This past weekend I celebrated my 40th birthday. How did you feel about turning 40? It caused me to have all kinds of emotions! While I was not at all looking forward to the act of turning 40, I was so excited about a birthday trip my husband had planned. I had ask him to keep it a secret until we actually left, but I lost my will with about 2 weeks to go! I begged him to tell me and when I found out we were headed to Grove Park Inn I was SO excited! Our trip could not have been more perfect! Grove Park Inn is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, a girls trip, or even some family fun, and at Christmas time there is so much extra magic! It’s only about an hour and a half from our house, but I had never been there. It was just so beautiful when we pulled up!
Grove Park Inn at Christmas
Grove Park Inn was built over 100 years ago and has housed everyone from international diplomats to presidents to authors and more. The lobby is in part of the original building and it is simply amazing! Two large fire places flank each end of the room with multiple rocking chairs in front for fireside relaxing. They were 100% full every time we walked through the lobby. Such a perfect place to sit on a cold day! A bar is in one corner and at Christmas a life size Gingerbread house is set up housing information about the Gingerbread competition and offering holiday specialty drinks. In the middle of the room was a tall and gorgeous Christmas tree. When we entered the lobby a group was caroling, bringing us into the Christmas spirit immediately!
The Spa at Grove Park Inn
Two wings and an award winning spa were added in 2001. We spent the day at the spa which was amazing and completely outside of my husbands box. We had reservations for a couples retreat which included a couples massage, a couples bath, champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and a rose. After that we spent a few hours enjoying the spa facilities including indoor and outdoor water features. The inside area looks like a cave with many waterfalls and places to relax. We spent some time in the outside hot tub even though it was in the 40’s and misting. Food and drink service is offered outside so we split a salmon salad that was very tasty. For customers that have spa reservations, all the facilities in the spa are available all day. This includes the men and women only areas with different types of saunas and hot tubs, and the co-ed cave like area and outside areas. There is also a workout facility that is dedicated only to those in the spa. A spa day pass can also be purchased to use while on property. The day pass is the cheapest way to experience the spa, but I highly recommend indulging in a service.
Gingerbread House Competition
After taking a nap (because we were so relaxed!) and then getting dressed up, we grabbed a drink and slowly worked our way through the gingerbread houses. The National Gingerbread House Competition is held at Grove Park Inn every year and it is a delight to see these amazing works of art. Although it is called a Gingerbread House competition, very few of the displays are actually houses. If you visit be sure to visit the life size gingerbread house in the lobby to get a map, so you don’t miss a single gingerbread display! There are also many Christmas trees to view as you make your way through the gingerbread houses. Grove Park Inn does Christmas up so well!
Eating at Grove Park Inn
There are many restaurants on the property, but we had reservations for Blue Ridge. It is a wildly popular buffet and Friday’s are seafood night. It was amazing farm to table cuisine. There was room after room of salads, desserts, cold seafood such as crab legs and boiled shrimp, hot entrees, a saute station, soups and breads and more. The restaurant is loud and crowded, but our service was wonderful and the food impeccable!
Late Night at Grove Park Inn
We finished the evening doing something we have never done before. We visited Elaine’s, the dueling piano bar. This was so fun! Basically the two men on the pianos took requests and then in was all a big sing along! We stayed up much later than we usually do and had the best time singing and laughing.
Our trip ended quickly the next morning when we found out our son had come down with the stomach bug. We had hoped to look around the hotel more and then explore Asheville, but parenting takes priority and we headed to pick him up. Grove Park Inn is much more than a hotel, its a destination. At Christmas I think it’s the perfect destination! A few tips….it is very crowded around the holiday’s so book your room, dining and spa reservations early. You can visit the gingerbread displays even if you are not staying on property, but only at specific times so check ahead. When you visit, take time to explore both inside and out and take time to sit. Sit in front of the fireplaces, out on the balcony’s during sunset, in the spa pools, at a restaurant or at the piano bar. I hope at some point you are able to visit Grove Park Inn. It certainly helped make my birthday the best one yet!
