Located 40 minutes south of Atlanta in the town of Palmetto, Serenbe feels closer to a hobbit's shire than the planned farm community that it is. Pristine meadows and farm country make for a tranquil place to spend an afternoon horseback riding or exploring the small, local shops in what constitutes the “town” of Serenbe.
A short walk from the community sits the fairy-tale-like Inn at Serenbe, nestled among 900 acres of trails and farm land. You can stay in The Main House – a 1905 farmhouse portioned off into rooms, which also houses the delicious The Farmhouse restaurant – or you can opt for one of the various guest houses or cottages.
At the Inn at Serenbe, you can indulge in farm-to-table dining at on-site restaurant The Farmhouse — Photo courtesy of Inn at Serenbe
While more than 400 homes fill the community, Serenbe has become synonymous as a vacation spot for people living in Atlanta, or others passing through, who are looking for a scenic, country-chic experience. Regardless of where you stay on the property, expect fine furnishings that exude rustic beauty and gorgeous views of the grounds.
The point of staying here is to take it easy and enjoy nature. So, your afternoon could include walking around the property, taking a dip in the pool, playing a game of croquet, paying a short visit with the farm animals and taking a horseback ride.
But, it could also simply constitute sipping tea while watching the horses and admiring the lake, getting a spa treatment in town (There isn't a spa onsite.) and then walking over to The Farmhouse or The Hil (in town) for dinner.
If your visit coincides with the Serenbe Playhouse's theater calendar, you can also catch a play.
If you're a big-time foodie, you'll want to book ahead for one of the Southern Chef Series events, which include a cooking class, dinner and lunch, all by an award-winning chef for $525 a pop. This price does not include your stay at the inn.
Sleep easy at the Inn at Serenbe — Photo courtesy of Inn at Serenbe
Speaking of food, seasonality earns reverence in these parts, so when you sit down for supper at The Farmhouse at Serenbe, expect food that's plucked straight from the fields. Dishes are Southern-influenced and plated with a vibrant smattering of sides. If you happen to be staying on a weekend, get the fried chicken for lunch. It's worth the trip in itself.
The restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday, with lunch excluded to Saturday and Sundays.
Note that the price of your reservation includes an afternoon tea at 4 p.m., with breakfast, snacks and sweets before bed. Also, when you book a cottage, you're reserving one bedroom and shared access to a kitchen and living room; in other words, someone else will be staying in the other bedrooms, unless you rent the entire cottage.
True, Inn at Serenbe isn't anything new. But the tranquility surrounding the place is always appealing.
