A New Era

Old Edwards Hospitality Group ushers in new owners, James & Jessica Whitley

By CARLA BECK

Historic hospitality meets old-world grandeur as guests enter the stone-covered archway of Old Edwards Inn & Spa in downtown Highlands, NC. With roots dating back to 1878, the property originally served as the area’s first boarding house, welcoming weary travelers searching for fresh mountain air and the quiet placidity of life on the Plateau. Today, Old Edwards Hospitality Group encompasses a full-service European-style Relais & Châteaux resort with a spa and wellness amenities, organic gardens, multiple dining venues, two additional hotels and two private golf clubs. As a premier vacation destination, it is regularly featured on the world’s best hotel lists along with its sister property, Half-Mile Farm. Whether you are seeking a romantic weekend getaway, a Blue Ridge Mountains golf course adventure, or an unprecedented culinary experience as part of the Chef Dinner Series, Old Edwards Hospitality Group provides the right amount of luxury and leisure. New owner James Whitley, reflecting on his vision for the future of Old Edwards Hospitality Group, tells us, “We plan to continue the legacy of creating fantastic experiences for guests and members.”

As frequent visitors to the area, James and Jessica Whitley have long enjoyed the

splendor of Highlands, NC. “Life seems to slow down (in a good way) as soon as you arrive,” they say.

Although the mountains naturally create an isolated haven, there is no lack of adventure and first-class amenities. Just as the lush beauty of the Nantahala National Forest provides a magnificent backdrop for guests. The Whitleys have long been impressed with Old Edwards world-class team recruited from around the globe. They excel at providing exceptional service with a personalized touch in an industry where hotel guests have come to accept standard amenities and efficient service. However, James and Jessica say genuine hospitality is “thinking about someone before they’ve even arrived.”

This is a “common thread” throughout their teams and it’s the Whitleys’ goal to, “always find the best people for the job and then let them do their thing.” Although the Whitleys only purchased Old Edwards Hospitality Group in June 2024; they are well-established entrepreneurs with successful ventures in design and construction development projects across the United States.

Less than an hour from Highlands, The Reserve at Lake Keowee beckons visitors to explore a private mountain and lake resort community in Sunset, South Carolina.  As members there for 13 years and current owners of The Reserve, the Whitleys appreciate the fabulous amenities and also the “amazing community of people that make it a wonderful place to raise kids, pop in for quick weekends or long summer stays, as well as a full-time place to call home.”

More recently, they opened Rivet House, a boutique hotel designed by Jessica.  Situated in a 100-year-old building that formerly manufactured denim, Rivet House boasts a spa and Osteria Olio, a lively restaurant and bar with an incredible wine and cocktail menu and modern Italian dishes.”  Excellence is at the heart of all the Whitleys aspire to accomplish. It is, without a doubt, why they focus on recruiting and retaining exceptional people. A beautiful facility is essential, but the people who staff it make those experiences especially memorable for guests.

Establishing an inviting environment where visitors enter as guests but leave with meaningful stories that bring them back to a place they now call home requires an intentional thoughtfulness that is evident in the words of poet Maya Angelou, “. . .People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”   

The Whitleys emphasize that curating an atmosphere where guests return for more than the amenities is directly linked to the people behind the brand and found it to be true at Old Edwards properties.  “We have gotten the chance to know a lot of the staff, and it’s clear that those special moments we always experienced as guests are directly tied back to the talent and hard work of every team member.”

The distinctive spirit and comforting embrace of Highlands have remained ever-present with the Whitleys, and they are thankful for those who were part of establishing that unforgettable atmosphere.  Now, they are excited to be a part of the future of one of the most iconic organizations in the community’s history, Old Edwards Hospitality Group. “Art and Angela Williams have built something truly special in Highlands and Cashiers, and that legacy, along with what we’re doing at The Reserve and Rivet House, will go on to provide wonderful memories for families for years to come.”