The Martyn House Retreat & Event Facility near Ellijay is not your traditional B&B. Where else can you spend the night in a luxuriously appointed tent from India and dine on breakfast prepared with freshly picked ingredients from the on-site gardens? Situated on 18 rolling acres in the North Georgia mountains, the property was opened in 2009 by proprietors Rick Lucas and JoAnn Adams.
The unique retreat is more than just a place to relax in the mountains: Guests are invited to be a part of the homesteading experience‚ if they care to‚ by helping out in the gardens. The berries guests pick could be a part of their next meal. Lucas and Adams also welcome visitors into their art studios.
For those in search of an intimate event space in the mountains for a wedding or other special occasion, the grounds can be reserved for an entire weekend.
Don’t miss
Hanging with the animals. The grounds feature many friendly furry ambassadors. Of the canine variety there are three: Grace and Maya are black and yellow labrador retrievers, respectively. Hank, the newest dog is a golden retriever. Milo and Otis are the resident cats. On the avian side, there's a restored chicken coop featuring heirloom hens and each morning you'll hear roosters greeting the sun. The eggs served for breakfast don't have to travel very far.
Farm-to-table dinners. Occasionally, the Martyn House hosts Farm to Table dinners underneath one of its gigantic open-air gypsy-style tents. These dinners are prepared with locally grown organic ingredients, and always have a different theme and a guest chef. For info on future Farm to Table dinners, call the Martyn House.
Luxury sleeping tents. They call it "glamping," but if the thought of sleeping in a tent alarms you, pay attention to the details: These tents have electricity, real beds, floors and bathrooms. They even have front porches. Each of the tents on the grounds of the Martyn House is the size of a normal hotel room, only instead of being a compartment in a building surrounded by a parking lot, they are surrounded by meadows and woods. In keeping with the green philosophy of the owners, the tents also have compost toilets. And, yes, you can take a hot shower.
Retreat specials. Romantic getaways are available for couples who want romance in a very special location.
Information. themartynhouse.com, 706-635-4759. The farm is located at 912 Flat Branch Road. Please use the directions on their website to make your driving plans. Now, there's a Martyn House In Towne coffee shop in historic downtown Ellijay at 131 North Main St. (706) 635-5565.
