Retreat at Montreat
Welcome to the planning hub for events and retreats at Montreat Conference Center! We’re delighted you’re considering us for your gathering. Our beautiful space allows you to explore, renew, and connect with your faith and community in a sacred setting.
We host a variety of groups from mid-August to mid-May, ranging from small gatherings to larger events, with meeting spaces designed to accommodate a wide range of sizes and needs. We also offer comfortable lodging options, including hotel-style accommodations with meals and lodge-style options featuring communal spaces and home-cooked meals.
On this page, you will find information for those exploring retreat options, ready to book their retreat, and those already booked.
Exploring Retreat Options
Montreat Conference Center has been hosting retreat groups for over a century: churches, nonprofits, ministry teams, and communities of all kinds who need a place to step away, slow down, and focus on what matters. Whether you’re imagining a weekend for twelve or a multi-day gathering for two hundred, we want to help you figure out if Montreat is the right fit. Browse what we offer below, and when you’re ready, we’d love to hear from you.
Guest Lodging
We offer a variety of sizes and types of accommodations so you can choose a space that fits your group needs. Our most popular space is the hotel-style Assembly Inn. Additionally we have seven lodges, which offer groups fewer amenities but more flexibility. Click the link below for information on lodging, including pricing and capacity.
Meeting Spaces
With 40 meeting rooms and spaces, Montreat Conference Center offers flexible setups with a variety of amenities and technological capabilities. We offer typical meeting rooms, which can be set up as classrooms, board rooms, or even theater style. Group discounts apply.
Whether your group is here for the weekend, or just a day, we can accommodate you!
Dining Options
While many of our lodges boast full kitchens, our guests often opt for the buffet-style meal options provided by the Katherine “Kat” McKay Belk Dining Room in Assembly Inn. The dining room prepares meals fresh, using quality, often locally sourced, ingredients. Please note, the dining room operates during specific hours of the day. Operating times are not adjustable.
In addition to traditional meals, our kitchen can prepare snack and beverage breaks to be available in or near your meeting room(s), regardless of whether you’ve chosen to eat in the dining room.
Do you want more casual food options or coffee? The Huckleberry Cafe — located off Lake Susan — serves fresh coffee, breakfast, and lunch five days a week. They are opened for several hours during the morning and afternoon.
On This Page
- Retreat Options
- Choose Your Package
- Ready to Book
- Already Booked
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Have Questions?
Helpful Links
Which package fits your group?
We offer three ways to experience Montreat depending on how much your group needs from us. Not sure which fits? Start here!
Best for groups who want Montreat to handle the details. You’ll have guest rooms or a lodge, meal in our dining room, and at least one dedicated meeting space. Our staff is with you every step of the way.
This package requires:
- A minimum of 15 guest rooms at Assembly Inn OR a full lodge rental
- A minimum2-night stay (Friday–Sunday or Monday–Friday)
- At least 3 meals in the dining room (Assembly Inn and Winsborough guests)
- At least one meeting space booked
Best for smaller groups who want the experience of sharing a lodge without neeting meeting rooms or dining services. You’ll cook your own meals, gather in the lodge’s communal spaces, and largely run your own schedule.
This package requires:
- A full lodge rental
- A minimum 2-night stay (Friday–Sunday or Monday–Friday)
Best for local or regional groups who need a professional space to gather but aren’t staying overnight. We’ll set up your room, provide basic A/V, and can arrange refreshment breaks or lunch in the dining room.
This package requires:
- A meeting space booking (one or more days)
- No overnight lodging
Things To Know
- Some FAQs are listed below on this page, linked here.
- All retreat groups are welcome mid-August through mid-May.
- Mealtimes are fixed. Your schedule will need to work around these windows.
- Breakfast is 7:30–8:30 AM
- Lunch 12:00–1:00 PM
- Dinner 5:30–6:30 PM.
- Meal counts lock 30 days out. The number of meals in your contract cannot be adjusted after the 30-day mark, regardless of changes in attendance.
- The dining room has a 35-person minimum. If no group has requested meals on a given date, the dining room will not open. Plan accordingly.
