Some destinations quietly simmer on a golfer’s bucket list, names you see in glossy photos, layouts you imagine walking, views you dream of experiencing. For me, McLemore Golf Resort and Community, perched atop Lookout Mountain in Northwest Georgia, was one of those places. I’ve followed their updates for years, mesmerized by the images of dramatic fairways clinging to cliff edges. Curiosity gave way to reality this summer, and our family spent an unforgettable Fourth of July weekend at Cloudland at McLemore Resort, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Arrival in the Mountains
Getting there could not have been easier. We flew into Chattanooga, Tennessee, just a short drive away, and wound our way up the mountain roads to Cloudland. The drive was a lot easier than expected. I say mountain roads, but I didn’t feel I was driving in the mountains. The resort is barely a year old, yet it already feels timeless. It is a striking blend of modern mountain design and rustic elegance, with glass walls and balconies that frame some of the best views in the Southeast.
Traveling with a baby often adds complexity to a trip, but Cloudland delivered comfort at every turn. Our spacious room was perfect for the three of us, and the staff made us feel right at home. Over the holiday weekend, we enjoyed a cookout that embodied southern hospitality and capped the night with a fireworks display that lit up the valley below, a memory as spectacular as any golf shot I hit that weekend.
A Golf Destination Realized
But let’s be honest, I came to play golf.
McLemore’s original gem, The Highlands Course, had long lived in my imagination. Reimagined by Bill Bergin and Rees Jones, it is a calendar course, where every hole is photo-worthy, and no two shots feel the same. Routed across rugged mountain terrain, The Highlands blends strategy with scenery in an equally challenging and exhilarating way.
Now McLemore has doubled down with the addition of The Keep, its second 18-hole championship course. Still maturing after being built during a drought, The Keep is already a thrilling test of mountain golf. With rainfall shaping the landscape, the team is making innovative refinements to drainage and flow. It’s a layout that feels destined to grow into one of the region’s must-play experiences, and like a fine wine, it will only improve with time.
Where The Highlands delivers polished brilliance, The Keep offers raw excitement, a contrast that makes McLemore truly unique. Together, they form a 36-hole destination worthy of every golfer’s travel list.
Dining, Relaxation, and Cliffside Views
Of course, McLemore isn’t only about golf. The resort’s dining options are phenomenal, with the pool bar being a highlight. Perched on the edge of a cliff, it provides a front-row seat to the final hole of The Highlands while you sip cocktails and soak in the mountain air. Few places in golf offer that kind of setting, where you can watch players finish a round hundreds of feet below as the sun dips behind the mountains.
Between rounds, we balanced our time with relaxation at the pool, long walks around the property, and quiet moments where the mountain breezes worked their magic. Cloudland strikes a rare balance: it’s as much a romantic retreat as it is a golf haven and as welcoming to families as it is to golf groups.
Final Score
As we drove back down the mountain, baby in tow, I couldn’t shake the sense that McLemore had lived up to years of anticipation, and then some. It’s rare for a place to exceed the glossy photos that first pull you in, but McLemore is better in person. The golf is world-class, the resort is exceptional, and the atmosphere is pure mountain magic.
McLemore delivers on every front for those seeking a relaxing escape with breathtaking scenery and championship golf. Whether you’re teeing it up at The Highlands, exploring the new adventure of The Keep, or simply sipping a drink while fireworks paint the sky, this destination belongs on every golfer’s list.
For us, it wasn’t just a trip; it was a memory-making family getaway, one we’ll revisit again and again.
✨ Pro Tip for Travelers: Fly into Chattanooga for the most effortless commute, but come ready to stay awhile. You’ll never want to leave once you’re on top of Lookout Mountain.
To book your experience, visit McLemore | A Mountaintop Golf Resort & Community on Lookout Mountain, Georgia