About Us

Bend of Ivy Lodge is located in Marshall, North Carolina, 20 minutes north of Asheville and is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With over 63-acres of private land, we offer the space for a unique and unforgettable experience.

 

The Lodge is a former tobacco barn that has been beautifully converted and updated into the heart of Bend of Ivy. This along with our expansive gardens, tranquil river, and breathtaking mountain views is the perfect place to get away or host your next event. 

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Bend of Ivy (BOI), a nature-focused retreat center, is owned and managed by Susan Walters Minker and Alan Minker. BOI is part of Intentional Growth LLC (IG), Alan and Susan's company.  IG/ BOI's purpose is stewarding and supporting the intentional growth of people, planet and purposes. Bend of Ivy is the heart center of this. It's a space and place for clients and guests to create extraordinary experiences:  Gather. Renew. Celebrate. Grow. Be.

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Bend of Ivy was founded in 1996 by Doug and Walker Silsbee with the idea of becoming a one-of-a-kind retreat center in the mountains of Appalachia. More of the BOI history is here.

 

In 2014, Alan and Susan became the new stewards and owners of Bend of Ivy, honoring the Silsbee legacy and creating new visions for BOI. BOI rents the property for public and private retreats, as well as Intentional Growth's retreats, programs and R&R retreats with life coaching support from Susan. More on IG/Susan's programs & retreats here. 

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• Corporate and Team Retreats

• Wellness Retreats

• Yoga, Meditation and Spiritual Retreats

• Trainings

• Intimate Micro Weddings

• Personal Friends & Family Stays