I visited Asheville a few springs ago and would love to go back. I may have an opportunity to between Christmas and New Year's. Looking at the weather history, I understand it could be nice or it could be blizzard-y. I'm more curious about whether restaurants and stores will be open, and if it will be crowded. (I would not be doing the Biltmore this trip.)

It will be very busy. Stay at the Grove Park Inn.

I guess I don't understand why it would be so busy, Asheville's not yet that big of a destination. All restaurants/stores should be open downtown. I'd also stay closer to downtown than the Grove Park (preferably within walking distance). I don't see the benefit in spending so much more at the Grove Park unless you plan on hanging around the hotel most of the time.

I personally have spent hours 'hanging around' the Grove Park Inn in the Great Hall having toddies in front of the fireplace. There are many restaurants, the gingerbread house display, holiday decorations, a fantastic state of the art gym, and the SPA! So you see Brian, there are many reasons to hang around the Grove Park Inn. Least of all would be the view.

Everything will be open in Asheville (everything is open year-round in Asheville anyway). And yes, the weather could go to either extreme for that week.

Pisces, most stores and restaurants should be open and weather could be anything 40's or 20's...you never know. I wouldn't stay at the GPI - but if you want to have a drink in front of the fireplace, check out the Gingerbread display, do a spa treatment...spend part of a day there and stay downtown instead (Haywood Park hotel) or one of the B&B's in Montford and you can walk into downtown. Plan to go to book or poetry reading at Malaprop's bookstore, sit in front of the fireplace and enjoy a martini upstairs at Tressa's, wander around Mast General Store and pick up some "penny" candy...check out the beautiful architecture and stores at Grove Arcade...

Apparently Asheville has become enough of a vacation destination that it is busy during holiday times. I was surprised last weekend to have a hard time finding a room at the last minute (that was the day after T-giving). I got the last room at a Super 8. I had assumed that once the leaves fell, so would the occupancy rates and prices.


I would expect the week after x-mas to be busy. Make res. now.

Grove Park has it's charms, but I think they have bad attitudes and bad food. If they had any value pricing (doubt it), I would stay there, but otherwise, I agree about Haywood Park.

I would say you could expect HI's in the 40s-60s, lows teens to 30s.

I just spent the weekend at The Grove Park Inn and had the opposite experience. Wonderful room, view, service, atmosphere, and brunch.

It was very very crowded but a wonderful experience just the same. We stayed in the old section. Very small rooms but wonderful furnishings and amenities. The redid all the old claw foot bathtubs in the bathrooms.

I love The Grove Park Inn. One of my faves anywhere.