Highlights: Inn on Biltmore Estate

•Inn on Biltmore Estate is an unmatched setting on the historic Biltmore Estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains

•Staff’s warm Southern hospitality adds to the inn’s cozy at-home atmosphere

•Mahogany furnishings, elegant artwork, and rich floral patterns help guest rooms and suites pay tribute to the property’s history

•Suites are named after Vanderbilt family members or their famous friends

•The Dining Room cuisine includes produce and meat raised on the property, and daily afternoon tea is served in the library

•Unique round swimming pool is surrounded with scenic mountain views

•Land Rover Experience Driving School, horseback riding, fly-fishing school, and horse-drawn carriage rides are part of the numerous on-site activities

Amenities: Inn on Biltmore Estate

• 213 rooms, 7 story. Check-in 4 pm, check-out 11 am. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Fitness room, spa. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Inn on Biltmore Estate

The Inn on Biltmore Estate is, quite simply, beyond compare. Built in the late 1800s by George Vanderbilt, this castle set into the rolling landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina, is America’s largest, and grandest, private home. From the horse-drawn carriages that stand sentry at the entrance to the large-scale rooms filled with rare artwork and antiques, the Biltmore is an American treasure. While the home once welcomed the country’s elite, this estate, still privately owned by Vanderbilt descendants, has been open to the public since the 1950s. Aside from the stately and impressive 175,000-square-foot home, the estate’s park-like grounds are also home to a winery, stunning gardens, a farm village, and a Mobil Four-Star inn.

The Inn on Biltmore Estate is a charming hideaway with gracious accommodations, fine dining, and a host of exciting outdoor pursuits. It’s a perfect place for history buffs who want to relive the refinement of a bygone era, and its location right on the estate grounds is unforgettable and unique.

Combining historic sophistication with the amenities and activities of a full-service 21st-century resort, the Inn on Biltmore Estate delivers the best of both worlds to its guests. It is especially well suited to romantic getaways, but this inn also caters to corporate retreats and families. Few places are able to appeal to singles, couples, and kids alike, but the inn manages to have something for everyone. The grounds are full of tempting recreational opportunities, including the Land Rover Experience Driving School. Participants learn the ins and outs of off-roading and then put their skills to the test on a series of twisting paths that weave their way through the Biltmore’s grounds.

Hiking, horseback riding, biking, and horse-drawn carriage rides provide a variety of ways to see the historic estate from different perspectives. Or, enjoy the view from a raft as you wind your way along the French Broad River, which cuts through the estate. Anglers will want to try their hand at fly fishing on the lagoon, and everyone from beginners to experts can benefit from the property’s fly-fishing school.

The majestic Blue Ridge Mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for swimming or relaxing with a view at the inn’s rimless, round pool. Outside the estate, Asheville is a renowned tourist destination with shops, cafes, restaurants, and many arts and culture attractions.

(+) Full-service resort with unique Biltmore estate location combines history with modern amenities

Guest Services: Inn on Biltmore Estate

Gracious Southern hospitality reigns at the elegant Inn on Biltmore Estate, where guests feel truly pampered. The staff manages to deliver professional service without attitude or stuffiness, and no detail goes overlooked. If a staff member assists with horseback riding plans, they also then suggest and help arrange for gourmet boxed lunches to be brought along. The staff in the restaurants sees to it that meals are not just satisfying, but also memorable. From check-in to check-out, it is clear that this inn’s standards are good enough that if George Vanderbilt walked in, he would feel right at home.

(+) Warm, professional staff provides attentive service and hospitality

Guest Rooms: Inn on Biltmore Estate

The Inn on Biltmore Estate has 204 guest rooms and nine suites. The accommodations are furnished with a delightful mood-lifting décor. Floral fabrics cover the beds and windows, while soft colors dominate the walls. Light wood or mahogany furnishings add a hint of historic elegance, and artwork and decorative objects set a refined tone. Lovely views of the estate complement the rooms and suites, and some rooms even boast terraces or balconies.

In keeping with the inn’s location, the suites are all named after Vanderbilt family members or famous guests. Edith Wharton and Henry James both visited the Biltmore during its heyday, and the inn has honored both literary stars with 1,200-square-foot suites, complete with spacious living areas, king-size bedrooms, wet bars, and pantries. Gifford Pinchot, who once managed the Biltmore’s forest and later became the governor of Pennsylvania, has a suite named for him, as does Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, the wife of George Vanderbilt.

Like the inn itself, the rooms and suites blend a historic feel with modern amenities. High-speed Internet, two phones with voice mail and data port, and in-room movies are among the amenities available in each room. Little details are made special at this inn, where delicate chocolates are left on the pillow at turndown.

The inn also provides shuttle service to Biltmore House, the gardens, and the winery. Admission to these attractions is not included in the room rate, though the hotel does offer special packages.

(+) Guest rooms and suites feature elegant artwork, hardwood furnishings, and lush floral fabrics to fit with the property’s historic theme

Facilities & Activities: Inn on Biltmore Estate

The Inn on Biltmore Estate’s 8,000 acres are a veritable playground for adults and children. The inn offers many options for entertainment, and whether you prefer lounging poolside, or tearing up the road in a Land Rover, there’s something to fill your days.

A river runs through this estate, and fly fishing is a popular way to spend an afternoon. The resort’s fly fishing school provides customized casting or fly-tying lessons. Another way to see the grounds while enjoying the water is with a guided or self-guided rafting trip or kayak excursion down the French Broad River. The estate’s seemingly endless trails are ideal for hiking, biking, or horseback riding.

