Balsam Mountain Inn

2.0 star property
Enjoy the free WiFi at this Sylva hotel

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Balsam Mountain Inn

Exterior
Front of property
Lobby
Restaurant
Front of property

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Explore the area

View in a map
68 7 Springs Dr, Sylva, NC, 28707
  • Place, Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Cataloochee Ski Area
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • Place, Harrahs Cherokee Casino
    ‪32 min drive‬
  • Airport, Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    ‪51 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room

  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Step In Shower Pet Friendly

  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Clawfoot Tub Pet Friendly

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

About the area

Sylva

Near the airport.Stay at this Sylva hotel and you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Nantahala National Forest and 2 miles (3 km) of Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance. Smoky Mountain Jumphouse and Barber Orchard Fruitstand are also within 3 miles (5 km).

What's nearby

  • Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Maggie Valley Festival Grounds - 22 min drive - 23.6 km
  • Cataloochee Ski Area - 31 min drive - 29.4 km
  • Harrahs Cherokee Casino - 32 min drive - 36.0 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 36 min drive - 41.4 km

Getting around

  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Maggie's Galley - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Papas & Beer - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Beach Mountain Diner - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Balsam Mountain Inn

Enjoy the free WiFi at this Sylva hotel
Along with a restaurant, there's a coffee shop/cafe on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily. Public spaces have free WiFi.

Spa services, a library, and tour/ticket assistance are also featured at Balsam Mountain Inn. Self parking is free.

This Sylva hotel is smoke free.

  • 50 guestrooms or units
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Wedding services available
  • Library
  • Garden
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Onsite shopping
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Coffee shop
  • Dining venue
Balsam Mountain Inn offers 50 accommodations with hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually decorated. This Sylva hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices). In-room massages, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.
Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. Services include massages.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Children's books
  • Children's games

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Private picnics

Things to do

  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Library
  • Shopping

Accessibility

  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • No elevator

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Champagne service

More

  • Electrical adapters
  • Heating
  • Individual decor

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: USD 50 per accommodation, per stay, plus a deposit of USD 250 per stay
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Weight limit: 50 lbs per pet
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Certain rooms only
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet deposit: USD 250 per stay
  • Pet fee: USD 50 per accommodation, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. 

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services. For reservations, contact the hotel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Pets are welcome in specific rooms only, which can be requested by contacting the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).

Balsam Mountain Inn Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 46 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 46 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 46 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 46 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 46 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Breakfast was delicious!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margaret

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

We Found Our Mountain Inn

If you love history and nostalgic places, this is your Inn. The new owners are in the process of restoring the Inn so expect some imperfections. Since the original inn had communal bathrooms when rooms were converted to en-suites, the bathrooms are small. The rooms are large and comfortable. The is no AC but as it sits on Balsam Mountain there is no need. The porch is huge with rocking chairs to enjoy the view and just relax. The weekend breakfast buffet is tasty and substantial. Finally, the staff is very friendly and accommodating. We are so glad we found this hidden gem and plan to stay every time we return. WARNING….if you expect spa-like accommodations you WILL be disappointed but if you like a relaxing spot to unwind this is your spot.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ernest

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Connie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly, excellent staff and breakfast!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melinda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really liked staying here. The setting is just beautiful! The inn reminded me of the setting for Dirty Dancing. Our room had a claw foot tub. I loved all the historic aspects of the inn. I would have liked to have more time to explore the property around the inn. Nancy was the lady who greeted us and was there the next day as well. She was super nice. I also enjoyed the breakfast. The grits were top notch! The inn is very quiet-they give you a notebook with info on the site. There is an explanation that the inn is 100 years old, and made of wood, so sound travels. They have quiet hours from 10pm to 7 am. There are no TVs. I did not mind this at all. They have activities scheduled at different nights. I would love to come back for one of their specialty weekends. Highly recommend.
ballroom/restaurant
view from the breakfast area
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Chris

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Do not recommend, will never stay

This place is absolutely horrible. No AC that was never mentioned, requested a refund due to health reasons and would not give a refund. Asked to speak to a manager and would not be called by a manager! Photos do not match what is seen in person! Do not recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Dee

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Mixed emotions.

I have mixed feelings about the Inn. Pretty location with easy access to Sylva and Waynesville. But, if you want amenities you have to look elsewhere. Peace and quiet are great but don’t expect coffee or breakfast early or even on time. If you like sleeping in and no ac, then this place is for you. The staff are all very pleasant! The Inn still needs work. Mold and rot around the tub in the bathroom. I felt guilty taking a shower and adding to the moisture. Not sure I would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marlyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful Inn with rich history.

