Before moving to the area, I stayed at Black Bear Resort to get a feel for what the region had to…read moreoffer in outdoor activities. Black Bear Resort is surrounded by national forest with endless streams, rivers, and lakes, along with countless trails and waterfalls to hike and explore! Needless to say, I stuck around and opened my own business, catering to those visiting the region.

Cutest little resort on top of the mountain, cute little cabin that overlooks the stream, Bath…read morehouse was right next-door, no plumbing in cabin, Owners were very helpful, very friendly.. my son caught trout out of the stream, and Miss Linda help me get everything together that we needed to cook the trout.. there is a restaurant on site that cooks amazing French toast..

I'd been looking forward to staying the night for a few days while traveling through the mountains…read morebut the owner was unable to allow me to arrive after dark so I was extremely disappointed. I was willing to pay upfront but the site may be difficult to find or the roads to navigate so I appreciate his honesty. Remote working & traveling that sometimes happens. Owner was responsive to my friend who has highly recommended them. I understand music is available as well but I never got to see it.

Oh I feel so special getting to write the first review for one of Asheville's hippest and newest…read morewedding/event venues. June Bug Retro Resort is commonly whispered about as "This beautiful spot just outside of Asheville with all of these refurbished vintage trailers". This is that spot! It's AMAZING! We're talking about gorgeous, and fun. Vintage camping trailers, shined up, retrofitted, and perfect for a photo back drop for all of your wedding/reunion needs. There's places for friends and family to stay. There's a giant event tent. There's the most adorable little creek. AND. and this is a big AND. AND it's extremely close to town. Seriously, I feel like it's a 12 minute drive to downtown metro Asheville, which is much closer than some of the other venues on the same level of beauty and fun that June Bug offers. If you're shopping around for the perfect wedding venue for your big day, make sure to check this place out. If you've been invited to a wedding here, rejoice! You're bound to have a great time. ALSO! Check out the bathroom trailer. I know that sounds weird, but one of the airstreams was converted into a bathroom, and it is L-U-X-U-R-I-O-U-S. You'll love it.

Checked into The Switzerland Inn early afternoon. It's winter season so most of the resorts…read moreactivities are closed for the season however we came for a quiet get away. The room overlooking the mountains in the main lodge is very nice. We stayed on the second floor and there is not an elevator so you carry your bag upstairs. Dinner was in the Pub in front of the Chalet Restaurant. Dinner was excellent. Chicken Piccata would have been the best I ever had however they do not serve it with pasta. Pasta in that amazing lemon sauce would have made the dish perfect. Salmon was also very good and try the sweet potato fries. They are so good. After dinner you can sit around the fire pit (complimentary blankets are available) under the most beautiful star filled sky. It's all very romantic, The Resort has a pool, outdoor bar, ice cream parlor, ping pong, horse shoes, and other activities. It's a great family place to stay and I look forward to returning in the Fall.

My visit to the Switzerland Inn was disappointing. I had been so looking forward to this stop and…read morethe views are breathtaking. I highly recommend stopping to take in the views but do not recommend dining here. Only the Terrace Dining was open the day I was there but you'd think that would bring great views. I was seated against the building and my view was of another building without turning my chair to the views. It was very slow there and there were plenty of open tables with amazing views. I had read about the prime rib plate and although pricey at $42 decided to go with what they were known for. When my food was brought out I was told that they were out of the prime rib plate and that I was brought out the prime rib sandwich instead. What? So if they were out of what I ordered why was I not informed earlier or asked what I would like to order instead? Then to bring another item with prime rib if they are out of prime rib doesn't make much sense. Then I overheard someone at another party ordering the prime rib plate and he was not told they were out of it. So what likely happened was the waitress put my order in wrong and instead of correcting it came up with the lie to try to cover up her mistake. She was also supposed to check on me to see if I liked it but never did. When I did see her again I told her it wasn't good then she said that she was happy I liked it. That is not what I said at all. What I was brought was disgusting. I'm not sure what was worse, the soggy bread, thin pot roast that was flavorless, covered with cheese and onions. And they charged $24 for that sandwich. My side of mashed potatoes were cold. I'm not sure if they forgot to reheat them. I will never dine at the Switzerland Inn again after the awful service and food. 6/30/25 Update: The weather was beautiful the day I visited. No rain or thunderstorms in the forecast. Solo diners are just given the tables in the back without the view which is disappointing that we are not valued. I do regret not leaving when the food I was presented with was not what I ordered. I should have walked away and gone somewhere else that respected me. This restaurant needs to hire better waitstaff or properly train them so that they can put orders in correctly and if a mistake is made, he or she corrects the mistake rather than lie about it. I do hope the restaurant can correct the issues with service as there is a lack of it and improve the quality and temperature of the food served.

