This 11-bedroom, 10 ½-bath English-style countryside inn sleeps 22 and is perfect for memorable events like weddings, corporate retreats, and reunions! Set on a 200-acre wildlife preserve with hiking trails, two ponds, and 180º mountain views, it offers a timeless country estate experience. Features include an industrial-grade kitchen, large veranda, beautiful dining room, parlor with billiards, TV room, and a mountainside fire pit with stunning views to Brasstown Bald. The space Welcome to Souther Country Lodge! Tucked in the Blue Ridge mountains, on a 3-acre plateau carved out of the mountainside, this classic country estate is the perfect venue for hosting an unforgettable retreat for a large gathering! At a Glance: * 11-bedroom, 10 ½-bath English-style countryside inn, sleeps 22 * 1 2-BR suite with living area; 1 accessible bedroom on ground level * Ideal property for memorable gatherings: intimate weddings, events, corporate retreats, reunions, bachelor/ette parties, milestone birthdays, etc. * Sits on a 200-acre wildlife preserve with hiking trails, two ponds, and stunning 180º mountain views * Between Blairsville and Young Harris in the majestic Appalachian Range: peaceful mountain charm just a couple hours’ pretty driving from Atlanta * Classic & classy: decorated in the timeless style of the country estate * Unobstructed (and indescribably beautiful!) view all the way to Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak * Industrial-grade modern kitchen capable of feeding a small Balkan country * Large veranda (perfect for sunrise coffee and cocktail hour, alike) * Beautiful dining room with large fireplace * Parlor with billiards table * TV room * Mountainside fire pit with gorgeous view The Souther Country Lodge Story... Sitting in a wicker chair on the veranda of Souther Country Lodge during Golden Hour, tall cold drink in hand, looking up at Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia… it’s easy to imagine you’re the only person around, far as the eye can see. And more than three decades ago, when the Lodge was built, you would have been. Ben Citrin owns the property with his five siblings, along with the 200 acres of wildlife preserve it’s on, which has been in his family for 50 years. In 1991, when his mother started building the Lodge, Blairsville was not what it is today. She was a pioneer who wanted to bring people to the Blue Ridge Mountains — an area off the beaten tourism path, to say the least. “There sure as heck weren’t any Porsches around then,” Ben laughs. You can’t tell the Lodge’s story without talking about the special woman who envisioned and built it. Ben remembers his mom with pride and admiration. Georgia Lee Souther was born in Mississippi in the hardscrabble 20s, became a nurse, and moved to Florida. One day, assisting with a patient, she met Ben’s dad, a doctor. “They met over a broken arm,” Ben tells me. “Two weeks later, they were married.” They were together for 70 years, slowly buying land in North Georgia, so they could one day leave it to their six kids. They came from humble beginnings, and owning property was the epitome of “making it,” after all. After her husband died, Georgia Lee came up to Blairsville to build on the land they had been acquiring. Standing in the very spot that the Lodge is on today, she looked out across the valley, and declared it the most beautiful view in the world. Right then she decided to level that part of the mountain and start building. “You have to understand, this was the late 80’s,” Ben says. “Here was this old southern lady with dreams of literally carving out a three-acre flat spot on the mountain to build an 11-room English style inn. It was unheard of. Remember that this was before the world was ready for ‘the Blairsville Experience.’ Most folks (men) laughed in her face.” Despite a lot of pushback and a literal mountain of obstacles, the Lodge opened its doors in 1993 as a bed and breakfast. “It did great,” Ben tells me, “and she was right about that view. After all these many years I still catch myself absolutely mesmerized by its beauty. I watch the clouds rolling in, the weather system changing… it’s like looking at a living painting.” But despite that view and the Lodge’s spacious grandeur, the b&b simply couldn’t keep up with the development all around: the resorts and chain hotels. After Georgia Lee Souther passed, Ben took it upon himself to breathe new life into Souther Country Lodge. Restoring the classic inn has become his passion project — and a family legacy he hopes his kids will approach with the same love and dedication. As their grandmother did, before him. “It’s a magical place,” Ben tells me, and though I don’t know him very well, I intuit that this is not a man for hyperbole. He describes the rooms and suites, with their classic charm and floral wallpaper, then tells me about the grand dining room that would comfortably fit 40 people. The industrial-grade kitchen. The billiards table. The creek running down the middle of the property. He tells me how it’s an escape from the everyday, the city, the bustle. The word he uses is, “rejuvenating.” “And you have to see the wildlife!” As a result of development all manner of local fauna, dozens of species of birds and woodland creatures great and small, are pushed to Ben’s land, which is in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The people Ben brings up to the Lodge are surprised that a place like it still exists in these modern times. “Can you imagine looking at that pasture down there and seeing 70 deer hanging out?” he asks me. *** What was once the dream of an old southern lady who came from nothing has evolved into a timeless-yet-modern retreat