Hubby and I returned from Bryson City this weekend for a fall foliage train trip, and while the trip overall was great, the McKinley Edwards Inn wasn't a great option for us.
Let me preface by sharing that for our date, this was the only King bed option available in Bryson City, so it's not like I had a ton of choices. This is a small town with only a handful of inns, etc. - so you may find yourself in a similar situation.
The inn is located on top of a hill, so if you are in the public rooms, the view can be quite nice. Conversely, the inn is located on top of a hill right on a blind curve, so getting in and out can be tricky, and their parking options, driveways, etc. are all hilly and uneven.
I mention uneven because much of the grounds have a stone pathway/walkway that if you are not very sure footed and the lighting at night is not great, it would be very easy to trip and fall. From the parking area to the area where our room was there are five stone steps which are not all equal distances in rise, and there's no handrail. I admit I'm 50, have some depth perception issues, and can trip and fall pretty easily... but if your party includes a true senior citizen... you best opt elsewhere. If you have someone in a wheelchair, there's no way you could navigate here.
Check in was casual and simple, and innkeeper Rosemary showed us where the contintental breakfast would be and took us to our rooms.
So when I say continental breakfast... I mean they went to Sam's Club and bought muffins, honey buns, trail mix bars, and some fruit. Nothing hot other than the coffee and no protein other than a Nature Valley bar labeled as such. In other words, you'll be hitting McDonald's before your day starts if you're like us.
Our room was a King room they called Catalina I think, the innkeeper said it used to be called the Honeymoon Suite. It was clean enough, and spacious enough, but again, just not for us.
The bed is up very high going for an antique look... so high I could barely climb in. Back to if someone in your party has mobility issues... you again can't stay here.
The room had a love seat in front of a too small for the space TV, and a refrigerator which ran all night quite loudly on one side and a Kuerig set up on the other.
The bath had a whirlpool tub, but I didn't pay attention to notice the shower was handheld from the tub, so showering the next morning was interesting. If you're wanting a whirlpool bath you'll be fine, other than fair warning... the walls are thin and our neighbors began filling up their tubs at 5 AM and we heard every other tub after that until 7 when we got up.
Also in the bathroom area, they only provide two towels, and they are not overly large, plush towels. They are the standard nothing special Wal Mart size and variety. I know I could have probably called and asked for more, but really? You never notice that until you are in the shower.
The toilet is in a separate water closet that is one of those where when you turn on the light, the fan automatically comes on. Not a big deal to me, but hubby hates that.
The sink is a standard pedestal with a glass shelf above, so there's not much room for toiletries, and the lighting isn't very good, either.
I knew this place would be independent and not up to modern standards, so I wasn't expecting Hilton or Four Seasons, I just did expect more from breakfast and expected to be able to walk to and from our car without fearing injury.
I gave them two stars because that caption is "I've experienced better." I just couldn't see three stars which translates to "A-OK" when, for me at least, it clearly wasn't. read more