Mountain Laurel Inn Bed & Breakfast

Mountain Laurel Inn offers a "rustic touch of class" setting on Lookout Mountain near the historic town of Mentone. Formerly known as Blossom Hill Bed and Breakfast, Mountain Laurel Inn changed ownership to Sarah Wilcox in October 1996.

Having camped and worked at Camp DeSoto in Mentone for over 20 years, Sarah enjoys and appreciates the area and its residents. The name change reflects the abundance and beauty of the Mountain Laurel on the bluff. Mountain Laurel Inn is nestled in the woods, on the canyon below DeSoto Falls.

The main house offers a beautiful view of the inspiring woods that can be enjoyed through the full size windows or rocking on the porch. Guests enjoy breakfast each morning at the table that used to reside in Sarah's grandmother's 1888 historic registry house called The Magnolias in LaGrange, Georgia.
 

Other furnishings such as the Magnolia needlepoint rug and rocker by the wood stove also came from the home. Guests are always invited to come sit and chat by the fire or enjoy a book or game from the reading area.

A separate guest house features beautifully decorated rooms, each with private entrance and bath, heat and air. Each room has a theme to reflect the setting.

"Gift Certificates Available"

 

Breakfast at Mountain Laurel begins with coffee outside each guest's door. Guests are served a full breakfast family style that consists of fruit, homemade breads and a main dish. The main dish may be Breakfast Pizza, Eggs Rancheros, Decadent French Toast or "Breakfast in Bread". After a leisurely and filling breakfast with good conversation, guests are prepared for the adventures of the day whether they include biking, hiking, horseback riding, sightseeing, or antique shopping.

Hiking around Mountain Laurel Inn is enjoyed by everyone that visits. Walks can be short and relaxing or long and adventurous. You can stroll to the raised herb beds or to the bluff overlooking Little River by the trail in front of the main house.

For more adventure, hike to DeSoto Falls by the path behind the guest house to the top or by way of taking the steep route down to the river. Night time strolls are also enjoyable to see the stars or a rising full moon. Baxter, the resident golden retriever, is always ready to be your guide. Every season at Mountain Laurel Inn offers beauty and relaxation so come and enjoy.

Within 20 minutes or less:

• Mentone shopping -- The Hitching Post (antiques & collectibles), The Gourdie Shop, The White Elephant (antiques) and various arts & crafts shops in town.
• Mountain Mama's Pottery Shop (on Hwy 117 toward Cloudland, GA)
• Dining at The Tiger's Inn in Valley Head for a small town cafe meal
• On the weekend -- finding bargains at the I-59 Flea Market in Hammondsville and returning to the Inn to show off your new wares
• Hiking around the Inn or in DeSoto State Park
• Sitting on the porch listening to the rain while reading a good book
• Check out current films at Fort Payne movie theater
• A visit to Fort Payne's Antique Mill & Deli
• Horseback riding, golf and mountain biking
• Snow skiing at Cloudmont (December-March)
• Visit DeSoto Falls

Within 45 minutes:

• Experiencing the folk artist Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens in Summerville, GA
• Visit Sequoyah Caverns
• Experience Collinsville Trade Day (Saturdays only)
• Shopping at the Outlet Paradise in Boaz
• Fishing at Fox's Trout Farm
• Caving in Trenton, GA
• Hiking in Little River Canyon (a natural preserve)
• Hiking in Cloudland Canyon State Park (GA)

Within 1 hour:

• Rock City and Ruby Falls in Chattanooga
• Enjoy the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX (3-D) theater in Chattanooga
• Visit and dine at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo
• Shopping at Chattanooga's Market Row (upscale outlet stores)
• Plenty of Mall Shopping in Chattanooga
• Find new outdoor gear at RockCreek Outfitters in Chattanooga
• If clear skies in Chattanooga -- hang glide or visit Lake Winnepasauka, the Alpine Slide or Sunset Rock
• Take a trip on the Tennessee River
• Canoe the Sequatchee River
• Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville, GA

From Atlanta:

• Take I-75 North heading to Chattanooga.
• Get off at Exit #306 Adairsville and Highway 140.
• Take a left off the ramp and go until Highway 140 dead ends at Highway 27.
• Take a right onto Highway 27 headed to Summerville, GA.
• As you enter Summerville, look for the Huddle House and take a left onto Highway 48 right after the BB&T Bank.
• Highway 48 will pass through Menlo, GA and take you up the mountain to Cloudland, GA.
• Stay on this road which will turn into Alabama highway 117 as you pass over the state line.
• As you see a Mentone City Limit sign on the right, look for Moon Lake Baptist Church on the left and turn past the church onto E. River Rd (CO RD 165).
• At the stop sign look for signs to Mountain Laurel Inn to the left and follow them.
• Take a quick right onto County road 177.
• At the stop sign take a right onto Co. Rd. 106.
• After approximately 1 mile, take a right into the entrance for Shady Grove Dude Ranch, Mountain Laurel Inn and Mentone Wedding Chapel.
• Keep right as you come back.

From Birmingham:

• Take I-59 North. Take Exit #231 (Valley Head & Mentone exit).
• Turn right off the ramp onto Highway 117 South which passes through Valley Head and comes up the mountain.
• At the top of the mountain, continue on Highway 117.
• Go 1.5 miles from the caution light at the Mentone Inn and take a right onto E. River Road (Co.Rd. 165).
• At the stop sign look to the left for signs to Mountain Laurel Inn and follow them.
• Take a quick right onto County road 177.
• At the stop sign take a right onto Co. Rd. 106.
• After approximately 1 mile, take a right into the entrance for Shady Grove Dude Ranch, Mountain Laurel Inn and Mentone Wedding Chapel.
• Keep right as you come back.

From Chattanooga:

• From I-59 South, take Exit #231 (Valley Head & Mentone exit).
• Turn left off the ramp onto Highway 117 South which passes through Valley Head and comes up the mountain.
• At the top of the mountain, keep coming on Highway 117.
• Go 1.5 miles from the caution light at the Mentone Inn and take a right onto E. River Road (Co. Rd. 165).
• At the stop sign look to the left for signs to Mountain Laurel Inn and follow them.
• Take a quick right onto County road 177.
• At the stop sign take a right onto Co. Rd. 106.
• After approximately 1 mile, take a right into the entrance for Shady Grove Dude Ranch, Mountain Laurel Inn and Mentone Wedding Chapel.
• Keep right as you come back.

From Huntsville:

• Take Why 72 E to Scottsboro.
• In Scottsboro, take Hwy 35 over the Tennessee River.
• Immediately after the river, take Hwy 40 east headed to Valley Head.
• As you pass over I-59, the road changes to Hwy 117 South which takes you through Valley Head and up the mountain.
• At the top of the mountain, stay on Hwy 117.
• Go 1.5 miles from the caution light at the Mentone Inn and take a right onto E. River Road (Co. Rd. 165).
• At the stop sign look to the left for dark green arrow signs to Mountain Laurel Inn and follow them.
• Take a quick right onto County Road 177.
• At the stop sign take a right onto Co. Rd. 106
• After approximately 1 mile, take a right into the entrance for Shady Grove Dude Ranch, Mountain Laurel Inn and Mentone Wedding Chapel.
• Keep right as you come back.