Grove Park Inn or Greystone Inn for Christmas
Sep 22nd, 2006, 05:36 PM
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Grove Park Inn or Greystone Inn for Christmas
This is very preliminary, but last year we started a plan for Christmas in the Asheville area, then diverted our plan to London. Looks like we might be headed to friends for their annual huge party in Columbia, S.C. on Friday, the 23rd so thinking of heading on up to N.C. for Christmas Eve and Christmas.
I guess we now fit the category, but I always thought of the Grove Park Inn as a lot of oldsters sitting on rockers. I guess it's wonderful at Christmas. Or is anyone familiar with the Greystone on Lake Toxaway? It seems like it might be more "refined". We stopped there once years ago and it sure was a beautiful spot. Or any other ideas?
We had to cancel our plans last year which also included the candlelight tour of Biltmore.
I guess we now fit the category, but I always thought of the Grove Park Inn as a lot of oldsters sitting on rockers. I guess it's wonderful at Christmas. Or is anyone familiar with the Greystone on Lake Toxaway? It seems like it might be more "refined". We stopped there once years ago and it sure was a beautiful spot. Or any other ideas?
We had to cancel our plans last year which also included the candlelight tour of Biltmore.
Sep 22nd, 2006, 05:40 PM
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Sir please do not generalize--I am in my forties hardly rocking chair material and I adore the Grove Park Inn. It is great at the Holidays and there is plenty to do in Asheville and also at the Biltmore. You must be aware of all the amenities. I would suggest the Club Level--it is really worth it! I love the charm of this Inn and the food in the various restaurants is fantastic. I have the spicey cheese sticks sent up to my room from the kitchen--yummy! The lare stone fireplaces and the warmth and ambiance make the Grove Park Inn the one I would choose. By the way lots of families and young people will be there.
Sep 22nd, 2006, 05:56 PM
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I agree that the Grove Park is wonderful; it's always decorated beautifully and the huge fireplaces just glow with warm,welcoming flames. I don't know about the other destination you mentioned, but I'd go back to the Grove Park in a skinny minute!
Sep 22nd, 2006, 06:00 PM
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Anyone able to comment on the Greystone Inn? I know it is very much smaller which somehow appeals to me.
I'm pretty sure Christmas dinner at the Grove Park is a huge buffet dinner with lots of local "tourists" as well as guests. Not sure I can get too excited about that. Guess I'm just being picky, but if I'm paying about $400 a night plus meals, I guess I have a right to be.
I'm pretty sure Christmas dinner at the Grove Park is a huge buffet dinner with lots of local "tourists" as well as guests. Not sure I can get too excited about that. Guess I'm just being picky, but if I'm paying about $400 a night plus meals, I guess I have a right to be.
Sep 22nd, 2006, 06:46 PM
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Uh-oh. I just made the mistake of reading all the reviews on TripAdvisor. That makes me think for a minute.
I know the public rooms are grand at Grove Park Inn, just not so sure about the high cost especially over a holiday for the quality of the rooms and service.
Much, much higher praise for the Greystone -- other than the person who complained they didn't know that service would be added so it cost more than they expected. Huh? They were planning on not leaving any tips?
I know the public rooms are grand at Grove Park Inn, just not so sure about the high cost especially over a holiday for the quality of the rooms and service.
Much, much higher praise for the Greystone -- other than the person who complained they didn't know that service would be added so it cost more than they expected. Huh? They were planning on not leaving any tips?
Sep 22nd, 2006, 10:55 PM
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We've stayed at Grove Park a couple of times. I would characterize it as a family place, although it makes sense that it might be different on Christmas. We went for Thanksgiving one year and the dinner was buffet, although I believe there was a choice to dine in the other restaurants. They were just finishing their Christmas decorating, which is a real treat with huge Christmas trees and Christmas displays. I love those huge fireplaces too.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 04:19 AM
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If I wanted a low key, elegant holiday stay, Greystone, hands down. If I wanted to be in the center of the action, in a resort decorated handsomely for the holidays, in a great city the Grove Park wins. If you choose GPI, go for the Club Level. I did the Club Level Christmas package which included the candlelight tour of Biltmore a few years ago and it was very nice. I go to the GPI on business about once a year. However when I go to Asheville on my own, I prefer Richmond Hill or the Haywood Park.