One of the most beautiful places on Earth. Kind and helpful staff. Beautiful horses, beautiful…read moretrails, clean lodge. Thanks for a great visit.

It has been just over a week from the time that I had to leave the ranch. I have refrained from…read morewriting a review until I could really give it some thought and attention. We were welcomed from the first moment (and we arrived later than expected but a text to Lynn had us feeling confident we were headed to the right place, because the last few miles can seem like you are in the middle of nowhere). I woke up after the first night tent camping and instantly had tears in my eyes while enjoying sunrise with a cup of coffee. It is so incredibly beautiful, it honestly felt like a gift to be there. The land is beautiful, well maintained, and perfect for a couples or family getaway (I am actually planning a few lone trips because I felt such a spirit connection here). There are numerous sites for camping, the lodge is super cute and I will probably stay a few times at one of the rooms there. The entire ranch is stunning and we felt like we were among family the entire time. We had freedom to socialize if we desired, but had plenty of space to go off on our own. We enjoyed coffee in the morning, a glass of wine at night, and our days were full of hiking, horseback riding, and sometimes just enjoying the ability to unplug. I implore you to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner (at least one of each) to get the full extent of how great this side of the Ranch is. I highly recommend the biscuits and gravy, but nothing compares to the has brown casserole that is handmade by Lynn and is a culinary delight! The chicken Cesar wraps are a great lunch to take if you plan on going on a hike (with a quick text to the owner, we had lunch packed up for us and ready to o when we headed out to Rainbow falls). The dinners have a community feel, though you could certainly take it to go. We enjoyed both the cafeteria style dinners as well as bacon cheeseburgers (drool-worthy). The area is perfectly located to give you a break from reality but close enough to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Seiverville (easy day trips and we spent a day in each area). Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, and countless other outdoor adventures are also a quick drive, but there is also a lot that can be done on the ranch. We enjoyed walking the farm, petting the horses, and decided to take a trail ride. It was such an adventure. The guides were extremely thoughtful of my anxiety/fear of horses while also encouraging to my partner's comfort and ease around them (giving each of us room to enjoy the ride as we needed). They also became like friends/family by the time we left (we even extended our stay by one day because we did not want to leave). I truly want to see them succeed, they have a great story, and have encouraged all of my family and friends to visit. I hope to make this place a regular getaway spot. Don't wait, book it now!! Tips: * If tent camping, make sure you account for possible rainy weather (think shoes/boots if it gets muddy) * Be aware that it can get windy at night, you are at the base of a mountain - tents should be securely tethered * Bring a treat for the horses, you won't regret making friends with them * Communicate with the owners/hands, the idea here is a bed and breakfast even if you are camping. * Don't be shy to reach out when you want a meal, being that they are a small operation, there may not always be someone readily available but they will accommodate if given a heads up (and won't make you feel guilty for it) * Branch out of your comfort zone, have a conversation with other campers or visitors

