The Hiwassee River Retreat Offers Guests Three Cabins and Seven Acres of Romantic Bliss

The Hiwassee River Retreat Offers Guests Three Cabins and Seven Acres of Romantic Bliss Main Photo

23 Jan 2025


News

Visitors to McMinn County have several places to choose from that accommodate different needs and budgets. They can stay in hotels, motels, campgrounds, and rentals by Airbnb and VRBO. However, couples seeking an unforgettable romantic vacation can book private cabins at the Hiwassee River Retreat.

This retreat isn’t a hotel or a rental. Instead, it’s a passion project by owners Ty and Cortney Bramlett, who single-handedly built three cabins to create peaceful getaways for couples.

“We travel a lot as a couple and started thinking about what we liked about some places and what didn’t work very well at others,” says Cortney Bramlett. “So we decided to make a place based on what we love during travel.”

The result is a luxurious adults-only getaway with beautiful views of the river. Learn more about this amazing retreat and why it’s helping McMinn County gain national attention. 

The Retreat Opened with Two Cabins in 2022  

The Bramletts formed the idea of buying land and developing a retreat in 2020, while most of the world was quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic. They eventually bought the land in September 2021 and opened in August 2022.  

“2022 was the hardest year of our lives,” says Bramlett. “We were working two jobs, building cabins, and then getting this business off the ground.”

The Bramletts did all of the work themselves. They purchased raw land that didn’t even have a driveway, much less built-in utilities. Ty is a builder who designed the cabins and constructed them with the help of Cortney. While the Bramletts made the opening look seamless, there was a last-minute scramble to get everything ready. A week before they invited the first guests, the cabins didn’t even have electricity.

Since the first year, the Bramletts have settled in, and the Hiwassee River Retreat has become an incredibly popular destination. Due to high demand, the cabins are often booked weeks out. The Bramletts recently opened a third cabin but have no plans for any more. They want to keep the retreat a quiet getaway where you won’t bump into other guests. 

The Retreat is Designed to Help Couples Reconnect 

The Bramletts love children. They have six kids and a few grandchildren, and they often travel together as a family. However, the Bramletts also recognize the value of getting away as a couple so you can focus your attention entirely on your spouse.

“Life seems like a race sometimes when you are balancing full-time jobs, kids everywhere, afterschool activities, and home projects,” says Bramlett. “You often don’t get time to focus on your spouse until you make the time. It’s important to check in with each other and see how life is going beyond raising kids together.”

Bramlett admits that even when she goes to a vacation destination where kids are allowed, it’s hard to turn off her “mom instinct,” to watch over and protect young children. By making the Hiwassee River Retreat adults-only, parents get to shed these responsibilities for a brief period. 

Guests Can Explore McMinn County or Cuddle in the Cabins

There are countless things to do in McMinn County for guests at the Hiwassee River Retreat. The Bramletts provide information about local sites and activities and even leave suggested itineraries in each cabin with day trips in the area. Guests who don’t want to leave the retreat can spend the day hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

“We have tons of things to do if you decide to leave, but some people never even set foot outside their cabins,” says Bramlett. “We offer in-cabin couples massages and even work with Tasteful Gatherings, a local catering company that can stock your cabin with food and deliver meals.”

The Bramletts plan to add more trails to the property this year and are fixing up an old truck as a beautiful sunset spot. They have a “locks of love,” fence and are making a “wishing wall” where people can add their dreams and wishes. There’s also plenty of time for visitors to soak in the treetop tub. 

The Hiwassee River Retreat Took Off Because of TikTok

The Hiwassee River Retreat gained national attention a few years ago when Cortney created an account to promote the cabins. She had already created Facebook and Instagram accounts but wanted to try TikTok as well. She posted a video of the retreat that received five million views. Today, the retreat has 166,000 followers on TikTok, and many of its bookings come from the app. People travel from across the United States to stay in these cabins.

The Hiwassee River Retreat showcases the beauty of McMinn County and attracts new people to the area – three couples at a time. Many people who find the retreat on TikTok spend time exploring the region and enjoying the restaurants, shops, and museums in the area. This increases their chances of returning to McMinn County or telling others about it.

“A lot of people skip over McMinn County because they are drawn to bigger cities like Chattanooga and Knoxville,” says Bramlett. “But everyone wants to come to Calhoun, Tennessee when they see what we have to offer. It’s not too crowded and people like to come here because it’s not super touristy.”

Learn About Other Tourism Companies Making it in McMinn

Tourism is a growing industry in McMinn County as more hospitality businesses open and existing companies start catering to tourists. Visitors choose McMinn County because they want to escape bigger cities and enjoy small-town life and the natural beauty of Tennessee. The Hiwassee River Retreat is just one reason to visit McMinn County. Plan your trip and discover everything this region has to offer.