece of history.

Rooms from $220 to $305, thehistoricmagnoliahouse.org

COMING SOON…

SoHo Nashville hotel
SoHo Nashville opens soon

SoHo House Nashville

Nashville, TN

After staying at SoHo House 40 Greek Street in London and Soho Farmhouse out in Oxfordshire, I became a die hard SoHo House fan for any overnight stays out of town. All the properties have a boho chic vibe and the coolest decor. Therefore, I’m thrilled to see what kind of local vibes they will capture in this new Music City property. Opening in February 2022, SoHo House Nashville has 47 bedrooms all with furnishings made my local artisans and peppered with vintage accoutrement. Formerly a May Hosiery factory, the building was where workers made the socks that astronauts wore to the moon.  

Only bookable by members and friends of members, $200-$655, sohohouse.com

Southall franklin tennessee hotel
Southall is a new hotel in Franklin, TN, that opens in June 2022.

Southall

Franklin, TN

Speaking of Soho Farmhouse, if you’re looking for something similar, but Stateside, Southall is going to be as close as you can get. Surrounded by nature on 325 acres, the property is about wellness and connection to the land. Sixty-two guest rooms and 16 cottages will dot the rolling hills of Tennessee outside of Nashville. The spa promises to be exquisite with treatments based on natural elements.  After all, a restaurant led by chef Tyler Brown will incorporate ingredients grown, raised and foraged on Southall’s surrounding land. We can’t wait for this stunning property to open doors in June 2022.

No room rates posted yet, southallfarms.com

southall
Southall’s guestrooms are well-appointed and unique.

If you want to check out some of my other favorite hotels that feel Two-Sided Southern, see Old Edwards Inn, Grand Hyatt Nashville and Broadmoor’s Cloud Camp.

4 Southern-Made Gift Ideas I Love for the Holidays

Ashley Sparks Fine Costume Jewelry

Two-Sided Southern is here to help you with a few southern-made gift ideas to help get your friends there a little faster. Here are a a few high-end but still down home—gift ideas to help you get your friends and family the perfect present. They’re at different price points, for all different kinds of folks and all inspire joy. With the holidays approaching, Southern-made gifts always have terrific stories and talented artisans behind the work.

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