julies

If you have visited both the Biltmore Estate and some of Europe's famous extravaganzas could you please give me a general comparison? We have spent quite a bit of time in Europe and have visited lots of castles, chateaux, and estates. We are considering a trip to Asheville and are wondering if the Biltomore is worth the $100 it will cost for 2 of us to visit. I am also posting this on the US board since I didn't know which one would be more appropriate. Thanks much.

Intrepid1

Biltmore remains "America's Largest (privately-owned) House" as far as I know. It is worth a visit for what it IS IMO. It certainly is not as elaborate or as large as some of the palaces in Europe nor is it as finely furnished in many cases.

The grounds remain extensive even though to avoid death taxes when the original owner died they gave the US Government thousands of acres (now the Pisgah National Forest) in return for tax forgiveness.

It's not like Europe but it's a lot closer!

Versailles or Vaux Le Vicomte it isn't and if you insist on using those and others like them as comparisons I think you might be disappointed, unfortunately.

tomboy

We went two years ago. We've been to Europe 5 times in the last 10 years. We were disappointed, not only by the comparison (somewhat like seeing the thin plating peel off an plastic imitation Rolex watch), but by the inattention to customer service. The audio device would say perhaps 2 sentences about each room, followed by "now step into the next room". Without fail, every question we asked of the numerous guide/guards was met with "I don't know". Now, of course, that's just our opinion, and if one had never before left Iowa, it might be worth seeing.
While going thru the garden, two English couples asked us what we thought of it. Once we expressed our frank opinion, comparing it to what we'd see on the Continent, they then expressed their disappointment in it.

francophile03

This is only my feeling about the Biltmore. I've never visited it but I have seen a few of the Loire Valley chateaux. In my opinion, Biltmore wouldn't compare to the castles and chateaux in Europe. The architecture from centuries ago and the history make them more appealing.

flanneruk

I thought it had about the same relationship to Versailles - or even places in the second division, like Blenheim - that a "burger" at Wimpy has to a proper hamburger made from meat you've minced yourself. And if entry is now $50, someone's being royally (or I suppose in America, republicanly) ripped off.

The hotel I thought was OK, but not much to write home about.

One of the other Vanderbilt places, though - The Breakers in Rhode Island - I thought compared favourably with your average Loire chateau or English stately home (though still surprisingly expensive by our standards, and more a Waddesdon Manor than a Windsor Castle).

But the guide was just as spectacularly ignorant as tomboy described at Asheville. I discovered later - and this might apply at Asheville too - that the guides are actually taught a script which they have to remember by rote. They seem not to be expected to know - or care - very much about the place or its objects: just remember the script verbatim.

degas

$100 for two? Those folks still know how to make money. Nice enough, but I'd pass at those prices; especially if you have visited lots of castles and chateaux's.

missypie

You should go. Think of it from the perspective of it being a private home...not a seat of government, or the home of a head of state, or a royal castle. A guy built it from his private fortune. If you like home tours, go.

julies

I too think admission is on the high side. $40 per person to get in, another $7 if you want to rent the headphones, and another $7 or so if you want to do a behind the scenes tour (the part that would probably most interest me). I'd love to be able to just wander the grounds and do the behind the scenes tour, but their pricing scheme seems to set it up to squeeze the most money out of the tourist. I am vacillating between skipping the place and then regretting it afterward, or visiting and then kicking myself affterwards because it was a waste of time and money. thanks for your thoughts.

padams421

If you are concerned you will be disappointed, you probably will be disappointed. Don't go.

palmettoprincess

It is a good day trip. The behind the scenese tour is really interesting. I like going at Christmas time. Asheville is a neat city with lots of great places to eat. You can drive down the blue ridge parkway. I wouldn't go to Asheville just for Biltmore, but the city is worth a visit. Stay at the Grove Park.

jeff49

I think you are comparing apples and oranges to compare Biltmore to some of the castles in Europe. I’ve always appreciated it more for its technological advances than anything else. Just getting the materials to the remote location required building a special railroad and hundreds of workers over five years. Although it does have some remarkable collectables from all over the world, I am still more fascinated by the architect’s inclusion of the most advanced systems available at the time. 110 years ago it was unheard of for a family residence to have central heat, indoor plumbing, two elevators, hot & cold water, indoor pool, bowling alley, etc. I think it’s worthwhile to see how a private citizen could build a 250 room chateaux will all the state of the art stuff that it has. If you go and are disappointed, stop off at their winery as they have quite a selection.

missypie

When I was there in about 1975, I think it cost $14, which was outrageous at the time.

janis

The comparison to Waddesdon Manor was a good one -- comparable period, family connections/entanglements, etc. I really love Waddesdon - more than any I have visited in the States.

Most of the "stately homes" in the US seem to be overly impressed w/ themselves charging waaaaaay more than the tours are worth. I found the same thing in many southern Plantations - $35 or $40 admission charge for a pretty ordinary home w/o amy gardens to speak of.

I'd stil probably go. But if you have been to many in Europe you are spoiled -- older, grander, better gardens/grounds - for less $$.

I'd much rather spend my money somewhere like Mt vernon or Williamsburg where there is some history and atmosphere . . . .

janis

ttt

You post this twice and got a lot of responses on both threads . . . . .

janis

oops sorry -- the other thread is on the USA forum . . . . .

SusieQQ

If you are worried about comparisons and the price, then you shouldn't go. With your preconceived concerns, I guarantee that you will not like it.

kswl

Agree totally with Jeff. It's not the architecture or furnishings or gardens that make this place interesting, but the technology of the workings of the home that were far advanced for its time. If you are interested in the nexus of history/science/technology, it is very interesting. I'm not at all surprised that it is as expensive as it has become. The present "scion" of this house reminds me very much of the character in the movie "Best of Show" whose forebear instituted the Mayflower dog show (take off on the Westminster.) He has that same, pompous a** delivery. Part of the Biltmore tour is---or used to be---a video shown in which the current Vanderbilt talks about the house and his ancestors. It is pricesless for the completely unjustified (in his case) snobbery and his inability to express himself.

There is also a completely fabulous garden store on the premises, out in a separate greenhouse-type building in the grounds. This store had many wonderful garden-related gifts and implements I'd not seen elsewhere, and I bought several pairs of tiny garden gloves to hand on my Christmas tree.

kswl

Oh, yes, Biltmore does not compare with French castles, Windsor, Hampton Court, etc. It does compare favorably with beautiful country homes in England. All depends on what you are looking for, but I'd say if you're comparing, don't go.

jo_ann

We went several years ago after dropping our daughter at camp an hour away. Did NOT remember the admission being so high - geez, did I really pay that much?
I agree, nothing like the European castles, because you know it's newer, and are supposed to appreciate that (no pretense of age) but as previously stated, appreciate also what it took to build it, the scale, etc. Don't recall seeing a movie, do recall the too-brief info on the audio, biggest memories: loved, for some reason, the gigunda (sp? - lol) wrought iron, multi-story chandelier, and - absolutely enjoyed the basement laundry for its "technology".
If you're nearby, visit (once), if trying to tour the Blue Ridge area, IMHO head further north to Monticello, the Pioneer Museum, loads of other great spots and ideas.