Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains you’ll find one of Asheville’s greatest escapes, The Omni Grove Park Inn. Perched high on Sunset Mountain (adequately named I can assure you) Omni Grove Park Inn welcomes all who enjoy rest, relaxation, delicious dining, and nature adventures of all kinds. My husband and I were recently lucky enough to visit this one of a kind destination for a little weekend getaway/ baby moon. We left with our southern appetites full, our bodies and minds relaxed, and couldn’t wait to plan our next visit to this one of a kid destination in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
History Of Omni Grove Park Inn
My husband and I share a love for all things vintage. So it’s no surprise that the history of Omni Grove Park spoke to us just as much at the untouched beauty that surrounds it. Edwin Grove opened the Hotel in 1913 after a rise from poverty to great success in the pharmaceutical industry. Being sent by Dr.’s orders to Asheville to benefit from that clean mountain air, Grove fell in love and began creating this beauty that people are enjoying 100 years later. The Hotel has delicately reserved the historical elements of the hotel without sacrificing comfort and modern convenience. You’ll find one of a kind antiques and pieces of times past throughout the Hotel, along with a collection of stories and images of past Presidents, social icons, and dignitaries who have all stayed at the Grove Pak. There’s something special about walking the same halls as F. Scott FitzGerald (Author of The Great Gatsby) and Presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Omni Grove Park Guest Rooms
Staying true to their past Omni Grove Park Guest Rooms exhibit rustic elegance and vintage decor. With arts and craft style furnishings and cottage style windows that open so you can enjoy that fresh mountain air and sunset views. It’s a perfect blend of culture and comfort. I may have fallen in love with our vintage style wallpaper in the bathroom. We stayed in a Premium Resort Room which gave us a collective view of the mountains, the terrace, and the Spa gardens.
From Tradition style rooms in the Main Inn to Suites in the Vanderbuilt Wing and everything in between, you can find the room that fits your needs and your occasion by clicking here Omni Grove Park Accomodations . Tip If you plan on visiting during the holidays like so many do to enjoy things like the Thanksgiving Feast or the National Gingerbread House Competition make sure to make your reservations at least 90 days ahead of time. We loved experiencing the Grove Park during the Wintertime. The lights, the Christmas decor, the 36ft wide fireplaces, made our babymoon that much more enjoyable and relaxing.
Also, if you are looking for a couple’s getaway the Bed and Breakfast Package is a great option. It includes the Art Of Breakfast at the Blue Ridge Artisanal Buffet , we ate here on the last day of our stay and I highly recommend it. That leads me on to one of m favorite topics….Yummy Food!
Dining At Grove Park Inn
“Cooking is like love — it should be entered into with abandon or not at all”. -Harriet Van Horne
Guys, I love food, and I really love food when I’m expecting and in the second trimester. So my southern heart and pregnant appetite couldn’t have been happier with the scrumptious selections offered at Omni Grove Park Inn. I will say that I think my favorite dining experience was the breakfast buffet at the Blue Ridge. I love choices, and oh my word do they have choices. A yogurt bar, doughnut bar, gluten free options, an omelet station, and of course southern staples like biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, etc…I love long, leisurely breakfasts (something moms of littles rarely get to enjoy) and sipping coffee while viewing the Blue Ridge Mountains was the icing on the cake- or syrup on the pancakes if you will.
Another must stop is the Sunset Terrace. The views are simply phenomenal. From sunrise to sunset the array of colors are ever changing in the way they reflect off of the coveted Blue Ridge Mountains. The food service is seasonal, and closed during the coldest months, but we happily enjoyed grabbing a delicious hot cocoa inside and found one of the many available tables to sip and soak in the view. It’s not surprising that Forbes listed The Blue Ridge and Sunset Terrace as two of the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America in 2017.
We also enjoyed a more laid back dinner at Edison Craft Ales + Kitchen . A great atmosphere for relaxing after a day of travel and enjoying locally crafted drinks and farm to table creations. I loved the crunchy yardbird! For our “fancy night” we visited Vue 1913. Every girl needs at least one fancy night out on vacation, right? The duck was delicious and the panoramic views of the mountains at sunset made the dinner that much more enjoyable. For a list of all the dining options available click Dining At Omni Grove Park Inn.
Activities At Omni Grove Park Inn
The Spa At Omni Grove Park Inn
If there was a highlight of our trip, experiencing the Spa at Omni Grove Park Inn was definitely it. Voted one of the top resort spas in the world, it was like walking into a hidden oasis. Keeping with the overall rustic feel of the Inn, the cavernous rock walls, arches and tunnels brought the outdoors in, but in the most luxurious way possible. With multiple mineral pools, waterfalls, saunas, fireside relaxation rooms, this is definitely the spa where you could spend an entire day. I easily spent over half the day after enjoying a glorious maternity massage (highly recommend Rose).
My Tip: If you’re enjoying a massage or other skin service, schedule it early-mid morning and enjoy the rest of the day taking advantage of all the spa has to offer. If you’d like to skip the service and just enjoy the spa facilities ask about a Spa Day Pass.
The Spa also has a cafe which you can enjoy light fare during your visit (salads, wraps, smoothies, etc..) For more information about the spa or to schedule your appointment (it’s recommended to make reservations two months in advance) click here Omni Grove Park Spa.
Omni Grove Park Resort Activities
You can’t visit Asheville and not take advantage of the outdoors in some capacity. Even, for example if it’s a simple hike (more like walk) around the hotel (hello pregnancy and Florida lungs). We enjoy hiking and you can typically find great trails and have a free adventure. The resort also offers golf and tennis, and the Asheville area is full of outdoor adventures from zip-lining to white water rafting. If the outdoors aren’t calling your name, there are plenty of historical sites and shopping venues to enjoy (lots of great vintage finds downtown Asheville). To find out what indoor or outdoor adventure fits you and your travel companions best, see more here Things to Do In Asheville NC.
National Gingerbread House Competition
Being that our weekend getaway happened to fall in late November, we were lucky enough to visit while the creations of the National Gingerbread House Competition winners were still on display. Without a doubt, some of the most beautiful, creative gingerbread masterpieces I’ve ever seen. This year the dates for viewing the gingerbread houses began Sunday, November 26, 2017 and will be on display until January 4, 2018. Viewing the yearly gingerbread competition would make a great Christmas family tradition. Omni Grove Park really is a perfect winter destination to fit all your Christmas wishes.
Our weekend getaway was everything we had hoped it would be. We left more relaxed, more connected to each other, and with a greater appreciation for the beauty, history, and culture that surrounded us during our stay. We cant wait to plan our next visit-maybe with a baby and two littles in tow.
We’d like to thank Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina for hosting us in order to share our weekend getaway with you. As always, thoughts and images are our own.