Greystone is very charming, the rooms are lovely and the food is good. They do have a good service standard. It is a place where you are expected to dress for dinner and you will see no day visitors (the spa, the fireplaces and the public rooms at GPI draw a lot of day visitors on any occasion but when the decorations are in place that number quadruples).
I hope you and Lee have a wonderful holiday celebration whereever you choose to be, Patrick.
Greystone is very charming, the rooms are lovely and the food is good. They do have a good service standard. It is a place where you are expected to dress for dinner and you will see no day visitors (the spa, the fireplaces and the public rooms at GPI draw a lot of day visitors on any occasion but when the decorations are in place that number quadruples).
I hope you and Lee have a wonderful holiday celebration whereever you choose to be, Patrick.
Sep 24th, 2006, 05:45 AM
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I don't know about the Greystone but the atmosphere over the holidays at GPI is something special...huge roaring fireplace - big enough for a grown man to stand in...gingerbread house display which is famous nationwide...all the decorations and then of course being so close to downtown Asheville. I have also heard that the rooms aren't that great so maybe that Club Level idea or staying at a nearby B&B and having a meal or a walk around the GPI. Splurge for Horizons and then do a leisurely tour of the gingerbread houses and have a drink in the Grand Lobby.
Sep 25th, 2006, 06:11 AM
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I got married in Asheville the first weekend of December and spent my wedding night in a club floor suite and I highly recommend this.
Yes, it is crowded but the public rooms are very large and can accommodate many guests.
The dining is pretty good but for a special meal, hit the dining room at the Richmond Hill Inn.
Lake Toxaway is pretty out of the way if what you want to do is Asheville. Also, while the Greystone Inn will be very pretty, it really doesn't compare to the GPI.
Don't miss the candelight tour of the Biltmore!
Yes, it is crowded but the public rooms are very large and can accommodate many guests.
The dining is pretty good but for a special meal, hit the dining room at the Richmond Hill Inn.
Lake Toxaway is pretty out of the way if what you want to do is Asheville. Also, while the Greystone Inn will be very pretty, it really doesn't compare to the GPI.
Don't miss the candelight tour of the Biltmore!
Sep 25th, 2006, 03:01 PM
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It is very difficult to compare the two. We went to a destination wedding at the Greystone Inn on Lake Toxaway and it was like being in someone's large comfortable mansion. The rooms are comfortable and the food is excellent. We were there when we could swim and boat around the lake - I am not sure what activities are available in the winter.
We then stayed on for a few days at the Grove Park Inn. It just seemed so large and commercial in comparison. Of course there were a few conventions going on then to be fair, and I am sure this would not be the case at Christmas. I think it depends on the mood you want. As I remember the Greystone has only 30-40 rooms.
Paula
We then stayed on for a few days at the Grove Park Inn. It just seemed so large and commercial in comparison. Of course there were a few conventions going on then to be fair, and I am sure this would not be the case at Christmas. I think it depends on the mood you want. As I remember the Greystone has only 30-40 rooms.
Paula
Sep 25th, 2006, 03:16 PM
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PMB, you've described the reasons I'm leaning toward the Greystone. More like a home than a convention hotel (yes, I realize there won't be conventions, but clearly there will be a constant parade of sightseers).
As to a base for Asheville, I'm really thinking only two nights -- Christmas Eve and Christmas nights, with a minimum of activity.
Meanwhile my friends in Columbia are thinking of doing their party a week earlier, so now this may all be a no go, as we couldn't go then anyway.
As to a base for Asheville, I'm really thinking only two nights -- Christmas Eve and Christmas nights, with a minimum of activity.
Meanwhile my friends in Columbia are thinking of doing their party a week earlier, so now this may all be a no go, as we couldn't go then anyway.
Sep 25th, 2006, 04:49 PM
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I stayed at both during on my honeymoon. I agree that the Grove Park is better at the Club Level. It is certainly worth it! The Greystone is much smaller so it makes it difficult to compare the two. Both are lovely. The Grove Park is more of a hotel/resort whereas the the Greysone is more like an inn or large B&B.
