OT: Asheville or Gatlinburg suggestions?

[mom0299]

This is not related to Disney, but I knew someone on the DIS could help.

I want to surprise DH with a weekend getaway for just the two of us. Whenever we take a trip (just us or the family) he does ALL the planning. (Except for WDW trips - that is my domain and I like it that way - I am a self-professed Disney-planning fanatic.) Anyway, I'd like to do something nice for him and plan a trip for us. It will probably be in Jan. or Feb., but I'm going to tell him about it at Christmas.

We live about two hours away from both Gatlinburg, TN and Asheville, NC. We aren't big fans of B&Bs so I'd like to find a nice Inn to stay in for a long weekend. I've looked at Grove Park and the Inn at Biltmore Estates, both in Asheville, but they are a little bit more than I'd like to pay. Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice place to stay in one of these areas?

 

[pacew]

There are all sorts of cabins available in the Gatlinburg area and it is probably off season there. We have stayed at a number of them and they have all been very nice.

Wendy

 

[MSSANDRA]

i would splurge and go for the Grove Park Inn. It is SOO wonderful. We however also enjoy a cabin in Gatlinburg area. We have used Black Bear Lodging and had good luck but ask about the road access to the cabin. Many need 4 wheel drive in winter. We also like the hampton inn in Gatlinburg. It is on the very end of the strip and sits back a little and is very quite. The deluxe rooms have a fire place and king beds. I think the light festival goes through Jan.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Look at Black Mountain, NC, which is only 20 min. east of Asheville. Black Mountain Inn has rooms/suites for $118-$159 on their website. I love Black Mountain for its quaint little shops and ice cream parlor, and you are close to Asheville. I looked at Richmond Hill Inn and was going to tell you to try there, but their prices have gone sky high! If you want Gatlinburg, we really liked the Fairfield Inn at the end of River Road (far end before you go into the national forest). All the rooms have balconies over the river and fireplaces; we went over July 4th and the rooms had recently been refurbished and were huge! The last time we went to Gatlinburg in the winter, though, it seemed like lots of places and stores were closed until spring.

 

[momz]

check out Bearskin Lodge on the River. The room we had (several years ago) had a fireplace and a whirlpool tub. It's a cabin feel in a hotel setting. We liked it. one block to the entrance to the park.

 

[mom0299]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I am considering them all.