Monteagle Inn and Retreat Center

If you’ve never heard of Monteagle, Tennessee, then it’s for good reason. Located on a stretch of interstate between Chattanooga and Nashville, the area isn’t exactly a booming metropolis. Reading the bed and breakfast’s full name, Monteagle Inn and Retreat Center, you understand its name once you arrive, as it truly is a retreat. One of Select Registry’s Distinguished Inns of North America, the Monteagle Inn truly is a retreat, away from all the big city sights and sounds. The area is known for its many outdoor activities, which includes hiking, rock climbing, kayaking and zip lining. One of the most scenic drives on the east coast is a short drive away at the North Carolina/Tennessee border, taking travelers along a beautiful, winding stretch of highway along the Ocoee River. People may be familiar with the Ocoee River as the location of the kayak slalom event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. 45 miles away is Lookout Mountain, which offers one of the best mountain overlooks on the east coast.

Although certainly not planning it this way, I was greeted upon my arrival to the quaint town of Monteagle with a beautiful sunset going down over the horizon. Pulling into the driveway the Monteagle Inn immediately gave off the impression and ambiance of a retreat. The front was adorned with flower beds and gardens, where the innkeepers even grew their own herbs, which were typically used in the mornings for breakfast. The Tennessee  inn is large, much bigger than most bed and breakfasts you may be accustomed to. As you walk in, you’ll notice a long hallway that leads to a living space, as well as the large dining room. Off of the dining room was a small adjoining room, which guests could help themselves to complimentary water, lemonade, soda and cookies. The inn’s pride and joy is their wine cellar, which includes an extensive menu that includes wines from $15 to $300.

Guest Room at the Monteagle Inn

Along with hearing about the inn’s complimentary cookies and drinks, it was music to my ears to also find that it offered complimentary wireless Internet access. These are often two major points of contention among travelers, where some hotels can charge as much as $5 for a bottle of water and over $10 per night for Internet. The Monteagle Inn offered rooms that varied in size and amenities, with all of them featuring either views of the front yard garden area or courtyard in the back. All of the rooms are spacious and offer as much or even more space than many hotel rooms. Most rooms include a work and seating area and spacious bathroom.

Rooms at the Monteagle Inn start at $160 per night. The rate includes breakfast each morning, which consists of several different offerings, ranging from sausage and egg casserole to Belgium waffles to Pesto Egg Strata.

Monteagle Inn
204 West Main Street
Monteagle, TN 37356
931-924-3869

Photos courtesy of the Monteagle Inn.

My first night at the inn was complimentary.