Calling all design lovers, soulful adventurers, and intentional escapists... 
We believe there is something wild in all of us.

We believe that beauty isn’t surface-level, it’s soul-level.

We believe in design that tells a story. 

We believe that slowing down isn’t a luxury, but an essential part of a life well-lived.

We believe that roots matter, and that heritage evolves.

We believe in the kind of experience that stays with you long after you leave—and keeps calling you back.

A family with two dogs sitting on the grass outdoors in front of a wooden fence, enjoying a sunny day. 
The Wildmere Story

Wildmere welcomes those who seek more than just a getaway.

Our guests are travelers who crave something real. An authentic experience rooted in story, design, and a deep sense of place.

Born from land and legacy in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Wildmere is our expression of Modern Appalachian Hospitality: design-forward stays, soulful rituals, and experiences rooted in place. 

Here, restored cabins like The Framery pair artisan craft with modern ease; mornings start with mountain light and a perfect cup; afternoons drift into river walks, studio visits, or a chef-minded picnic on the trail. 

We’ve designed every detail—from bedding you’ll actually want to stay in, a scent that matches your mood, a bath made for lingering—to be intentional. 

We’re building a small constellation of stays at Wildmere just for you. A neighborhood of comfort and craft, so you can slow down, relax, and carry the feeling of modern Appalachia home with you. 

Why we started Wildmere

Wildmere founder Katie Valentine is a 9th generation daughter of Gatlinburg, raised by a family who treated hospitality as stewardship and entrepreneurship as community care. 

Her great-great-great-grandmother was a founding pioneer—an early champion of the local makers who shaped the Arts & Crafts Community—teaching Katie that the soul of this place lives in the hands that weave baskets, throw pots, carve wood, bake bread. 

Katie grew up watching her family invest in people and gathering places, believing that a town thrives when its crafts, stories, and small businesses do, too.

Today, that legacy is her north star. With her husband Alex, she’s restoring character-rich cabins and partnering with regional artisans so the details carry meaning. From heritage fabrics, hand-thrown mugs, and thoughtful rituals that slow time, Wildmere is Katie’s way of giving back to the mountains that raised her: a modern, design-forward stay that keeps local craft at the center and invites guests into a living tradition. 

A girl with long braided hair riding a horse outdoors.
A black and white photo of a group of eight children standing outdoors by a wire fence, with trees and a body of water in the background, during daytime.
Black and white photo of seven people, including children and a woman, standing on a small wooden bridge with rope railings outdoors in a forested area.
Two boys riding horses in a field of tall plants with hills in the background, black and white photograph.
A black and white photo of a house surrounded by trees and foliage, with a small bridge in the foreground and a person standing on the bridge.
A woman and young child playing in a shallow, rocky creek surrounded by trees.
A red-haired woman and a young girl with blonde hair in a grassy field with flowers. The girl touches the woman's face.
A young girl in a floral dress playing in a grassy field with yellow flowers and trees in the background on a sunny day.