in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. My story ends here, while you and your gathering of friends, family, colleagues, or clients… are about to start yours at Souther Country Lodge. Pro Tips & Local Wisdom Scenic nature and fun outdoors, galore: hike the Appalachian Trail, explore Vogel State Park, and boat, fish, and swim in nearby Lake Chatuge Hike then take in the view from Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak (visible from the lodge) Small-town charm with big perks: explore Young Harris, a lively but quaint college town, and Blairsville, a mountain gem known for locally owned shops, restaurants, and community events Sour grapes (and grains): enjoy a glass of wine and breathtaking views at Crane Creek Vineyards; get in the mountain spirit at Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co.; and have a pint or two of the local brew (and some live music, likely as not) at Blairsville Brewing Company The Small Print The Sounds of Silence: please limit outdoor use of speakers and other amplified sound equipment to 8:00 am through 10:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday; 8:00 am through 11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday We put together a starter kit for your arrival (5 trash bags under kitchen sink, 1 roll of paper towels per kitchen, 3 rolls of t.p. per bathroom, small bars of body soap) — please anticipate any needs beyond that, and stock up in town or bring from home Suds and beans can be very personal choices: please bring your own laundry detergent and coffee You’ll find an ample supply of dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap. Need us? We got you,24/7. Give us a buzz and we’ll be there in a jiff to help you with any unforeseen detail. From our entire team, a big thank-you for choosing SVR — and booking so much more than a rental property. Born and bred here in Georgia, we ensure our clients feel the warmth of our southern hospitality and have unforgettable stays in beautiful homes — in one of the prettiest landscapes the country has to offer. After nearly 10,000 stays and thousands of glowing reviews, we’re prouder than ever of what we do. We love North Georgia — and we love sharing her with you. In each of our cabins you’ll find an “Experience the Mountains” manual full of suggestions about local attractions such as hikes and sightseeing, as well as our favorite restaurants in town. Want to connect with us about anything from the layout of the property to our favorite local merlot? Give us a shout. Someone on our team of locals (possibly me) will be happy to chat with you, answer any questions, and help you book your next dream mountain vacation. We can’t wait to see you soon in our neck of the woods… and mountains, and lakes, and so much more. ❤️Joni, Founder & Director, SVR Other things to note Suches Vacation Rentals is available by text or phone 24/7. Rest assured: No AI, you’re always talking to a real team member! 🧼Starter Supplies Provided ▪Trash bags (5) ▪1 paper towel roll ▪3 toilet paper rolls per bathroom ▪Small bar soaps ▪Shampoo, conditioner, dish soap & detergents Note: This is a starter kit, bring extra items if needed. Coffee and laundry detergent are not provided. Suches Vacation Rentals operates in a beautiful but very remote area of the North Georgia Mountains. Because professional linen services are not available locally, we personally handle all laundering in-house. We provide one bath towel and wash cloth per guest according to the maximum occupancy of a cabin. If you need extra towels during your stay, just let us know and we’ll do our best to arrange them based on availability. -------------- BEFORE YOU BOOK, PLEASE READ: -Area wide power outages are common in the mountains and no refunds will be given if an area wide power outage happens during your stay. No refunds will be given for weather related cancellations. -Please be aware that you will be receiving a link to our booking contract via text within 24 hours of making your reservation. If you do not see it come through, please let us know as it must be signed. We are happy to answer any questions about its contents. -This property has all private amenities and is self-check-in. We will text you information pertinent to your stay including a link to our booking agreement (shortly after reserving), a link to the property guidebook that includes the address and important directions (3days before check in), and the code to the smart lock on the door (around 2:30 pm the day of check in) -Our cancellation policy is firm but if there are other dates you would like to move a reservation to. The fee for this will vary from $150 - $300 depending on the cabin, how close to the check in date your reservation currently is and availability. -Pet Fee is $75 per dog. We only allow dogs. No cats. Pets shall always be secured within the boundaries of the property. If the property is not fenced, pets must be kept on a leash and always accompanied by the pet owner while outside. If you plan to go out and leave your dog at the cabin, please know that we require they be crated in your absence. -If smoking takes place on the property during your stay, we will charge you $250 to deodorize and clean the property. - We cannot absolutely honor early check in requests, but we will do our best to accommodate them. Reservations requesting an early check in will not be refunded if we cannot honor the time requested. This is done to benefit the guest so that the property is completely clean and ready at their arrival at 4pm. We appreciate your understanding and your help in supporting our efforts to conserve resources and reduce waste while maintaining comfort for every guest.