What we liked! The…read moreproperty was beautiful and the historic preservation work on the 1905 Bunn house was awesome! They managed to keep the old school brick elegance, while throwing in a few modern amenities. The top observation deck presented a grand view of the city, mountains and surrounding properties. The in-room locally made goodies (craft beer, wine, snacks, coffee, ice cream) filled in between cravings, and it was nice to take a bevvy to the observation deck, or while strolling to the outside fire pit. The Nespresso machine and Aerolatté Milk Frother was a nice touch. And our favorite, the steam shower. What a nice luxury to have after a day of sightseeing, or simply to de-stress the body/mind. What we didn't like!! We booked the first floor suite A, which has an additional sitting room and kitchen appliances. Although we loved the space, the first floor was very noisy. The geo-thermal heating/cooling system actually vibrated the bed when it switched on (which was often), and the outside air condensers were loud. That, coupled with a very annoying white noise system above the bed, made for a very restless night of sleep. The speaker for the white noise was located above the bed, and while you could control the volume, you could not completely switch it off. The white noise sounded like forced air through a clogged air conditioner return, and not a soft ocean wave. And although the towel heater was a good idea, it was confusing to operate. Also, upon arrival, the room had an overbearing fragrance, and although it dissipated by the third day, it really distracted from a relaxing experience (especially coupled with the noise). The GM indicated they didn't use any cleaning fragrances, but all the guests I had enter the room commented on the odor. And finally, the property does not have any onsite manager (all issues are communicated thru text or calling), so any issues are not immediately addressed. For example, we couldn't light the fire pit since the fire starter was not working, and none of the guests had any matches or lighter. The in room safe was on the fritz (apparently low batteries), and the Bunn House directory suggested not to leave any valuables in the room, so I had to lug valuables around. Just be aware, all on-site satisfaction is remotely communicated, and may not be corrected immediately. However, the text response is very quick and prompt upon letting the GM know of any issues. Let me be clear. The Bunn House is a first rate property, unfortunately our visit was not as restful as we had hoped.

A beautiful concept for a hotel. Imagine staying in a boutique hotel, small enough for only five…read morerooms and with an exquisite level of taste. Now imagine that you will never see any service staff on site. No in-person check-in, no maid service that you are likely ever to see. That's the concept of Bunn House, and it's amazing. You're simply given entry codes in advance, and the last four digits of your mobile number are the key to your room. Once you're inside, I hope you will be as impressed as we were with the highly comfortable but highly distinguished way in which the hotel has been crafted. Exposed brick walls are complemented by Frette linens, a white noise dial, sauna shower, L'Occitane en Provence toiletries, and artisanal, local granola for your in-room breakfast. If you have a romantic getaway coming up, or simply want to splurge on yourself when visiting Asheville, look no further. Oh, and it's only a 5-minute Uber ride (or 20-minute walk) from the downtown restaurants & sights.

My wife and I were in town for New Year's 2026 and decided to stop by the Omni Grove Park Inn. We…read morehad been here many years ago with my aunt and uncle, who wanted to show us the hotel and the famous elevator built into the fireplace it's very old and really interesting. Before coming, I read that the Gingerbread House competition had just ended and that the displays were still up. When we arrived, I didn't realize parking was now paid $30 which was surprising since the first time we visited it was free. Walking up to the hotel is impressive on its own. Seeing how this massive structure was built out of stone so long ago is amazing. Inside, there was a video playing that explained how the hotel was constructed, which was very informative. The roof being made of solid concrete to help make the building waterproof was especially interesting. When you walk through the front doors, the entry is grand and open, with huge fireplaces on both sides. The gingerbread house displays were spread across two floors and were absolutely incredible. It's amazing to see the talent, from young adults to experienced artists. Some of the displays look incredibly realistic. I added photos, and hopefully the video of the grand prize winner shows as well, it's truly impressive. We walked around the rest of the hotel for a while and then stopped for lunch (see my restaurant review). The food was excellent. We hope to return one day and stay here. I'd also love to come back and play a round of golf here.

