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The Asheville area has a nice mix of B&Bs, motels, and small, owner-operated inns. There are nearly 50 B&Bs in the Asheville area, one of the largest concentrations in the South. Most are in the Montford area near downtown and the Grove Park area. At least a dozen B&Bs in the area promote themselves as gay-owned and actively seek gay and lesbian guests, and others advertise that they are gay-friendly. With the opening of the Aloft, Indigo, Hyatt Place, AC Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and Windsor hotels, and the renovation of Haywood Park and some other older properties, the selection of lodging downtown has grown tremendously. Several other major hotels are under construction and due to open in late 2017 or 2018, including Cambria Suites across from the Grove Arcade, the luxury Foundry Inn (a Hilton Curio affiliate) on "The Block," a historically African American business district off Biltmore Avenue, and the conversion of the region's tallest bank building to its tallest hotel, Hotel Arras on West Pack Square.
The boom has spurred a "no more downtown hotels" movement in Asheville, with some proposed properties being rejected by the Asheville City Council. On in-season weekends, downtown hotels and many nearby B&Bs run at more than 90% occupancy, and many of the rooms go for $300 and up. For cheaper options, look at the chain motels in the suburbs. More than 100 chain motel properties are dotted around the metropolitan area, with large clusters on Tunnel Road near the Asheville Mall, on U.S. 25 and Biltmore Avenue near the Biltmore Estate, and southwest near the new Asheville Outlets mall. A few lodges and cabin colonies are found in rural areas around the city. Airbnb is huge here, with some 500 listings.
Each of the 16 A-frame cabins in this inviting complex features a private porch and vintage touches like a record player and classic games. Most of the cabins look across the road to the French Broad River, while the three deluxe options back up to a shared green space. Founded by former raft guides, the outdoor ethos conveys to the homey lodge and Canteen bar and coffee shop that offers tasty grab-and-go sandwiches and salads.
Location is the biggest draw of this all-suites downtown hotel within walking distance of many shops, restaurants, and galleries. Once the site of Bon Marché and Ivey's department stores, this hotel gives a nod to its history with mannequins and announcements on the elevator like "Fourth Floor, Women's Clothing." Spacious suites have large bathrooms of Spanish marble. There's a small shopping mall and café in the atrium and a restaurant, Isa's Bistro, with sidewalk seating.
