Best Places to Stay in Asheville, NC—Best Areas & Accommodations

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Looking for the best places to stay in Asheville, NC? Asheville is not a very large city, so most of your hotels and apartments will be close to all the best places to see. As with most cities, the closer you get to downtown, the higher the lodging prices. 

When choosing where to stay in Asheville, you have three major choices. The most popular choice is to stay downtown, close to shopping and breweries. You can also stay closer to the Biltmore Estate if you want a quieter atmosphere and plan to spend a bit of time exploring Biltmore. 

The third option is to stay outside of Asheville, closer to the mountains. You are still within easy driving distance of the city, but you get the fresh air and hiking that comes with being in nature! 

As someone who visits Asheville every Christmas, I have stayed in all of these areas and can recommend my top picks! 

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Asheville Accommodation Quick Guide 

Budget—The Beaucatcher is a small boutique hotel just a few miles from downtown and the Biltmore. The rooms are bright with large windows, and the decorations are colorful and modern. Make sure to enjoy the beautiful courtyard and free breakfast. 

Mid-range—Sweet Biscuit Inn is a cute little cottage between Biltmore and downtown Asheville. It only has seven rooms, so it has a more intimate setting than a hotel. A carriage house also sleeps six people if you are traveling in a group. Every morning, enjoy a 3-course breakfast. They even have babysitting services if you want to leave the kids behind for a few hours. 

LuxuryThe Inn on Biltmore Estate: This is by far my top choice for those who want to be directly on the estate. You will have quick access to the estate winery, dining areas, and home. The rooms have terraces with stunning views of the estate. There are also many walking trails where you can see the gardens blooming. 

Downtown Asheville

If you have never visited Asheville and your main goal is to be close to all the top action, I recommend staying downtown. Many hotels are within walking distance of the best shopping and restaurants, so you can leave the car at the hotel.

Many people also rent apartments or extra rooms downtown if you want something more budget-friendly. 

BudgetDowntown Inn & Suites: A basic hotel with free Wi-Fi. The balconies are the best parts of the room as they have city or mountain views. The location of this hotel is perfect. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to the fine arts theatres, restaurants, and bars. 

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Mid-RangeHilton Garden Inn Downtown Asheville: One of the only hotels in Asheville that is pet friendly! They have a rooftop bar with amazing views of the city and mountains. You can book a standard room for you and a friend or an entire suite if you’re traveling with a group! It’s right in the middle of downtown, so you can easily walk everywhere. 

LuxuryThe Foundry Hotel Asheville: This hotel is only about a 5-minute walk to two bus stops and is less than a 5-minute walk to many of the main shopping buildings and restaurants. I love the modern and polished rooms. They offer free breakfast, a beautiful lounge, and a fitness center. 

side street of downtown asheville, leaves falling from the tree

Biltmore Area

One of the main attractions when traveling to Asheville is seeing the Biltmore Estate. It’s stunning, especially during the spring when the flowers are blooming. They also have Christmas events on the property, and every room in the house has a huge Christmas tree. 

Some of these hotels are near the Biltmore, while others are about an equal distance to the estate and downtown Asheville. 

BudgetCountry Inn & Suites by Radisson: Only 8 miles from the Biltmore and about 7 miles from downtown Asheville, this hotel offers the best of both. They have a free hot breakfast, large rooms with free Wi-Fi, and an open outdoor pool in the warmer months.  

Mid-RangeHoliday Inn Asheville-Biltmore West: Stay just a few miles from the Biltmore at this hotel. Stay in a standard room or upgrade to get a whirlpool tub and a pull-out couch for your extra guests. There is a cocktail lounge and a restaurant on-site, as well as a fitness room and two pools. 

LuxuryHilton Asheville Biltmore Park: This hotel is 8 miles to the Biltmore and 4 miles to the Asheville airport. They also offer a free airport shuttle. Relax in the huge rooms during your downtime, or visit the onsite bar and lounge. They also have an indoor pool and spa. 

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Mountain Region

If you want to stay in one of the prettiest areas near Asheville, the mountain region is the place to go. You’ll enjoy the gorgeous backdrop, and it’s not too far from the Biltmore or downtown.

Budget— Days Inn by Wyndham Asheville Downtown North is between the mountains and the Biltmore. They have a free hot breakfast and an outdoor pool when the weather is warm. You can book a suite to get a small kitchenette in your room if you want to cook rather than eat out! 

Mid-range—Bent Creek Lodge is 13 miles from the Biltmore Estate and right on the outskirts of Blue Ridge Parkway. You’re also close to the Nantahala National Forest, where there is plenty of hiking. The hotel offers free gourmet breakfast and a snack and drink bar throughout the day. My favorite part is the swings on the back porch, where you can sit and enjoy the fresh mountain air. 

