The Omni Grove Park Inn is a historic resort hotel on the western-facing slope of Sunset Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains , in Asheville, North Carolina . It is a AAA Four-Diamond Hotel and has been since 2001. It has been visited by many United States' presidents. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places , the hotel is an example of the Arts and Crafts style.
Driving up the long driveway of lit trees along the entrance road
It was raining so it added to the romantic allure of the magnificent building.
Massive Christmas trees were placed throughout the property, including this one by the main door.
I was fascinated by the roof and wondered how they constructed it in 1913.
Construction began in 1912 and was completed in 11 months and 27 days. This was accomplished by paying high wages to the dedicated workers. Circus tents were erected on the job site to house the workers. Just three days shy of one year, The Grove Park Inn opened on July 12, 1913
Massive wreaths were hung on the dry stack rock walls.
Jill by one of the tall Christmas trees in the lobby.
View from breakfast in the morning. Their biscuits- on my goodness- light and fluffy- the best
that I have ever had.
The grotto style spa on the lower level- unbelievable.
It is a $44 million, 40,000-square-foot , modern subterranean spa, which placed #13 worldwide in Travel and Leisure's World's Best Hotel Spas in 2008.
The list of spa treatments available is endless and there is a spa cuisine restaurant in the spa for guests who want a healthier eating venue.
Two massive fireplaces in the great hall.
Specialty hot chocolate drinks from the Gingerbread bar in the lobby. The national
gingerbread house competition was held there for the holiday season.
I couldn't resist this pastry from the hotel's bakery! Divine light chocolate mousse filled the interior!
Oh my - it was so good.
The deck overlooking Asheville. I can't wait to enjoy a cocktail there when the sunset happens.
The rain prevented us from it during this trip.
Dinner on the Sunset Terrace- open during the warmer seasons. Can't wait to try dinner here once I move here in the spring.
During our stay, Jill and I had dinner at the Vue 1913 restaurant in the hotel. It was wonderful.
The Charcuterie plate, the filet mignon and the corn soup- delicious cuisine. They feature different cuisines from around the world as their specials. This time Chilean cuisine was featured. Oh -before I forget - the house made bread from the bakery on premise- delicious.
Found this picture on Pinterest of a bride who held her wedding at the Grove Park Inn and had to share it with you. Love the vintage fur stole and that luscious bouquet. The Omni Grove Park Inn would be a fabulous spot for a wedding.
Jill and I thoroughly enjoyed the gift shops in the hotel. They were filled with many tasty items- jewelry, clothing, food, Christmas décor. One of the favorite shops was the Gallery of the Mountains shop.
Their jewelry made by local artists was stunning. I couldn't resist this beaded beauty by local Asheville artist - Amolia Willowsong. She is 73 years old and creates the most beautiful beaded necklaces, earrings and bracklets.
Pearls and a single large baroque pearl form the center design.
Wouldn't this have been a beautiful bracelet for our vintage bride in the picture above?!!
Oh yes- the reason for the trip- to check on the progress of our new homes-
Jill's new home is starting to get the dry stack stone and shingles.
Driving into French Broad Crossing to our new house, it is still drizzling- but still pretty. The river is muddy from the rain and the clouds are low in the mountains.
It almost looks surreal in the fog as we drive along the narrow road to our house.
And as we turn the corner to go up the hill to our building site, we are surprised with this truck in the middle of the road, raised off the ground. We obviously couldn't go any further.
This truck would be drilling the wells for our geothermal heating system.
Looks pretty precarious to me.
We couldn't get very close to the footings as the hill was muddy and wet from the days of rain.
But the river looked really closeto the lower level of the home. I just couldn't get down there to see it for myself. Hopefully, next trip.
Driving out in the mist, the moss on the trees was extremely noticeable.
You can see the river in the background. Wish I could be by a fire with a great book right now!
We head back home- through Hot Springs and into Tennessee on US 25/70. We follow the French Broad River the entire route back to I-40. I can't wait to see this on a daily basis.
My family visited Grove Park Inn in 1980. And then I visited about 6 years ago. This difference was disappointing and amazing. From a bucolic and charming retreat that was quiet and so beautiful, offering much needed feelings of "peace and all is right with the world", it has become like so many other places in our country. Over crowded and over grown probably in order to keep an income that more than meets the needs. Don't get me wrong. It is a nice place to visit. Just not as nice as I remember.
ReplyDeleteGreat trip!--- it is always so good to find out more about the area we are moving to !--- it really is beginning to feel like coming home!
ReplyDeleteSo much to see and do in your neck of the woods. Beauty abounds.
ReplyDeleteT sure is getting real now.