Stay-Cation: Asheville Style!

I think all of us get a bit bogged down during the winter months. January and February can turn into dreary-work-filled-sluggish days with very little reprieve other than a few award shows and some big sporting events on the tube. Financially we are all recovering from the holidays, doing our taxes, and counting down the days ’til spring. Even living where the weather can swing from 13 degrees to 60 a few days later, many folks around here suffer from the winter Blahs.

But, Hey! We live in Asheville: the hot tourist spot that makes just about every travel blog/magazine/tv list there is……so what better way to Beat the winter blues than a little Stay-Cation: Asheville style?!!

Sunrise with Moon Setting: View From our Room

Stay-Cations are an affordable and an easy way to squeeze in a spontaneous getaway. Whether you go for a few days, a weekend or just overnight; it’s Nice to leave the house and take some time to be tourist in your own town. In Asheville, our choices are endless: from a cabin in the woods for more of a country/ rural/ wilderness trip to an urban eat-drink-dance-your-heart-out weekend with no cabs or curfews. And, when you stay within the county or city limits: your spending stays Local. Always a bonus!!

Sunset

This past Saturday night my husband and I decided to live it up for a night and be “tourists” in downtown Asheville. Staying at the Renaissance Asheville we scored an amazing west facing suite with awesome city-scape and mountain views: perfect for catching the sunset! Yes, our commute was all of 13 minutes….which included a pit-stop at the ABC store ( that’s our liqueur store for all you outside of NC. ) We literally parked our car at the hotel and didn’t use it again until we left to head back home Sunday.

One of the many wonderful perks to staying overnight is taking advantage of our locale to hit new restaurants and bars that have recently opened. Downtown AVL seems to, literally, be exploding with new and cool venues….which can make it difficult to keep up! 2 of the 4 stops we made were to new businesses both of which have been added to our “downtown favorites” list.

So, away for less than 24 hours, not only do we have Big fun we also came home relaxed and energized. Sometimes it’s simply wonderful to have a little adventure with your partner, shake up the work week/ household routine, and reconnect.

Why I Love the  Renaissance Asheville Hotel:

• Staff:  highly professional, warm, and welcoming. Part of the Marriott company: hospitality reigns.
• Bedding: for me, is ideal: comfy all white linens with extra pillows and a duvet. Yum!
• Views. Views, views….regardless what direction your room faces. ( Yes, the higher up the better – not hard with 12 floors.)
• Locale: easy walking distance to all of Asheville. Ladies- you can choose to wear your super high heels- catch a show next door at the Asheville Community Theater -and later-  drop-in to dozens of restaurants and cocktail spots: all within a couple of blocks! Or, you can put on your trekking shoes and walk all over downtown.

• Green Space: the hotel is right next to the Thomas Wolfe Home. There are many mature trees and landscaping surrounding the property harkening to an urban park feel. Sunday morning I looked down over treetops and the loads of bird activity as the sun rose alighting the Mountain range: as a bird watcher, it was truly special.
• Lobby Decor:  it’s glam with a bit of a vintage edge and a touch of handmade modern-industrial: all of which that I find appealing and inspiring. Seriously, I would love to incorporate many of their unique light fixtures into my home!

Renaissance Asheville Lobby

• Outdoor Space: Renaissance Asheville has a huge covered patio that is slightly sunken. The patio has a great variety of seating areas arranged in various conversational vignettes. Potted plants, ceiling fans, and landscaping add to the private and outdoor garden vibe.
• Bar: though smaller for actual bar seating, the hotel’s bar spills out onto the wrap around main lobby/lounge area affording private, yet conversational seating areas with plush rugs and a variety of modern furniture. The bar serves excellent wine, local beer, and cocktails along with food from the Chefs kitchen.
• Fitness Facility & Indoor Pool: Hello, Indoor Jr.-Olympic-sized saline pool! Heated with a lane marked for lap swimming only, the hot tub flanks the southern edge of their vast poolside lounge seating creating a true oasis. The separate fitness facility is good sized, east facing, with modern fitness machines and weights. And,as you sweat out your previous night’s indulgences you can view the iconic First Baptist Church Asheville’s tiled roof. Hey, another view!

• Breakfast: OK, I’ll keep it short: check out my post on the Writer’s Bistro breakfast buffet & menu. Super yummy!!!
• Clean. Yes, I know this should be a given and Many may wonder why I even state this fact, but let’s face it… all of us have stayed in high-end hotels…and…well…sometimes the rooms are not as clean as they “should” or “could” be. So, cleanliness is a big one for me.

Renaissance Asheville runs a number of specials during the winter months. Next Saturday they are offering a Valentine’s Day Dinner special: A customized four course menu with wine for $100 for 2 and if you stay the night ( obviously, I recommend ) your continental breakfast is included ( a $24 value. )

Also available: “Outside” fitness memberships which includes parking, locker room use, access to fitness room and indoor pool during set usage hours. This membership is limited in availability and is offered @ $50/ per month with a prepaid commitment for 3 months. A Great way to beat the crowds and stay in shape during the winter or all year!! I’m In!!

Tips:

• For Asheville Stay-Cations: if you have a favorite hotel or are shopping around: call the hotel and ask if they have any winter specials/ discounts exclusively for locals. This applies to B & B’s as well. My favorite local B & B . Currently Aloft Hotel is offering a $50 discount for locals and Hotel Indigo is running their “Stay-Sketchy-Asheville” special through Feb.  ( thanks Good Morning America… Gah. )
• Utilize your points: every hotel chain has different “frequent stay” points/rewards systems. Stay-Cations are excellent for using or increasing said rewards.
• If your doing a girls or guys night out: look into booking a suite. Though they are pricier, more folks can stay and divide that cost, which is often less than multiple rooms. Our suite at the Renaissance Asheville had a living room with a sleeper-sofa in addition to our room and both rooms had a full bathroom with doors that close for privacy.
• Once you find a place to stay: map out what you want to do or new places you want to visit. It helps to plan ahead and then you have the fun in deciding What you want to do ahead of time.

So, Keep it local and Have Fun!!! Stay-Cation Style!!

Seating Area in Lobby ~ Renaissance Asheville