Hiawassee Inn

This was absolutely the most disgusting hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I stayed here last Friday night before a backpacking trip. The price was great, and the guy was nice on the phone so I thought it would be fine. When we arrived, our «non-​smoking» room smelled like smoke mixed with body odor. The motel looks like it’s been here since the 60’s and so does everything in it. My 6 year old towels at home are in better shape (and smell better). The next morning we had the lovely experience of taking cold showers I’m assuming due to us getting up later than the other customers.
I had arranged more than 2 weeks ago for a shuttle down to springer mountain with their shuttle guy, TJ, for that Saturday morning. He completely forgot. When I spoke with him he informed me it was because they had been slammed busy. He didn’t admit he had simply failed to write down the appointment. He did manage to get us there in a old single cab pick up of which we had to throw our gear in the back with what looked like his garbage. He smoked in the truck while driving us on this paid shuttle. We ended up getting to the trail almost 6 hours later than planned. He also did not offer and wouldn’t accept a discount of $ 5 off the original price I suggested. He knew almost nothing about the trail and didn’t seem the least bit interested in hikers.
After a week on the trail I decided maybe I just had a bad room and decided to stay again, due to the low price. I was placed in a smoking room this time (against my will… I wasn’t even asked). This room smelled worse than a bar. When I first walked in it was evident they had sprayed some sort of deodorizer to mask the smell, but the deodorizer smelled like men’s deodorant — which was almost as annoying as the smoke. The bed wreaked and the fitted sheet didn’t fit the mattress. The bathroom had nasty mold down in the grout. There was a chair that had so many stains in it, I wouldn’t even sit in it. There was cob webs on the ceiling. The air conditioner was rusted and full of dust and made the room stink even worse. I woke up at 5 am and left as soon as I could shower. The smell still lingers in my clothes even after a shower as I sit in my car and write this review.
I DO NOT recommend staying here at this hotel… Ever. I hope more hikers will spread the word and put this place out of business so maybe someone who knows something about running a hotel can buy it. It’s in an ideal location — and has the potential to be a great spot for hikers.

This place is to put it quite simply a dump. The first major issue and a deal breaker is that our room was entered while we went out for dinner. Things were moved around and our stuff was gone through.
Thankfully, nothing was taken as we had our cash with us but our privacy was invaded. Not good at all.
Besides this for the amount they ask for for 2 people $ 55, it is a total ripoff. Flies all over the room as we entered, the smell of the sewer line backing up that only went away if we kept the bathroom ventilation fan on all of the time.
I strongly suggest you avoid this place unless you are totally desperate and it is pouring out. Even then — leave NOTHING valuable in your room. And even then be prepared for someone to possibly enter your room when you go out for dinner.
Be VERY wary.