Let’s Go to Mentone

Text by CATHY STILL MCGOWIN Photography by COLLEEN DUFFLEY

Andiamo Lodge in north Alabama welcomes guests to a refined, elegantly rustic retreat with great food, beautifully appointed interiors, and more than enough options for relaxing or adventure.

For Steve Carpenter and Colleen Du ey, it was a marriage and partnership resulting in Andiamo Lodge—a destination on Lookout Mountain that is as experiential as it is exceptional in both service and detail. “Andiamo means let’s go in Italian,” says Colleen. “It seemed like the perfect name for our vision. Our goal was to create a place to curate memories for folks. Let’s go cook, let’s go hike, let’s go bike, let’s go relax, let’s go create.”

Colleen and Steve, both based on Florida’s 30-A, discovered Mentone while looking for a weekend getaway. “We wanted something less crowded, and we fell in love with this place from day one,” Colleen says. “ e trails, scenery, and nature are incredible.” e couple bought a cottage on Little River, and when Colleen began posting photographs on Instagram, it drew attention from family and friends hoping to visit. “We wanted to share what we had, but we didn’t have room in our home,” Colleen says. “One day, we rode our bikes into Mentone and discovered a ‘for sale’ sign in front of a rundown lodge that was once a church camp. Steve and I looked at each other, and the rest is history.” Opened in January 2022 after a 9-month renovation, the main lodge o ers six rooms, each well-appointed with crisp linens, a replace, a private bath, and curated décor—antiques, collections, and art nds. A separate twobedroom cottage with full kitchen is also available. Both cottages enjoy the lodge’s indoor and outdoor dining spaces, as well as the common living room appointed with comfy seating areas surrounding a stacked stone replace. Guests may nd themselves in the chef-style kitchen, the spot where Colleen

What happens when a restauranteur and a photographer with an unsatiable creative side come together?

“If ever I run away from home, it will be to the Andiamo Lodge in Mentone, Alabama. It’s a refuge and a retreat, but mostly it’s a stylishly comfortable place to recharge.” —Sandra Allen, guest and Steve (Steve is chef and owner of Crabby Steve’s and two other restaurants ANDIAMO’S FALL CALENDAR: in and around Seacrest, Florida) whip up morning spreads of mu ns, bacon-October (date TBD) Guest Chef Jason Palin cheddar scones, banana bread, fruit October 8 and yogurt, and breakfast burritos. Gardening with Gardenuity Afternoons are met with homemade October 15 ice cream in avors such as lemon Wellness with Hans Ru ert lavender, cherry, peanut butter cup, mint October 16 Encaustic Class with Vicki Lee chocolate chip, and lemon basil. “I’m November (date TBD) obsessed with ice cream,” Colleen says. Yoga with Melissa Davis And at ve o’clock, guests are treated to November 5 delectable nibbles and artisanal libations Mountain Film on Tour (open-air film festival) from the fully-stocked bar housed November 18-20 Trail running with Hoka shoes / Fleet Feet, in an antique wardrobe (culled from Chattanooga an auction during Colleen’s days as a

FOR RESERVATIONS: Andiamolodge.com / 214.415.0476 @andiamolodge

photographer for Southern Living).

Colleen says no day or menu is exactly the same. “Most guests allow us to curate their vacation with meals and experiences,” she says. ose experiences range from yoga to mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking, as well as weekend events and classes with special guests and instructors.

“Steve and I call it Magical Mentone,” says Colleen. “We both enjoy taking care of people and sharing this special place that we love.”