The beginning of Asheville is somewhat shrouded in mystery, as Native American populations called it home for over 1,000 years. Since that time, it's been inhabited by Spanish, French, and English explorers. It wasn't until 1784 that a permanent settlement began near the mouth of Bee Tree Creek. After the Civil War, Asheville developed rapidly, and it still contains many historical homes, including the Biltmore Estate, which is the largest private residence in the United States.
Today, Asheville is one of the most visited and recognized tourist destinations in North Carolina, thanks to a bevy of awards bestowed upon the city. Some of these titles include "The Hippie Capital of the South, one of the "Nine Most Romantic Cities in the South, one of "America's Best Beer Cities," and one of the "Top 25 Small Cities for Art." Regardless of the reason for your visit, you'll want to find the hotel that puts you close to the action.
When to Visit Asheville, NC
Depending on what you want to do, there are many ideal times to visit Asheville. During the summer months, the city can get hot during the day, but the mornings and evenings are mild. One of the best parts of visiting during the summer is that there are tons of music, art, and food festivals. This time of year is one of the hardest times to find a hotel, mainly because there's so much going on in Asheville. Therefore, it's important to grab up a hotel room early to ensure you get the hotel of your choice.
In the early spring, the climate is much milder, yet there's a moderate likelihood of snow due to the elevation. By April and May, the chance of snow becomes almost non-existent as the temperatures warm. If you want to explore the city in relative peace, this is the perfect time of year to head out on your adventure.
The onset of fall begins in mid-September. This is perhaps the most glorious time of the year in Asheville. During this time, the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains change colors, sporting red, yellow, auburn, and virtually every other fall hue you can dream about. This is also the time of year that has the least chance of rain, meaning any stroll through town or excursion in the mountains has little chance of being interrupted by a downpour.
If you're into winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding, then it's imperative that you visit Asheville between December and March. At this time of the year, the Blue Ridge Mountains provide ample ski resorts for all budgets and all skill levels. If you plan on going to the area around the Christmas holiday, make certain that you book a hotel or vacation resort well in advance. Sometimes, you may get a steal on a hotel room and ski pass and avoid crowds by going to Asheville in March, as up to a foot of snow has been known to fall late in the season
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Asheville, NC:
Asheville, NC: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below we've posted 3 graphs illustrating avg. nightly cost patterns by star rating class in Asheville, NC. Browse these illustrations to determine the most cost effective seasons to book in Asheville for upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotel Options in Asheville, NC
4 Star Average Prices: $193.71
If you're looking for a romantic getaway, a pampered vacation, or you just love to splurge every so often, the greater Asheville area has some exceptional options. The most boutique choice is the Omni Grove Park Inn. It's on the outskirts of town, but it's still only a 3-mile drive from downtown Asheville and just 25 minutes from the airport. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it's perfect for either an urban or outdoor vacation. In your room, you'll enjoy an LCD television, complimentary Wi-Fi, massages, body treatments, and facials. You can also hit the links at their on-site golf course. For local meals, there's a coffeehouse and four restaurants on the grounds.
For a relaxing stay downtown, book your getaway at the Windsor Boutique Hotel. Built in 1907, this hotel features 14 luxury suites with varying themes. Each has a full kitchen, living room, and private bedroom. However, what makes the experience truly unique is that each bit of decor was hand-picked from local craftsmen or straight from Paris.
Budget Hotel Options in Asheville, North Carolina
3 Star Average Prices: $126.72
Even when it's tourist season in Asheville, finding a hotel isn't as hard as you may think. Econo Lodge Biltmore is located in close proximity to many of Asheville's main attractions including the Asheville Art Museum, the Asheville Mall, the Biltmore Estate, the Innsbruck Mall, and Memorial Stadium. When you're winding down from your day of exploration, you'll enjoy amenities such as free parking, free Wi-Fi, free newspapers, and a full spread for breakfast.
If you don't mind about a five-minute drive into town, the Ramada Inn in Asheville Southeast is a brilliant option, especially during the summer. You can enjoy the outdoor pool or hot tub, or if you're looking to sneak in a workout, there's also a fitness center. In addition, there's complimentary Wi-Fi access, a cozy lobby with a real fireplace, and shopping options on-site. When selecting your room, you can choose from one king bed, one queen bed, or two double beds.
Once you're freshened up and ready to go, the Ramada Inn is near several popular attractions including the Western North Carolina Nature Center, the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Recreation Park, and Asheville's Fun Depot, which has go-karts, an arcade, miniature golf, laser tag, and a climbing wall.
2 Star Average Prices: $77.51
Asheville, North Carolina's Top-Notch Discounts
Knowing where you want to stay in Asheville gives you a remarkable advantage thanks to generous discounts from many local hotels and national chains. For example, the Four Points by Sheraton in downtown Asheville offers variable AAA discounts throughout the year with proof of AAA membership. At this hotel, you'll find a downstairs bar and lounge, fitness facilities, free Wi-Fi, free parking, free newspapers, limo or shuttle service for a fee, and a safe-deposit box at the front desk.
