I Hiked Waterfalls From This Trailborn by Marriott Hotel
However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners. With onsite dining and easy access to nature, Trailborn Highlands is a great option for your next mountain getaway. Meghan CoyleEditor/Content Strategist & Smart Travel Podcast Host Updated Aug 27, 2026Fact CheckedHow is this page expert verified?NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.More on our editorial rigorAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrity.Helpful ResourcesThe Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Offers Right Now11 Credit Cards That Provide Travel InsuranceChase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel RewardsIf you’re looking for boutique hotel stays near national parks and other outdoor destinations, Trailborn Hotels and Resorts might be for you. This chain of five boutique properties gives you many ways to immerse yourself in nature, from the convenient locations to the design of the public spaces. And the best part? This brand is part of the Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy, which means you can earn or use Marriott points to stay near some of the country’s most iconic outdoor destinations.I recently had a chance to experience the Trailborn Highlands hotel in Highlands, North Carolina. It’s a town in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains that makes an excellent home base to explore the rainforest and many waterfalls in the area. You can drive there in about an hour and a half from Asheville Regional Airport or about three hours from Atlanta. While Marriott paid for my three-night stay, the opinions in this story are my own.The property itself is rustic, but comfortable (and pet-friendly!). It offers no shortage of amenities, including a fantastic on-site restaurant (the Highlands Supper Club), an outdoor Nordic spa and a lounge area with a firepit. Guests can also book excursions such as guided hikes, fly fishing, kayaking and rock climbing.Room rates at this property start around $128 and balloon to over $500 during the fall leaf-peeping season. Those more expensive periods could be a perfect time to use Marriott points or Marriott Free Night Awards for your adventure.Booking with Marriott Bonvoy pointsMarriott uses dynamic pricing, so the number of points required for an award stay fluctuates based on demand and the cash rate.NerdWallet values Marriott points at 0.7 cent each. During low-traffic weekdays, room rates at The Trailborn Highlands start around $128 or 32,000 points. At that price, you’d receive a low value of 0.4 cent per point. Instead of using points, it would be better to use the 35,000-point free night award that comes with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. However, during peak season in the fall, rates increase to $530 or 70,000 points per night. In that case, you’d get 0.8 cent per point, making it a better option to pay with Marriott points. If you’re short on points, Marriott also lets you combine cash and points for a stay, which can help stretch your points balance across more stays.The easiest way to earn a quick slug of Marriott points is through a welcome offer on a Marriott credit card. Marriott cards with free night benefitsMarriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply now on Chase's website NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Read ReviewMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply now on American Express' website NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply now on American Express' website NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply now on American Express' website Earn 4 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Redeem your Free Night Award for a one-night stay at properties with a redemption level up to 50,000 points per night. Certain hotels have resort fees. Special Offer through 6/30/2027: Get up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. That's $50 in statement credits semi-annually.points85,000Earn 85,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.points150,000 Points + $250 Statement CreditEarn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points plus a $250 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026. Terms Apply.points125,000 Points + $150 Statement CreditEarn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points plus a $150 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026. Terms Apply.pointsUp to 125,000 PointsEarn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases and an extra 50,000 bonus points after you make an additional $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.Annual free night benefit• Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.• Free Night Award (valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.• Free Night Award (valued up to 85,000 points) every year after your account renewal month. • Free Night Award (valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. • Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary, and a second night after spending $60,000. Learn moreRead reviewRead reviewRead reviewRead reviewRead reviewLocationThe Trailborn Highlands location is situated one block from Main Street in this upscale mountain town, making it a great location for both walking around town and accessing the outdoors. The lobby and public areas are bright and airy, with big windows, a fireplace and board games. The large social area adjacent to the lobby, with a fireplace and plenty of games. (Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)Guest roomsThe Trailborn Highlands property has 63 guestrooms, and each one offers some outdoor space. The ground-floor rooms have a garden patio while second-story rooms have a balcony. I stayed in a balcony room with a king bed. The room was basic but spacious, with checkered carpet and wood accents that fit into the local mountain environment. (Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)Each guestroom has a work station, which provides a comfortable space to get work done. The analog radio is a nice touch.(Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)When I was in my room, I spent most of my time relaxing on the balcony, listening to the birds chirp and enjoying how green my surroundings were.(Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)In contrast, the bathroom was pretty drab. While the color theme matched the muted natural tones throughout the property, the poor lighting and brown and green tile created a dark and uninspiring environment to prepare for the day. (Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)The Highlands Supper ClubThe Highlands Supper Club is the property’s sit-down dining option. The restaurant is housed in a historic log cabin perched atop a hill overlooking the hotel and surrounded by a beautiful rhododendron garden. The menu features a contemporary take on Southern comfort food, with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list.The Highlands Supper Club. (Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)I’ll eat southern food any chance I get, and The Highlands Supper Club did not disappoint. I loved the homemade biscuits and deviled eggs with blue crab and bacon, but my absolute favorite were the oysters on the half shell. The blueberry cobbler a la mode was also a decadent way to end the evening, though I practically had to roll myself out of the restaurant after eating it all.(Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)The Nordic SpaThe Nordic Spa is located in an enclosed outdoor patio and consists of a dry sauna, a cold spritz shower and a lounge area with a fire pit. The spa is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and costs $100 per 50 minute session for up to 4 guests. I’m a sauna fanatic, and while the setting of the spa is clean and modern, the sauna itself wasn’t hot enough to get a full sweat going, even after about 20 minutes. It was still relaxing, and the transition from the warm sauna to the cold shower was invigorating. Just be aware that the spa is semi-private, as the second-story balcony rooms can see into the fenced-off area. The spa area needs a pergola overhead for added privacy.The Nordic Spa. (Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)Waterfalls, s’mores and other activitiesTrailborn Highlands leans into the experiential accommodation trend and works with local guides and businesses to help guests experience the culture and activities that make the southern Appalachian Mountains unique. That includes trout fishing, kayaking, canoeing, river tubing, guided hikes and waterfalls tours. Available activities are posted on a bulletin board next to the front desk, making it easy to know what’s happening during your stay. Additionally, complimentary bicycles are available to all guests, making it easy to ride around the town of Highlands.(Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)Countless hikes, waterfalls and scenic overlooks are accessible within a 20-minute drive from the hotel. My personal favorite was Dry Falls, where you can take a path behind the waterfall. Additionally, The French Broad River (one of the oldest rivers in the world) is about an hour away and provides easy access to scenic trout fishing and kayaking.Trailborn Highlands provides easy access to rivers, waterfalls and more. (Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)Trailborn lights a fire in the patio area each evening and encourages guests to put the devices away and be social with other guests. It turns out that’s pretty easy when your hands are covered with melted marshmallows from the s’mores session that the hotel offers each evening.(Photo by Craig Joseph/NerdWallet)Trailborn Highlands: Is it worth it?I really enjoyed the calmness of Trailborn Highlands, and I appreciated that it leans into experiences and community. The location makes access to nature easy, in addition to being centrally located near the shops and cafes on Main Street in Highlands. The price of a cash stay can be an absolute bargain midweek, and Marriott free night awards can offer good value if you want to travel during peak season. The stay also made me excited to check out the other Trailborn properties around the U.S.How to maximize your rewardsYou want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:li>ol]:pl-4 [&>li>ul]:pl-4 [&>li]:mt-2">Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardNo annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardBonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve® Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardExplore more onTravelAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet Compare, Inc. 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