In the beginning there was a famous inn that hosted the likes of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, John D. Rockefeller, and Harvey Firestone. They came here for the same reasons you might. Healthful climate. Fresh air. Beautiful mountains. Freshwater fun.

They brought with them a love of high culture and an appreciation for the best. And so, until its demise in 1916, the legendary Toxaway Inn hosted its guests with the finest European cuisine and services, furniture, and antiques. Not to mention sophisticated galas like elegant dinner dances and regattas.

Such was the atmosphere that promoted Savannah-native Lucy Armstrong Moltz to decide on Lake Toxaway as the perfect place to build a second home. And when, in 1915, her magnificent six-level Swiss mansion was completed, it too echoed the finesse and substance of Europe. It became a spectacular addition to the gaiety and charm of life at Lake Toxaway. And so it stands today as The Greystone Inn.

When it opened in 1985, The Greystone Inn’s gracious service and elegance made it the first and only inn of its kind in North Carolina to earn AAA’s Four Diamond Award for excellence. We continue that tradition of excellence by treating you as a “house guest,” not a hotel guest. Just as the house itself has been restored and designed and maintained, so has its richly textured style and old-world hospitality. For instance, afternoon tea and cake are served on the wicker-filled sun porch and the library makes a wonderful place for cocktails.

Each of the antique and period reproduction bedrooms has a different and distinctive character. Some have canopied beds, brass beds, fireplaces or private balconies. Whether at the original Moltz Mansion, Hillmont, or Lakeside suites, these beautifully appointed rooms blend the elegance of the past with contemporary comforts like modern baths and jacuzzis.

A visit to The Greystone Inn, whether for a stolen weekend or a full two weeks, is one of life’s true rewards. You can plan a quiet getaway or an action-packed vacation and never leave the grounds. Or you can take advantage of the many activities within an hour’s drive of The Greystone Inn.