Designer Forum: A mountaintop retreat blends natural and biophilic elements that reflect the setting – February 2025

By Kylie Fischer

Cloudland at McLemore Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, is an unparalleled destination perched on the cliff edge atop Lookout Mountain 30 miles south of Chattanooga. Opened in 2024, it offers 20,000 square feet of indoor event space, a wellness spa, an infinity pool, 245 guestrooms and four dining options. Surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of McLemore Cove and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cloudland offers an immersive escape from the ordinary. To create a destination that would elevate guests’ senses and revitalize their spirit, Hilton partnered with FlickMars, an LA-based design firm specializing in hospitality and leisure.

SETTING THE SCENE
Cloudland reflects a materiality inspired by nature on the mountaintop and honors the beauty and legacy of the land that surrounds it. Intimate and inviting, the interiors express elements of the four seasons. Traveling through the spaces, guests are immersed in the setting through textures, handcrafted details and natural color palettes inspired by what is on the other side of the resort’s windows.

From the moment visitors walk through the expansive castle-style wooden doors, they are enveloped in an ambiance in which refined luxury meets rustic craftsmanship. The soaring ceilings-reminiscent of mountain peaks-exposed timber beams and rough-hewn stone-clad columns evoke a rustic charm inspired by the native woodland landscape. A grand staircase descends to the Great Room, an extension of the lobby strategically designed as if you are stepping to the cliff edge, to enhance the drama of being on a mountaintop ledge with panoramic views.

Hilton has standards of quality as well as a prescriptive list of flooring types that are to be used in a project, per area, for longevity, durability, aesthetics and cleanability. From a specification and design standpoint, these weren’t hard to meet, as the standards are what FlickMars tries to always align with. Durability, price and aesthetic were the top considerations, especially for the wood flooring in the lobby. Meeting the aesthetic was a process that required a patient team and quite a few submittals for the wood flooring, carpet and tile options, but in the end, the result was beautiful. 

CREATING A WOODLAND RESPITE
Cherokee dogwood designs dance across the carpet down the guestroom corridor. This Georgia ornamental tree became an inspiration for several underlying details in the property, including the corridor carpet, and is highlighted through the large-scale feature that encompasses the ballroom from wall to ceiling. Differing textures replicating leaves and tree bark meander down the expanse, with sconces lightening the beautiful wood guestroom doors. Behind each, guests are greeted with plenty of space to both relax and store gear for a golf adventure, hike or climbing excursion. Bespoke details can be found throughout the rooms, such as inlaid wood bowties at the settee, leather stitched elements at the headboard and accent stitching at the back of the sculpted wood desk chairs. The guestroom lighting was strategically designed to give the effect of dappled light produced when sunlight passes through the leaf canopy of the forest.

The guestrooms evoke a sense of connection with the surrounding landscape, with natural materials and earthy tones dominating the aesthetic, starting from the floor up. The guestroom carpet design is a blend of the topography of the area and the moss growing on the rocks, fences and trees around Cloudland, a key part of the brand identity. In guestrooms, Flick Mars always tries to factor in sound attenuation and a level of softness and comfort that guests receive in their own homes, which led the design team to specify a custom broadloom developed in partnership with Durkan.

The same concerns apply to corridors, which need to prevent echoes and additional sound reaching guests in their rooms. Cloudland’s location is secluded and serene, so Flick Mars wanted to ensure the guest corridors had a level of design that tied back to the brand. To achieve this, the team selected a custom Axminster designed in collaboration with Royal Thai, which reflects not only the native Cherokee dogwood but also the colors of the seasons.

Porcelain flooring tile from Ceramic Technics and Daltile was selected for high-traffic areas that would be mopped often or be near moisture, such as the restrooms across the property. Other areas with porcelain tile include the Great Room and Auld Alliance, a 154-seat onsite dining option where the design team wanted to have a different texture and give the appearance of a natural stone, but with the cleanability and longevity the project required. For this, the team chose a slate-look porcelain tile by Ceramic Technics.

Inspired by the McLemore tartan-as the restaurant specializes in fine Scottish and French fusion cuisine-interlocking layered wood grids in varying natural finishes contrast the stark black ceiling, creating a centerpiece surrounding the ribbed-glass globe fixtures. Bespoke touches highlight each area, displaying hand-stitched accents, woven leather, custom screens and beautiful woodworking.

BEAUTIFYING THE AMENITY AREAS
The event space was inspired by the winter landscape of Lookout Mountain. The goal was to capture the mystical calmness and serenity of the frosty season while providing functional and elegant venues.

The overarching inset lighting throughout the ballroom creates an enchanting glow as the light beams through the intricate motif of dogwood branches.

The ballroom and meeting rooms feature a custom Axminster carpet designed with Royal Thai, highlighting winter landscapes one would experience on a hike in nearby Cloudland Canyon State Park. Soft, neutral color palettes inspired by winter hues, such as shades of white, grey and icy blue, create a sense of tranquility and sophistication.

Throughout the prefunction area, cozy seating with plush furnishings and fur throws provides a comfy atmosphere reminiscent of a mountain lodge.

Selah Wellness Retreat and Spa was designed as an extension of the native landscape. Natural elements such as wood, stone and water provide a soothing and harmonious atmosphere while soft lighting, earthy colors and clean lines enhance the sense of serenity and relaxation. After a visit to the spa, a trip to the infinity pool, which offers unobstructed panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, allows guests to float among the clouds along the bluff edge.

Skyside, located poolside, is an open-air lounge with cliffside panoramic views overlooking mountain scenery. Designed with an emphasis on the surrounding landscape, natural materials with accents of blues complement the exterior surroundings.

For the fitness area, Bolon’s Graphic Herringbone in custom colors is installed in varying directions to tie in and highlight the natural wood planks on the walls and some of the fitness equipment, and it complements a lot of the natural colors of the mural installation in the Peloton room.

Copyright 2025 Floor Focus 

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