FONTANA DAM, North Carolina — Fontana Village Resort and Marina in North Carolina recently revealed the first phase of a property-wide restoration plan that includes floor-to-ceiling transformations of The Main Lodge, lodge guest rooms and cabins, operational enhancements to the Fontana Village Marina and the Fontana General Store, improved digital infrastructure, modernized recreational amenities and a refurbished riverside campground. Phase Two is currently underway and will include updates to the event spaces.
The renovation, led by managing partners Robin and DeAnn Turner, who acquired the resort in early 2023, emphasizes the area’s history while modernizing the property, drawing inspiration from the Appalachian region and Great Smoky Mountains.
“We are delighted to embark on a multi-year campaign of improvement at Fontana Village, with the ultimate goal of exceeding guest expectations and anticipating the needs of today’s adventure traveler,” said Robin Turner, managing partner. “With our team’s determination to enhance the resort coupled with the abundance of history found in this area, we truly believe there is endless opportunity to expand the widely-cherished Fontana Village experience.”
The Main Lodge and its guest rooms were the first priority during the renovation. The lodge’s lobby, formerly used for guest check-in, has been intentionally restored to highlight the original architecture and design elements, such as wooden vaulted ceiling beams, natural stone floors and stacked stone walls. Dedicated seating areas outfitted with custom-made furnishings complement the Pendleton Fabrics and one-of-a-kind area rugs. The conversation pit remains at the center of the room, now updated with blue leather upholstery and a handcrafted table. Business travelers will find improved workspaces and the addition of an executive conference room surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows.
All 42 lodge guest rooms and 14 cabins were substantially upgraded and redesigned. Drawing inspiration from Fontana’s history and founding during the American Industrial Era, designers opted for textures and materials unique to that period. A palette of rich, rustic hues was chosen to mimic the Appalachian terrain and its native flora, supplemented by Pendleton fabrics. Guest room walls feature original photos from the Fontana Photo Archive dating back to the 1940s as an ode to the property’s past. Guests can expect in-room amenity upgrades like Moen and Kohler fixtures and Mincey Marble in the bathroom, Beautyrest Felicity Plush mattresses, Keurig Coffee Makers, and exclusively curated toiletries.
The resort’s Wildwood Grill dining concept has been rebranded to Quill’s Canteen, a fast-casual, counter-service-style restaurant. Inspired by authentic Appalachia with a modern twist, the menu boasts regional fare and North Carolina favorites, like fresh Carolina Trout Bites. Additionally, Mountview Bistro is now Hazel’s, an elevated experience for Fontana Village guests and community locals.
Prior to this phase of restoration, several smaller enhancement projects were completed throughout the grounds, including at the General Store, which now operates 24-7 and serves as guest check-in, exciting new marina, golf cart and UTV rentals, property-wide Wi-Fi access including the campgrounds, a large arcade room with more than a dozen games, and numerous investments into infrastructure to elevate the overall guest experience.
In June 2023, MMI Hospitality Group was selected to lead day-to-day operations, which included the appointment of a new general manager to oversee the multi-year restoration campaign.
Phase Two restoration efforts are currently underway and include updates to event spaces, like the Carolina Room, and enhancements to the remaining guest rooms, suites and cabins throughout the property. Managing partners have invested approximately $10 million in the restoration campaign of Fontana Village and estimate the full scope of the project to be completed by 2028.
Fontana Village Resort and Marina is located in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest in the Appalachian region, providing a unique getaway along the Great Smoky Mountains. Founded in 1942, Fontana was originally built as a settlement town for the workers commissioned by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the federal government to construct the Fontana Dam during World War II. Fontana Dam, with its proximity to the mountains, became a popular tourist destination, and the settlement that once housed workers became the resort village.
Recreational activities for guests include Stone Creek Pool and Lazy River, basketball, sand volleyball and tennis courts, 18-hole disc golf and mini golf, a softball diamond and miles of on-site trails for hiking and biking.
For more information, fontanavillage.com.
