In a peaceful, wooded corner of Maryville College's campus sits RT Lodge, a historic destination that through the years has served as a private residence, corporate retreat center, and more recently, a boutique hotel, restaurant and event space.

Now that Annie and David Colquitt have bought out Goldman Sachs' ownership stake, the couple and partner Beth McCabe Holman are dreaming up ways to revitalize the lodge while preserving its historic roots.

Future plans for the lodge include a spa, pool, meeting house and bathroom updates, David Colquitt said, but the goal is always to preserve the legacy of the space. "Honoring the past with the way we design, the way we name, the way we tell the story" is deeply important, he said.

Most recently, the now all-local ownership group has been renovating the restaurant upstairs. "We’re looking to enhance, not transform, because what it is already is so special," Annie Colquitt said.

Seasoned hotel owners return to 'a common thread'

The Colquitts know boutique, luxury accommodations. They're the owners of two ultra special properties in North Carolina, The Swag and Cataloochee Ranch.

The Swag, bought by the Colquitts in 2018, and Cataloochee Ranch, which they bought in 2020, are part of the Relais & Châteaux association of hotels, the same group that counts East Tennessee destination Blackberry Farm among its membership.

There's a through line that unites RT Lodge with the Colquitts' other properties. "They have distinct personalities, but they all have a common thread," Annie Colquitt said. "They're beautiful, restful getaways with access to the national park."

What sets RT Lodge apart from the Colquitts' other properties is the price.

"One thing I love about RT Lodge is our room rates are more accessible," Annie Colquitt said. The minimum stay at The Swag is two nights, which starts around $1,850 total and includes all meals and nonalcoholic drinks. One night at Cataloochee Ranch starts at $525, while a stay in one of RT Lodge's 58 rooms begins at $288.22.

'The heart of RT Lodge is a gathering place'

Two themes emerge when Annie and David Colquitt speak about RT Lodge: history and community.

RT Lodge first belonged to Susan Wiley Cooper Walker, who built the lodge as her house in 1932, according to the lodge's website. Walker received permission from Maryville College to build the house on its grounds with the agreement that she'd later will the house to the college. Walker named the house Morningside, a name the Colquitts helped restore at the lodge with the addition of the Morningside Room in 2022.

RT Lodge became RT Lodge when the corporate arm of restaurant Ruby Tuesday - which has its roots in Knoxville - acquired the lodge and began using it for corporate retreats in 1997, according to the lodge's website.

The Colquitts' journey began three and a half years ago when Ruby Tuesday was going through the bankruptcy process, David Colquitt said. The Colquitts began as part owners alongside Holman and Goldman Sachs, and on March 28, the couple acquired Goldman Sachs' stake.

Now that the Colquitts and Holman have full ownership and control, they're free to embark on future projects that enhance the elements they already love about the lodge. Right now, they're updating the dining room with new window fixtures that highlight the space's natural light, along with new yet rustic furniture that dovetails with the lodge's established aesthetic.

The couple hopes travelers from all over will come to enjoy the lodge, whether they're attending a Vols game, visiting the Smokies or seeking a quick getaway from Knoxville proper. "I think the heart of RT Lodge is it’s a gathering place," said Annie Colquitt.

More information about RT Lodge can be found on its website.

Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email hayden.dunbar@knoxnews.com.

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Editor's note: This report has been updated to add detail about the ownership of RT Lodge and clarify the Relais & Chateaux membership association.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: RT Lodge hotel and restaurant in Maryville undergoes revitalization