Asheville’s Grove Park Inn: An Honest Review

Charm, elegance, and sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains greet you at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. I had visited this fabulous hotel once for a couple of hours, but had never had the opportunity to stay. So, when friends suggested we tag along with them for an overnighter at the Grove Park, we jumped on the invitation. For the most part, the Inn was just as fabulous as I had ever imagined.

Omni Grove Park Inn

The Omni Grove Park Inn is a historic resort hotel in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been rated as a Four Diamond Hotel since 2001.

After demolishing several sanitariums in Asheville, construction on Grove Park Inn began in 1912 and was completed in just under 12 months. The hotel is known for its rough granite stacked stone, its huge lobby with fireplaces that are as tall as some guests, and its amazing scenery.

This stunning Inn opened for business on July 12, 1913, and it has hosted many of the United States’ Presidents, as well as other noted guests. Omni Hotels bought the property in 2013.

The Inn

Omni Grove Park Inn’s facade was inspired by the inns at Yellowstone National Park… rustic and grand. It took just one year for a single steam shovel, pulleys, lots of mules, and 400 stonemasons and carpenters to complete this beautiful Inn. The stacked stone facade sits with its back to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Lobby

When you enter the Inn the first thing that strikes you is the enormity of the rustic lobby. The ceilings are high, the fireplaces big enough for a small car, dark wood, stone floors, and the feel of the lobby a little Disney Resort-ish… which isn’t a bad thing, just not what I expected.

We loved sitting in the rockers that were lined up in front of the beautiful fireplaces in the morning, and having a cocktail while a small band played in the lobby at night. But the best part about the Lobby is the view as you head out to the Sunset Terrace.

Dining & Drinking

The Sunset Terrace

One of our favorite spots for a cocktail or lunch is at the Sunset Terrace. You can find the Terrace at the back of the Lobby. The views are breathtaking, the drinks and food very good. Make a reservation to be sure you get an awesome table overlooking the city, mountains and grounds of this incredibly beautiful property.

Edison, Craft Ales & Kitchen

We unfortunately did not have a reservation to eat at Edison, but we did get to enjoy a drink, amazing views and a sunset on the outdoor patio of Edison. Later in the evening we went back to the indoor bar for a drink before dinner where we had delicious craft cocktails and locally brewed beer. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 11pm, and Friday through Sunday from 11am to Midnight. Be sure to make a reservation.

President’s Lounge Wine Bar

The President’s Lounge is located in the Sammons Wing near the Heritage Ballroom. It is filled with memorabilia, photographs and articles of past U.S. Presidents. It’s another great place to have a cocktail before or after dinner accompanied by beautiful views.

The Great Hall Bar

Located in the rustic Lobby of the Inn is the Great Hall Bar. Live music is played here each night, and the drinks are served by friendly bar staff. Grab a drink a and rocking chair by the fire to end your evening.

Blue Ridge

The Blue Ridge restaurant is a farm to table buffet serving pretty much anything you desire for breakfast. They also have a Friday night seafood buffet and a Saturday night prime rib buffet.

It’s another beautiful setting for dining and the staff in the Blue Ridge are awesome. In fact, there were no Eggs Benedict on the buffet and my husband asked our server, Stan, if he could get this for breakfast. Stan and the wonderful chef made the magic happen… it was delicious!

Spa Cafe

The Spa Cafe has meals and drinks for those looking for something a little more healthy. There is indoor and outdoor seating daily from 7:30am to 6:00pm.

Activities

The 1926 Donald Ross designed 18-hole, par 70 golf course on the grounds of the Grove Park is beautiful. Conde Nast Traveler named it one of its top 20 courses in the U.S. We did not have a chance to check out the course itself, but views of it from the Inn are gorgeous! Book a tee time here . Lessons are also available for those who have never held a golf club, or for those who are looking to hone their skill.

Tennis

The tennis courts at the Grove Park have been rated in the top 50 by Tennis Magazine. There are three indoor courts and three outdoor courts. You can also take lessons and attend clinics.

