Red Leaf River Inn

06/05/2026

During the month of our 10-year anniversary, we want to share special moments from our guests. Without you, this wouldn't be possible. We cannot wait for the next 10 years with you all!

"Red Leaf River Inn is a quaint and perfect getaway to the mountains! The InnKeeper, Victor, made us breakfast every morning and a dinner of our choice! It was delightful. We highly recommend this place and are very thankful we found it!"

https://www.redleafriverinn.com/

06/05/2026

06/01/2026

Thirteen years ago we moved to Waynesville, NC to take on what seemed like an insurmountable goal of converting a property that had basically been abandoned and left for dead for the sole purpose of opening and starting a Bed & Breakfast from nothing.

The first time pulling in was like pulling up to the Adams family house and grounds. Ivy covered houses, overgrown, dilapidated exterior and even worse interior. The house was still stuck in the 50's and 60's and had never been updated. The initial inspection report was 30 pages. Literally everything that could be wrong with a house needed to be redone and renovated. All the initial work was done by us and mostly me. A list of things too long to include but you name it and it probably needed replacing. So the day we got here I pulled in and put work clothes on and went to work at the casino in Cherokee. Practically every day for the next 2 1/2 years I went out to the casino and came home and worked on the house every day until I dropped.

Finally in June of 2016 we had gotten to a point where we could open with 3 rooms. It was a very difficult first year getting our footing and trying to build a following and reputation. At the time there were 13 B & B's here in town. If you googled us you couldn't find us for over a year. Gradually we got our footing and continued to renovate and remodel the house adding another room and starting working on the exterior of the house to include the road in, gardens, deck, stone work, second house and so on. I remained out at the casino for another 2 1/2 years working every day and coming home and continuing the work on the house and property.

At this time we also started renovating what became Rhododendron house and expanding our own living quarters. This has basically continued to be the case to this day. Along the way we started to welcome returning guests and their friends and families and also expanded into catering and weddings on and off the property. Almost from the beginning we started doing dinners and it has turned into one of the cornerstones of what has made the business and Inn so popular. To be able to arrive at a beautiful property in the mountains and relax, have a glass of wine and enjoy a chef-prepared meal in our treehouse dining room as our guests like to refer to it has been monumental. We watched families grow and their kids grow, some of whom are now getting married on the property. We've seen and hosted folks from all over the world.

This month we will be celebrating 10 years here in business. It hasn't always been easy as we have faced numerous difficult days and challenges from Covid to a suffering economy to Hurricane Helene which came close to wiping out the property. It would have been easy at that point to say enough but my guests stepped in and reached out and helped us in so many ways. Since then I have continued to rebuild and bring the property back from the devastation as has our small town. Today there are only 10 B & B's left and I am the last remaining owner from that day 13 years ago when we arrived.

It has been a blessing to be a part of so many folks' lives that we now consider a part of The Red Leaf River Inn family. We continue working hard and improving and welcoming new guests to the inn and our Inn family. I have no idea how much longer I will continue to do this but I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us and come through our doors. I always tell people that we have 2 simple philosophies. Treat everyone with respect and like family and everything else will take care of itself. In the face of difficult times and days of exhaustion we have always put our guests first and went out of our way to create the best experience from a hospitality and culinary standpoint.

Once again thank you to our guests and may God bless you all. Be safe and stay healthy.

Alexander, Nikolas and Victor
The Johnston Family

05/27/2026

It's near impossible for photos to do our food justice...wouldn't you agree with Zach below?

"We had an absolutely amazing time at the Red Leaf River Inn! Victor - the owner, operator and chef - was an incredible host! He greeted us upon arrival, helped carry bags, gave us a tour, and cooked all of our breakfasts and dinners! I could not have asked for a better experience at a beautiful property that is about ten minutes from the quaint Waynesville downtown area."

We can't believe in just a few days we will be celebrating 10 years of ownership! Thank you for your past and present support!

https://www.redleafriverinn.com/

05/22/2026

When you stay at Red Leaf River Inn, each morning, wake up to complimentary fresh hot coffee (a custom blend of fresh roasted coffee beans from Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters in Hazelwood) or tea available in the dining room.

Select one of our scratch baked pastries such as pain au chocolate, morning glory muffins, or cinnamon chip scones before enjoying a full hot breakfast prepared fresh each morning by Chef Victor. You will start with a fresh fruit course, then enjoy a new entrée each morning, such as cornmeal pancakes with pecan butter, banana bread French toast, or a hearty country scramble with home fries, bacon, scrambled eggs, and country gravy.

Victor loves cooking up a fresh meal for his guests!

https://www.redleafriverinn.com/dining/

05/21/2026

Staying with us this weekend and looking for some fun?

05/19/2026

Memorial Day weekend plans? We’ve got you covered 🧳

Trade the busy schedule for peaceful views and total relaxation at Red Leaf River Inn.

Only a few rooms left this weekend—don’t miss out!

Book now: redleafriverinn.com

05/16/2026

If you’ve been searching for the perfect weekend getaway, romantic bed and breakfast, or a peaceful riverfront inn escape, you’re in the right place.

Life moves fast—but your time off shouldn’t.

At Red Leaf River Inn, everything is designed to help you slow down, recharge, and experience a different pace of living.

Summer fills up quick - book your stay today to ensure you get the weekend you want!

https://www.redleafriverinn.com/your-search-for-the-perfect-weekend-starts-at-red-leaf-river-inn/

05/14/2026

Tonight!

🌈Well, the moment you've been waiting for is finally here!
Opening Day, 8 Sorrells Street (Sorrells Park), Canton, NC 4-7pm

Join us Thursday, 5/14 to welcome back our returning vendors - Four Sisters Bakery, Bumble Holler Farm, HueMoon, Your Main Squeeze, Poppy Hill Farm and Kitchen, Spirited Collections, Solstice Handmade, Light of the Moon Bakery, Doo Dah's Pimento, and DutchCove Carvings! 😍

🧐Meet our new vendors - Sugar Creek Meat, Bloomin' Things, Hibiscus Tea Art, Mill Town Crafters, Lupe Foods, Blue Ridge Chaga Connection, and Ear Candy Co!

Join our sponsors - Positively Haywood and Joyce Factory Direct - and community partner, Lake Logan🌳

🐐It will be goat-ally awesome having Hooves and Hollers Petting Zoo with us, the Haywood Chamber of Commerce, representatives from the town of Canton, North Carolina, and more!

Dinner from Fatbellys Trailer (Yes, Please!) and treats from kks shiver shack (I'm ready!)🍨

🫰Stay tuned for more information about our new FARM FRESH BUCKS program in addition to the traditional SNAP tokens.

While this won't be your final reminder, please be sure you stop by - trust me, you don't want to miss this. 🚜

Opening Day - Mill Town Farmers Market Visit Haywood Haywood Chamber of Commerce

05/13/2026

Looking for a true getaway with NO cooking, no going out to dinner, just relaxation and delicious meals cooked FOR you?

Each evening, Victor is cooking up some delicious meals that guests rave about in reviews. Essentially we don’t just want you to thank us for a fantastic room, we want you to love every aspect of your stay – including a dinner that’s fit for royalty.

Be sure to check out our meal packages on the specials page!

https://www.redleafriverinn.com/dining/