When John Denver wrote; Take me home, he must have been looking at the Blueridge mountains from…read moreSunset terrace restaurant. While restaurant may not be three Michelin stars, the server staff and management certainly are. Did I say the view is spectacular?! I've traveled the world, one of my top ten views! The overall property, golf course are exceptional. We woke up to a Rafter of wild turkeys in the tee box out our windows!! Our suite was very warm and welcoming. The only issue the needs immediate attention is the pillows. four of us all said the same at breakfast. The last morning, my Wife woke up to a Brown Recluse spider (arguably Deadly). That wasn't the worst of it, the management reaction was apathetical at best. They said their Pest control expert deemed it a wolf spider, still a nasty bite but won't kill you! Every one I showed the pictures from their wall said absolutely a Brown Recluse. After leaving messages with his underlines, with out response, I finally called Cezar, the GM, personally, he had the same attitude, ho hum. Long and short of it, before you book your event at this location, consider if apathy is what you want of a managerial support staff. The attached pics are of the spider in our room, and a wolf for comparison. Google Brown Recluse, and wolf spider images. I have traveled the world in five star hotels, never imagined this management Teams response, or lack of it! Too may Great choices out there.

Beautiful location and friendly staff! Great location to get away from the daily grind!read more

Decided to try this place out and everything was going great until my mom and little sister almost…read moredrowned, we all thought they were playing so we stood there and didn't do anything. Other than that I loved it and I'll make sure to visit again with life jackets

5 bedroom, 3.5 baths on one acre. Amenities include pool table, fully equipped kitchen, two 12 x…read more36' covered porches, hot tub and firepit. Close to all the top ski resorts of the High Country. In the summer this location provides easy access to Valle Crucis, Banner Elk's park with its many activities. Great cabin. Great location.

Our kids try skiing and tubing and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort delivered on the activities with a few…read morecaveats. If you're expecting a ski-town vibe like Breckenridge, Colorado, this isn't that. Sugar Mountain is a practical ski resort. The skiing terrain is best suited for beginners to intermediate skiers and is not ideal for Olympic-level skiing. Most people on the mountain appeared to be beginners, which actually made the environment feel low-pressure, relaxed, and family-friendly. We enrolled our kids in ski lessons through the ski/snowboard school and that was a highlight of the trip. The instructors were patient, knowledgeable, and very kid-friendly. The kids also went snow tubing, which they really enjoyed. Ski/ snowboard school spots and tubing sessions fill up quickly. Book in advance. It's also a good idea to pick up rental equipment the day before lessons to avoid long lines. Kids get a cubby at ski school, so sending them with a water bottle and an extra snack is helpful, especially for the 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM sessions. Parents can watch from the upper deck or the Last Run Lounge, which serves adult beverages and has excellent views of the ski school area. It's a great spot to watch the kids while enjoying a drink and a meal. The resort does get crowded for its size, and parking fills up quickly, so arriving early is important. You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks, though food options are available on site. Pro tips: wear sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses or ski goggles (even if you're just watching), and bring small bills if you plan to tip the shuttle drivers. Overall, Sugar Mountain is a beginner-friendly, family-oriented resort that works well if you plan ahead and manage expectations.

Sugar Mountain Ski resort is a no-frills ski mountain, so if you're expecting a ski town vibe like…read moreBreckenridge, you'll be disappointed. Sugar is no pressure, most people out here look like they're beginners. We enrolled our kids in ski lessons through the ski/snowboard school. The instructors were patient, kid-friendly, and knowledgeable. Kids had a blast. Kids also went tubing, which they enjoyed. Both tubing and ski lessons must be booked in advance, and for ski school it's best to pick up rental equipment the day before to avoid long lines. Kids get a cubby at the ski school, so send them with a bottle of water and an extra snack if they're doing the ski school from 10 AM to 3 PM. Parents can watch their kids while in school from the upper deck or stay warm in the cafeteria. Upstairs is Last Run Lounge (adults only). The resort does get pretty crowded for its size, so plan accordingly. Parking fills up fast, leaving early helps. You're allowed to bring your own food and drinks, though there are food options available for purchase on site. Pro tips: wear sunblock and UV-protective sunglasses or ski goggles (even as a spectator). Bring cash (single dollar bills) tip the shuttle drivers. Overall, Sugar Mountain is a practical, beginner-friendly option that works well if you plan ahead and manage expectations.