Fitness Center and Pool

The fitness center at Grove Park offers fitness classes, including yoga and pilates. It has an indoor pool, free weights and all of the cardio machines you can possibly need, including Peloton bikes.

Now, talk about a spa!! This beautiful 43,000 square foot spa has been rated as one of the top ones in the United States. All spa treatments give you access to the spa pools, saunas, steam rooms, and other amenities for the day. To be able to enjoy the indoor pool in the underground Grotto is worth getting a spa treatment!! Find more information and make reservations here.

History Tours

The Grove Park Inn offers 45 minute guided Inn history tours. These tours are complimentary for all resort guests. Inquire about availability and sign up at Concierge

Shopping

Craving a great cup of coffee, ice cream or a pizza? Stop in at The Marketplace in the corner of the retail promenade of the Sammons Wing. Also in the retail promenade are lots of cute clothing shops and gift shops.

Stop in at the Nantahala Outdoor Center at the promenade to arrange whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip-lining and mountain bike tours.

See all of Grove Park Inn’s activities and events here.

Guest Rooms

So, honestly, this is the part that was a little disappointing. The rooms are in desperate need of updating. They are dark and old looking… and our sheets, as well as our friends’ sheets were pilled, which made them very uncomfortable. However, the beds themselves were quite comfy!

There are three main guest room areas: Historic Main Inn, Vanderbilt Wing, and the Sammons Wing. Make your reservations directly through the hotel, or save a little cash with Booking.com.

Historic Main Inn

The Historic Main Inn is the original guest room area which was opened in 1913. Rooms in the Main Inn are smaller than those in the other 2 wings. These are charming rooms at a good value, but they are not roomy at all and are not meant for a family.

There’s one additional thing you should know about the Main Inn… a friendly ghost walks these halls. The story is that Room 545, as well as other parts of the Main Inn, is haunted by “The Pink Lady”. She has been felt and seen in the halls for almost 100 years. The Pink Lady’s spirit is of a young woman who fell to her death from a balcony on the 5th floor in the 1920’s. Most people who see her say that she is in a pink ball gown, or she shows up as just a pink mist. Other guest and employees of the Inn say they feel her presence… a touch or chill.

The Pink Lady is particularly fond of children and often reveals herself to them. She will also occasionally rearrange objects in the rooms or turn lights on and off. Guests have even spotted her by the fireplaces in the lobby.

Vanderbilt and Sammons Wings

The Sammons and Vanderbilt Wings are the newer wings of the Inn. Vanderbilt is pet friendly, while Sammons is not. These rooms are much larger than those in the Main Inn. They are slightly more updated than the Main Inn’s rooms, but still need a major rejuvenation!

Club Floor

If you’re willing to spend quite a bit more, request a suite on the Club Floor. With that extra expense you get extra pampering!

No matter where you stay in the Inn, pay a little extra for a mountain vista room. You just can’t beat the views!

A Note About Getting to Your Room

One thing that we found a little confusing and quirky was that the Inn is sort of upside down. When you’re in the elevator going to your room, you have to hit the “down” button instead of going up! You actually descend from the lobby to your lower rooms. I don’t know how many times I accidentally hit the “up” button on the elevator!!

Other Amenities

• Babysitting
• Kids Programs and Camps
• Aerobics, Racquetball, Yoga, Wellness Programs
• Weight Rooms, Fitness Classes, Pelotons
• Pet-Friendly
• Free Wi-Fi
• 55,000 Square Feet of Indoor and Outdoor Meeting and Event Space
• Indoor and Outdoor Pools
• Three Indoor and Three Outdoor Tennis Courts

Is the Omni Grove Park Inn Worth the Money?

The Omni Grove Park Inn is an incredibly beautiful, yet rustic hotel. For the most part, we were very happy with our stay at the Inn.

The food and drinks were excellent, the lobby’s fireplaces make you want to stay in your PJ’s by the fire all day, the views are some of the most stunning in all of Asheville, and the spa is one of the best in the country. We particularly loved sitting on the Sunset Terrace and watching the views change with the light of the day.

