Off I-40, this casual hotel in a 3-story building set on leafy grounds is 3 miles from both Western North Carolina Nature Center and Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center.
Low-key rooms provide free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as microwaves, minifridges, and tea and coffeemaking equipment.
Complimentary amenities include parking, and hot breakfast served in a relaxed dining area in the lobby. There’s also an outdoor pool (seasonal), a business center, and a coin-operated laundry.
The History of Asheville
Before European settlement, Asheville was part of the Cherokee Nation. Bearing the name Untokiasdiyi, meaning “Where they race,” the Cherokee people used the area as a gathering place.
Settlement didn’t occur until after the Revolutionary War, in 1784, when Colonel Samuel Davidson and his family arrived, claiming land through a soldier’s grant. The settlement, initially named “Morristown,” was later renamed Asheville in honor of North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe.
Asheville became an important outpost in the Blue Ridge Mountains, attracting famous travelers like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. The city flourished during the railway boom into the 1920s but faced a significant setback during the stock market crash of 1929. However, thanks to a committed urban renewal plan and efforts to maintain the city’s charm, Asheville transformed into the vibrant culture hub it is today.