
Tapoco Lodge Resort
Best for riverside outdoor escapes, small-group retreats and culinary meals on property.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Tapoco Lodge Resort is a riverside resort on 120 wooded acres beside the Cheoah River with cabins, lodge rooms, a small on-site spa and outdoor‑focused activities — good for travelers who want a quiet base for hiking, paddling and scenic drives. Best Western Of Murphy is a branded limited‑service hotel in Murphy with standard guest rooms, free continental breakfast and predictable amenities — a useful choice for budget-minded road‑trippers and people passing through the western NC corridor.
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Best for riverside outdoor escapes, small-group retreats and culinary meals on property.

Best for budget, predictable overnight stays with free continental breakfast and easy access to Murphy.
When Tapoco Lodge Resort wins: choose Tapoco for a quieter, nature‑first stay with riverfront dining, on‑site spa services, private cabins and on‑property trails — it’s the better pick for multi‑day outdoor trips, motorcycle/driver itineraries near the Tail of the Dragon, small weddings or groups who want a lodge atmosphere.
When Best Western Of Murphy wins: choose Best Western for an affordable, branded hotel experience with straightforward services (24‑hour front desk, free wired/wireless internet, free self parking and complimentary continental breakfast), convenient access to Murphy and nearby attractions, and rooms that include microwaves and refrigerators.
Bottom line: Tapoco is a destination property for guests seeking riverside lodging, active outdoor days and on‑site dining and spa time; Best Western Of Murphy is a practical, limited‑service hotel for travellers who want consistent amenities and an economical stop in the Murphy area.
| Category | Tapoco Lodge Resort | Best Western Of Murphy |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Riverside resort and historic lodge on a large woodland property with cabins and lodge rooms. | Branded, limited‑service hotel in the town of Murphy. |
| Location | On the Cheoah River in Nantahala National Forest, rural and remote; close to Tail of the Dragon and Fontana Dam. | In Murphy near Nantahala National Forest and Murphy River Walk; town location with nearby services. |
| Size | About 27–31 accommodations (6 lodge rooms, 5 lodge suites, ~18 cabins); 120 acres of grounds. | 54 air‑conditioned rooms listed in supplier listing. |
| Ages | All ages welcome (family rooms, playground, kids meals); some historic lodge rooms restrict children under 12. | |
| Pools & hot tubs | No swimming pool; select cabins have private deck hot tubs; public hot tub on property. | Outdoor seasonal pool (open May–September) and wheelchair‑accessible pool features. |
| Restaurants & bars | Tapoco Tavern (riverside gastropub, 11:00–20:00) and Cheoah Dining Room (breakfast); Laurel Lounge for evening drinks. | No signature on‑site restaurants published; complimentary continental breakfast served daily; coffee/tea in common areas. |
| Spa & wellness | Mountain Spa on site (open Fri–Sun; massages, hot stone, hydrotherapy; weekly yoga). | No on‑site spa published; wellness options not listed. |
| Known for | Riverside setting, historic 1930s lodge, event venues and outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, tennis, rafting nearby). | Branded Best Western amenities, free breakfast, convenient town location and accessible services. |
| Parking & transport | Free on‑site parking; covered parking noted as useful for motorcycles/sports cars. | Free self parking and RV/bus/truck parking available onsite. |
| Pet policy | Pet‑friendly in designated rooms; cleaning fee $75 and limited pet rooms (book in advance). | Pet fee: USD 20 per accommodation, per night; specific pet rooms available by booking. |
Tapoco sits on 120 acres beside the Cheoah River in Nantahala National Forest, set off the main roads and oriented around outdoor access.
Best if you want a remote, activity‑focused base beside the Cheoah River.
Best Western Of Murphy is located inside Murphy with straightforward access to town services and nearby attractions.
Best if you want a convenient, town‑side location with predictable access to services.
Tapoco offers a mix of historic lodge rooms, suites and standalone cabins with varied bed configurations.
Choose Tapoco for varied, characterful rooms and private cabin options.
Best Western Of Murphy lists a range of standard rooms with microwaves and refrigerators and pet‑friendly options.
Choose Best Western for simple, consistent hotel rooms with practical in‑room appliances.
Tapoco provides two on‑site dining venues focused on riverfront seating and lodge dining.
Pick Tapoco for riverside meals, a full bar and a small but distinctive restaurant program.
Best Western Of Murphy offers a daily complimentary continental breakfast and common‑area coffee/tea.
Pick Best Western for a grab‑and‑go breakfast and practical in‑room meal options.
Tapoco’s signature offerings are the riverside setting and outdoor recreation rather than a hotel pool.
Tapoco’s main draw is riverside outdoor activity and the lodge experience, not a pool scene.
Best Western Of Murphy provides a conventional hotel seasonal outdoor pool.
Pick Best Western if you want an on‑site seasonal pool and straightforward hotel recreation.
Tapoco has an on‑site Mountain Spa and small on‑property evening venues for drinks and low‑key socializing.
Tapoco offers more wellness programming and low‑key nightlife than a limited‑service hotel.
Best Western Of Murphy focuses on standard hotel services rather than a spa or evening entertainment program.
Choose Best Western when you need predictable, no‑frills services and want town nightlife close by.

Tapoco Lodge Resort — riverfront setting, on‑site trails, nearby Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway.

Best Western Of Murphy — branded limited‑service hotel with free continental breakfast and standard room amenities.

Tapoco Lodge Resort — Mountain Spa with massage treatments, hydrotherapy and weekly yoga.

Best Western Of Murphy — outdoor seasonal pool with accessibility features (open May–September).
Both welcome families, but Tapoco is designed for family activities (playground, game room, kids meals) while Best Western provides family‑friendly, no‑frills rooms and free breakfast. Note: some historic Tapoco lodge rooms restrict children under 12.
Best Western Of Murphy includes a complimentary continental breakfast; Tapoco offers breakfast at the Cheoah Dining Room for a surcharge rather than included with stays.
Tapoco Lodge Resort has an on‑site Mountain Spa (open Fridays–Sundays) offering massages and other treatments; Best Western Of Murphy has no on‑site spa published.
Both properties offer pet‑friendly rooms by advance booking: Tapoco charges a cleaning fee (commonly $75) and has limited pet rooms; Best Western Of Murphy lists a pet fee (USD 20 per night) and pet rooms in specific room types.
Explore how Tapoco Lodge Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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