My husband and I are looking to take a weekend away this spring to the Asheville area. I have never been to the Biltmore so we plan to spend a day there but will be exploring the downtown district as well.

We are not sure we want to splurge for the Inn at Biltmore, but were thinking of a nice bed & breakfast. Would love recommendations based on experience.

* anyone have thoughts on Biltmore Village Inn or Ceder Crest ( both in Biltmore Village)

I recommend the Haywood Park Hotel. It is a small, very well done hotel in the downtown area. You can park and walk to all the restaurants (my favorite, the Flying Frog is in the hotel).

We stayed at the Days in Asheville Mall not far from the Biltmore.I would not bother with the downtown area. Instead visit the Chimney rock park.Greetings from Belgium.Paul

I'll beg to disagree with Paul. While in Europe (Belgium) a small town with lots of galleries, shopping and restaurants may be a common sight - it isn't here in the US. Don't stay at the DAys Inn and make sure you do visit downtown Asheville.

I certainly see the US cities from a european point of view which means that most cities are not really very interesting for us exception made for S.Francisco-NY-Washington- Boston and the lovely villages of N.England.What we look for are the historical side of the towns like Washington, Annapolis,Plymouth, BOSTON...Most european visitor of the US look for the beautiful scenery and the vastness of the country. The National parks are in my opinion number one in my book.In one of my guide books there's a saying "The US is a country with a lot of geography and little culture".I guess that's the general view of the European visitor.PAul

Ouch! Someone just stepped on my toes!

jamma, we had a lovely romantic stay at Richmond Hill Inn, staying in one of their "croquet cottages". It was one of those places you remember forever...a small cottage apart from the main mansion, standing seam metal roof, English garden along the wide front porch (complete with rockers). Inside there was a 4 poster bed, very tastefully decorated, fireplace with bookcase wall and one of the most fantastically luxurious bathrooms I've ever seen in a hotel...and I've seen LOTS of hotel bathrooms. I don't know how their prices compare with the Inn at Biltmore, and I'm sure they are pricey, but what a weekend we had there...worth every cent! To go to Ashville to tour Biltmore, then stay at a place like Days Inn is defeating the purpose of a getaway weekend, IMHO!

I appreciate the responses I have received, but would like thoughts on specific B& B's in the area.
We travel quite a bit and are familiar with the Asheville area and what it offers, but continue confused on which accomadation route to take. We most likely will stay in an upper end B&B or one of the nicer inns in the area (richmond hill or Biltmore)

thanks

jamma - I can't help w/ b&b's proper, but I wanted to make sure you are familiar with Grove Park Inn. You want to stay there at least once. It's an experience.

In the past, the prices were similar to Inn at Biltmore, but my parents told me (while they were gift certificate-shopping) the least expensive rooms are $300 now, you can get in Grove Park in the off season for just under $200.

I drive past Cedar Crest alot, it looks nice, it's on a fairly main road. B&B's in the Montford area might be walking distance of downtown, depending on how much you like to walk.

Princess Anne is also a consideration. My parents enjoyed Richmond Hill Inn, especially the breakfast.

Richmond Hill Inn!!!

Afternoon tea is wonderful...and included. Also, the breakfasts are delicious.

A very special place, indeed!

My mom and I went for a weekend in December. We stayed at the Princess Anne hotel and loved it. They had a wine/horsdvours hour and a nice continental breakfast. It is family owened and they have done a great job renovating the property. They were also very helpful with reservations. If you like charm, this is the place
www.princessannehotel.com