Hotel Review: The Helendorf Inn

My husband and I love traveling. In the spring, summer, and early fall, we make several trips to the beach. In the winter, our favorite destination is the mountains of North Georgia, especially to the village of Helen. Whenever we visit Helen, we always stay at the wonderful Helendorf Inn.

The Helendorf is owned by a retired military couple, and they take every precaution to ensure that your stay is comfortable. We've stayed there many times, and they've never made mistakes with our reservations. When comparing this to our experiences of many other hotels and resorts, I've found this to be a rare but welcomed surprise. The staff has always been extremely helpful and friendly, too.

Check-in at the Helendorf has always been a snap. We're always greeted as long lost friends instead of as occasional guests. And the lobby is always beautiful and welcoming, with exposed beams, stuccoed walls, and a cozy sitting area in front of the crackling fire. Since we usually arrive in December, the lobby area is decked out in its Christmas finery, too, and we always find a small Christmas tree in our room.

The rooms at the Helendorf Inn are very comfortable and clean. Even the standard rooms are larger than the average rooms in hotel chains, but if you want something even larger, you can always opt for a suite. The luxury suites offer a two-person Jacuzzi, a slate fireplace, a full kitchen, and a balcony overlooking the Chattahoochee River. Other rooms with balconies over the river are also available, and there are also rooms that are handicap-accessible. Bringing along the family pooch? The owners of the Helendorf are dog lovers, and they've set aside several rooms that are pet friendly.

What else does the Helendorf offer? Lots! The lobby area has a game table and provides fresh coffee all day and complimentary pastries every morning. In the winter, you'll find hot spiced cider awaiting you to knock off the chill. There's also an indoor heated pool, a laundry, a sundeck, and picnic tables and grills right on the banks of the river. Fish for trout on the banks or enjoy some tubing.The Helendorf has a great onsite restaurant, too, and if you need meeting space, they've got you covered.

One of the best things about the Helendorf Inn is its wonderful location. It's surrounded by the GA Blue Ridge Mountains.Parking downtown is sometimes a problem in Helen, especially on busy weekends. When staying at the Helendorf, however, you won't have to worry about this! The hotel is located in the heart of Alpine Helen, so you can easily walk to just about everywhere: restaurants, shops, bars, and all the sights and sounds of the hamlet.

With all these great amenities, you're probably thinking the Helendorf Inn is expensive, right? Think again. Winter rates start at just $34 a night! Believe me, I've done a lot of travelling, and this is the best lodging value I've found anywhere - hands down.

To read more about Helen and the beautiful North GA Blue Ridge mountains, click the links below: