The Inn on Biltmore Estate: Much More Than a Place to Sleep

When I think of hotel stays that I’ve had, most of them seem pretty generic. Sure, I love waking up in new places, but most hotels have the same basic layout, decorations, and food. However, during my recent getaway to Asheville, North Carolina I stayed somewhere that raised the bar as to how I will view all places in the future. This spectacular experience happened at the Inn on Biltmore Estate

 

inn on biltmore estate asheville nc reviews

The Inn on Biltmore Estate

 

 

George Vanderbilt, who opened the Biltmore House in 1895, had plans to open an inn on the Biltmore property in the early 1900’s, but it never happened within his lifetime. The Inn on Biltmore Estate finally opened in 2001 though and it is the only accommodations at the Biltmore Estate. The Vanderbilt’s were renowned for their hospitality and you can experience that same generous hospitality at the inn.

 

Upon arriving at the inn, I saw a huge Christmas tree in the lobby. There were beautiful ornaments and plenty of toys under the tree. The toys are for sale and you can even buy a gorgeous rocking horse that sits at the front of the tree for nearly $4,000. While we’re speaking about prices, the cost of the inn can be quite a lot. Rooms average between $300-600 per night during the holidays, but if you are looking for a once in a lifetime Christmas experience then it’s definitely worth it. Trust me when I say that this was the most amazing place that I have ever stayed, and I’ve stayed in too many hotels to count.

 

inn on biltmore estate asheville nc reviews

 

 

Dining at the Inn

 

The Library Lounge is located near the lobby and comes equipped with a large fireplace and terrific views of the nearby mountains. The Lounge is the most casual restaurant at the inn, but it still has a luxurious vibe to it. Unfortunately, I didn’t actually dine at the Library Lounge, but I did stroll through it and sat at one of the outdoor tables to enjoy the view.

 

Fireplace at the Library Lounge

Fireplace at the Library Lounge

 

 

However, I did eat at The Dining Room, a more formal restaurant, twice during my stay. Once for breakfast and once for dinner. This restaurant is located on the first floor of the inn and for breakfast they offer a buffet or an a la carte menu. I opted for the a la carte and ordered biscuits and sausage gravy (my weakness), turkey bacon, and a peanut butter & banana smoothie. It was perfection. As a peanut butter connoisseur, I really can’t recommend the smoothie enough. My table for breakfast was right by the window and the views were majestic.

 

View from my breakfast table

View from my breakfast table

Breakfast! YUMMM!

Breakfast! YUMMM!

 

For dinner, it was a much more formal affair and I was seated in front of a cozy fireplace. This was a nice contrast from the cold weather that I had been rolling around in all day as I toured the Biltmore House (more coming about this at a later date in a future article). You can choose from a 3 course, 5 course, or 7 course degustation menu. I chose the 3 courses and had Heirloom Squash Bisque for my appetizer, Tasmanian Salmon for my entree, and Chocolate Orange Crémeux for dessert. Everything was delicious, but the dessert was the clear winner. It was served with a raspberry sorbet that was to die for.

 

 

inn on biltmore estate asheville nc reviews

Tasmanian Salmon with mashed sweet potatoes

Tasmanian Salmon with mashed sweet potatoes

Chocolate Orange Crémeux

Chocolate Orange Crémeux

 

 

My Room at the Inn

I stayed in a wheelchair accessible deluxe double room (room number 369) and it had everything that I needed and more. There was plenty of space to maneuver my wheelchair around in the room, even with the two beds. I didn’t take my hoyer lift this time, but I did notice that there would have been plenty of space for it to roll under the bed as well. The room also came with a desk, flat screen television, a full length mirror, some magazines (including my personal favorite, Travel + Leisure), and a Keurig coffee maker with K-cups of coffee and teas.

 

Super comfy beds

Super comfy beds

Our Keurig <3

Our Keurig <3

 

 

The bathroom came equipped with both a roll-in shower and a tub. I didn’t use the tub, but the roll-in shower was perfect. The shower sprayer was lightweight and easy to hold. The bathroom sink was also easy to roll under.

Large bathroom with a roll in shower

Large bathroom with a roll in shower

 

 

 

Everything Else at the Inn

 

As I said before, the inn comes with some epic views and I got a little camera happy while I was there. Sooo many amazing photo opportunities! This is my favorite photo from my stay…

 

inn on biltmore estate asheville nc reviews

 

 

Pretty epic, huh? That shot was taken on a paved trail beside the outdoor pool and jacuzzi area. It was cold while I was there so the pool was closed, but I did notice that there was a chair lift at the pool. There was also a chair lift at the jacuzzi. Accessibility is an important aspect that the Inn on Biltmore Estate has mastered.

 

 

inn on biltmore estate asheville nc reviews

 

 

There are various trails all around the inn and the great part is that they are all paved. I easily rolled all over the place and enjoyed soaking up the crisp mountain air. I’ve always kind of considered myself more of a city person, but I really fell in love with the natural beauty at the inn.

 

If you prefer not to take the trails and walk/roll everywhere, there are shuttles that arrive at the inn every 15 minutes or so. These shuttles can take you almost everywhere on the Biltmore property and many of the shuttles come equipped with a lift and tie downs. Not all of them do however, so you might want to call down to the desk and request an accessible shuttle before you are ready to go. I never had to wait long at all and this was extremely convenient, allowing me to have more time exploring the property instead of waiting on a ride.

 

inn on biltmore estate asheville nc reviews

 

 

While the Inn on Biltmore Estate was perfect for my pre-Christmas getaway, I know that it would be just as special at any other time of the year. I can just imagine how beautiful the outdoors would be in the Summer and Fall with the vast colors of the leaves. No matter what season you are looking to take a mountain getaway in, the Inn on Biltmore Estate is truly the most majestic place to do so.

*Thanks to the Biltmore for hosting my stay. All opinions expressed are my own.

**A Note from Curb Free with Cory Lee: This post includes affiliate links. When you click on a link, I may receive a small compensation, which will help this blog grow into a better resource for disabled travelers.

 

 

 

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