In Asheville, the Blue Ridge Mountains are calling—together with bluegrass music and live music, a food scene with a number of the state’s most enjoyable restaurants, more craft beer than you’ll know what to do with, and a dynamic homegrown art scene. Despite its increasing popularity, the town has held onto its local flavor, making it the right place to experience the crossroads of Appalachia and the South. Asheville is a year-round destination, whether you’re chasing peak fall colours, escaping the summer heat on the river, or hitting the paths.
While the town and surrounding western North Carolina towns are still rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, probably the greatest ways to support this resilient, energetic community is by planning a visit.
“It was painful to lose our peak fall season, but we’re seeing business in Asheville slowly pick back up,” says Shelton Steele, co-owner of the town’s Incorrect Way River Lodge & Cabins, which reopened after the hurricane in November 2024. “That is the Asheville Revival, and we’re inviting folks to be a part of our comeback.”
As a part of our Hotels We Love series, we’ve hand-selected the perfect hotels that capture the town’s spirit, from historic stays and artsy coves. Listed below are 12 top places to ascertain into in your next visit—each offering its own tackle this mountain town’s unique personality.
Blind Tiger Asheville
- Neighborhood: Chestnut Hill Historic District
- Why we adore it: Individually designed rooms in a former residence dating to 1889
- From $179
- Book now
Situated in a quiet neighborhood yet near the town’s energy, Blind Tiger Asheville feels less like a hotel and more just like the home of a classy, well-traveled friend. Set in a restored 1889 residence, this self-check-in retreat blends vintage charm with modern comforts. The 14 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites—starting from an airy artist’s loft to a comfortable two-room cabin—are decorated with antique furnishings, curated curiosities, and welcoming touches like fireplaces, jetted tubs, or kitchenettes.
Mornings start with a complimentary light breakfast, while an open pantry stocked with locally sourced snacks and espresso keeps guests fortified throughout the day. Picnic blankets and baskets are also available for impromptu Asheville adventures. For ideas on what to do in the town, ask the hotel’s plugged-in hosts to direct you to the whole lot from buzzy restaurants to hidden art spots.
Chestnut Street Inn
- Location: Chestnut Hill Historic District
- Why we adore it: A locally owned inn set in a historic residential area
- From $229
- Book now
Chestnut Street Inn has long been a beloved fixture in Asheville—a captivating bed-and-breakfast inside a 15-minute walk of downtown Asheville. But in September 2024, Hurricane Helene dealt a devastating blow, forcing the inn to shut for months. After a difficult recovery, owner Emilie Kapp is about to reopen the inn in April 2025. “I’m cautiously excited to reopen, and I also know that things won’t ever be similar to they were before the storm,” she says. Yet her signature warmth and dedication to crafting a hyper-local experience remain unchanged.
“The largest change at our inn can be that we now not serve breakfast,” Kapp says, explaining that it’s unattainable to maintain rates competitive while operating the identical way post-Helene. While guests may miss the inn’s delicious two-course breakfasts, there’s still plenty to enjoy, including local beer on tap, freshly baked cookies, and gift cards to one in every of 4 excellent breakfast spots just blocks away. Among the many standout rooms are the Beaucatcher Suite (hello, fireplace), while the Zen Retreat has a six-foot steam shower that seems like a spa day in itself.
Elevation Lofts
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Why we love it: The texture of a residential loft with the amenities of a hotel
- From $370, three night minimum
- Book now
Often neglected in favor of larger hotels and classy Airbnbs, Elevation Lofts delivers the perfect of each worlds: the texture of a light-filled downtown loft residence with the perks of a boutique hotel stay. Fully renovated in 2021, this contemporary hideaway offers six apartments—some with as much as 4 bedrooms—where tall windows, exposed brick partitions with contemporary artwork from Asheville’s Momentum Gallery, beamed ceilings, and industrial-chic details set the scene. Word has it that Unit 302 is probably the most coveted room, with a big roll-in shower, a mezzanine level, and an expansive living area.
With fully equipped kitchens, guests can replenish on local provisions or take a brief stroll to Mission Pizza Romana, housed in Terra Nova Beer Co, for slices and brews to enjoy a comfortable night in. Better of all? The situation puts visitors inside easy reach of the town’s most noteworthy restaurants, breweries, and bars.
The Flat Iron Hotel
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Why we adore it: A historic constructing is now a captivating boutique hotel
- From $169
- Book now
In May 2024, Asheville’s second high-rise—inbuilt the Nineteen Twenties and once home to the whole lot from a barbershop to a dance studio—was reborn because the Flat Iron Hotel, courtesy of the Charleston-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group. The 71-room boutique hotel preserves its historic charm with original terrazzo floors, a grand marble staircase, and rooms named after Nineteen Twenties icons. A vibrant red 1939 Steinway piano greets guests within the lobby, while the rooftop bar has three patios with sweeping Asheville views; one has firepits, making it a primary spot for a sunset cocktail. Below ground, Red Ribbon, a hidden cocktail lounge, nods to Asheville’s spirited anti-Prohibitionists, who wore red ribbons as a logo of defiance.
