Asheville, NC and Biltmore Estate – April 2011

We were trying to find ways to cash in some of Mayne’s marriott rewards points that he earned during all of his audit travel, and we found a Marriott Autograph collection hotel – the Grand Bohemian – in Asheville. It took a free night certificate (from Mayne’s platinum status anniversary) and some points and we had our long weekend booked!

Elisa had never been and was excited to see what all the fuss about the Biltmore was about. It didn’t disappoint – the weather was perfect and all the azaleas and rhododendrons in the sizable gardens were in bloom. We also enjoyed the winery in the complex, and a delightful dinner in the downtown Asheville area.

I don’t normally get excited about hotels – we typically just look for a clean room, convenient to sights and activities at a reasonable rate (we don’t travel to visit hotels, after all) – but this Marriott property was definitely a treat! The decorations and bedding were as sumptuous and fancy as one would want, there was a huge soaker tub (with revealing glass surround), and the dining room and lobby were fully appointed in lodge-style very fitting of a hotel just outside the Biltmore proper.

As a side note we came back to nashville to a hoard of cicadas!  The ominously named “Brood XIX” had arrived and had already piled up sloughed shells at the base of our trees!