Inn at Iris Meadows Bed and Breakfast
Table Of Contents
-
The Inn at Iris Meadows is a luxuriously elegant bed and breakfast inn and the perfect mountain destination for romantic getaways, honeymoons, celebrations, and relaxing escapes. A beautifully restored turn-of-the century Greek Revival style mansion, the inn was previously a private home.
The Inn at Iris Meadows is nestled amidst five rolling acres of meadows and stately trees high atop a hill overlooking the scenic mountain town of Waynesville. The mountain views are breathtaking, and the Blue Ridge Parkway is just minutes away.
Step back into a gentler time and experience the romantic elegance and grandeur of the beautifully restored Inn at Iris Meadows...
...where cool summers, colorful mountain autumns, mild winters, and lush springs, blend with southern hospitality and small town charm to welcome you.
The Inn at Iris Meadows has large wraparound porches, original intricate woodwork, and ceremonial rooms featuring wainscoting, carved mantels, leaded glass doors, and original heart pine floors. Surrounded by meadows and gardens, the inn is home to over 50 varieties of irises. Seasoned Bed and Breakfast travelers Becky and George Fain are the innkeepers of the Inn at Iris Meadows.
Select from seven romantic, elegantly appointed guest rooms with glowing fireplaces, private chandeliered baths with large whirlpools, heavenly king or queen beds, and intriguing antiques. All guest rooms are decorated with charm and distinction and designed with your needs and comforts in mind.
Enjoy glorious breakfasts by the fire in the dining room, or on the veranda, weather permitting. Savor freshly brewed coffee or tea with mid-afternoon refreshments on the porches or in the parlors.
The Inn at Iris Meadows is conveniently located near many attractions. Guests can easily explore the mountains of North Carolina all along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Peaceful country drives lead you to a myriad of interesting places and activities all year round. Meet local artisans and shopkeepers in nearby galleries, studios and country stores in the scenic town of Waynesville, just a strolling distance from the inn.
Discover the many local festivals, Smoky Mountain National Park, Pisgah National Forest, and the historic Biltmore Estate in nearby Asheville. Visit the Cherokee Indian Reservation, village and casinos in nearby Maggie Valley. Hike Cold Mountain or one of the many other trails in Haywood County. Find great antiquing and scenic landscapes at every turn. Enjoy white water rafting, golf, or soothing mountain view rejuvenation. Meander to nearby areas such as Asheville, Hendersonville, Dillsboro, Bryson City, Brevard and Cullowhee, to name just a few.
Members of...
Haywood County Chamber of Commerce
Bed and Breakfast Association of Waynesville and Maggie Valley
Professional Association of Inns International
North Carolina Bed and Breakfast and Inn Association
-
A delicious full breakfast is served daily in our dining room. You may also enjoy breakfast on one of the porches overlooking the gardens or meadows, weather permitting.
Breakfast entrees change daily according to the whims of the chef. Your day may start with an individually baked egg strata or omelet, waffles, berry pancakes or stuffed French toast.
Entrees are served with freshly baked breads, coffee, juice and fruit. For afternoon refreshments, you will always find a variety of beverages and the inn cookie jar filled with freshly baked cookies, as well as other sweets and treats in the butler's pantry, which serves as a guest kitchen. The guest kitchen includes a Flavia coffee maker, refrigerator and microwave for guest use.
-
Located amidst the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina, the Inn at Iris Meadows is nestled upon five acres of rolling meadows high atop a hill in the historic Love Lane neighborhood overlooking the picturesque town of Waynesville, NC.
As you drive down the winding lane to the inn, you are embraced with the welcoming views of ivy creeping over the old stone walls, and irises and daylilies nodding a warm welcome in the spring. From summer well into fall, Pee Gee hydrangeas along the drive wave their curtain of lacey bouquets, beckoning guests to enjoy the meadows beyond.
Moss covered walks and stately trees dating well over a hundred years surround the inn. There are pines, cedars, firs, massive oaks, and even spreading chestnut trees.
Native rhododendrons and mountain laurel create a colorful show of their own in the spring. Dogwoods are abundant and offer a wonderful backdrop for spring’s azaleas among the trees. An inviting hammock sways gently in the trees.
In the untamed edges of the meadows, mountain wild flowers abound – Queen Anne’s lace, wild yarrow, honeysuckle, daisies, goldenrod, sweet peas, thistle, and other wild flowers combine to provide colorful wild gardens and refuge and food for the inn’s many birds, butterflies, and wildlife.
Yellow goldfinches frequent the bird feeders and add bright splashes of color to late afternoon guest outings. Bluejays maintain watch over the meadows. Guests who enjoy early morning walks may discover a newly flowering dew-covered morning glory or a bunny munching clover in a distant meadow. Adventurous guests have even reported sightings of a resident woodchuck.
The iris is innkeeper Becky Fain’s favorite flower, hence the inn’s name. Fittingly appropriate, as the inn was built in the Greek Revival style and Iris was the mythical Greek Goddess of the Rainbow. The inn’s new iris gardens are already home to over 70 varieties of irises; gardening guests, family, and friends are adding their own favorites to the mix. Most are tall bearded. Others include Siberian irises, Japanese irises, and miniature bearded irises.