Downtown Asheville is just a short drive or Uber ride away from the Inn, so it’s in a perfect location for exploring the city. If you don’t want to eat and drink at one of the Inn’s many fantastic restaurants, you’re just a short commute to some excellent downtown restaurants and bars.

The Not So Great Part

With much needed updates on the Guest Rooms and a little hospitality training, the Grove Park Inn could be just as splendid as it was back in 1913.

The rooms are extremely outdated and dreary. Even though the rooms are spotless, their dreariness makes them feel as if they are less than clean.

Our bedsheets were pilled, as were our friends’ bedsheets on another floor. And, by the way, I did notice quite a few reviewers on TripAdvisor mentioning the same issue with the sheets. Again, the sheets are clean, but the pilling makes them feel old, worn and unclean.

As for the hospitality… we did have some issues.

When we first arrived with our luggage, not one of the bellhops offered to take our bags and have them brought to our room. Although we did not have much, we were still struggling to carry what we did have.

The front desk clerks were very unfriendly upon arrival. And, after sleeping in our room for the night, they did not even want to acknowledge the complaint we had with regard to the pilling of our sheets. If you stopped an employee in the halls to ask about something at the Inn, they acted as if they didn’t want to be bothered. Some of the Inn’s restaurant servers and hostesses were also less than accommodating. Although, there were a few outstanding exceptions.

Was it worth the money? Yes, it’s a little expensive, but it was worth the money for spending one night in this historic Inn. However, next time I think a quaint B&B will be money better spent.

Get those updates done, invest in new sheets, and provide training for your employees, Grove Park Inn! You have a real gem here, and I hate to see its reputation taking a nose-dive.

Nearby Attractions and Activities

Downtown Asheville

Hiking

There are tons of hiking and biking trails throughout the Asheville area that you can explore on your own with All Trails, or you can take one of these great hiking tours.

Blue Ridge Parkway

One of America’s most beautiful drives is along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway runs from Virginia down to Cherokee, North Carolina. It has killer alpine vistas, fun twists and turns for 469 miles, and some of the world’s oldest mountains. Drive it yourself, or let someone else do the driving with a tour from Viator. Either way, don’t miss this stunning road trip!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Straddling the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in the Smoky Mountains, more fondly known as “The Smokies”.

The name “Smoky” comes from the natural fog hanging over the mountain range. If you’ve ever been here, you’ve seen it… the mountains look like they’re covered in smoke.

Adventure Down a River

Kayaking, whitewater rafting, or just a princess float down a river is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day in Asheville. Take a look at all of your river adventure options here.

Best Time to Visit Grove Park Inn

The Grove Park Inn, and Asheville itself, is the most beautiful in the spring or fall. In the spring it is blooming, and in the fall the foliage is vibrant with all of the colors of Autumn. Prices will tend to be higher during these peak times. If you want to save a little cash, plan on visiting in the summer and winter.

Save Money on Your Room

Omni Grove Park Inn can be quite expensive, especially if you book directly with the hotel. You may save a little bit on your room by going through either Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago.

How to Get to the Grove Park Inn

If you’re flying in to stay at the Grove Park Inn, or anywhere else in Asheville, the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) has daily non stop flights from some of the major cities in the U.S. It’s a small airport that is easy to navigate. Find a cheap flight on Expedia or CheapOair. See my separate post on how to get the best deals on flights.

Drive

Once you arrive at the airport, you can pick up your rental car right at the baggage terminal. I recommend Hertz, but you may find a better deal on AutoEurope. See my tips and tricks for renting a car here. Get directions from the airport, or from anywhere, to the Omni Grove Park Inn on Google Maps.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft are both available from the Asheville Regional Airport. Rides to the Grove Park Inn from the airport will cost approximately $25-$30 depending upon the time of day.

Shuttle Service

The Grove Park Inn does not provide a free shuttle service for their guests to or from the airport, but if you call them they will provide a service for a fee.

Share Your Travel Tips and Comments

As always, if you have any of your own travel tips to add to this post, any remarks on the article, or if my information needs an edit or addition, please leave your comments below. I value all of your input.

Thank you all for your continued support.

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