HOTELIER OF THE WORLD
INDEPENDENT
MARY CELESTE
BEALL
PROPRIETOR , BLACKBERRY FARM , WALLAND , TENNESSEE
Beall is the proprietor of the acclaimed resort hotels , Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain , in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee in the United States .
For more than a decade , Beall has lived and worked on the family-owned properties . She first joined her late husband Sam as he led the transformation of Blackberry Farm into a renowned food , wine and wellness destination . As proprietor , Beall , alongside the Blackberry team , drove the creation and opening of Blackberry Mountain as it evolved into a haven for preservation and personal exploration in relaxation , wellness and adventure .
She led creative direction for launching the brand ’ s print magazine , Blackberry Magazine . Unique in the resort industry , Blackberry Magazine is a creative-driven editorial project that shares original stories , art , interviews and more inspired by life at Blackberry . She continues to share her vision for the expansion of the Blackberry brand , continuing a longstanding reputation for acclaimed hospitality and celebrated wine and food .
Over the years , the Blackberry brand has garnered industry praise , including Blackberry Farm ’ s three James Beard Awards for Best Chef — Southeast , Outstanding Wine Program and Outstanding Service . Blackberry Farm was also named Bon Appetit ’ s No . 1 Hotel for Food Lovers . Blackberry Mountain is adding to the brand ’ s awards with recognitions including ELLE Décor Travel A-List – Best New Hotel ; Hideaway Report – Hideaway of the Year ; and inclusion in Travel + Leisure ’ s It List for best new hotels in the world .
Prior to moving to Blackberry Farm , Beall earned a degree in business and Masters in Accounting , working as an associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Francisco , California . She shares her time at Blackberry Farm with her five children .
Beall and her children are active adventurers , always first in line to try new activities at Blackberry . The daughter of an artist , Beall loves engaging in conversation with creative minds and champions the work of artisans , both through her personal collection and with one-of-a-kind event experiences at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain . She contributes to each volume of Blackberry Magazine and can be heard hosting episodes of The Blackberry Podcast , interviewing some of the incredible and insightful friends she ’ s made over the years at Blackberry .
Beall is a devoted advocate for positivity , and constantly aims to inspire the active pursuit of joy with her family ’ s motto , “ Make a great day !” She has been a featured speaker at The Welcome Conference , profiled in Town & Country with the opening of Blackberry Mountain , and honored as one of Southern Living ’ s 2020 Southern Tastemakers .
22 hotelsmag . com March / April 2021