A Timeless Retreat

Perched on the shores of Lake Toxaway, The Greystone Inn operates much as it has for decades – offering overnight accommodations, fine dining, and a measured pace that stands apart from larger mountain resorts. Built in the early 20th century as a private residence and later converted into an inn, the stone structure now serves guests year-round, drawing repeat visitors who return for an experience rather than simply a place to stay. Today, The Greystone balances the demands of running a modern hospitality business with the stewardship of a historic property, positioning itself as both a landmark and a working inn in the heart of the Plateau.

“I often tell guests that The Greystone Inn feels less like a hotel and more like being welcomed into a historic lakeside estate,” General Manager Paulette Todd says. “It’s peaceful, elegant, and deeply connected to the natural beauty of Lake Toxaway. The moment you arrive, the pace shifts – you breathe differently, you notice the quiet, and you feel the history in the stone walls and the warmth of the staff. It’s a retreat in the truest sense.”

The Greystone Inn began life in 1915 as a private summer residence on the shores of Lake Toxaway. Built for Savannah socialite Lucy Camp Armstrong and her husband, George, the home, originally known as Hillmont, was designed to reflect its mountain setting, featuring broad porches, stone foundations, and chalet-inspired details that emphasized craftsmanship. Its construction coincided with Lake Toxaway’s early-20th-century heyday as a resort destination for wealthy families from the Southeast.

When the original lake dam failed in 1916, draining the lake and ending the area’s first tourism boom, the Armstrong home endured. Lucy Armstrong later expanded the residence and lived there year-round for decades. After the lake was restored in the 1960s, the property served as a clubhouse and social hub before facing possible demolition.

In the mid-1980s, the historic estate was carefully restored and reopened as The Greystone Inn, transitioning from private home to boutique inn while preserving its architectural presence. Brandon and Daphne Berger have owned the inn since September 2024 and continue its hospitality legacy, focusing on improvements that elevate the guest experience without compromising the estate’s roots.

“What truly sets us apart is authenticity,” Todd says. “Many properties try to recreate the feeling of a historic property; The Greystone is one. Our lakeside location is exceptionally rare, and the combination of mountain elevation, private shoreline, and a storied mansion creates an experience you simply can’t replicate. Guests also tell us that our service feels personal and genuine, never scripted. That’s something we take great pride in.”

The inn offers 30 guest rooms and suites and operates under the guiding philosophy of heritage-driven hospitality. This means authenticity over trend, comfort over formality, natural beauty over ornamentation, and genuine warmth over scripted service, Todd says.

“We want every guest to feel the history, the care, and the sense of place that make The Greystone Inn truly special,” she says. “We treat every guest as though they’re returning to a cherished family home. We don’t treat history as a museum piece; it’s woven into the guest experience in subtle, meaningful ways.”

The inn’s character is shaped by a blend of historic architecture and thoughtful, understated luxury, including the original stone façade and timber details, intimate gathering spaces that encourage relaxation, and a calm, residential atmosphere that makes guests feel at home, Todd adds.

Recent updates with the goal of enhancing comfort while preserving character have included refreshing guest rooms with upgraded bedding, lighting, and climate control, restoring original stone and wood features, modernizing bathrooms, reimagining common spaces to feel brighter and more inviting, and enhancing lakeside amenities and outdoor areas.

“The biggest challenge is integrating modern systems – HVAC, plumbing, accessibility – into a historic structure without disrupting its integrity,” Todd says. “We also work hard to maintain the mansion’s intimate scale while still offering the conveniences today’s travelers expect. It’s a constant balancing act between honoring the past and serving the present.”

The mansion’s architecture guides nearly every decision, and extreme care is taken to preserve the grand stonework, original fireplaces and millwork, the intimate scale of rooms and gathering spaces, and the emphasis on lake views and natural light, she says.

“Even when we update or modernize, we do so with respect for the estate’s original proportions and materials,” Todd says. “The building tells us what it wants to be, and we listen.”

During a stay at The Greystone, guests may treat themselves to various food and beverage options. The Restaurant at The Greystone showcases views of the lake and mountains with a menu of fresh, seasonal cuisine using ingredients that are grown and harvested from sustainable and local food sources whenever possible. The Mansion Bar offers a more relaxed dining experience with a full lineup of beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails. Guests may also take advantage of picnics for two, firepits, and private cocktail classes.

Another amenity is the inn’s spa, where overnight guests and day visitors may journey down a quaint path to enjoy massage therapy, body treatments, and skin care. There are also plenty of activities – both water-related and land-based – to keep guests busy.

“These experiences reflect what The Greystone is all about – slowing down, savoring beauty, and feeling connected to place,” Todd says. “We work closely with the Lake Toxaway community to support lake health, shoreline preservation, and responsible recreation. Within the inn, we prioritize energy efficiency, thoughtful water use, and sustainable sourcing whenever possible. Our goal is to ensure that the beauty guests enjoy today remains protected for decades to come.

“We see ourselves as both a partner and a steward,” she adds. “The Greystone is woven into the fabric of Lake Toxaway’s history, and we take that responsibility seriously. We collaborate with local organizations, support community events, and welcome residents as part of our extended family. The lake and the community are inseparable from our identity.”

Leaders of the inn envision it evolving over the years through more thoughtful enhancements that maintain authenticity, continued investment in preservation, expanded lakefront and wellness offerings, and deeper integration with the natural environment.

“I see The Greystone continuing to refine its blend of heritage and modern comfort,” Todd says. “The goal is evolution, not reinvention – staying true to who we are while meeting the needs of future travelers.”

When their visit ends, guests often take away more than just the memories of a great stay, she says.

“I hope they leave with a sense of connection – to the lake, to the mountains, and to the history that shaped this place,” Todd says. “Lake Toxaway is more than scenery; it’s a living story of restoration, beauty, and community. If guests leave feeling calmer, more grounded, and a little more in love with nature, then we’ve done our job.”

When it comes to explaining what makes the inn so memorable, it’s not something that can be fully conveyed in words or images but rather something that must be felt firsthand, she adds.

“The Greystone is a place best understood through experience,” Todd says. “Photographs and descriptions can’t fully capture the way the light hits the lake at dusk, or how the mansion feels when the fireplace is crackling, or the warmth of a team that truly loves what they do. We’re honored every time a guest chooses to make us part of their story.”