Cloudland at McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain, Curio by Hilton

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what? When I first pulled up to Cloudland at McLemore Resort, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect – I mean, Rising Fawn isn’t exactly on most people’s radar, and the winding drive up Lookout Mountain had me wondering if my GPS was playing tricks on me. But then you round that last curve on Cloudland Drive and suddenly you’re looking at this gorgeous property that feels like someone dropped a slice of sophisticated mountain retreat right into the wilds of northwest Georgia.

The thing about this place is that it gets the balance right between upscale and actually comfortable. Sure, it’s got the Hilton polish you’d expect from a 4-star property, but there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about it all. The lobby has these massive windows that frame the valley below – and honestly, the view is worth the drive alone. I stayed during early fall (which, pro tip, is absolutely the time to visit this part of Georgia), and the morning mist rolling through the trees was something else entirely. The rooms are what I’d call thoughtfully designed rather than flashy – good linens, plenty of space, and those floor-to-ceiling windows that make you feel like you’re sleeping in a treehouse, just a really nice one with excellent Wi-Fi and room service.

What really sets Cloudland apart, though, is how it feels genuinely connected to this corner of Appalachia rather than just plopped down on top of it. The staff actually knows the area – they’ll tell you about the hiking trails that tourists miss, or point you toward the better BBQ joints down in Trenton (trust me on this one). Parking’s a breeze, which might sound trivial but matters when you’re dealing with mountain terrain, and the whole property has this quiet confidence about it. No loud music or crowded pool scenes – just the sound of wind through the pines and maybe some conversation drifting from the restaurant’s outdoor seating. It gets busy on fall weekends when the leaf-peepers descend, but even then it never feels chaotic. The 9.2 rating makes sense once you’re here; it’s one of those places that does the basics exceptionally well while offering something you can’t get in your standard hotel. If you’re looking to disconnect without roughing it, or if you want to explore this surprisingly beautiful slice of Georgia that most people drive right past on their way to Chattanooga, Cloudland delivers in ways that feel both luxurious and authentic.