So you want all the details, or maybe you want to go yourself?
Here is what you may want to know.
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Location:
Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC.
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Cost:
Who wants to hear about a trip if it's to expensive to go yourself? I've always hated travel shows that show you an incredible location and never mention the price, or the price mentioned doesn't include taxes or fees which can be up to 25% in some areas. Or worst of all is when you check the price for yourself you find that prices are ridiculous and only for the super rich.
Rooms
(Price with tax)
Crowne Plaza, Sat, $170
Inn at Biltmore, Sun-Wed $895
Room total : $1065
Activities
Red Wine & Chocolate Seminar $20 each
Biltmore Bubbles Tour $18 each
Standard Wine Tasting, Free with Main house Admission or to guests of the Inn
Bike to the Lagoon, Bike Rental $15 each (1 hour rental)
Main House and Gardens Tickets $60 each per day
Audio Guide to Biltmore House $10 each
Activity total : $246
Hotels:
Cost wise, this is a difficult one to describe. All of the large hotels in Asheville (or at least the Inn at Biltmore, the Crown Plaza, and the Hampton Inn) have moved to variable pricing by day and by week. As a rule of thumb Fri and Sat nights are about twice the cost of Sun-Thur. Add to this the fact that most of the hotels also vary the room rates each week, so any prices will be +/- 25% from week to week. It pays to be flexible.
The rates (with tax) we had on the week we went
Inn at Biltmore : Fri-Sat $480, Mon-Thur $300
Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville : Fri-Sat $245, Mon-Thur $130
So it was definitely worth our while to stay at the cheaper hotel on the day we were traveling. Also add to this the fact that Louise was able to get the room at the Crown on Priceline for $170 for the Sat night. Still the cost fo the rooms do add up.
And of course the big question is “Is the expensive room at the Inn worth the cost?” The hotel is immaculate, and the rooms are some of the best I’ve ever stayed at. Add some wonderful views, A great bar, and good food. If that is the type of thing you are looking for, then yes.
The Crown Plaza was a nice hotel, but it did have two issues. While the bar was very cool, it was an interior bar only with no views. Add to this, there were no views from ANY of the rooms, so if you want to sit and drink with a view of the mountains, this is not your place.
Inn at Biltmore1. A spectacularly well designed room, with turndown service and chocolates at night.
2. No Plastic cups or glasses here and a fine selection of coffees and teas
3. The picture does not do the bathroom justice.
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Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville
1. Very nice rooms, but be aware some rooms have smaller than queen size beds. 2. A nice bar.
3. The dining room and food were enjoyable.
4. What person designs a hotel on top of a mountain, but then has all of views from the rooms overlook the parking lot?
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Activities
Both the “Red Wine and Chocolate" and “Biltmore Bubbles” are worth the cost. You get a tour and a small group experience with a guide and much larger wine samples. All of the samples are the “premium” which are not in the free wine tasting, and you get to sit in a reserved room for the tasting. Very fun.
The Bike to the Lagoon is nice, but the bikes are one speed and there are some hills so it’s not as easy as it should be.
Do you want the Audio Guide if you see the house? Yes, you want the audio tour if you go, else you miss most of the detail.