The Biltmore Estate is one of my favorite attractions in North Carolina. America’s largest home sits on an 8,000 acre estate nestled in the NC mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.
Biltmore Estate is fairly close to the Smoky Mountains National Park, only a 45-minutes’ drive to my beloved Lake Lure, and one of my favorite getaways from Raleigh.
We’ve visited Biltmore three times and always take family when they visit from Australia, and they are always impressed.
On our last visit with my parents on our four-week Dallas to Boston road trip, we stayed on site at The Inn on Biltmore Estate and can highly recommend it as a way to enhance your Biltmore Estate experience!
Benefits of staying on site at the Biltmore Estate
There is just so much to enjoy on the Biltmore Estate you’ll want to make your visit longer than a day.
I wish we had the time to linger longer as I’d love to experience the gardens and grounds more, the 20+ miles of hiking trails, explore by bike, segway tours, paddle boarding, horse riding, spa services and many other activities on offer on the estate grounds.
When you stay on Biltmore Estate you can wake up to 8,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain beauty at your fingertips.
We checked in mid-afternoon and headed to Antler Hill Village and the Biltmore Winery as it was close to the Biltmore Inn.
The Inn on Biltmore Estate is located three-miles from the Biltmore House, so plan your trip accordingly. You will want to plan for at least 1/2 a day at the house, and you may want to drive from the inn. Unless you walk, catch the shuttle, or ride a bike – which I think would be a wonderful way to experience the property.
Going to the winery on the afternoon of check-in saved us from spending a full-day at the Biltmore mansion and still allowed us to see everything.
It worked well since we were quite short on time. But, I suggest you stay longer and explore slower.
Benefits of Staying at The Inn on Biltmore Estate:
Our experience at the Inn on Biltmore
“I don’t think you can beat the Inn on Biltmore”, my parents agreed when I asked them what their favorite hotel was on our road trip. “That was truly magnificent.”
They have never stayed in a place quite like it and were almost breathless when they walked into the grandeur of the hotel’s marbled foyer and the magnificent mountain and valley views that stretched out in front of them.
There is no better way to appreciate the views than with a welcome complimentary glass of champagne from the winery upon arrival. Biltmore elegance continues to live on at The Inn on Biltmore.
If I was to plan our road trip over again, I’d drop a night somewhere else to have one more night at the Inn and the estate. One night was simply not enough to enjoy the experience of this four star luxury hotel, which would have to be one of the most charming places to stay in Asheville NC.
And of course, our kids were in heaven. Both of my little travel babies prefer the four- and five-star life and get disappointed when we book the three-star hotel.
I felt like part of the Biltmore family enjoying a glass of tea in the library lounge watching the sunset over the valley with views of the Estate’s twinkling lights in the distance.
The service and hospitality at the Inn on Biltmore Estate is exceptional with nightly turn-down service, itinerary planning, horseback riding, and private winery visits are all within the staff’s capable hands.
George and Edith Vanderbilt would be very proud.
If you’re looking for getaways from Raleigh, it offers the perfect break for any kind of traveler from couples on a romantic getaway to families enjoying all the incredible Biltmore activities on offer.
The Inn on Biltmore Rooms
The rooms were decorated in the elegant Biltmore 19th-century French-and English-manor style and were more than comfortable.
Rooms have four-poster mahogany wooden beds with pillows bearing the “V” monogram of the Vanderbilt family.
Each luxurious suite is named for a friend or relative of George Vanderbilt’s in reference to Biltmore’s grand history.
An overnight stay at Biltmore includes access to Antler Hill Village & Winery. You can purchase a package which includes your tickets to the Biltmore House. Check current prices here.
Tips for Visiting Biltmore Estate
- Get there early. You will beat the queues and the crowds.
- Plan in advance so you can visit for special events. Christmas at the Biltmore is spectacular with the lights, and Spring with their incredible floral displays in the gardens are not to be missed.
- Purchase your tickets in advance. With seven or more days advance purchase, you’ll save $10 per ticket.
- Reservations are required for your self-guided visit of Biltmore House on these high volume days. Reserve your entry time online at the same time you purchase your tickets.
- Visit during the week to avoid weekend crowds.
- Kids 16 and younger admitted free all summer (through Labor Day)! The rest of the year, kids ages 9 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying parent or guardian.
- Arrive at least 45-minutes prior to your Biltmore House entry to allow time to park and catch a shuttle to Biltmore House.
- A car is required for travel between locations on the estate. The estate is huge and distances between some places can be close to 5 miles. Click here for car rentals.
- If you live in the area or visit a couple of times each year, it may be worth getting an annual pass. Passholders get savings on food, outdoor activities, shopping, guided tours, and wine experiences — including up to 25 percent off bottles of wine. You’d also receive two free tickets each winter to give away and buy discounted admission tickets for family.
Buy admission tickets with an all inclusive lunch through our partner Viator. Read our full post on how to enjoy a day at Biltmore Estate.
Stay Off-Site
If you don’t want to stay at any of the Biltmore Estate hotels, the Biltmore Village is a few square blocks just outside the entrance gates to Biltmore.
- Check out the Grand Bohemian Hotel.
- There are also plenty of hotels in downtown Asheville.
- Or my favorite places to stay is in nearby Lake Lure. It is 45 minutes away, but it might be a great way to add in peace and serenity to your adventures. Our favorite place to stay is the Lodge on Lake Lure. There is also the popular Rambling Bald Resort.
