You may be wondering about the best areas to stay in Asheville and how to choose accommodations after an overwhelming deep dive into the many options — Airbnbs, hotels, mountain cabins, downtown lofts, and retreat centers galore! As local travel planners and experts, we’re here to help you get the most out of your time in Asheville. We tailor the entire experience to your specific needs, and maybe even add in something you didn’t know you wanted!
Whether you join us for one of our wellness tours or not, we want you to leave feeling like you’ve just experienced something truly special. We adore Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and we know you will, too.
We’ll walk you through the different areas of Asheville so you can decide where you and your crew may want to look for accommodations.
If you have any questions or want some extra help planning your visit to Asheville, we can help. Feel free to contact us for a complimentary travel planning consultation.
Areas of Asheville You Should Know About Right Now
Asheville boasts lots of different neighborhoods all with a unique vibe and curb appeal. Like historic architecture? What about walkability? Extensive bar scene and restaurants? Or how about that mountain view? As for the best areas to stay in Asheville, that depends on you and what you like to do!
These are some of the most popular areas of Asheville:
Downtown Asheville
Downtown Asheville encompasses everything you’d expect in the heart of a thriving city. Bars, restaurants, cafes, bookshops, boutiques, and galleries line the streets. Street performers and regular festivals abound and add to the creative atmosphere from Late Spring through Fall.
Enjoy the parks and green spaces, and be sure to check out the weekly drum circle. Explore the plentiful locally-owned establishments offering everything from local pottery, screen-printed art on shirts and stickers, and so much more…you can see we’re big fans!
Love history? The heart of Asheville shows off our popular early-twentieth-century Art Deco architecture. AND there’s a self-guided downtown history walk featuring tons of cool sculptures, art, and interesting little-known facts about the history of Asheville!
Downtown offers a variety of vacation rental options, which are our favorite option for groups thanks to relaxing, shared common areas for bonus bonding in between activities. If a hotel is more your style, several downtown hotels offer stunning rooftop bars (we’re looking at you Aloft, A/C, Hyatt, and Hilton) and the boutique Windsor Hotel even has kitchens for your convenience plus a spa just downstairs. Plus, there are plenty of green spaces for outdoor yoga!
River Arts District (the RAD)
Hoping to spend the majority of your Asheville experience immersed in art or the great outdoors? If you love being by the water, then you’ll love the RAD! Artists have taken over this old warehouse district and turned it into something truly special.
With its hub of creatives and artists crafting a variety of works every day and studio doors wide open so you can witness the artists in their element, the RAD is a vibrant place. Combine that creativity with a location along the French Broad River and the newly constructed greenways and you’ll find an ideal blend in this neighborhood.
Accommodations in this area of Asheville can be the perfect locale to kick back and relax after an active day.
The RAD hosts Second Saturdays each month, which makes for a fun weekend activity as you stroll the mile-long district and see behind the scenes of working studios. And the river is where we recommend SUP yoga for a fun day out on the water together!
Biltmore Village
Looking for picturesque charm and elegant accommodation styles? The historic Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned home in the United States. Biltmore Village, just outside the gates to the grounds, was built by the Vanderbilt family for their estate workers around the turn of the 20th Century.
Today, Biltmore Village maintains its architectural charms and is one of the best areas in Asheville for shopping opportunities, with a focus on creative boutiques and popular luxury brands. You’ll also find a few cafes for refreshments as you browse.
There are tons of vacation rentals in this area of town. Take a peek at Airbnb or VRBO if you want the independence and coziness of living like a local (with some extra amenities, of course).
You might instead opt for the eclectic, unmatched Grand Bohemian. As they say, you’ll feel the unique vibe “in the patina of worn leather, the crackle of the fire and in the secrets that echo from the antique curiosities on display”. It’s so Asheville to be this delightfully different!
Want to get as close as you can to the Vanderbuilt lifestyle? Stay on the estate grounds at either the Village Hotel (more budget-friendly of the two) or The Inn on Biltmore Estate (luxurious with an on-site spa!). Or swing for the ultimate experience at one of the on-site Cottages.
South Slope
Love beer? The South Slope area of Asheville is the craft beverage hub. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of craft beer, a distillery with a rooftop bar, a cidery, and even craft sake. South Slope even has a brewery dedicated solely to sour beer!
There are plenty of food trucks offering creative fare nearby so you won’t be indulging in local beverages on an empty stomach.
South Slope is a shifting landscape, with its formerly-industrial vibe being converted into these craft beverage homes. It’s just blocks from Downtown so you can easily walk between the two!
Montford
Montford is a beautiful area of Asheville just north of Downtown. A favorite among locals, this historic neighborhood is home to plenty of quaint B&Bs and Arts & Crafts style homes. There is even a castle in Montford!
This area of Asheville is a popular neighborhood for locals to come for a stroll to enjoy the history and beauty.
Where to Stay in Asheville with a Group
Coming to Asheville as part of a group? You’re in luck. There are plenty of options for groups to stay!
Asheville is a popular destination for bachelor or bachelorette parties, girls’ weekend getaways, couples retreats, family reunions, and all sorts of other special celebrations and events. It’s also idyllic for wedding parties, with some of the most ah-MAzing flower farms and mountain hideaways for the ceremony!
If you’re looking for the best places to stay with a group in Asheville, first just reach out to us so we can help you make sense of all the options. Let us coordinate your group trip so all you have to do is enjoy.
To get your inspiration started, here are a few suggestions for the types of places we love for group getaways in Asheville.
Mountain Cabin Rentals
Looking for a large space to accommodate a group while enjoying the stunning natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains? You’ll probably love a cabin rental.
We have plenty of recommendations on local websites that host the best options, and there are so many to choose from! A cabin is the best option for groups looking to spend quality time together to rest and relax, and create a little personal haven on their time away.
Our suggested consideration for cabin rentals: how frequently do you plan to leave? With the most beautiful spots usually located 30 minutes to an hour outside of town, you won’t want to be driving back and forth between Downtown and the cabin constantly!
We can help you plan your getaway so you actually enjoy being in that beautiful setting. For example:
Instead of traipsing into Downtown every night, how about hiring a private chef to enjoy a delightful meal at home together?
And instead of struggling to get the whole group out of the cabin on time for a spa day, have the masseuse come to you. Our mobile massages are so popular with groups staying in these more remote rentals!
Historic B&Bs
Asheville’s history is a huge part of its charm! Our architectural gems span the last few centuries and you’ll find plenty of converted estates that now serve as B&Bs. For groups who plan to do lots of Downtown activities, finding a more central spot might be the perfect combination of quaint history plus modern culture.
Artsy Accommodations
Some of the best areas to stay in Asheville are new to the scene and boast plenty of character! Groups love the multi-story homes in the RAD and chic Downtown lofts. We have a few specific spots we love to recommend for groups for their variety of spaces and excellent locations.
Stay in the heart of all the action and the whole crew will get to explore at their leisure.
Luxury Rentals
The Asheville area also boasts tons of stunning homes where your whole group can relax and reconnect in true comfort. From gorgeous modern properties to luxury historic vibes…Asheville’s accommodations for groups can be incredibly impressive! If you’re looking to splash out, we know a few spots that are utterly divine.
If you’re having trouble getting started or choosing the perfect place to stay in Asheville, we can help. Get in touch and let’s chat about your plans for your visit so we can advise you on the best spot for your crew.