Balsam mountain inn is a place for someone who wants to be away from the hassle and busyness of life. If you want peace and quiet with picturesque view, then this is your place. No TV, no AC but since you are at high elevation, it is nice and cool. Has great hot fresh Buffett breakfast on the weekends. Sandwiches on the weekdays. I just wish they can start breakfast promptly at 8 am as advertised for it was about 20 min late the whole weekend we were there. Our bathroom was small with a small walk in shower but they do have rooms with bigger bathroom and you can surely request for that. My husband is over 200 #s and it was an inconvenience for him. People are very cordial and very helpful. The building has a rich history and beautiful antique furnitures. Will definitely return.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Balsam Mountain Inn

The owner made us feel welcome and went out of her way to ensure we had something to eat even though it was late. The rooms were wonderful; it was like stepping back in time, but they had modern comforts. Breakfast was amazing! I am looking forward to returning for a longer stay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Lisa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The staff are all friendly, a plus, but disorganized. Our room had no sink stopper and no hangers in the closet. Had to ask. We were not given enough towels--had to ask. The weekend breakfast was good, but we didn't know about the breakfast sandwiches on other days till our 5th day there. Coffee was served late. Okay, we're early risers. If one looks at the lovely rooms online and then sees our room, it was very different. Our room was all right. The bed was comfortable. It's a good thing we are not obese, could not have used the toilet. We found the Inn relaxing. We loved sitting on the front porch reading. Bar prices were reasonable, bartenders were very friendly. It took us a day or so to relax and the Inn did that. We loved the history too.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The restaurant wasn't open due to staffing, but the building was beautiful and the staff was very welcoming and friendly. The inn has wonderful character you don't find most hotels these days.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Historical Charm

What a great stay at this historical inn! If you are looking for a relaxing place to stay this is it. It's quaint and charming. While there is no air conditioning, the fans were plenty to keep the room cool (mid August visit). It's the perfect spot to get away from the stress of everyday life.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Enrique, North Dinwiddie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Historical stories of area and the Inn itself were interesting. Staff and fellow guest were nice. Comfortable beds and delicious breakfast. Will recommend to friends and family.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
After a crazy week of travel and stuff, we ended our vacation here. It was so laid back and quiet. We didn’t eat in their restaurant for supper because we wanted to try other local businesses, but the breakfast was amazing. This place is full of history and it's peaceful and pleasant.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

hongjiao

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nestled in a tranquil mountain village, this charming 19th‑century building offers a perfect blend of history and nature. Ideally located in the mid‑section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s just a short drive downhill to reach. Friendly staff, delicious breakfast, and clear guest instructions make the stay even more enjoyable. Nights are peaceful, accompanied by the gentle chorus of insects. However, as with any historic property, a faint musty scent lingers. The pillows carried an oily smell, and the bathroom sink seemed in need of a deeper clean. The water‑saving faucet, required by local environmental regulations, can be a bit awkward to use—an infrared sensor option might be more convenient. Despite these small drawbacks, the serene setting, warm hospitality, and tasty breakfast make this a place well worth considering.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Blake

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Originally couldn't make my Saturday night reservation due to circumstances beyond my control but the staff graciously (and without hesitation) changing it to the night after, even though this was a fully paid reservation and they didn't have to do so. My son ended up staying and he loved it! Thanks BMI for being so understanding and gracious! It helped the stressful weekend be much less so!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandon

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We have stayed at the inn before several years back, and decided to stay again. We love the historic look of the Balsam mountain Inn, we learned that it changed ownership a few years back and the new owners are looking to preserve the classic look that appeals to everyone so much. They want to keep it as original as possible which is great, the down side of that is they removed the window units from the rooms. This may sound bad to some but for me it was a welcomed trip back to my childhood of sleeping with the window open and a fan blowing which is surprisingly soothing. The property is secure so I felt safe and secure the whole time and the nighttime temperature was in the low 70’s and high 60’s so it was comfortable. After a full nights rest the continental breakfast is waiting for you, it was a full breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, grits and muffins or yogurt if you desired. The staff was friendly and courteous, if you are looking for an escape to unplug this is your place, there are no televisions and they do have WiFi but they also have puzzles and board games to help reconnect with each other and disconnect from technology. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025