TRY THIS: Cloudland at McLemore Resort in the North Georgia Mountains

RISING FAWN, GA. – Drive a couple of hours north of Atlanta into the North Georgia mountains, and there are many awe-inspiring sights to see. From the gorgeous mountain views to the winding roads through small towns, you’re bound to witness God’s artistry at work. But up in the city of Rising Fawn is a resort that combines the beauty of North Georgia with the amenities of a first-class stay. For Atlantans, Cloudland at McLemore Resort might be the staycation destination you didn’t know you needed. 

Cloudland at McLemore Resort is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, and since I have experienced stays at multiple Curio Collection properties in Georgia, I believe I can state that this is one of the best. Tucked away in a small town and far enough away from Atlanta’s traffic and congestion, Cloudland was the perfect weekend getaway. The fact that my family and I didn’t need to catch a flight or drive more than three hours to be at a resort made the staycation even better.

Upon entering Cloudland, a library open to all guests without an opening or closing time, sits to the right of the lobby. Large with plenty of comfortable places to lounge, the library quickly became the place I rested every night of our stay. The library wasn’t just for show. There were copies of classic novels such as Ian Fleming’s “Goldfinger,” John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath,” and what library would be complete without F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Beautiful and Damned.”

“I think this sets the tone for the kind of resort we are,” LeAnn Johnson, the concierge, said. 

Outside near the pool and heated jacuzzi, a fire pit helped keep guests warm on a cool night. The image of sitting by the fire pit or in one of the comfy love seats or rocking chairs stayed with me after I had gone upstairs to our room. One of the best parts of staying at Cloudland was that it wasn’t difficult to navigate the grounds. The fitness center (which includes a Peloton studio), library, and cafe (The Pocket, which offers guests complimentary cocktails from 5-7 p.m.), are all on the main level along with the lobby. The rooms are very comfortable, and the view from our room on the fourth floor offered a look at the pool area below and the Georgia mountains above. The views alone are worth staying at Cloudland, seriously.

The spa, Selah, offers all of the comforts of full-service spas in Atlanta, but there was something peaceful about getting a massage in the mountains. My masseuse for the day, Anela, was wonderful and patient. After the one-hour massage, I felt light and rested. Anela said that was normal.

“It’s called massage-brain,” she joked. “One of the girls came up with that, and I love it.”

She was right, I had massage-brain and it was wonderful. After the massage, I received a guided tour of the property from Johnson. Despite only having worked at the hotel since May, Johnson was well-versed in the ins and outs of the property, which opened for business in May 2024. She and her husband live 10 minutes away and watched the project go from idea to 245-room luxury hotel and resort. 

The on-site dining options make a stay at Cloudland a one-stop stay. Cloudland has four restaurants: Auld Alliance, Croft, Skyside, and The Craig.

Dinner at Croft was excellent. The salmon was good, but the side of roasted mushrooms stole the show. There’s a fried cherry pie on the dessert menu that I would recommend to anyone who asks me. I might recommend it even if they don’t ask. Our server, Stephanie, recommended the pie be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. She was right, because the two paired perfectly. 

Skyside, located next to the outdoor pool, offers a dining experience that offers guests an even closer look at the mountains.

“It’s like dining in a tree house,” Johnson said. 

From interior designs, which include a large wooden topographical map of the North Georgia mountains, to large framed photographs done by local photographers like Kim Hubbard, Cloudland at McLemore Resort is a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. It’s within a couple of hours’ drive of the city, but a world away.

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