Pick your vacation speed at Cloudland at McLemore Resort!
The closer we got to our destination, the less we could see, as my family and I drove into a mass of fog that made it hard to know exactly where we were going. We entered the gates of McLemore, a master-planned community atop Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia, and were directed to the entry of Cloudland at McLemore Resort. Just a two-hour drive from Atlanta, this Hilton Curio Collection property opened in May 2024 and, from our initial introduction, fulfills the development’s motto, “Above the Clouds.”
Perched 2,300 feet above sea level on a cliff edge overlooking McLemore Cove and the Cumberland Plateau, the 245-room resort offers striking mountain views on clear days. We weren’t blessed with great weather until the final day of our stay, but were stunned to wake up that morning to the mountain panorama framed through our room’s floor-to-ceiling windows. My kids quickly threw on their swim suits (in the middle of winter) and ran down to the warmed infinity edge pool and hot tub to splash about while my husband and I took in the scenery.
For a traveler who likes to mix being active with lounging, this property is ideal for both. Spend hours playing board games fireside, reading a book in Cloudland’s stylish library or getting acquainted with Selah Spa. I spent a rainy afternoon sweating it out in the spa’s sauna that has a Himalayan salt wall said to release negative ions that help create a bacteria-free environment, reduce stress and increase energy. I also indulged in a Selah Flow Massage that got out any of the kinks that were left. I nearly floated out of the spa in a completely earned state of relaxation. The property also offers a calendar of events ranging from complimentary morning yoga and cocktail tastings to movie and game nights. My kids enjoyed a “Creature Connections” wildlife talk where they learned about area reptiles and mammals, and got to meet Winnie the Owl. For golfers, there are three courses: The Highlands Course with a 10-ranked finishing hole, The Keep that offers mile-long cliff-edge play and the more casual and fun Cairn Short Course.
For those looking to sweat outdoors, Cloudland is a great jumping off point for open-air adventures. Along with the on-site hiking trails traversing the residential community, the property is in easy access to Cloudland Canyon State park, a 10-minute drive, and Lookout Mountain, a 26-minute drive. The area is also renowned for its waterfalls, rock climbing, bouldering and caving, including the Fantastic Pit, one of the deepest caves in the U.S. Overall, the surrounding mountains and valleys offer more than 50 trailheads, many that have been used as sites for IRONMAN triathlons.
Whether staying in or adventuring out, Cloudland awaits guests’ appetites with lots of options for eating and drinking. We had all of our meals on property, as there aren’t many options close by. For upscale dining, visit Auld Alliance, a French-Scottish restaurant featuring wood-fired dishes. Croft and The Pocket Café, both all-day dining venues, were our best fit, allowing us to eat and drink while the kids roamed in our view around the hotel’s public areas. We also had the opportunity to dine on chicken marsala and pan-seared steelhead trout at classy The Creag, located at the McLemore Clubhouse. Skyside, the property’s seasonal poolside bar, was closed during our visit, but imagining the view from the openair venue at happy hour is enough to inspire a spring or summer return trip. Next time, we’ll check the weather and know that through the fog is a worthwhile treasure.
CLOUDLAND AT MCLEMORE RESORT
888.391.1148
staycloudland.com
@staycloudland
