Friends and family know how much my husband and I enjoy going to Asheville, NC, from our first trip in July 2013, when we got engaged, and the many trips since, so much so that we often get asked to list our favorites and must sees from our visits. Each time we go, it tends to be for an average of 3-4 days, so we hit some of our absolute favorites and try and knock an item or two from our wishlist off. So, naturally, this list will continue to grow in time.
Keep in mind, if you stay downtown or close to downtown (recommended, though you’ll pay for it), you’ll be able to walk to enough to keep you busy for a long weekend trip. So start there, and if you get the itch to go exploring outside of town, we’ve listed a few of our favorites for first-timers to hit there too.
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| Kid / Family-Friendly | ||
| Dog-Friendly* |
In no particular order, here’s what we recommend if it’s your first time.
Where to Stay:
We learned via a real estate expert that there are rules in place prohibiting short-term rentals in Asheville itself and they are getting more aggressive on policing this. With that said, you’re going to do best at a hotel or a bed and breakfast. If you stay during the week in an off-season (not around the Spring or major holidays), you’ll find the best deals. If you’ve got an itch to stay in a VRBO or AirBnB.com rental, set your search for the hills outside of town.
#1 Biltmore Village Inn (B&B) $$$
Pros: breakfast is fabulous, it’s peaceful, it’s adult-only, it’s near the Biltmore gates (but you can’t walk to the Biltmore house and we really wouldn’t suggest walking to the gates either)
Cons: can’t stay there if traveling with kids, can’t walk to town, it’s pricey. Free, on-site parking.
We’ve seen every bedroom at the BVI, since it was rented out in its entirety for our wedding in April 2014. We’ve stayed in the Honeymoon Cottage, which was nice since it was so close to the pergola and patio where we were married, but it’s one of the smallest rooms. We’ve also stayed in the The Reed Suite during our engagement the year prior. We really liked this room since it’s right off the covered porch. My folks stayed in the Penthouse Suite and that was extremely roomy, but you had to take two flights of stairs to reach it which could be a con for some with a lot of luggage. We’ve stayed in both July and April.
#2 Hilton Garden Inn (Hotel) $$
Pros: brand new, ground up (opened in late 2016), dog-friendly, kid-friendly, mini fridge in rooms, bathroom amenities were quiet allowing others in the room to sleep while getting ready, spacious, two block walk to the heart of town, inexpensive on-site parking, on-site cafe, budget friendly on non-peak days of the week.
Cons: their “dog friendly area” outside was rather non-existent, but you could walk to closeby grassy areas.
We have stayed here in December.
#3 DoubleTree by Hilton (Hotel) $$
Pros: sits immediately outside of the Biltmore gates (but you can’t walk to the Biltmore house, perhaps bike it instead), dog-friendly, budget friendly on non-peak days of the week.
Cons: can’t walk to town.
We have stayed here in December.
#4 Asheville Hostel & Guest House (Hostel) $
Pros: budget price, in the heart of downtown Asheville, has a kitchen if you prefer to cook your own meals.
Cons: shared space, on-street parking.
We have not stayed here, but know people who have.
#5 Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds (Cabin) $$
Pros: outdoor lover’s destination in the woods.
Cons: can’t walk to town.
We have not stayed here, but know people who have.
– select cabins accommodate pets, so inquire directly; also most (if not all) cabins are one-bedroom which means kids would end up sleeping in the living / kitchen combo room which may not be suitable for extremely young children being close to kitchen cabinets and stove top knobs, etc.
#6 Parkway Lane River Cabins (Cabin) $$
Pros: a close drive to Sierra Nevada, REI, amenities in Arden area, beautiful river setting, some cabins are pet-friendly, kitchen with mini fridge, campfire rings.
Cons: can’t walk to town, all of the cabins are unique in size, amenities, etc., the Fisherman’s Cabin was nice but the shower and bathroom altogether was TINY (and I was 7 months pregnant at the time) and the lighting was not good to put on makeup.
We have stayed here in September, as part of a on-site wedding.
#7 Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown (Hotel) $$$
Pros: on the edge of downtown Asheville.
Cons: price, parking fee.
Eric stayed here on a business trip in July.
PERMANENTLY CLOSED: #8 Hyatt Place Asheville/Downtown (Hotel) $$$
Pros: on the edge of downtown Asheville, on-site parking included.
Cons: price.
Eric stayed here on a business trip in July.
#9 Aloft Asheville Downtown (Hotel) $$$
Pros: in the heart of downtown Asheville.
Cons: price, parking fee. Pets stay FREE!
We have not stayed here.
– pet-friendly rooms are limited and based on availability
#10 The Omni Grove Park Inn (Hotel) $$$$
Pros: gorgeous mountain and town views, luxury, on-site spa, on-site restaurants, on-site shopping, historic. This one gets an additional plug in Part 3: What to See & Do.
Cons: price, can’t walk to town.
We have not stayed here, but visited to see the National Gingerbread House Competition gingerbread house display during the holidays.
#11 Holiday Inn Express (Hotel) $$
Pros: breakfast included with your stay, hotel rooms are economical, we were able to shift a chair in the corner of the room to accommodate our little one’s pack-and-play sleeper, keeping her far away from the bathroom, however I have to say this was one of the quietest / soundproof bathrooms I’ve seen (I didn’t wake up either the sleeping baby or husband when getting ready either morning) as the shower and toilet flush were both rather quite. The length of the bathroom sink was very accommodating to the three of us staying in one room, including space to wash the little one’s bottles, etc. Rooms have a small refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, clothing iron. Parking is complimentary and we didn’t experience a shortage. They are on Hotel Tonight smart phone app (use promo code: ALIPSIUS for $25 off your first booking), which is how I booked a last-minute stay (in the upcoming week) for a steal. Small outdoor, summertime-use pool. The staff was very welcoming and friendly.
Cons: can’t walk to town, sits about halfway between Asheville and Arden. Not dog friendly. The elevators are halfway down the room hallway (as opposed to in the lobby), which may be a nuisance to those who have rooms near it.
This is adjacent to a Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites (neither we have stayed at).
*Dog / pet policies are subject to change and a fee. Please inquire directly with the room provider as to their most current pet policy and fee.
Asheville Post Series
- Asheville, Part 1: Where to Stay – you’re reading it!
- Asheville, Part 2: Where to Eat
- Asheville, Part 3: What to See & Do
- Asheville, Part 4: Where to Drink
- Asheville, Part 5: Where to Shop
