Whistlestop Manor — Hotel in Athens

I live about 25 minutes from the Whistlestop, and last Thanksgiving we had a lot of family come in to celebrate. We didn't have enough space for them all to sleep or a spot big enough for everyone to eat Thanksgiving dinner! We chose the Whistlestop! The rooms were very nice, the beds were extremely comfortable, and the house was perfect for a family vacation / get together. The family that runs the Whistlestop (the Olsons) were GREAT. They cooked an amazing breakfast for us and made my family feel very welcome!

The yard and area across the street (part of their property) help make the Whistlestop perfect for any event, weddings, birthdays, anniversary parties! From the creek winding around the property, the fire pit, the manicured lawn, and the pond make the space perfect for indoor and outdoor activities!

There is a lot to do in the local area as well. They are close to the beautiful Cherokee National Forest, Chattanooga Aquarium, Smoky Mountain National Park, and a ton of other regional attractions and natural beauty. The Whistlestop would make a great "home base" for an East Tennessee adventure vacation or just a quick getaway. You will love staying here much more than a hotel. At the end of the day it's more like going home than to a noisy hotel room with lots of strangers. The Olsons make your vacation feel more like a trip to visit family without all the drama.

If I could give them 10...

We recently purchased property in the area, and have been on the lookout for local Jewels. Happily we found The Whistlestop Manor. When it came time to bring my 77 year old mother up and share the progress we have made with this property, our off-grid conditions were a little too "rustic" for her to safely stay, so we booked her a lovely room in a more genteel location, here, at the Manor. So very happy we did. She was comfortable. She raved about the rooms, the fantastic hosts, the sumptuous food (she's diabetic and Ms. Wendi made her appropriate food), and the absolutely incredible experience. When we came to pick her up, they insisted we stay for breakfast, and boy am I glad we did. We had some great conversation with other guests. The multi-course breakfast was HUGE, and my son got some quality play-time with Charlie, Clara, and even got to say hello to baby-Ruby. If you are looking for a unique experience, in a well-kept place with some character and soul, this is IT. If you are looking for a family-friendly place that leaves you feeling better than before you got there, this is IT. If you are looking for one of those small businesses that you are just rooting to succeed and happy to support in any way you can, this is IT. I cannot say enough good things about this place or these folks.

Do yourself a favor and stop in, you'll be...

We attended the masquerade murder mystery dinner theater on July 20 and had a fantastic time! The Whistestop Manor is a charming farm house with so much warmth and character! We were a party of four and chose to stay overnight. The rooms are spacious and the sound of the train at night just took me back to my childhood. Wendi, the owner made us feel so welcome that we left feeling like family💕. The play was interactive with 31 guests and so much fun, especially for those who really got into their character. The food was amazing. I had the pasta primavera and the others in my party had the gumbo (made from scratch!). They all said it was the perfect blend of spicy and best they’ve ever had. Dessert was the most refreshing chocolate mousse. Breakfast was yummy: blueberry lemon pancakes, sausage, and fruit parfait.

This place is a hidden gem, family friendly, and perfect for celebrations, parties and the dinner theater aspect. We look forward to going...