The Blue Ridge Mountains are a particularly beautiful and atmospheric part of the Appalachian Range, known for the blue haze that surrounds them when viewed from afar. And they’re a really easy part of the Appalachians to stay in, with a number of charming centres, the largest being the Asheville region in North Carolina, but also Charlottesville and Lynchburg, Virginia. This is where, by our Hotel Gurus’ reckoning, you’ll find many of the best hotels in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but they also have a handful of secluded lodges to recommend, and properties close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs sort of parallel to the Appalachian Trail, the great American walking route. Use our guide and start planning your next outdoorsy adventure.
For the Scrapbook
- The Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville is reminiscent of a Tudor hunting lodge, what with the vast fireplaces, chandeliers made from antlers, mounted and stuffed animals, animal oil paintings, dark carved wood and animal statues — it’s really something! The 100 odd rooms and suites are much milder in taste, with contemporary details and lots of light and space (plus some hunting lodge details!), and there’s a a large spa and gym and an impressive restaurant. There’s also a hairdresser and an art gallery.
For Views
- The Greystone Inn is a luxurious inn romantically positioned on a jut of land on the shore of Lake Toxaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The exterior has a New England feel, and inside the 30 rooms and suites are spacious and traditionally decorated, with wonderful views. There’s a spa, and a superb restaurant, but for the ultimate romantic gesture, borrow one of the inn’s boats and embark on a sunset cruise.
- The Andon-Reid Inn is a country escape with revitalising, unobstructed views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are just seven rooms, all offering incredible views of their own, plus comfortable, rustic decor and spacious bathrooms with stand-alone whirlpool tubs. There’s no restaurant, but they do offer a three course breakfast, which is included in the price.
For Explorers
- The Lodge at River Run is a proper traditional lodge, complete with wood cladding, fireplaces and bunk rooms, set by the Elk River, within the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are five rooms, all spacious, and fitted with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. And outside there’s a fire pit and an open air hot tub. There’s no restaurant, but they offer a gourmet breakfast, and you can opt to self cater.
For Families
- The Inn on Biltmore Estate is large and modern, and part of Asheville’s 8,000 acre Biltmore Estate. There are 210 rooms and suites, decorated in a classically luxurious manner, plus a heated outdoor pool, a gym and spa, and a choice of two restaurants, one fine dining. There’s so much to do here that you don’t need to leave the estate: you can hike, fish, ride a bike or a horse, kayak, clay pigeon shoot, try falconry, or visit Biltmore House, which has 250 rooms, and houses the art collection of the Vanderbilt family.
- A warm and welcoming, owner-run B&B, the Sweet Biscuit Inn is in a leafy Asheville suburb a couple of miles from the centre of town, and makes a comfortable base for exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. The seven rooms are done in homely style and are split between the main house and the Carriage House, which has two separate bedrooms and self catering facilities. Plus there’s a lounge and library, and an expansive front porch overlooking the pretty garden.
For Romantics
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- The Gideon Ridge Inn is a secluded mountain hideaway outside Blowing Rock, with a stone terrace running all the way around the property which offers incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The inn has ten rooms and suites, all with open fireplaces and french doors leading out onto the terrace. The restaurant is gourmet, and offers alfresco dining on the terrace when the weather permits.
- The Yellow House is an historic inn in a peaceful spot in Waynesville. Its ten rooms and suites are decorated with well chosen antiques, art, and luxurious linens and drapes. The suites have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. The verandah is a lovely place for a sit and a contemplate, possibly at the end of a day exploring the local national parks. There’s no restaurant, but they offer a three course breakfast, served in the dining room or on the verandah.
For Relaxation
- The gorgeous little luxury spa resort of Westglow is just minutes from Blowing Rock, housed in a Greek Revival mansion. There are just 11 rooms and suites, all decorated in keeping with the building’s original features, and an impressive full service spa. There’s also a gourmet restaurant.
- Bridgewater Hall is an historic B&B set on five acres of mature gardens close to the Old Catawba River. There are just three elegant suites available to guests, all spacious, and decorated in pale green and cream, with antiques and cosy fireplaces. This is a good place to escape to, especially to the riverside hammock.
For a Countryside Escape
- Lazy Bear Lodge is a secluded, five bedroom guesthouse lodge in a picturesque spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each room is spacious and cosily decorated, and has a large bathroom with whirlpool tub. The common areas are really charming, with stone fireplaces, balconies and terraces, and incredible views. There’s no restaurant, but they offer breakfast.
- A charming inn nestled into the heart of the Cashiers Mountain Plateau, the Hotel Cashiers is probably the most modern pick on our list, with 19 minimalist chic rooms and suites — with original artworks and custom designed, handmade furniture. The large windows ensure incredible mountain views, and the elegant decor doesn’t get in the way. It’s only small, but still has a choice of three restaurants on site.
- The Mast Farm Inn has been welcoming guests to its charming mountain site since early 1800, and its southern hospitality has seen it become something of a local institution. Anticipate beautiful original features, like fireplaces and wood panelling, and look forward to the incredible views and award-winning cuisine.
For Walkers
- The Oak Hill on Love Lane Bed and Breakfast is just a half mile from downtown Waynesville, yet has incredible views of the Smoky Mountains. The six, traditionally elegant rooms and suites, feature original fireplaces and carved wood mantles, and are decorated with antiques. The breakfast is an organic farm-to-fork affair.
- Applewood Manor is a charming, six room B&B in the Montfort Area Historic District of Asheville — which is just a short stroll from the centre of town. The rooms are all different, featuring an eclectic array of decor, including some inventively designed furnishings in amongst fabulous antiques. Our favourites have four poster beds, open fireplaces and private balconies.
For an Active Holiday
- The Esmeralda Inn is a rustic chic inn just outside Chimney Rock in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 17 rooms and suites have a chalet cosiness to them, with their abundance of pale wood and fireplaces, and most have fantastic views of the Rocky Road River and Chimney Rock. The restaurant is known for its seasonal, local menu, and there’s a lovely garden with a terrace and outdoor hot tub. This is a brilliant pick for an active holiday, with fishing, boating, biking, horseback riding and hiking all easily done from the inn door.
For Luxury
- The Foundry Hotel gets its name from the steel foundry which this hotel now occupies, and the industrial chic decor here is original in many places. The huge scale of the windows matches the spacious rooms with their high ceilings; all of the communal spaces are huge too, but cosily decorated so as not to feel cavernous. The hotel restaurant is known for its Appalachian soul food, and the whole complex is within a short stroll of four breweries and lots and lots of places to eat and drink.
For Great Value
- The Marshall House Inn is an historic, four room inn on a hill overlooking the town of Marshall, and the French Broad River. There’s a rocking chair on the verandah, several incredible fireplaces, and large, traditional sash windows. but the rooms themselves are contemporary in style, with fresh wood floors, walk in showers and abstract art. It’s a great mash up, well positioned for all sorts of adventures, and great value as well.
Best B&Bs
- The Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill is an elegantly converted mansion in the mountains just outside Asheville. There are seven rooms and suites, some with four-poster beds and fireplaces, and the gardens surrounding the house provide charming views.
- The Black Walnut B&B Inn is a sort of turn of the century dream home turned four room B&B, with an eccentric turret, beautiful verandah and terraces and memorable antiques and materials. There’s certainly something opulent about the interiors; the rooms are all different, but they have fireplaces, pained murals, chandeliers, silk drapes and pink marble. And the Asheville location is convenient for many routes and trails, for both walkers and cyclists, and the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail is just nearby. There’s no restaurant, but they do offer breakfast and afternoon tea.
Still not sure where to book?
