Among the Laurels at The Retreat at Deer Lick

There's a moment — usually somewhere between pulling into the driveway and sinking into the outdoor seating as the trees close in around you — when the tension leaves your shoulders and you remember why you came.

Among the Laurels has a look all its own. The owner calls it "Not Your Granny's Vintage" — and she's right. Think curated vintage character with a modern edge: stained glass light catching the morning sun, soft quilts on a queen bed in the master, and a style that feels collected over time rather than decorated overnight. It's nostalgic without being stuffy, and comfortable without being forgettable.

The fully stocked kitchen is made for real breakfasts. The electric fireplace anchors the bright, airy living room where smart TVs in the living room, loft, and master bedroom mean everyone gets their screen — but the outdoors will keep calling you back.

And what an outdoors it is. Grab one of the fireside blankets from the master closet, settle into the generous outdoor seating, and let the fire pit do what fire pits do best. On adventurous days, hit the community trails through the laurels, or load up the on-site canoe and head to the lake at Water's Edge for a paddle before rinsing off under the outdoor shower. The propane grill is ready when you are.

The loft sleeps two on a king and single bed with its own smart TV — a private perch that kids will claim immediately and adults will quietly envy.

Whether you're here as a couple chasing quiet, a family making memories, a group of friends long overdue for a trip, or a solo traveler finally exhaling — Among the Laurels on the Cumberland Plateau is the kind of place that gives something back to everyone who walks through the door.

Among the Laurels at The Retreat at Deer Lick offers its guests a water park.

This Manchester cabin is smoke free.