Blackberry Mountain

I truly wanted to love Blackberry Farm, but unfortunately we didn’t even make it past the booking stage.

When inquiring about accommodations for our family, we were told our three-year-old would be sleeping on a twin rollaway bed — described in a way that sounded much more like a cot. At this price point, that simply didn’t sit right with us. At home, she sleeps in a beautiful queen-size bed, and there is no scenario where we would pay luxury rates only to have a member of our family sleeping on what felt like a temporary add-on solution.

For a property positioned as ultra-luxury, the sleeping arrangements for young children felt like an afterthought.

I also noticed another reviewer mention the same rollaway bed setup, which gave me pause. After reading additional discussions on platforms like Reddit, where some guests have shared concerns about service declining and the food not justifying the price point, it ultimately felt like we may have dodged a bullet.

Because of this, we chose not to move forward with the reservation. I can’t speak to the food, service, atmosphere, or overall experience, as we never stayed at the resort. This review is solely based on our booking experience and the accommodations offered to our family.

From the moment my party arrived, everything felt thoughtful and intentional. The wining & dining alone was worth the trip. We were served multi-course meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, each one being fresh, seasonal, and beautifully executed. Professional, warm service blanketed the entire property making us fee like home, specifically from the various grounds staff + James, Kyra, & Timothy at The Barn.

One of the highlights was the farm and cellar tour guided by Steven. Simply fantastic! Seeing the aging bottles in the cellar, meeting and petting Tom the turkey, seeing the sheep that provide dairy for the property, and even the truffle-hunting dogs made the whole experience feel incredibly connected to the land, the people, & mission behind it all. (A thank you to John the Farmer as well)

Our cottage was impeccably cared for all day long, with cleaning, turn-downs, and snacks constantly restocked. Every detail felt anticipated before we even had to ask.

The tranquility of the mountains is something special. Waking up to deer roaming in the mornings and spotting owls perched throughout the day was a change I needed from the chaos of south Florida.

I am already dreaming (& actively planning) about going back in the summer to see the property fully lush and green, and to experience the seasonal menus at their peak.

My luxurious 3 night stay over Christmas 2025 with my daughter, was nothing short of spectacular!
From the expansively peaceful mountain views and all-around ambience, the well-appointed rooms, the ultra-decadent meals at each sitting, the hiking trails, the farm tour, the very caring and happy staff (in every department) plus the spa …were all major delights to the senses! My massage therapist at the spa (Leslie Ford) was truly amazing and I would say she falls into the top 2 of my best massages ever, both locally and abroad!
Blackberry Farm is certainly an experience to be repeated!

With Blackberry Farm’s stellar reputation and glowing reviews, I truly hoped to share a similar experience. As background, we are a family of five with twin 6-year-old boys and a 3-year-old, currently living in Florida. Between our children’s schedules and my work commitments, finding time for a family vacation is extremely challenging. That is why choosing the right destination matters so deeply to us.

We had heard countless wonderful things about Blackberry Farm—particularly its reputation as a “family-friendly” destination with an exceptional kids club. Colleagues, friends, and family alike urged us to make the time for what they described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After careful planning, we found a rare opportunity in July for a five-night stay and eagerly went online to book our visit.

Unfortunately, the booking process quickly became frustrating. Despite selecting our dates and the Hill Cottage (chosen specifically for its larger size to accommodate our family), the website repeatedly returned an error. After 45 minutes of troubleshooting—trying different browsers, clearing the cache, reentering information, and even using a different credit card—I finally gave up and called Blackberry Farm directly, expecting a warm and understanding response.

Instead, the experience left me disheartened. The reservation agent I spoke with was polite but noticeably unempathic and rigid in her responses. After explaining the situation, I was told that despite the cottage’s size, it could not accommodate our family because we would need two rollaway beds and a crib. I offered reasonable alternatives, including having one child sleep in our bed, but was told there was nothing that could be done. She briefly consulted a supervisor and returned with the same answer.

When I asked about alternative options, the only solutions offered were either a significantly larger cottage at $5,500 per night or two non-connecting rooms at $4,500 per night—neither of which met our needs as a family. The Hill Cottage we initially selected was already $3,795 per night, and we were more than willing to invest in this experience. What was most disappointing was the lack of understanding or flexibility, especially given how meaningful this trip was to us.

I tried to convey how important this vacation would be—how Blackberry Farm has long been a “bucket list” destination where we hoped to create lifelong memories with our children. Unfortunately, my words did not seem to resonate. I ended the call feeling discouraged and confused, still processing how an establishment so widely praised for being family-oriented could feel so inaccessible to a family like ours.

More than anything, I feel disappointed. From the online booking challenges to the impersonal reservation experience, the process fell far short of expectations. Every review and personal recommendation described Blackberry Farm as an incredible family retreat, a place to connect and create unforgettable memories. Perhaps that is true for families with one or two children, but even with three young children—and a willingness to pay nearly $4,000 per night—we were left feeling unwelcome.
I am holding out hope that someone at Blackberry Farm—perhaps a parent themselves who understands the desire to share meaningful experiences with their children—might take the time to reconsider our situation. We truly want to experience the magic that so many others have spoken about, and my family would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

Positioned in a spectacularly beautiful location, this hotel offers undeniably breathtaking views of its surrounding landscape. We originally had two rooms that were mediocre with technical issues (grossly so given the price) and were moved to better rooms on the second night.

We found the food underwhelming. Service was also, unfortunately, rather forgettable. Hotels of this official caliber must realize that with high prices come correspondingly high expectations. A lot of additional charges, too, as others have noted. We left feeling it wasn't a property worth the cost and effort.