The Grove Park Inn Asheville, Asheville

We were extremely happy with our visit. The service was always good. Everyone did their very best to meet our needs and always with a smile. The Spa is superb and not to be missed. I had read some poor reviews and so was apprehensive as to what we would find. We could not have had a better, more relaxing, fun visit to beautiful Asheville and the Grove Inn. Also, don't forget about visiting the Biltmore Mansion. Thanks to the staff at the Inn!!

As soon as we arrived we were stuck in gridlock, my husband attempted to check in with ID, CC used for reservation, and printed reservation confirmation. He was turned away, b/c I was the one who called. After checking in I was sent outside to wait for a bellhop. There were already plenty of people waiting in the cold for the same thing, we ended up hauling our own bags around lost until we found a bellman in the hall. Our room was full of concussion-causing hazards for my husband (over 6 ft.) b/c the walls were so sloped, and the bathroom door was under 6' tall with a step up. No fan in the bathroom, and the shower had a sharp piece of metal on the edge of the door (I cut my knee). Also our room was right next to an old fashioned elevator with an operator, so there was noise from 5 am until at least 1 am. Breakfast in the dining room or in room was included. The 1st day, we went down to eat, and waited 1 1/2 hours. Asked at the front desk about having breakfast sent up and were told a door tag menu would be delivered. 2 calls and a visit to the front desk, still no tag. So Christmas morning my husband called down for breakfast, and no one picked up. He went to the dining area and found out the hotel had stopped serving breakfast 1 hour earlier than usual without telling anyone. There are nice views, a large fireplace, beautiful decorations, and a display of gingerbread houses, but it was always wall-to-wall people and you had to fight your way through the crowds. Our 1st night we visited the spa and it was wonderful. Since we enjoyed ourselves, we decided to go back on Christmas. Everything was going well, then when I was upstairs in the female shower/changing/ lounge area I ran into 2 late teens/ early 20s guys in street clothes in the hallway. I sent them back out the door (The spa has a front check in desk, then you wait to be taken to the shower/changing area for your gender, and there is a common area in the middle for both men and women to use). I first thought these guys had accidentally gone into the wrong side, and was just pissed at the front desk for not paying attention.I told my husband about it when I saw him again, and he pointed out that the door they came in had a key-code lock on it. So these guys had broken in (I think maybe a girl near them opened the door for them from the inside, or they caught the door as someone left). I asked to speak to the manager and explained what had happened. He didn't apologize, just said they would look at the security tapes and see what happened. He insisted they must have jumped the fence (doubtful based on where I saw them, and where I had just come from) and actually told me that 'This sort of thing happens, and there really isn't anything we can do about it." I told him I didn't think he was taking this very seriously, and he asked me what he could do. I said he was understaffed, and that he could actually apologize. He insisted someone was at the front desk the entire time (I know this isn't true, the one woman working there left to get my husband OJ after the cafe closed early). He did not apologize, but said 'I'm sorry you feel that way' instead. I asked to speak to the hotel Manager, explained the situation to him, and told him we thought the spa manager had handled the problem so badly that we were checking out. The hotel manager also showed an alarming lack of concern, but did admit that they had seen the men I was talking about leaving the spa on the security cameras. All either of these managers had to do was apologize sincerely and show some concern for the safety and privacy of their guests, but they failed to do so. The hotel manager also promised me that the female head of the spa would call me the next day. She didn't, and when I called the manager back I was told he was busy, but told the receptionist to transfer me to the asst. spa manager. The one thing the manager did correctly that night was to call security so that I could fill out a report.

I love the ambiance, old rugged charm! I grew up with family living in Asheville and now have dear friends living in Asheville. I do not visit as a tourist but as a busy soul seeking sanctuary. When I first started staying at the Grove Park Inn, apx. two years ago, I felt as though my visit was respected and encouraged. I stay there every two to three months, maybe more, and often bring others who book rooms as well. Unfortunately, my value as a guest no longer seems important. In order to compete and survive the GPI now places all their focus on the Group Tourist. Once give very lovely rooms for very affordable rates I now must struggle for a decent rate and always end up in a back room, sub par to the rest. I complain but each visit is the same. They are too busy and totally disinterested in the quality of the visit offered to non group visitors. For now I will continue to visit while searching for other options. Asheville is very special to me and I plan to continue visiting their every other month forever. But, it will not be at the Grove Park Inn, in time, I will find a more welcome haven.

I loved driving up to the Grove Park Inn late in the afternoon to witness the bustle and business of the tourists arriving. The staff was attentive and efficient. It was sad though in a way to enter the lobby because, while the architecture is still quite grand, the bar in the corner, the band playing with music echoing over the cavernous lobby and the hoards of people just milling about ruined the once quiet grandeur of the lobby. It was like visiting Disney with the canned music turned up really loud. The rooms were nice, the dining was fun and it was amusing to watch the tourists gawking all about. The addition of the wings and the spa take away from the view of the golf course and add a commercialism to a once quiet and elegant piece of property. It was fun to stay at the historic inn, but I probably will not return. My favorite part of the stay was sitting outside on the porch early in the morning at the tables, uncovered, when it was quiet like the mountains should be with the birds calling. They really need to address the lobby, its too hokey. The staff was wonderful, the rooms were clean and neat, lots of attention to detail....overall it was okay.

Took a walk through the lobby going to dinner one day while staying somewhere else. Was stunned by the crowd of other people who obviously weren't staying there either. Flip flop and baseball hats in the dinning room? I just thought it was more upscale from all the hype. Plenty to do in Asheville, the hotel is a place to stay not a thing to do.

Started out great with the bell hop and the elevator servicers. I will also say that the hotel is very pretty. Outside of that had a bad experience. For one did not think there was a whole lot to do and you have to pay $80 per person to use the pool for a day that they advertise to you in the TV. Of course you don't find out till you get there about the charge. In addition, one of the night my fiancee was literally stalked and harassed by the hotel staff. I ended up with her crying uncontrollably in the hotel room on out first night. Turn and run from this place people...

My ladyfriend and I just had the pleasure of spending four nights and five days at the Grove Park Inn. She is a competetive ballroom dancer. We were there for the Heritage Classic. We checked in early (10:30 a.m.) on Tuesday. No problem. Our traveling partner, also a dancer, was placed next door us overlooking the snow on the golf course. We were highly pleased with the whole experience. All staff; busboys, maids, registration staff, restaurant staff. etc., were exceptionally courteous and friendly. The establishment seems to be impeccably clean and well tended. It is pricey, but that is understood from the outset. We highly recommend the Grove Park to anyone who is questioning a stay there. Thank you,

We went to the Grovepark Inn "Spectacular Thanksgiving Buffet". What a disappointment this was. The turkey was presliced in a serving tray. The gravy was cold fat. The vegetables were microwaved way beyond well done. Stay away from this place! There's nothing spectial about it except the view from the lobby.

Love the atmosphere and the views but the price is exhorbitant and the food quality is not what it once was. It is a magnificant hotel however and the scenery getting there is spectacular. I always enjoy hotels with active lobbies and this is among the best. A side trip to the Biltmore House is also well worth it.

A lot of babies crying and tank tops. Food is on par with Applebees but five times the cost Spa massage is $168. Knock yourself out. Room had leak fro ceiling all over my clothes.