Downstairs, Luminosa blends modern Appalachia with Italian classics. Executive chef Graham House (known for his beef fat tater tots) and chef de cuisine Sean McMullen source hyperlocal ingredients to craft wood-fired dishes that commemorate the region’s culinary heritage. The dimly lit dining room—with dark wood, leather banquettes, and brass fixtures—feels as inviting because the food, with the ever-present scent of firewood adding to the atmosphere.
The Foundry Hotel Asheville, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Why we adore it: A well-located modern hotel in Asheville’s history-rich “Block” neighborhood
- Loyalty program: Hilton Honors
- From $209
- Book now
For nearly a century, a neighborhood called the Block, composed of Eagle and South Market streets, was the center of a vibrant Black cultural and industrial district, anchored by the YMI Cultural Center—one in every of the nation’s oldest Black cultural centers. Although much of the Block was destroyed by urban renewal within the mid-Twentieth century, the world has been revitalized as a hub for commerce, culture, and nightlife.
In 2018, the 87-room Foundry Hotel Asheville, Curio Collection by Hilton opened on this historic neighborhood inside a former steel foundry, which forged the steel used to construct the Biltmore Estate. The boutique hotel consists of three old steel mill buildings and two recent structures and maintains several original features, including a pulley elevator, exposed beams, steel-star fastenings, exposed brick, and industrial-style windows. While all rooms are inviting, the spacious King Corner Studio Suite, with its high ceilings and huge industrial windows, is particularly popular.
Workshop Lounge offers a solid choice of Old-Fashioned cocktails (try the banana bread Old-Fashioned) and casual bites. Bonus: The hotel is a brief walk from Blue Spiral 1, a well-liked art gallery that showcases contemporary works by Asheville contemporary artist Reuben Negrón.
Grand Bohemian
- Neighborhood: Biltmore Village
- Why we adore it: A Nineteenth-century hunting lodge in Biltmore Village near Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate
- Loyalty program: Marriott Bonvoy
- From $285
- Book now
The Grand Bohemian evokes the charm of an Old World Bavarian hunting lodge, complete with antler chandeliers, opulent velvet and brocade accents, and a taxidermied wild boar named Zsa Zsa within the lobby. But while the general public spaces lean moody and dramatic, the 104 rooms and suites offer a lighter, more inviting contrast with white bedding, tufted headboards, and spa-like tubs with shutters that open to the sleeping area. Art lovers will find rare original works throughout, together with a dedicated gallery showcasing local and international artists.
Despite its storybook Tudor-style facade, the hotel is a contemporary addition to Biltmore Village, inbuilt 2009 and refreshed in 2017. Situated steps from Biltmore Village and across from George W. Vanderbilt’s Gilded Age estate, it’s a simple base for exploring Asheville and the Great Smokies. After sustaining significant flood damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024, the hotel is about to reopen in May 2025 following a full renovation, including a redesign of the lobby, guest rooms, and its renowned restaurant, Red Stag Grill, which has a personal dining room.
The Inn and the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate
- Neighborhood: Biltmore Estate Grounds
- Why we adore it: A French château–like stick with 8,000 acres of grounds and a winery
- The Inn from $339; the Village Hotel from $193
- Book now
George Vanderbilt arrived in Asheville in 1895 with a dream of making a self-sustaining estate, and today, his 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate stays an eco-friendly marvel—nine acres of solar panels offset 20 percent of the estate’s energy use. While overnight stays in the unique mansion aren’t allowed, booking a room on the estate is an experience by itself, with exclusive access to the grounds long after day visitors have left.
Essentially the most luxurious selection is the Inn on Biltmore Estate, where dark wood furnishings, wealthy textiles, and plush beds channel Old World elegance. The Inn is undergoing a multi-phase renovation while remaining open—the primary wave of newly designed rooms debuted in early 2024, and the second set can be accomplished later in 2025. Guests can unwind on the spa, sip wine from the estate’s vineyard, or absorb views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the heated outdoor pool before indulging in farm-to-table Southern classics within the white-linen dining room.
For a more relaxed (and budget friendly) stay, the Village Hotel offers a relaxed, farmhouse-meets-cottage vibe, pet-friendly rooms, and access to the estate’s garden, winery, and trails.—Devorah Lev-Tov
Kimpton Hotel Arras
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Why we adore it: Art deco meets modern design in Asheville’s tallest constructing
- Loyalty program: IHG One Rewards
- From $191
- Book now
Kimpton Hotel Arras, the tallest constructing in Asheville, anchors downtown with its sleek, art deco meets modern design. Housed in a former Sixties bank, the boutique hotel blends local art, stylish furnishings, and impeccable service with a central Pack Square location. Expect morning coffee and tea service, in-room yoga mats, and loaner bikes that make exploring easy, while Urban Exhale Massage Spa can assist you unwind afterward.
