History

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Jim and Susan Hind were "corporate dropouts" when they opened Richmont in October, 1991. Having grown up in the shadows of the Great Smokies, they wanted to honor the history and culture of the mountain people, of whom many gave up their land and way of life for the establishment of the National Park. They have done this through its architecture, room names, and décor in the Inn's main building. It is designed in the style of the historic Appalachian cantilever barn, the hallmark of the Great Smokies.

The Chalet, a stone's throw from the Inn, opened in 2009. "Barn burnt down but now you can see the moon." That quote by Mizuta Masahide, a 17th century Japanese poet, was told to Jim and Susan by his daughter, Angela, to cheer them up. It became the basis for their positive attitude toward building a new luxurious Chalet to replace a more rustic lodge. Along with a café, gift shop, chapel, potting and woodsheds, the Chalet completes the envisioned theme of an Appalachian village.

"Our corporate careers and family experiences took us to the other side of the mountain and prepared us for these more than 20 years of innkeeping," say Jim and Susan. "When guests walk through the door with tense expressions, we understand, we've been there. It makes us strive to pamper them!"

"Appalachia with Style."- National Geographic Traveler Magazine