Sep 25th, 2006, 10:08 PM
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We spent 3 nights at the GPI this July 4th. We had a room that overlooked the golf course and it was nice for the price. What we did not like was the website at the time lead you to believe the resort/restaurants requires a dress code...no shorts or jeans in the restaurants. That was not the case. We saw tons of people walking around that were dressed way down from what we expected. There were a lot of families.
Sep 26th, 2006, 04:30 AM
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I've not stayed at the Greystone but the typical Grove Park rooms aren't much. We do go over sometimes for the lunch/brunch buffet over the Holidays, & you'll not need to eat for several days after. Also, the Grove Park has the Spa. There are a lot of more intimate B & B's in the area if that interests you (that is the route I would go). Check out www.bbonline.com.
Sep 26th, 2006, 04:42 AM
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Neo,
If you stay at the Grove Park, stay in one of the historic rooms. The newer two wings have the more "typical" rooms - although bigger they just aren't "Grove Park" to me.
For a bit more luxury, consider the Inn at Biltmore. VERY nice.
But, "knowing" you and how you experience travel, I would have another recommendation. Since you will be coming from Charleston, have you considered the Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island? Truly an incredible experience and a wonderful way for you and Lee to spend a very, very memorable Christmas.
www.greyfieldinn.com
If you stay at the Grove Park, stay in one of the historic rooms. The newer two wings have the more "typical" rooms - although bigger they just aren't "Grove Park" to me.
For a bit more luxury, consider the Inn at Biltmore. VERY nice.
But, "knowing" you and how you experience travel, I would have another recommendation. Since you will be coming from Charleston, have you considered the Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island? Truly an incredible experience and a wonderful way for you and Lee to spend a very, very memorable Christmas.
www.greyfieldinn.com
Sep 26th, 2006, 04:53 AM
#16
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Starrsville, that Greyfield does look nice, but a little too small and B&B for us perhaps -- and I don't see that it is a place for dinners as well. Never mind the $475 per night minimum over Christmas -- I suppose the nicer rooms at Grove Park Inn are that too. Way more for the Club Level.
I guess I want to sort of feel like "home" rather than big hotel, and the idea of big buffets really turns me off. As a diabetic I still need to eat three times a day plus -- and frankly I nearly feel ill when I look at huge buffets -- they just do nothing for me, so forget that idea of "not eating for a couple of days" -- that's not me. I got the feeling that buffets would be our only real option both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the GPI.
I guess I want to sort of feel like "home" rather than big hotel, and the idea of big buffets really turns me off. As a diabetic I still need to eat three times a day plus -- and frankly I nearly feel ill when I look at huge buffets -- they just do nothing for me, so forget that idea of "not eating for a couple of days" -- that's not me. I got the feeling that buffets would be our only real option both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the GPI.
Sep 26th, 2006, 04:57 AM
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Neo, please look at the website again. The price includes everything, including gourmet meals and picnics for the beach or excursions. Greyfield at Cumberland would be a truly unique experience.
Skip the Grove Park food. I eat in the lobby in front of the massive fireplace, at the very good little restaurant next door or at a wide variety of restaurants in Asheville. I don't care for the buffets at Grove Park either.
Based on your comments, do consider the Richmond Hill Inn.
Skip the Grove Park food. I eat in the lobby in front of the massive fireplace, at the very good little restaurant next door or at a wide variety of restaurants in Asheville. I don't care for the buffets at Grove Park either.
Based on your comments, do consider the Richmond Hill Inn.
Sep 26th, 2006, 10:23 AM
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Neo, in case you want to take another look at this -
http://www.greyfieldinn.com/rooms.html
EVERYTHING but alcohol is included in the price - even a tour, ferry and parking.
http://www.greyfieldinn.com/rooms.html
EVERYTHING but alcohol is included in the price - even a tour, ferry and parking.
Sep 26th, 2006, 11:13 AM
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Neo
Where's your other post? You know, the one from this morning about Fodorite's getting snippy? I left for work, came home and it's gone. I asked Doug for luggage tags and now don't know if he answered....yea, right, I do know the answer, but I wanted to read the thread. Whine, whine, What did you guys do to get it pulled?
Where's your other post? You know, the one from this morning about Fodorite's getting snippy? I left for work, came home and it's gone. I asked Doug for luggage tags and now don't know if he answered....yea, right, I do know the answer, but I wanted to read the thread. Whine, whine, What did you guys do to get it pulled?
