Travel

The Biltmore

The Biltmore Hotel is one of those places that I have been reading about for years. I have a southern gal pal that goes every year with her Grandmother and swears it’s a fantastic weekend getaway! When I was researching my fun road trip, I knew this would be a great place to stop.

The breakfast room was for single quests only ! Married couples ate breakfast in their rooms. How fab!

View of the Smokey Mountains from the upstairs hallway.

Edith Vanderbilts lavish bedroom.

The main dining room modeled after a European castle.

George Vanderbilts bedroom.

The library: Fun fact, the librarian lived at the home and was an important member of the staff.

The first heated indoor swimming pool! The pool was emptied every 3 days to clean the water. Men and woman swam separately (men often swam naked, woman swam with 40lbs wool bathing suits on)! Note the ropes to the left of the photo, women used those to hang on so they wouldn’t sink to the bottom with the weight of the suits!

Last year I read Anderson Coopers book, The Rainbow Comes and Goes ,that he wrote with his Mother Gloria Vanderbilt (remember those FAB jeans in the 80’s !?). I was instantly fascinated by the Vanderbilt’s and their lavish history including their homes. That brings me to the Vanderbilt Mansion in Asheville North Carolina! The Biltmore hotel is the largest private residence in America, a national historic landmark and it is a French Renaissance Chateau built in the 1880’s in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There are many ways to tour the mansion! We decided to go on a guided tour (I like to ask questions), The tour needs to be booked in advance and you save money if you book any of the tours a week in advance! We stayed on the property and had a fantastic time the rooms were gourgous and the property breath taking! There is a vineyard and several retreats to eat in he village at the base of the hotel and the yummiest ice cream you have ever tasted! We only had 2 days here and I think we could easily come back an stay for 4! Be sure and book your excursions ahead of time , they fill up quick!