Asheville? Charlotte?
 

Hello! My husband and I are flying into Charlotte during the week of Oct 17 and will drive to the Asheville area to do some looking around at possible future retirement areas. Our 30th anniversary will also be during this trip, so we are asking for suggestions for a place to stay in the Asheville/Hendersonville or ?? areas for approx 5 nights. Don't particularly care for B&B's, and lean more toward hotel-type accommodations. Nice location, restaurant on-site or in close proximity, etc. Also, same question for the Charlotte area, where we will spend our last night or two. Thank you so much in advance! Kathy

The Grove Park Inn in Asheville is outstanding. It would be a fun place to celebrate. If you would like to be close to Biltmore then stay at Grand Bohemian. Good luck.

Grand Bohemian Hotel @ 11 Boston Way, Asheville, NC 828 - 505 - 2949.
http://www.bohemianhotelasheville.com/
Grove Park Inn @ 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina 800 - 438 - 5800.
http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/

The Grove Park has a fabulous underground spa area. It is my favorite spa in the US. If you like spa activites, you can't beat this one!! . The Grand Bohemian is down near the entrance to Grove Park and I have heard very good things about it, but we have never stayed there.

When we have gone to Charlotte we always stay at The Dunhill. It is close to the theater and you can even walk to the stadium if you are interested in that kind of thing. There are several nice restaurants close by and the restaurant at the hotel is wonderful.

Sorry....Grand Bohemian is close to the entrace of Biltmore.

Thank you Littleman, Thank you Willow Jane,
It sounds like you both agree on Grove Park and Grand Bohemian. We did check their websites, and it looks like very good suggestions and most likely we will be deciding between the 2. Now I will see what I can find on the Dunhill. Thank you again! Kathy

I liked the Renaissance during a stay in Asheville several years ago. There is a restaurant on site, but it's a very close and easy walk downtown.

The Dunhill is a very nice boutique hotel. There are lots of others too--we've got a plethora. In fact, just found a new one--Hotel Sierra, and of course, there is the Ritz with its restaurant also.
What type of retirement area--the area, or a specific community.

MP07950. I checked the Renaissance and there was no availability on any of the 6 nights we would be in the area. What I didn't realize is that this is a peak travel period for this area. We were relieved to find availability at a Marriott Residence near Biltmore and have that booked, but we still have time to tweak the plans if something else pops into view.

Gretchen: We are hoping for an nice, quiet age-restricted single-family home community SOMEWHERE. We are hoping to find an area that we drive into and say "this is it!" At this point it could be GA, NC, SC, or....

If you do decide to stay in Dunhill while you're in Charlotte, the website below is a good one for listing what all is going on that weekend, in case you want to take in a show or something while you're in uptown (it's called uptown vs downtown here - not sure why):

http://mycharlottevents.com/

There is one in Charlotte. And yes, you are coming into the mountains at the peak leaf peeping time.
In Charlotte, I'd give the Mimosa Grill or Blue a try for dinner. Both uptown. And there may be a race this week-end so you may need to get reservations now. They are setting up at the Speedway now, I think I heard on the news.
Be SURE to go to your newest jewel of a museum, The Bechtler. Actually eating at the Mint Museum right next door to the Bechtler might be a very good choice.