- Quiet hours begin at 11:00 PM. This is a Town of Montreat ordinance — no amplified audio outside after 11:00 PM. Quiet hours end at 7:00 AM.
- Don’t rearrange public space furniture, such as in the main lobby. This also applies to beds, dressers, and upholstered furniture. Dining and folding chairs may be moved but must be returned before checkout.
- Lodge guests handle their own checkout. This includes taking out trash to the bear-proof bin, washing dishes, wiping down the kitchen, and resetting the HVAC. Full instructions are posted in each lodge and listed on our Retreat Information page.
- Standard guest rooms have no TVs, phones, or coffee makers. Assembly Inn is designed for retreat, not a hotel stay. Share this with your group so expectations are set before arrival.
Ready to Book?
You’ve done your homework, now let’s talk details. Before you reach out, a few guiding questions will help us match you with the right spaces, lodging, and package for your group. The more you can tell us upfront, the faster we can put together a proposal that actually fits your needs.
To help us serve you better, please take a moment to consider the following important questions. Your insights will guide us in creating the best experience for your event.
- When would you like your retreat or event? We offer space between mid-August through mid-May. Lodging and meeting spaces are used exclusively by our conferences during the summer months.
- How many participants do you anticipate attending?
- What is the purpose of this gathering?
- What type of housing do you need?
- Will you require meals?
- Do you need a designated meeting space?
- What is your budget?
- What will your schedule look like?
Once you’ve answered as many of these questions as you can, fill out the event inquiry form below to be contacted by an associate to find out about available dates and costs.
Still have questions, but interested in booking? No worries! Fill out the form with as much information as you can, and we’ll be in touch.
Already booked?
It’s time for the planning stretch! There’s more to do and we want to make it easy. The Retreat Leader Portal will be your planning hub once your contract is signed. It walks you through everything our staff needs from you before your group arrives, from room setups to meal preferences to payment. Work through it at your own pace, but keep an eye on your deadlines!
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s time for the planning stretch! There’s more to do and we want to make it easy. once your contract is signed, the Retreat Leader Portal is your planning hub. It walks you through everything our staff needs before your group arrives, from room setups to meal preferences to payment. Work through it at your own pace, but keep an eye on your deadlines!
What time is check-in and checkout?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Checkout is by 10:00 AM. Late checkouts must be arranged in advance and are subject to availability and additional fees.
Is there WiFi?
Yes. Assembly Inn, most lodges, and all meeting spaces have WiFi. Access information is posted in each space or available at the Front Desk.
What’s the cell service like?
Generally reliable throughout the valley, though stone buildings and certain areas may have weaker signal depending on your carrier.
Can we bring alcohol?
Consumption of alcohol is permitted in designated areas only when used in accordance to the alcohol policy attached to your contract.
Are pets allowed?
ADA-approved service animals are welcome. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Emotional support animals and pets are not permitted. Visit our Retreat Information page for more information regarding Service Animals.
What if someone in our group has dietary restrictions?
Submit dietary restrictions through the portal before your arrival using the Dietary Restriction Form. Our kitchen will do their best to accommodate needs reported in advance.
Can we decorate our meeting space?
Yes, with care. Blue painter’s tape is the only approved hanging material indoors. Outdoor signage requires prior approval — contact us before bringing banners or signs.
Are candles or open flames allowed?
No. Live flames and candles are not permitted in any meeting space or lodging.
What if we lose a key?
Lost lodge or meeting space keys are subject to a $50 replacement fee. There is no charge for a lost Assembly Inn key card.
Is there laundry available?
There is no laundry at Assembly Inn. Some lodges have laundry machines, but detergent is not provided. A coin laundry is available in Black Mountain.
Have Questions?
We’re here to help. if you didn’t find what you were looking for, reach out to the team directly.
Questions about your booking, rooming list, meal counts, or portal forms:
Betsy Clover, Event Services Manager
betsyc@montreat.org | 828.419.9815
Questions during your stay, available 24 hours a day:
Assembly Inn Front Desk | 828.419.9844
General inquiries:
Want to Learn More?
Join our email list! Use the form below to sign up for emails related to retreat and guest group offerings. You’ll also be signed up for our monthly newsletter.