Now Open: The Outpost Inn Brings Chic Summer Camp Vibes to Highlands

The Charleston, South Carolina–based hotelier Jason Reeves drove by the property that’s now the Outpost Inn nearly every day while renovating his first boutique hotel in Highlands, North Carolina—Highlander Mountain House, an English-inspired inn and tavern on Main Street. “The property haunted me for three years,” he says. “It reminded me of my absolute favorite hideout in the world, Deetjen’s Inn in Big Sur, California.” So when the opportunity to own the unique fourteen-room hotel presented itself, Reeves leapt at the chance, reimagining the mountain escape with his signature vision and irrepressible creative energy. “I have to have a narrative in my mind when I start a project, and [for Outpost] I said, ‘I want it to look like Topanga Canyon had a baby with the Catskills and raised it in Appalachia.’” 

Just a six-minute walk from Main Street, Outpost Inn comprises three historic buildings, which were moved to the site from an early-twentieth-century sanatorium years ago. Today, the board-and-batten structures are clustered around comfortable interior courtyards outfitted with communal fireplaces and complimentary s’mores kits. There’s also plenty of covered porch space when the unpredictable Appalachian weather inevitably drives guests out of the elements. 

The inn’s fourteen pet-friendly guest rooms are motel-style, with exterior corridor entries, and range in size from petite to suite. Thoughtful appointments include custom headboards made from North Carolina walnut, organic linens, vintage rugs, colorful Appalachian patchwork quilts, and Pendleton blankets as well as a mash-up of antique and vintage furniture. Regional context is woven into every aspect of the experience, and North Carolina makers are highlighted as often as possible—you’ll find the fruits of their creativity in the bathroom’s well-equipped toiletry cabinet and the rooms’ robust mini bars (featuring locally sourced jerky, chocolate bars, potato chips, and granola). A self-described music nerd, Reeves included record players in all of the guest rooms as well as a curated selection of vinyl, and there’s an even larger collection guests can peruse in the lobby. Underscoring the mountain-hideout aesthetic, nine of the fourteen rooms are equipped with gas fireplaces, and if you’re after the real thing, the lobby also boasts a vintage wood-burning Malm fireplace.

The lobby is Outpost’s heart, and Reeves completely gutted the space to transform it into a vibrant gathering space for guests—and locals. “I wanted the rooms to be incredibly well appointed, with a kind of approachable luxury,” he says. “But I really wanted to drive people to connect in the inn’s common spaces. In my mind, [the lobby] is like the stage where the play unfolds, and I tried to give it an inspiring backdrop—with plenty of places to hang out—and let the rest kind of take care of itself.” Midcentury Chapo Safari Chairs and low-slung Togo sofas in soft caramel leather mingle with vintage rugs, rustic farm tables, local art, and rock-and-roll photography. Edited collections of books and vinyl invite guests to grab an espresso at the lobby coffee bar and stay awhile. A natural wine and craft beer bar is in the works and will feature mountain charcuterie and a few light snacks. And once a month during the warmer months, Reeves plans to host family reunion–style cookouts with hot dogs and local bluegrass. “Outpost isn’t a volume place,” he says, “but we hope it’s a special spot to congregate, connect with people, and absorb some good energy.”