HIGHLANDS, NC - July 2004 will mark the opening of the historic Old Edwards Inn, a Highlands, NC, landmark since 1878. When the renovation and restoration by Old Edwards Hospitality Group is complete, the year-round property will include the addition of a world-class spa. In 1992, the inn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The $40-million investment will set the stage for the inn to become a true luxury destination in the Highlands area.

The newly renovated inn will offer 29 guestrooms and suites including a luxury VIP suite and two deluxe cottages. Each individually designed room will be decorated by Atlanta-based interior designer Jack DeLong in period antiques, European bedding and Frette linens. The bathrooms will be done in marble and granite with heated tile floors and signature toiletries from the spa. All rooms will be equipped with plasma TVs, dual-line phones and wireless Internet service.

A pivotal part of the inn's redevelopment will be the 11,000-square-foot European-style spa, a world-class facility unique in the Carolina mountains. The spa, featuring heated limestone floors and exquisite antiques, will offer seven individually designed treatment rooms, including the Rainforest Rejuvenation Room. The apothecary will offer products from around the world and custom-blended local products such as a Carolina Jasmine Scrub. Four luxurious spa suites will be available to guests as well as the private spa terrace.

Madison's Restaurant and Wine Garden, the inn's 98-seat fine dining restaurant, will showcase contemporary cuisine with impeccable service in a dining room created by The Johnson Studio, noted Atlanta-based restaurant designers. Alfresco dining will be available in the adjacent Wine Garden. Both will have access to the inn's boutique wine collection. Guests may also gather at the Hummingbird Lounge on the main floor or the Rooftop Terrace, either before or after dining.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa also features the Board Room, a meeting venue for corporate guests, and Acorns, an antique and home accessories boutique that includes a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Shop, conveniently next door. The Farm, a 30-acre special events, corporate meeting and wedding venue, is one mile away and will be available as part of the inn's amenities. The resort will also provide a variety of recreational options for guests including area golf courses, tennis, fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is located at 445 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741, 828-526-8008 or 1-866-526-8008. The Old Edwards Hospitality Group, LLC, includes the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Madison's Restaurant and Wine Garden, The Farm special events facility, Acorns retail shop, Kelsey & Hutchinson Lodge, and the Rib Shack.

For more information contact:

Old Edwards Inn and Spa 445 Main Street, Highlands, North Carolina 28741 828-526-8008 828-526-8301 FAX info@oldedwardsinn.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2130 Highlands, North Carolina 28741