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Love Is in the Air in the Tennessee River Valley

Five Romantic Getaways for Lovebirds

“At the heart of a memorable Valentine’s getaway is romantic lodging, and in the Tennessee River Valley, there is no shortage of options whether couples are looking for cozy and intimate or luxurious and elegant,” said Julie Graham, spokesperson for the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council.

For those in search of a romantic getaway, the Tennessee River Valley has rounded up list of popular boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts and resorts overflowing with charm and offering the finest in southern hospitality.

The Commodore Hotel and Café, Linden, Tenn.
A boutique hotel in the picturesque town of Linden, The Commodore Hotel offers a romance package which includes rose petals on the bed upon arrival, a three-rose bouquet or bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries or other fresh fruit and candles to set the mood. Conveniently located between Nashville and Memphis, The Commodore is located in close proximity to several popular motorcycle routes, endless trails for hiking and breathtaking views.

The charming hotel was built in 1939 and lovingly restored in 2007. It offers 22 sleeping rooms with beautiful hardwood floors, high ceilings, antique door hardware and exposed brick walls. The Cafe offers fine dining where locally sourced food is used whenever possible, including eggs and vegetables from the owner’s farm, and live music is typically offered on Friday nights. Highlighted by the Travel Channel, PBS and others, the Commodore was named one of “Six Great Places to Stay in Tennessee.”

Christopher Place, Newport, Tenn.
For those interested in a getaway to the great Smoky Mountains, the Christopher Place is a bed and breakfast resort surrounded by the best of all Mother Nature has to offer. Christopher Place is a colonial style mansion, newly constructed on 200 wooded acres at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

This award-winning Tennessee inn was created especially for romantic retreats and unforgettable honeymoons, and offers two, three and four night romantic getaway packages. The two night and three night packages include accommodations, full breakfast each morning, romantic candlelight four course dinner-for-two on one night. Opt for the three-night deluxe package, which also includes a picnic basket to enjoy one afternoon and a bottle of house wine upon check-in. The four-night package includes accommodations, full breakfast each morning, four course dinner by candlelight on two nights, a welcome tray of treats from the chef upon check-in with a bottle of house white/red wine and a surprise keepsake gift from the inn.

The 1857 Hotel, Paducah, Ky.
Located in Paducah’s historic district, this boutique hotel boasts a combination of modern decor with the original industrial design of the building. Dating back to the 1800s, the building features vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. Guests of the hotel find themselves in the center of Paducah life, within view of the Paducah Riverfront, the historic Market House Theatre and the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Performing Arts Center. Over 10 restaurants and several distilleries and local craft beer breweries are within walking distance of the hotel. Many of these venues, including The 1857, feature weekly live entertainment to keep everyone entertained.

Mentone Inn Bed & Breakfast, Mentone, Ala.
Situated atop Lookout Mountain in northeastern Alabama, the Mentone Inn Bed and Breakfast is surrounded by nature and breathtaking scenery. The lovely wrap around porch and rocking chairs offer guests a chance to sit a spell and relax with a glass of sweet tea. The Inn was built in 1926 during the height of the roaring twenties and was operated as a hotel until 1954. Today, the Inn boasts 12 rooms, each with private bath, and amenities include free Wi-Fi, a large dining room to fellowship together and an outdoor pavilion for cookouts. Guests are served a southern style breakfast before heading out to explore the abundance of activities the Mentone area offers, from horseback riding and hiking to shopping for antiques and art and snow skiing in the wintertime.

Orbix Hot Glass
Located at the edge of Little River Canyon National Preserve in nearby Fort Payne is Orbix Hot Glass, where adults can design and blow a keepsake ornament. The glass blowing studio offers classes where lovebirds can experiment together with creating their own piece of artwork and learning more about molten glass. Several classes are offered in the month of February. On Feb. 15th, the paperweight class is designed for those who really want to see what molten glass is all about – feel the heat, gather from the furnace, sculpt the glass. The four-hour class is limited to four students. Scheduled for Feb. 16th, the most popular event, Blow Your Own Ornament allows guests to design and literally “blow” an ornament with the help of an Orbix glass artist. For those curious about glassblowing, the introductory glassblowing class teaches many fundamentals through the process of making a small tumbler (cup). Plenty of hands-on experience from choosing colors, gathering, paddling, blowing and shaping is gained in this four hour experience. Sculpt your own flower is a one hour class scheduled for Feb. 23th. In this class, it is all about a hands-on experience in a fun atmosphere. After a demonstration, students have the opportunity to sit at the bench to sculpt their own design from an array of colors. Orbix artists are there to step in and lend a hand as needed.

Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tenn.
Blackberry Farm is nestled in the foothills of the great Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee on a pastoral 4,200-acre estate and is a lovely place to cozy up with a loved one. From relaxing couples massages and warm crackling fires to special carriage rides with Smoky Mountain views, romance fills the Farm for the holiday. Blackberry Farm offers countless activities and adventures including a little pampering of the mind and body at the Wellhouse, Orvis-endorsed fly fishing while surrounded by the pristine tranquility of Hesse Creek, relaxing nature hikes and freewheeling down mountain byways and down country roads on a custom mountain bike.

For accommodations, guests can select from a small intimate room decorated with period antiques, a luxurious suite for the ultimate experience in privacy and comfort, the ultimate hideaway of a cottage or a house with 3 to 5 bedrooms, kitchen and a common area ideal for couples, families, friends or a group of ladies traveling together.

Volunteer Princess
Just a short drive north and lovebirds can experience Valentine’s Day in Knoxville the romantic way, aboard a luxury yacht. The Volunteer Princess is Knoxville’s premier waterfront dining experience. Climate controlled decks and windows line the 100 foot luxury yacht, providing spectacular views of the Knoxville skyline from every seat in the house.

A Valentine Starlight Dinner Cruise is available Feb. 9th, 14th and 16th. The 2.5 hour cruise around Knoxville on the Tennessee River features passed appetizers, a four-course dinner featuring fresh ingredients, private table with a rose, sparkling wine at boarding and more.

For more information on romantic Valentine getaways in the Tennessee River Valley, visit www.ExploreTRV.com.

About the Tennessee River Valley
Beginning in the southwest corner of Virginia, the Tennessee River Valley region cuts through the mountainous areas of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Northern Georgia, into the rolling hills and bottomlands of northern Alabama and Mississippi and then north through the marshes and wetlands of middle-west Tennessee and ending in western Kentucky. The Tennessee River Valley offers a compelling story, captivating visitors with its little unknown facts, pristine, untouched areas and rich, authentic experiences. Save trip ideas and plan a trip easily with the Tennessee River Valley Geotourism MapGuide, an online guide of authentic places and adventures that have been recommended by locals.

Media Contact:
Julie Graham
Tennessee River Valley Mapguide Council
865-585-0811