Another option for discounted rooms is at the Haywood Park Hotel, located conveniently in the heart of Asheville's Art District. They offer Senior/AARP discounts that vary in value throughout the year. Here, you'll find some great amenities such as a bar and lounge, dry cleaning and laundry service, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, a sauna, a hair salon, and a restaurant.
Best Value Options in Asheville, NC
While Asheville offers plenty of low-cost and luxury options, there are also many midrange hotels that provide the best bang for your buck. When you book your stay at Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville, you'll find yourself only minutes away from Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, Hazel Robinson Amphitheater, as well as the Biltmore Estate and several local wineries. In addition, you're only about 2 miles from downtown Asheville. Each room comes with complimentary Wi-Fi, fitness facilities, free newspapers, an indoor pool, children's pool, indoor tennis courts, a picnic area, and a restaurant on-site.
For a value hotel that's close to everything, consider the Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville. At the Hotel Indigo, you'll enjoy either city or mountain views, and many of the rooms are adorned with art from local painters. Other amenities include a concierge service, express check-in and check-out, valet parking, and a restaurant. When you're ready to hit the town, this hotel is close to many bars and restaurants, and it's just a few steps to the famous Basilica of St. Lawrence, the Grove Arcade, and U.S. Cellular Center.
Top Asheville, North Carolina Destinations
The premier place to visit in Asheville is the legendary Biltmore Estate. Located on an 8,000-acre plot of land, the Biltmore Estate was finished in 1895 with a whopping 179,000 square feet of space. The estate is now open to the public, and it will give you an indication of just how much money the Vanderbilt family made during the Industrial Revolution.
Due to its massive size, the Biltmore Estate is an exhausting daylong trek, meaning you'll need some food and libations after your visit. One of the best places to stop afterward is the New Belgium Brewing Company, which functions as a microbrewery, yet their beers are distributed nationwide. Here, you can enter the tasting room to taste some of their premium concoctions straight out of the vat, such as the famous Fat Tire Amber Ale. They also have seasonal IPAs, pilsners, lagers, and stouts.
When the evening finally springs upon you, don't forget to check out some of the music venues which feature both national and local acts. The Orange Peel immediately comes to mind when you think of classic venues in Asheville, and the stage has been graced by artists such as the Black Keys and Bob Dylan. With seating for up to 1,000 and two fully stocked bars, you simply must visit the place that Rolling Stone voted one of the top five music venues in the country.
Whether you're looking to party down or just spend a pleasant evening in Asheville, make sure you find the perfect hotel to fit your budget, location, and style.
Asheville is located between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina. It is a small city with 17 farmers' markets and the local restaurant scene is all about taking advantage of the seasonal products sold here. Asheville is known as liberal and artsy city. I has several names because of its beautiful downtown and liberal style of living. Sometimes Asheville is called the 'Paris of the South' or "San Francisco of the East'. The city was named one of the world's top 12 must-see destinations for by Frommer's travel guide and "America's New Freak Capital' by magazine Rolling Stone . The city has to show a lot for different kind of travelers. So the food, nature, architecture and culture lovers will definitely find great attractions and activities here.Â
While Looking for Budget-Friendly Accommodation
Asheville is quite well-known for its many cheap hotels, so a budget traveler may choose from a large number of accommodations. Most of cheap hotels in Asheville offer private, comfortable rooms with kitchenette, fosball tables and much more. One of the quickest and easiest way to find a hotel in Asheville is to search for it online as a lot of budget-friendly hotels offer online booking. If you do not want to spent your time on the internet, choose among these options: Lovers Loop Retreat, Downtown Inn & Suites, Bon Paul and Sharky's Hostel.
The Best Accommodating Places in the City
Many hotels in Asheville are waiting for the travelers who are looking for luxury place to stay and want to feel the finest of the city. Asheville hotels are very comfortable and accommodative and offer really great services and facilities. Probably the most famous hotel in Western North Carolina is The Grove Park Inn, which has housed such famous guests as O. Henry, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and, more recently, Daniel Day Lewis. Usually you can find fireplace, spas, jacuzzi tubs, king sized beds, stylish and comfortable rooms in Asheville hotels. You also can stay in ASIA Bed & Spa, Lady or find another best suitable accommodation for you.
Attractions for Every Taste and Need
Asheville is a city full of attractions. You can visit one of the huge number of city's galleries and museums, go to a workshop in Asheville Glass Center, or the one of the city tours, for example Electro Bike Tour, Eating Asheville Tour or Autorickshaw Tour. Also do not miss microbreweries and fascinating architecture in downtown. Many festivals, theater and musical performances occur during the year, so the lovers of the culture definitely will find where to go. For those, who love nature, one of the best way to explore the beauty of the area is to go hiking. The city is situated between mountains and the landscape is really worth to see. You can rent a bike as well for your exploration of the city and the areas, or go shopping in one of the shop districts.
FAQs about hotels in Asheville