I'm trying to plan a surprise 10th anniversary trip for my husband. We went to the Biltmore on our honeymoon and I thought it might be fun to go back there. The focus this time will probably be on letterboxes instead of the house! My least favorite part of planning a trip is figuring out where to stay. When I look at hotel recommendations online, there are always people who love and hate the very same property! I think I might like a B & B. We'll probably be going in July (that's when the anniversary actually is, but I can be flexible) Can anyone offer any advice or suggestions? I'd rather not spend a ton - but it is our 10th anniversary, so I don't mind semi expensive ($150 or less per night) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Pls don't AQ mail me - he doesn't read boards, but he does check our mailbox and I want it to be a surprise!!

Thanks!
(the sneaky member of) Galaxy4

What part of July? The last couple of weeks of July see lots of festivals in the Asheville area. Lodging might be at a premium.

Folkmoot is the last two weeks of July and is located mostly over at Waynesville but Asheville gets overflow lodging crowd. I think Goombay is mid-July in Asheville and Belle Chere is the last weekend (or next to last). Anyway, both of those shut down the downtown area pretty well.

I'll check around and see what I can find out, but I'm going to SC this weekend so it might be Monday before I can give any concrete info.

Knit Wit

Mountainscorpia sent us some of these links last year for her gathering in Burnsville, NC (about an hour from Asheville). We stayed as a family in a very reasonably priced cabin on the Toe River off of the first site. The other two are bed and breakfasts.

If you can't find anything in Asheville for the time of year you are going you may consider a little less "touristy" area (not far from the "touristy" area so you can see any attractions you want to see) but every bit as lovely.

http://www.cabin-nc.com/cabins/index.php

http://www.celoinn.com/about%20the%20inn.htm

http://www.terrellhousebandb.com/

Thanks for the information about events at that time. I DO NOT want to go during something that makes things more crowded!!!! It may turn out that we want to wait until after school starts - it would make it easier on my father-in-law who will be keeping our kids if he has a break from them during the day!! I didn't know if late August /early Sept would be good - that should be before fall foliage time shouldn't it?

Thanks!

G4

We visited Asheville over Labor Day weekend 2 years ago and it was very pleasant weather. No, the leaves weren't changing noticeably yet.

Amyrica

The Mt. Mitchell Craft Fair is always the first weekend in August in Burnsville. This is a Fri/Sat event 40 miles from Asheville in a very walkable small town (my house is about 1/2 mile from the town square). I may very well be off camping that weekend, and you're welcome to stay here, if you don't mind dog hair. My Southern Highlands event boxes will all be re-clued and re-placed well before then, plus there are boxes in the yard, left by other boxing guests.

Lucy

I have some ideas-what is the best way to contact you??

I'll AQ mail you my e-mail

Thanks!

You're really sweet! We'll probably want to be in Asheville because I think we will probably only have a couple of nights to be there (can't impose on the babysitter too long!!)

Thanks!

here's the copy of the e-mail I received from my friend Madelyn......I can promise you that her recommendation is on the money-she's been in the business for about 20 years! Good luck!!

Well, I have connections--but I can't get them a deal. Especially during the summer. But here goes:
The Inn on Montford (Lynn or Ron) 1-800-254-9569 Not cheap, but unbelievable Wonderful rooms with all the amenities
She is working on her website--it is horrible now (I have been telling her this for years--but I have finally gotten her working She is one of my dearest friends.) http://www.innonmontford.com
Cumberland Falls (Patti) Interesting Victorian http://www.cumberlandfalls.com 888-743-2557
Ponder Cove (Martha) in Mars Hill (Haven't been there but Martha is absolutely wonderful--Hope to go soon, though) www.pondercove.com 888-689-7304
The Waverly Inn (Diane) Hendersonville (She is also one of my dearest friends--but don't tell her I recommended Lynn--They had a huge falling out--so I have to tiptoe around that :) Let's just say it is so bad and that is why I am telling you. http://www.waverlyinn.com (800) 537-8195

Thanks! I'll check out those websites and see what I can come up with! I'll be sure not to mention any thing that might get your friend in trouble! Thanks for your effort!!

Take it from someone who lives in Asheville.

If you want something approximating your honeymoon experience, you can not beat the Grove Park Inn for ambience and amenities.

http://www.groveparkinn.com/

This is where my wife and I had our wedding reception....the sun sets over the Blue Ridge will blow any other local place away....no lie.

--GoSox!

You've been given a lot of great info already and there's not much I can add. The Grove Park would be fantastic, but I'm not sure if you could find anything there for your stated top-end price of $150 a night. Maybe... and they do offer package deals which vary in price depending on the time and season you go.

Everything up here is cheaper if you can come up mid-week for a few days instead of including weekend time.

Knit Wit