The Farm Village, where visitors can take a step back in time to a late 1800s working farm, has wagon rides, which are a hit with the kids. For a more romantic mode of transportation, book a horse-drawn carriage ride, which rotates routes throughout the seasons to spotlight the beautiful grounds. Though the estate doesn’t have a golf course, the inn staff will gladly advise guests on area courses and reserve tee times.

The Land Rover Experience Driving School is a highlight of the inn. Whether you want to learn defensive driving or enjoy a roaring good time, this exceptional experience is unparalleled. Designed for individuals, couples, or groups, the half- or full-day adventures take clients off-roading on the estate’s trails. It’s a thrilling way to see the spectacular setting.

The inn also has a fitness center, where you can choose from weight-training and cardiovascular fitness equipment. Nearby, the round, rimless swimming pool and hot tub make a nice place to take a dip or just lounge with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Biltmore Estate also has an equestrian center, where lessons and day rides may be arranged, and during the summer, the center hosts a children’s riding camp.

Those who prefer to spend their days stimulating their minds will enjoy reading a book in the clubby library or heading over to the winery, where self-guided tours provide insight into winemaking, production, and bottling. The tasting room lets you sample the goods, and while you must be at least 21 years old to take a taste, the winery invites children to toast their parents with glasses of grape juice. The Farm Village shows off a collection of antique farm equipment and interactive exhibits, and its farm animals are beloved by children and adults alike.

Even if you’re not a horticulturalist, the Biltmore’s gardens will delight your senses. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York’s Central Park among other projects, the gardens are an attraction in their own right, and many visit the estate simply to view the forests and immaculately maintained grounds. From the bursts of color in late spring to the harvest colors of late fall, the gardens are alive throughout the year.

Shops are located at the inn and at the historic Biltmore Village, situated at the entrance to the estate. Built by George Vanderbilt as a community for the workers at his estate, today, Biltmore Village is a charming shopping and dining destination.

Guests at Biltmore Estate and the Inn are unlikely to exhaust the possibilities for recreation, but the surrounding Asheville area has plenty to offer as well. Culture vultures will want to visit the Thomas Wolfe home or secure tickets to a local performance, while sporty types will discover a world of opportunities at the many parks in this Blue Ridge Mountain region. Of course, you could always sit back and enjoy the view from the car while traveling along the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, not far from here.

(+) Limitless recreational pursuits on the estate grounds, while Asheville and Blue Ridge Mountain area offers numerous cultural and outdoor activities

Dining & Lounge: Inn on Biltmore Estate

The relaxed mountain setting belies the sophisticated dining found at the inn. Fresh, regional cuisine prepared with a delicate hand is the focus. The fertile grounds provide much of the produce used on the menus, and beef and lamb are raised right on the property.

The inn provides a variety of venues for enjoying high-quality dishes. The Dining Room is the most formal of spaces, with crisp white tablecloths, elegant china, and sparkling crystal. Serving a breakfast buffet and dinner, the Dining Room is a delightful place to sit back and enjoy a fine meal. Dinner is a nightly celebration of the culinary arts, where dishes such as chili-glazed pork tenderloin, herb-crusted rack of lamb, and salmon with mango-ginger salsa take center stage.

From the library and veranda to the lobby bar, guests can enjoy lunch in a variety of settings. Choose from salads, sandwiches, or soups on the classic club-style menu. The rocking chairs and expansive views make the Veranda an especially pleasant spot for dining, drinks, or snacks, and the inn even makes in-room dining feel special.

One of the treats of a stay at the inn is afternoon tea. Served daily from 2:30 pm to 4 pm (by reservation only), this traditional tea service includes tea and sparkling wine, and a wonderful selection of tea sandwiches, scones, pastries, and fruit breads. The comfortable chairs and inviting ambience of the library perfectly complement this delightful daily ritual.

There are also several venues located on the Biltmore property, but away from the inn. Deerpark Restaurant, housed in the former calving barn, has an airy courtyard setting with window walls. Generous portions of Southern cooking and endless Sunday brunch buffets are the specialty at this uplifting restaurant, located several miles from Biltmore House. Dine in a renovated horse stall at the Stable Café, adjacent to Biltmore House. Classic pub fare is the staple at this casual eatery. For elegant dining, try the Bistro, where an exhibition kitchen provides entertainment while turning out exceptional French and Italian country cooking. Daily specials are often the way to go, and this restaurant’s popular children’s menu makes it a hit with families.

(+) Dishes at the inn feature produce and meat raised on the property, and additional dining options are available on the grounds

Business Services: Inn on Biltmore Estate

While it’s better known as a tourist destination, Asheville is home to a branch of the University of North Carolina, as well as numerous government and private offices. Since the Biltmore Estate and Inn are located a car ride away from town in an area usually reserved for vacations, it’s not necessarily a natural choice for travelers doing business in the area, but those who may have time to mix a little pleasure in with business will feel right at home. The rooms and suites are equipped with large desks, high-speed Internet, and multiple phones with voice mail and data ports.

While solo business travelers may find the location slightly more remote than they need, the Inn on Biltmore Estate is a perfect destination for corporate retreats or meetings. The inn’s plentiful activities are ideal for team building, and its quiet, removed location makes it a good setting for brainstorming or creative sessions. There are five meeting rooms, a pre-function area, and a large terrace available for groups large or small. This inn caters to groups, offering unusual activities such as candlelit tours of Biltmore House, four-course dinners in the champagne cellar, receptions in the formal Italian garden, and trail rides with boxed gourmet lunches.

(+) Inn’s meeting spaces and memorable events make it a wonderful group destination
(-) Though it offers amenities, its location is not ideal for the solo business traveler