Christopher's Place

Hotel/Resort

Christopher's Place: More Than Just an Inn

by Linda Oatman High, Freelance Writer

December 2005

It’s East Tennessee’s best-kept secret, hidden off bustling Route 32 in Newport. Venture past the crowded strip of fast food eateries, Interstate Liquor and Wine, C&C Bail Bonds, Shoney’s, the Fireworks Store, Pawn Shop, and Motel 6, and soon find yourself in an oasis of southern luxury and comfort. Nestled on the English Mountain, overlooking nothing but the Great Smokies with an astounding vista of sky and towering peaks, Christopher Place is more than just an inn. It’s more than a resort. It’s more than a bed and breakfast. The plantation style Christopher's Place Inn has been voted one of the ten most romantic inns in America.

Named one of the Best Places to Stay in the South, as well as one of the 10 Most Romantic Inns in America, Christopher Place is deserving of the accolades.

"This is straight out of ‘Gone With The Wind!" gasped one guest, a Yankee thrilled with the pampering and warm hospitality to be found at the 203-acre private estate.

Reigning over the lovingly-tended property is the Grande Dame of a Colonial-style mansion. Boasting 6 stately columns, 3 stories, twin chimneys, 5 dormers, a winding staircase, crystal chandeliers, and an old-time gated elevator, the house is a dream come true for those seeking romance, relaxation, and respite. A short drive from the commercialization of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Christopher Place is within 30 miles of any Tennessee Tourist’s itinerary, with Dollywood and the Dixie Stampede a short drive from the estate. But most of those staying at Christopher Place choose to stay right where they are: treated regally by the friendly staff.

Owner Drew Ogle purchased the house in 1994, and he hasn’t looked back since.

"I never intended to be a hotelier," says the 30-something Ogle. "My original career choice was in the arts, but my great grandmother had a small lodge in the 1940s and 1950s, so I guess it is in my blood. If I’d stayed in the theater, I probably would have had to move from town to town to find work, and I really couldn’t imagine leaving my Smoky Mountain home for too long. Get up in time to see the sunrise here, and you’ll know what I mean."

The sunrise is spectacular. And the morning sun isn’t the only draw. There’s the evening sunset, the stars, and the moon over the Smoky Mountains. There’s the elegant library, stocked with books and board games. There are the white rocking chairs on the verandah, the formal gardens, the swimming pool, the sauna. There are the old-fashioned pastimes of croquet and horse shoes. Picnic basket lunches are available for hikers, and dinners are a delight. The amiable chef whips up specialty entrees, scrumptious soups, hot breads, fresh vegetables, and delectable desserts. Country breakfast menus are always hearty, including biscuits and gravy, ham, eggs to order, or homemade waffles.

Innkeeper Tim Hall takes pride in keeping the guests happy.

"During a surprise snowstorm, I made snow cream for some Florida visitors," Tim recalls. "They call every year and ask, ‘When’s it going to snow?’"

Tim, a jack-of-all-trades, may be found frying bacon, cleaning rooms, tending the gardens, pouring coffee, mowing the yard, and making necessary repairs. He’s mended brides’ dresses and organized birthday parties.

"I love it," Hall relates. And so do the guests.

The rooms include "Margaret’s Room," with a king four-post bed and round window, "The Secret Garden," with a violet floral decor and whirlpool, and "Tournament of Roses," warmed by a crackling wood burning fireplace on winter evenings.

Christopher Place is billed as a romantic and intimate resort perfect for those seeking romance, but its also welcoming to children over 13. Teens find plenty to keep them happy in the spacious game room, with its pool table, darts, selection of movies, and a large-screen television featuring hundreds of channels. The room is decorated with owner Drew Ogle’s collection of movie and theater posters, and the cupboards are stocked with popcorn and chips. There are sodas in the fridge. The kids are content, and so are the parents.

"All of us at Christopher Place aim to please," says innkeeper Tim Hall.

They succeed.

**Photo by Linda High Oatman

If You Go

www.christopherplace.com

800-595-944l