Iris gardens and other perennial plantings begin at the entrance to the inn’s lane and continue in gardens around the house, providing colorful views throughout the growing season. In warm seasons, the perennial garden overflows with butterfly bushes and other flowers that attract a steady stream of butterflies who are often the subjects of Becky’s nature photography and stained glass art.
In view of the dining room windows is a rock garden with a small waterfall and pond. Also tucked into the gardens are the herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, chives, mints and basil used in many inn recipes.
-
Five Star Bed and Breakfast
Stayed On 8 / 2012
This was my husbands and my first visit to The Inn at Iris Meadows. Becky and Gearoge Fain treated us as if we were family. The breakfasts were absolutely delicious. My personal favorite was the granola. The flowers, the landscape, the garden were all beautiful. My husband and I hiked the acres and enjoyed the beauty and wildlife.. After great company, delicious breadfast, and a hike, to relax in the huge bathtub was just what I wanted. After returning home, we told all our friends about the "must go to" bed and breakfast. We look forward to many more trips to The Inn at Iris Meadows in Waynesville, NC.
Best Bed & Breakfast
Stayed On 9 / 2012
From the moment you arrive at the Inn at Iris Meadows you know you are somewhere very special. Tucked above the charming town of Waynesville NC with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The attention to detail by the Inn keepers George and Becky is impeccable from the exquisite bedding and spacious individual bathrooms to the peaceful porches filled with rocking chairs and other comfortable seating. The serene lush gardens provide a perfect place to sit and watch butterflies, birds and bunny rabbits. Breakfast is plentiful and superbly served with gracious and interesting conversation. If at all possible plan to stay more than one night. You will not want to leave. I can't wait to return. Margaret Dunbar Cutright
One of the best places I have ever stayed!
Stayed On 6 / 2012
The innkeepers went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. We were greeted with a lovely snack tray on the porch right after we arrived. Our room was outstanding and especially the bathroom. It felt like a spa. The breakfast was out of this world!
A room or an entire Inn with a view
Stayed On 7 / 2012
We have visited the Inn at Iris Meadows several times and each visit is more enjoyable than the last. While there is much to do in the town of Waynesville or nearby Asheville, it truly is difficult to just leave the Inn or one of the many little hideways on porches or in the gardens. Wonderful setting, gracious hosts and bountiful and beautiful breakfasts!
"Mountain Heaven"
Stayed On 7 / 2012
OH, OH OH!!!!!! Our stay was absolutely wonderful. Becky and George were fantastic host. We felt like we were visiting friends from the time we walked up on the porch. The Inn was exceptionally clean, the room was beautiful and breakfast was to die for. We have never had a more relaxing and enjoyable stay anywhere. We are already planning and looking forward to our next visit. -
Innkeepers George and Becky Fain are both North Carolina natives who have recently retired from long professional careers in human services, education, and newspaper publishing. The Fains, seasoned bed and breakfast inn travelers, have spent the last 15 years visiting bed and breakfast inns and researching information in preparation for this latest career move.
Becky is a stained glass artist who also enjoys nature photography; her Iris Meadows Designs Studio is located in the garden level of the inn. The Fains have combined their talents, hobbies, interests, and professional expertise to open the new Inn at Iris Meadows. George hails from nearby Hendersonville, NC, and is excited about returning to the NC mountains.
Hovawart look-a-like Scratch Fain is the canine host for the inn. Scratch has a warm, friendly personality. Her primary duties are fetching the morning newspaper with George and announcing guest arrivals. She also invites dog guests Zephyrus to romp in her fenced private yard while their masters enjoy breakfast. Since our original inn cat little Molly Sunshine's departure to the heaviside layer, a large gray and white tabby garden kitty has adopted the inn. Now named Zephyrus, he and Scratch are often seen frolicking about the inn meadows. -
From Asheville -
Take Hwy 40 West approx. 23 miles to Exit 27 (Waynesville/Maggie Valley/Cherokee/
Atlanta) (Hwy 19-23-74) Continue on Hwy 74 West 23 South to Exit 102 (Waynesville). Exit and turn right at stop sign onto Russ Ave. Continue to the 2nd Stop Light and turn right onto Dellwood Road. Continue on Dellwood to Love Lane and turn right. Follow Love Lane as it curves to the right and up the hill to 304 on the right. There are blue Bed and Breakfasts signs at most town turns.
From Knoxville -
Take Hwy 40 East toward Asheville, NC. Approx. 75 miles to Exit #20 (US 276). Exit and continue to Hwy 19 Intersection. Turn left 4 miles. 276 then turns right toward Waynesville. Follow 276 (Russ Ave.) and turn right onto Dellwood Road. Continue on Dellwood to Love Lane and turn right. Follow Love Lane as it curves to the right and up the hill to 304 on the right. There are blue Bed and Breakfasts signs at most town turns.
From Atlanta -
Hwy 441 North out of Clayton, GA to Dillsboro, NC. Pick up 23/74 East toward Waynesville. Continue on 23/74 to Exit 102. Exit and turn right on 276 (Russ Ave.) . Follow 276 ( Russ Ave.) and turn right onto Dellwood Road. Continue on Dellwood to Love Lane and turn right. Follow Love Lane as it curves to the right and up the hill to 304 on the right. There are blue Bed and Breakfasts signs at most town turns.
