Perched on scenic Schoolhouse Hill, near downtown Bryson City, McKinley Edwards Inn is a tranquil, charming boutique motel bed and breakfast that blends rustic mountain character with cozy comfort.
McKinley Edwards Inn was recently awarded the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2025, recognizing it as the top-rated bed and breakfast and lodging destination in Bryson City.
It is awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieved this milestone. McKinley Edwards Inn is presently ranked no. 1 in the area on Tripadvisor with 4.8 stars out of 405 reviews.
McKinley Edwards Inn was most recently awarded the 2025 KAYAK Travel Award for outstanding guest experience reviews. KAYAK customer reviews rank the inn at 9.3, naming it a top-rated hotel destination.
It is all thanks to John and Marie VanDervoort, who brought a combined 50 years of hospitality experience to McKinley Edwards Inn April 1. Together, they have worked for major hotel chains such as Marriott and Hilton.
John’s career has revolved around providing operational excellence and personalized services. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, he is a proud Buckeye.
Hospitality has made up Marie’s entire life. She grew up on the 285-acre Pine Tree Camp in Rome, Maine, where her dad worked as its executive director for 46 years. Pine Tree Camp accommodates children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities.
“That gave me the absolute best training for hospitality,” Marie said. “I’ve worked within travel and sales as a consultant for luxury hotels over many years and have traveled around the world. That experience paved the way in learning what we were doing right and wrong – Did we make a good connection? What was the level of cleanliness? One of my mentors in career and life once told me, ‘Do the basics, but do them really well.’”
The VanDervoorts live onsite with the joint commitment of creating a “warm, curated connection and memorable guest experience.”
“It’s a way of living with hand to heart hospitality,” Marie said. “This is our home.”
The VanDervoorts assumed leadership from Janice and John-Marc Gallagher, who increased the inn’s occupancy from just 10%.
“They worked tirelessly toward growth and elevating the property, guest rooms and grounds to be what they are today,” said Marie VanDervoort. “Their hands are weaved into it and we are so beyond grateful for that.”
Marie added that she and her husband would likely not have taken over the bed and breakfast if had not been under such incredible care.
Marian Hartman co-owns McKinley Edwards Inn with family and is very pleased with their new hires.
“We are doing great,” Hartman said. “John and Marie have been doing a fabulous job. We are just so happy. We’ve had the best reviews from our customers and that’s because of them. We really want to be a vital part of this community.”
“We felt like family” is the most popular customer quote received.
The historic three-story inn offers 13 unique guest suites on 1.5 acres of lands.
Lodging options include guest suites and a private two-bedroom cottage for a peaceful, welcoming stay. Select rooms and cottages are pet friendly.
Outside, guests can enjoy comfortable seating, a double hammock, koi pond, picnic tables, sculptures, yard games and fire pit for starry-night gatherings.
Marie is the chef of the establishment. Each morning, the culinary artist cooks a complimentary hot breakfast featuring locally inspired offerings and seasonal favorites.
History of the Inn
Dr. B.C. and Lillian Franklin Thomasson built the main and carriage homes in 1927. WWI U.S. Marine vet. McKinley Edwards purchased the property in 1932 where he and his wife, Annie Angel Edwards, lived until his death in 1960.
Annie Angel Edwards was a businesswoman who managed the design and construction of the McKinley Edwards apartments in 1940. She managed it for 46 years.
Meanwhile, McKinley Edwards had a successful 40-year law career, having defended approximately 88 first-degree murder cases without a single death-penalty conviction.
The inn has since soared in popularity, calling visitors from all walks of life to experience one of the best stay Appalachia has to offer.