Old Edwards Reserve and The Cliffs are the two private-club options at the top of the Lake Keowee market. Both are gated, both anchor the luxury tier, and both attract the same broad national buyer pool. But the communities are structurally different — and the wrong fit shows up quickly.
This page is the head-to-head.
The structural differences that decide the answer.
Imported from Old Edwards Inn (Highlands, NC) — Forbes Five-Star benchmark. Smaller-scale, higher-touch operations. Member service profile feels closer to a refined hotel than a country club.
Intentionally smaller — fewer total homesites, more selective membership process, more curated architectural environment via a stricter ARB.
Old Edwards Club at Highlands Cove (NC) — single reciprocal partner. The Old Edwards brand relationship extends to Inn benefits where applicable.
Three Lake Keowee Cliffs communities (Falls, Springs, Vineyards) plus four NC mountain communities. Multiple courses, multiple clubhouses, marinas, equestrian, beach club, wellness — the deepest amenity stack on the lake.
Larger communities. More residents, more inventory turnover, more active member calendars, deeper resale liquidity.
Seven clubs across the Carolinas — three on Lake Keowee, four in the NC mountains (Walnut Cove, Glassy, Mountain Park, Valley). Members rotate freely. The structural advantage that makes a Cliffs membership uniquely valuable for dual-residency buyers.
A buyer-side framework for picking the right answer.
...you specifically want the Old Edwards hospitality standard, a smaller and more selective community, the most curated architectural environment, and a higher-touch member experience. The smaller community trades off resale liquidity but rewards owners who plan to hold long-term. Reserve guide →
...you value seven-club reciprocity (especially if you maintain or anticipate a second mountain home), the deepest amenity stack on Lake Keowee, deeper resale liquidity, and a more active community calendar. Cliffs guide →
A meaningful share of buyers consider both communities and tour each before deciding. They are different products at similar price points. Touring both — even briefly — is almost always the right diligence.
A 30-minute conversation is the fastest way to get a confident next step.
