The Wright Stuff

Looking as if it was dropped into its lush mountain setting in Highlands, North Carolina, Skyline Lodge embodies the idea that buildings should harmonize with their surroundings. It’s no coincidence that this philosophy of “organic architecture,” espoused by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, so seamlessly applies here.

Arthur J. Kelsey, who designed the lodge in the mid-1930s, was a longtime student and friend of the brilliant visionary who the American Institute of Architects hailed as “the greatest American architect of all time.”

After cycling through decades of design updates followed by decades of disrepair, Skyline Lodge has recently been completely refreshed by the Indigo Road Hospitality Group, with careful consideration given to the property’s historic provenance. This is the group’s first foray into the world of hotels, after opening many successful restaurants around the Southeast, including Indaco, Oak Steakhouse, and O-Ku Sushi in Charleston.

Skyline Lodge offers thirty-nine rooms and one suite nestled among acres of pine and hardwood trees.

Painted a deep shade of green to blend into the landscape, Skyline incorporates clean lines and natural materials in its midcentury-modern design, echoing Wright’s Prairie aesthetic. An open courtyard with a water feature showcases locally quarried granite, flagstone, and a slatted wood deck, while elsewhere on the property, multi-level spaces were created for outdoor dining. The emphasis on organic textures continues in the guest rooms with touches like cork headboards and exposed stonework. Inside Kelsey’s original building, rooms—some with granite fireplaces—boast huge private balconies overlooking the forest and a babbling brook. Rooms on the pavilion side of the building feature sunny patios and an abundance of planted flowers along with mountain views.

470 Skyline Lodge Rd, Highlands, NC. (828) 526-4008, skyline-lodge.com