Arras helped redefine Asheville’s hotel scene and still stands out with its balance of history, design, and hospitality. Bargello serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes like house-made pasta and wood-fired pizzas, while District 42 is the spot for craft cocktails and shareable plates. Whether booking a guest room or suite, go for a mountain-view room to soak in the fantastic thing about the Blue Ridge Mountains from above.
The Moxy Asheville
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Why we adore it: An inexpensive, whimsical hotel in peak location downtown
- Loyalty program: Marriott Bonvoy
- From $136
- Book now
Moxy Asheville debuted in September 2024, only weeks before Hurricane Helene hit. “Asheville’s seasonal peak in tourism was right across the corner, and we were excited to introduce this recent brand to our Asheville travelers going into our fall foliage season,” says Dexter Haze, the hotel’s general manager. “We proceed to introduce this brand to the steadily growing tourism demand and are excited in regards to the outlook for the remainder of 2025.” Situated on Biltmore Avenue, the six-floor, 115-room property brings a fresh, social energy to downtown, offering a more cost-effective stay without skimping on style.
True to Moxy’s playful spirit, check-in doubles as a bar—because why not start your stick with a cocktail, mocktail, or coffee at Bar Moxy? The design-forward hotel features sleek communal spaces, a large video wall, and a grab-and-go marketplace for quick bites. But the actual scene-stealer is Wildwood Still, the rooftop bar and restaurant, where greater than 150 whiskeys, craft cocktails, and Asian-inspired small plates pair perfectly with unobstructed Blue Ridge views.
The Radical
- Neighborhood: River Arts District
- Why we adore it: Showy, maximalist interiors celebrating urban creativity
- From $152
- Book now
The Radical embraces its past as a former warehouse in Asheville’s River Arts District, transforming industrial bones right into a design-forward stay. The 70-room hotel is an adaptive reuse project by Suomi Design Works, with interiors crafted in collaboration with set designer Kris Moran (who worked on set for Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums and Moonrise Kingdom movies). Local Asheville artist Ian Wilkinson curated the hotel’s collection of greater than 200 original works, bringing in muralists from near and much to create large-scale, immersive pieces throughout the hotel—including every guest room. It’s like sleeping inside an art exhibit, in the perfect possible way.
The Radical is a full-on social hub, home to Afterglow, an all-day café with a number of the tastiest house-made pastries around; Golden Hour, a wood-fired restaurant; and the Roof, an open-air bar with panoramic views and a vigorous crowd. The hotel also puts visitors inside easy reach of the local businesses of the River Arts District, home to greater than 700 artists, collectives, and galleries. In lower than five minutes, you’ll be able to walk to Clayspace Co-Op, a collective of 13 local ceramics artists, or enjoy an ideal cocktail at Anoche, Asheville’s all-mezcal and tequila bar. This River Arts District guide is a helpful tool to see what’s currently open.
The Restoration Asheville
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Why we adore it: Mountain views, cocktail bars, and a bowling alley
- From $300
- Book now
In 2023, one in every of Charleston’s favorite hip hotels opened its second location in downtown Asheville. The all-suite Restoration Asheville has 60 guest rooms starting from 375 to 600 square feet, with perks including locally roasted coffee, late-night cookies, and an in-room Nosh Box with locally made snacks. The design, which celebrates Asheville’s history and eclectic architecture, include hardwood floors, exposed brick partitions, richly patterned textiles, and leather headboards.
Guests can enjoy coffee drinks and breakfast sandwiches at Rise, savor Lowcountry flavors on the Watch, and relax on the library for a quiet escape—but guests rave about Draftsman, its underground bar/lounge with vintage games, cocktails, live music, and its own bowling alley.—Devorah Lev-Tov
Incorrect Way River Lodge & Cabins
- Neighborhood: West Asheville
- Why we adore it: Urban glamping with loads of creature comforts
- From $217
- Book now
Opened in 2022 by Shelton Steele and Joe Balcken, Incorrect Way River Lodge & Cabins is Asheville’s only outdoor-centered hotel—and there’s nothing else prefer it in the town. A cluster of 16 cozy A-frame cabins line the banks of the French Broad River, mixing creature comforts with an easygoing, adventure-ready vibe. Inside, you’ll discover a mini-fridge, microwave, sound machine, and a record player stocked with eclectic vinyl—plus a transportable hammock for lounging wherever the mood strikes.
There’s barely enough nature here to feel like an escape, however it’s still walkable to the River Arts District and the greenway path along the river. Mornings are best spent sipping to-go drip coffee on the deck at sunrise or watching the mist roll off the water. It’s the right mixture of unplugged leisure and Asheville’s creative energy.
This text includes additional reporting by Devorah Lev-Tov.
