July 14, 2023
The Swag, a luxury all-inclusive resort in the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, has earned the No. 1 spot on Travel + Leisure’s 15 Favorite Resorts in the South for the first time. This is the boutique property’s sixth year of ranking in the magazine’s prestigious World’s Best Awards.
The secluded resort is situated on 250 mountaintop acres located in Waynesville, just 40 minutes west of Asheville, and borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“We are elated that our guests and readers of Travel & Leisure selected The Swag as the best resort in the South in 2023,” said Annie Colquitt, owner and proprietor at The Swag with her husband, David Colquitt. “The top ranking is a reflection of the efforts of our entire team to show our care and value in every detail of the guest experience, and we feel such heartfelt gratitude to our loyal guests and families for their continued support.”
Every year, Travel & Leisure holds an online reader survey for the World’s Best Awards to determine the top travel experiences around the world. On the 2023 list of the best resort hotels in the South, The Swag is accompanied by such nationally regarded locations as Blackberry Mountain and Blackberry Farm in Tennessee and Old Edwards Inn and Spa in North Carolina.
The combination of unparalleled scenery and luxury service has landed The Swag numerous other accolades including ranking on the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards, inclusion as a Relais & Chateaux property, being named “Most Romantic” hotel by Andrew Harper and more.
The Swag property currently is open for its 42nd season. The Colquitts, who are from Knoxville, bought The Swag in 2018. Each year since, they have spent the off-seasons curating a world-class environment, including a seasonal garden-to-table fine dining program in collaboration with local farms, a full-service on-site spa and outdoor hot tub, gym, dining terrace and expanded cellar for curated and unique wines.
The Swag is nearly fully booked for the 2023 season and currently is accepting reservations for 2024.
Guests not staying at the resort can also make reservations at The Swag’s restaurant, participate in community events or buy a gourmet picnic lunch to take on a hiking trail.
In addition, the Colquitts are in the process of reopening the nearby Cataloochee Ranch that was originally founded in 1933. The mile-high sprawling property in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, rests at an elevation of 5,000 feet and encompasses 700 acres on the border of the Smoky Mountains.
The ranch is undergoing extensive upgrades to the main house, kitchen, dining areas and guest cabins. The site is open now for horseback riding and special events in the renovated barn, The Hayloft. For more information, visit cataloocheeranch.com.
To book reservations or learn more about The Swag, visit theswag.com.
The Swag offers luxurious accommodations, allowing guests a peaceful environment where they can rest, relax and rejuvenate. A Relais & Châteaux property, the inn has been honored on the Travel + Leisure World’s Best and Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards and was named the “Most Romantic” hotel by Andrew Harper. Located on a secluded mountaintop just outside Waynesville, North Carolina and bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the all-inclusive resort is an ideal destination for romantic getaways, weddings, corporate retreats and much more. The 2.5-mile private drive leading to The Swag climbs more than 1,000 feet. Visit theswag.com for more information.
