Meet the Innkeepers

Come as Guests, Leave as Family

The Esmeralda Inn has been in business for over 125 years and has had several innkeepers along its history. The current innkeepers are Don and Kim Cason. The Casons have a strong history in the hospitality industry and are looking forward to your arrival as guests of the Esmeralda Inn and Restaurant.

Don and Kim Cason were high school sweethearts who met and got married in Palatka, Florida. Their early years together took them to Dayton, Ohio, where Don worked for a Fortune 500 company and Kim grew her business as an interior decorator with Home Interiors & Gifts. While in Ohio, the Casons started a family and now have two children, Amy & Jeremy.

While on a family reunion trip to Gatlinburg, the Casons fell in love with the area and purchased Eight Gables Inn, a bed and breakfast there, 8 months later in March 1995. Over their 10 years of ownership, they grew the 10 room bed and breakfast to a 20 room luxury inn with a restaurant and spa. The Inn was rated 4 Diamond with AAA and a member of Select Registry.

The Casons sold their Inn in August 2005. Soon after, Don became the President of the Chamber of Commerce in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Kim found herself back in the hospitality industry as the group and sales manager for a local hotel. In August 2013, Don and Kim decided they wanted to become Innkeepers again and started searching for an Inn to purchase. They looked at over 20 inns across the Southeast and once they discovered The Esmeralda Inn and Restaurant, they knew it was the perfect fit.

Don and Kim Cason are excited about their new journey at The Esmeralda Inn and Restaurant. They invite you to come experience southern hospitality at its finest. May all who enter as guests, leave as friends.