Asheville, North Carolina
When my husband and I first started dating almost a decade ago, we would often find ourselves making plans to spend a night or two in Asheville. While we love the area we live in, there is just something about the small, friendly town that draws you in and invites you back time and time again.
There are a plethora of things to do right in the downtown area and many fabulous hotels. Before kids my husband and I would stay at Aloft Downtown Asheville, mainly for its price point but also its location. If you have ever stayed at an Aloft, you’ve basically seen them all! With a shared decor/atmosphere at any Aloft you may wander into, you know there will not be any surprises. With Aloft you know what you are getting! Our favorite perk of staying there is the W XYZ Bar and the fact that it is a stone's throw from Wicked Weed Brewing Co.
Walk down the road a little bit and you run into another fabulous hotel - the Kimpton Hotel Arras. This hotel is fairly new, having been built in the past five years. The lobby is gorgeous and includes a lively bar and a fabulous restaurant called Bargello. Their pasta is freshly made in house and will make you think you are in Italy!
Right on the edge of downtown is the Renaissance Asheville. This hotel also offers a good restaurant, plenty of parking and spacious rooms. The lobby also offers a small bar with a friendly atmosphere!
If you are looking for something other than the hustle and bustle of the downtown area, check out the Grand Bohemian Asheville located in Biltmore Village. This hotel is ridiculously unique from the entrance to the rooms! While you are there, make sure you enjoy a meal at The Red Stag Grill, their food is delicious.
On your way out of town (if heading south), make sure to stop and check out Sierra Nevada’s Mills River Taproom. Their restaurant is great and the beer is super tasty. It’s not just for adults either - the outside area offers a large green space, beautiful garden, small play area, bocce ball, and corn hole. On weekends there is almost always live music!
