My friend and I would like to meet up at a nice resort this fall. She lives in Atlanta and I live in Detroit. Somewhere in the middle would be nice. We would like to hang out for a weekend at the resort-sleep, get massages, read, and catch-up on some girl-talk. Can anyone recommend a good place for us to meet? Thank you.

Are you flying or driving?

Lexington, KY is midway.

Thanks for asking-we're flying.

This is not exactly 1/2 way and I don't know your budget. I've read about the Grove Park Inn for a while now: http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/

The grotto pool there is spectacular. The Atlanta person could drive.

I've always wanted to go to the Asheville area. I think that's where I'd pick.

Asheville is superb, loads of fun. I also love Charleston.
I stay at the Grove Park at least once a year because of a business convention. Frankly the rooms are ordinary unless you spring for Club Level. The public rooms are very pretty but the place is packed. If I were doing a girls weekend, I would pick the Haywood Park Hotel right downtown with easy access to restaurants, shops, etc. For a spa visit if GPI is too expensive (and it is expensive though if you buy a service a day pass admission to the spa is included) consider the Secret Garden Spa in WEaverville.

I adore cmcfong and her opinions, but I do love the historic rooms at the Grove Park. I've stayed in the other rooms and suites and I agree they are just so-so, but I LOVE the historic rooms. I've enjoyed a spa treatment at the GPI and I just love the grotto pool, but there have been less expensive spa options on this board. The Inn at Biltmore is a very nice alternative too.

Personally, I'd meet in Denver or somewhere in CO in the Rockies

Hi all,

The Grovepark Inn looks wonderful but our budget doesn't allow it. Our maximum hotel charge for each night is $250.

The one cmcfong mentioned is Asheville, looks more in your budget: http://www.haywoodpark.com/rates.htm
Those are probably standard rates, so you can call the hotel and see what you can get.

Thank you for suggesting the Haywood Park but they are booked every weekend except 11/23, which I think is Thanksgiving weekend. They must be very popular. Also, I was hoping the hotel offered a spa of some sort.

I think Williamsburg, WV would be a good place to meet. The airplane fares seem reasonble. Can anyone recommend a good place to stay w/ a spa? Thanks for any help.

What about the Greenbriar ?

Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into it.