Luxury—The Omni Grove Park Inn: This is a great place to stay if you want to be near the Blue Ridge Mountains but also only a couple of miles from downtown Asheville. You can choose between a standard room or a suite. The inn has five restaurants and three bars—all with great views of the mountains. Check out the spa, tennis courts, and golf course in your spare time. 

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Top Things to Do in Asheville, NC

Now that you know some of the best places to stay in Asheville, NC, here is a quick list of the top things to do while in the city:

staircase with tall trees in downtown asheville
  • See the Biltmore. Whether you are staying near the Biltmore or not, don’t miss a visit to this gorgeous estate. You can tour the 250-room home and learn about its history and architecture. There’s also a large gift shop on the premises, a winery, and a wine-tasting room. 
  • Explore Downtown Asheville. Downtown Asheville is full of boutique shops and funky stores to explore. There are also a few art galleries and chocolate shops worth checking out. 
  • Sample the local breweries. Downtown Asheville has plenty of breweries to try—including my favorite—Wicked Weed. They specialize in sours, which are my favorite. There’s also The Funkatorium (another Wicked Weed Location) and Twin Leaf Brewery. They are worth checking out. 
  • Asheville Art Museum. This museum is in a beautiful building. Most of the permanent exhibits are contemporary paintings and sculptures. The rotating exhibits are a large variety of art, including some collections from local artists. 
  • Asheville Botanical Gardens. People rave about this garden constantly. There are over 10 acres of places to explore. Grab a trail map of the gardens so you can find your way around. Some native plants you’ll see are the mountain mint and the common milkweed. 
  • Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can do this during any season, but it’s the most beautiful in the autumn when the leaves change color. The parkway also has certain scenic parking spots where you can get out of the car and admire the view. You can even snap a photo or two. 

How to Get to Asheville

Asheville has a small regional airport (AVL). Most of the flights are domestic only and a bit costly since the airport is so small. I recommend flying into Atlanta or Charlotte, depending on where you are coming from. 

Asheville is also well connected to roads so you can easily drive and have a road trip! You can get there by I-40, I-240, or I-26. 

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How to Get Around Asheville

If you’re staying downtown, you can easily walk to most places. Or take an Uber to places that are a bit further from your hotel. If you stay closer to the mountains or Biltmore, you will probably need a rental car. 

Asheville has a small bus system. Check out the maps and schedules here. You’ll see them around the town, even late at night. 

asheville at sunset, colorful buildings

When to Visit Asheville

I personally love Asheville around the holidays. The weather is crisp, and the city is decorated. Many people travel to Asheville during this time, so you won’t be beating the crowds. 

Asheville has the best weather in the spring and autumn. The mountains in the fall are beautiful since all the leaves are changing color. There are many different festivals to check out during this time, including food festivals, wine festivals, and music festivals. 

Where to Stay in Asheville on a Budget?

There are many budget hotels in Asheville, even downtown. The furnishings and amenities are basic, but they are clean and have everything you need for the few hours you will be in the hotel each day.

Check out the Quality Inn Downtown Asheville or the Best Western Asheville Tunnel Road

Where to Stay in Asheville for the Weekend?

Since Asheville is small, you can stay near Biltmore or the mountains and still have enough time to see the best of the city in just one weekend. Exactly where to stay depends on what you’re most interested in seeing. 

If your main reason for visiting is to see the Biltmore or if you take a two-day tour, you will want to stay closer to the estate. You will also want to stay closer to the mountains if you want to visit state parks or go hiking. 

If you’re just traveling to explore the city, staying as close to downtown as possible will allow you to maximize your time. 

Where to Stay in Asheville Near the Airport?

Asheville has a small airport, but there are some nearby hotels. Check out Courtyard by Marriot Asheville Airport or Holiday Inn & Suites Arden Asheville Airport. 

Is Asheville Safe?

I have always felt safe walking around Asheville at night, even alone. Most of the city is well-lit, and you’ll see many people walking late at night, so you won’t be on the streets alone. 

I would still exercise caution, and make sure you are always aware of your surroundings. Asheville has some side streets downtown that are not well-lit. I definitely don’t recommend venturing down them after sundown. 

blue ridge parkway in the autumn, leaves changing colors

Book One of the Best Places to Stay in Asheville, NC! 

Ready to book your stay in Asheville? I hope this guide helped you find the perfect place to stay! 

If you stay in the area for a long time, you can even move around and stay in different areas to get a good mix of the city and the mountains. 

I love staying closer to the mountains since I prefer to be outdoors hiking or sightseeing. I usually rent a car and go to downtown Asheville at least twice during my stay. 

People with young children and couples often prefer to stay near the Biltmore since it has many kid-friendly activities. The winery and scenery also make it a very romantic getaway! 

Have you been to Asheville? Where do you prefer to stay?

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