One of the best things about retirement in North Carolina, aside from our fantastic weather with four true seasons, our beautiful scenery from sunrises at the coast to Blue Ridge vistas to the west, and a vibrant arts and culture scene … is our great weekend getaway options. The greater Asheville area is welcoming visitors again and everything we’ve come to love about Asheville is still there.
Asheville is a unique destination. This culture-rich city is an art lover’s and foodie haven. After a hard day of gallery browsing, you’ll find fine dining options abound. If you are looking for a more active getaway, then hiking options in the Blue Ridge will not disappoint. The 512,000 acre Pisgah National Forest is only a 30 minute drive from the heart of downtown Asheville, and fall offers the beauty of the changing leaves that brings folks from long distances to enjoy.
There is tremendous history in Asheville with the Biltmore House one of the most notable. Built by George Vanderbilt, construction of Biltmore House began in 1889 and took 6 years to complete. Still owned by the same family today Biltmore and its 8,000 acres of gardens and estate surrounding the house visitors can enjoy touring the house that was built with 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
Another destination with a lot of history and even more rooms is also a place visitors to Asheville can enjoy up close and personal and book for a weekend. The Grove Park Inn and Spa with a long and interesting history is today a Omni Hotel and welcomes visitors all year long.
The GROVE PARK INN
In 1909, Edwin Wiley Grove purchased 408 acres in north Asheville, including what would become The Grove Park Inn. But he would concentrate on residential neighborhoods before ever considering building a hotel.
Two years later Grove began to plan the building of a hotel on Sunset Mountain. In 1911, Fred Seely, a residential developer, became involved with the plans. After reviewing the plans of several prominent architects, Grove did not find any of them satisfactory. The consummate visionary, Seely presented a sketch of the proposed hotel to Grove, and he not only accepted the plan but gave Seely the enormous task of building the hotel.
Four-hundred men worked 10-hour shifts six days a week. With only the use of mules, wagons and ropes, granite boulders, some weighing as much as 10,000 pounds, were hauled from Sunset Mountain to build the hotel. Seely kept his promise to be open for business in less than one year from the ground breaking.
Just three days shy of one year, The Grove Park Inn opened on July 12, 1913. Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan, delivered the keynote address to four hundred of the most distinguished men of the South, gathered for the opening banquet. He had no idea of how true his words would become when he proclaimed that The Grove Park Inn “was built for the ages”.
Today, the Grove Park inn and Spa offer an exclusive getaway for visitors to the Asheville area with a complete portfolio of offerings and activities on the Grove Park campus.
Grove Park Inn Amenities
- Spa: The spa at Grove Park Inn blends the four elements, Fire, Rock, Water, and Light, to create a serene and rejuvenating environment. Experience world-class service and find yourself enveloped in total relaxation. Relax and rejuvenate in the 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa with cavernous rock walls, arches, and tunnels. Enjoy peace and quiet with numerous features and amenities, including a mineral-based relaxation pool, a lap pool blanketed with 6,500 fiber-optic stars and underwater music, and two therapeutic waterfall pools.
- Golf: An 18-hole course beckons golfers. The 6,113-yard championship course has been played by PGA stars Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus, and even President Obama. Feel a sense of pride and accomplishment after navigating the tree-lined fairways and bent greens with amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Elevated tee boxes on the par 70 course provide perfect sight lines for each drive.
- Sunset Trail: For a refreshing outdoors walk, the Sunset Trail trailhead is on Grove Park’s property. The Sunset hiking trail travels within the property up Sunset Mountain and is perfect for all ages and skill levels. The Sunset Trail opened in 1913 alongside the hotel to offer guests an accessible form of exercise and an escape into nature. Hiking boots or a pair of protective, comfortable shoes is recommended. The Grove Park Sports Complex offers a variety of indoor activities, including tennis and pickleball.
- Art: After a relaxing hike, take the short walk over to a nearby art and history destination, Grovewood Village. Grovewood Village is a historic site that once housed weaving and woodworking operations for Biltmore Industries, an American craft and textiles company. Now, Grovewood Village offers beautiful art and crafts for purchase, historic tours of their rich craft heritage, and the ability to get a close look into artist’s studios. Grovewood Village is also home to the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, allowing you to see vintage automobiles, including a rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
- Sip n’ Views: After a day full of adventure and exploration, there’s no better way to unwind than with dinner and drinks at the stunning Sunset Terrace. This charming dining spot is renowned for its exquisite hand-cut steaks, premium chops, and the freshest seafood that you won’t want to miss. Enjoy the picturesque view of the Blue Ridge Mountains during a sunset and have a truly unforgettable dining experience. To elevate your evening even further, be sure to explore the extensive wine and cocktail list. Sunset Terrace is a five-time recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Whether you’re a connoisseur or simply looking for the perfect pairing, you’ll find something that perfectly complements your meal.
- Live Entertainment: To wrap up a perfect weekend, take the Vanderbilt elevator down to our very own dueling piano bar. Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar allows you to sing and dance the night away as musicians entertain with music and comedy alike. Grab a drink and prepare for lots of tunes and laughter. Doors open at 8:30 PM and music goes until 1 AM with no cover needed!
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour: Explore Asheville on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour. This tour picks up and drops off at The Grove Park Inn, making it an easy activity in which to partake.
How it all Began
Edwin Wiley Grove, known as the “Father of Modern Asheville” was born in 1850 on a small farm in Tennessee. After serving in the Civil War, he had a very definite plan for his life and career – the pharmaceutical business and the determination to rise from his early poverty to great wealth and success.
He purchased a pharmacy in Paris, Tennessee in his mid-twenties. He put all of his energy into formulating a tasteless quinine to prevent malaria, a life-threatening disease that permeated the South in the 19th century. After experimenting for several years, Grove introduced Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic and experienced immediate success. In the late 1890’s Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic, which had become a household staple, sold more bottles than Coca-Cola. After 20 years on the market, Grove had sold over 1.5 million bottles of his Tonic and surpassed his dreams by making millions of dollars.
Grove himself was often ill, afflicted with periods of bronchitis and exhaustion, and his doctors recommended the clean mountain air of Asheville, NC to relax and recover. He spent time in Asheville throughout the year and that is where he would realize his next big dream.
While pursuing new pharmaceutical inventions, Grove met Fred Seely in Detroit, who was making a name for himself in the pharmaceutical business. While working together in Detroit, the two sparked a friendship and mutual admiration. Grove invited Seely to his summer home in Asheville. One week later he left his position in Detroit to work for Grove and his Paris Medicine Company. But business was not the only thing that interested Seely. When Grove introduced his daughter, Evelyn, to the bachelor, within 24 hours Grove had given Seely permission to wed her.
Seely began working for the Paris Medicine Company in June 1898 and in October of that year married Evelyn. Both men ventured into other businesses, including real estate. In Asheville Grove began purchasing property, he had successfully developed residential neighborhoods in Atlanta and was considering doing the same in prospering Asheville. With the expansion of the railroad and publicity surrounding the opening of George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore House, Grove was positioning himself as a serious investor in the future of Asheville.
