Some 20 miles down the road from Knoxville, Tn., lies one of America's most highly-rated resorts.

The Zagat Survey, the highly-respected organization which rates the world's resorts, lists Blackberry Farm of Walland as being one of the "Top Four Small Resorts in America." Zagat's called Blackberry Farm, "The loveliest, most luxurious place ever."

Not too shabby.

Everyone knows about Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains, but Blackberry Farm is perhaps not such a household name.

One reason: Blackberry Farm is off the beaten path, sitting serenely between mountains within the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Blackberry Farm is located 3.3 miles off U. S. Highway 321 seven miles north of Townsend (turn right off 321 onto West Millers Cove Road just past the Foothills Parkway entrance).

Blackberry Farm is an 1,100-acre luxury resort that belies its name.

It is anything but a farm (though wild blackberries can be found there).

Blackberry Farm is a R&R; (rest and relaxation) haven; a place where you can enjoy the kinds of amenities of world-class hotels while still being able to commune with nature. And the food is superb (Conde Nast Traveler magazine said, "The food alone is worth the trip.").

The resort, surrounded entirely by a lovely white fence, is comprised of a dozen major lodging buildings, including a main house, guest house and series of cottages (all nestled among the trees).

Also available is a large outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, shuffle board, croquet field, two fishing-boating ponds, numerous walking trails, a health and beauty spa and trout-infested gurgling Hesse Creek (suitable for fishing for wading).

The rooms are all beautifully appointed and each includes a well-stocked mini-bar fridge and a snack pantry. All the mini-bar items are included as part of the overall American plan room price (which includes a to-order breakfast, gourmet picnic lunch and candlelight dinner).

You can flyfish in the ponds or the creek (the resort now has its own reknown flyfishing instructor, Rob Fightmaster), ride bikes, hike or leisurely explore the numerous paved trails and wildflowers on your own golf cart (more than a dozen are available). Guided walks and hikes are also available.

Numerous large rocking chairs beckon those who want to just relax on the stone patios of the main house or guest house, providing sweeping panoramic views of the mountains, fields and ponds. Indoors, you have a large lounge area which includes numerous magazines, books, board games and a billiards table.

As you might expect with a world-class resort, Blackberry Farm has numerous services, such as valet parking, concierge staff, free newspapers, voice mail, Internet connections, luggage service, pre-dinner drinks and snacks, cable TV, etc.

The dinner setting is romantic, with candlelight and views of the mountains through large windows. The dinner menu offers a chef's tasting choice or a series of entrees (including beef and seafood). Dinner is a five-course, four-star culinary extravaganza. Blackberry Farms chef John Fleer has been featured in such magazines as Food and Wine, Gourmet and Bon Appetit. He was named one of the "Rising Stars of the 21st Century" by the James Beard Foundation.

The resort, which has been in use since the 1940s (many of the buildings have been constructed in recent years), also offers periodic cooking schools.

The property is managed by Sandy and Kreis Beall and is part of the worldwide luxury hotel chain Relais & Chateaux.

As with most world-class facilities, Blackberry Farm does not come cheap. Rates (which include three meals and all services) run from $395 to $895 per day per couple ($100 less for individuals). The three-bedroom Cove Cottage rates start at $1,695 per night. A two-night minimum stay is required and Friday and Saturday nights cannot be split (some three-night minimum stays are required over some holiday periods). Children must be at least age 10 (unless a group is reserving the entire facility). Add $100 to the rates for each child. Add a 15 per cent
service charge (which covers gratutities) and a combined 12.5 per cent for sales and occupancy tax.

For Blackberry Farm information: Phone 865-984-8166 or on the Internet at www.blackberryfarm.com.

This story was published on 22 May 2002.