Information
Landmark: Omni Grove Park InnCity: Asheville
Country: USA North Carolina
Continent: North America
Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, USA North Carolina, North America
Overview
A closer look at The Omni Grove Park Inn, right down to the scent of fresh cedar in its lobby, as well as in 1913, Edwin Wiley Grove-best known for his Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic-joined forces with his son-in-law, Fred Loring Seely, to build the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, its stone walls rising against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.They broke ground in 1912 and, remarkably, wrapped it up in just 11 months-dust still clinging to the fresh brick, what’s more more than 400 tons of boulders and granite from Sunset Mountain went into the build, their rough gray surfaces giving the inn its distinct, rugged look.With no formal training, Seely sketched his own plans and stayed on site to guide the build, choosing a rustic Arts and Crafts style that echoed the stone cottages of the English countryside, alternatively when the hotel swung open its doors on July 12, 1913, it drew the American elite at once, their polished cars lining the curb, almost Early on, the guest list boasted Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, and even a few U, subsequently s, occasionally Presidents shaking hands in the lobby, besides the lobby’s towering fireplaces-each chimney tipping the scales at over 400 tons-along with the original Roycroft chairs and tables, put its craftsmanship on full display.World War II Era: During the war, the inn became a area of national significance, its windows glowing late into the night as plans took shape inside, along with in 1942, the U. S, to boot government leased it and turned it into an internment center, holding Axis diplomats arrested after America entered the war.In 1944, the U, what’s more s, sort of Navy ran a rest center where weary sailors and war personnel could stretch out on canvas chairs and breathe easy for a while, what’s more later, the U. S, what’s more navy turned it into a hospital, where white sheets lined the narrow beds.In the decades that followed, the inn changed hands more than once and underwent a series of restorations, including fresh paint on its creaking porch, as a result in 2013, it marked its 100th year with sweeping renovations, keeping the warm woodwork and vintage charm while slipping in modern comforts.Omni Hotels & Resorts bought it, and now it runs as part of their luxury collection, offering the kind of polished touches you might notice in a gleaming marble lobby, furthermore step two’s simple-mix up short and medium sentences so the rhythm feels natural.The Grove Park Inn stands as a landmark of the American Arts and Crafts movement, its exterior built from massive, uncut granite boulders, with steep gabled roofs and wide verandas that catch the afternoon light, along with in the Great Hall lobby, two towering 36‑foot stone fireplaces glow beneath original Roycroft chandeliers, while wide windows frame sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.Guest Wings: The original rooms in the Main Inn still hold their Arts and Crafts charm, with warm oak chairs and hand-carved trim, and the newer wings mix sleek modern comforts with touches of timeworn-world design, like carved stone arches catching the afternoon light.It appears, Number three, meanwhile the inn has more than 500 guest rooms spread across several wings, with the Historic Main Inn offering smaller spaces that keep their timeworn-world charm-think carved wood bedframes and a view of the mountains through tall, narrow windows.Vanderbilt and Sammons Wings offer larger, modern rooms with sleek touches and wide-open views-think sunlight pouring through tall windows, after that club Floor: A private level with its own lounge, a dedicated concierge, and perks like a warm croissant at breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres.Every room comes with plush bedding, a gleaming marble bathroom, and décor that captures either the charm of history or the crisp, modern style of the mountains, in addition number four.Tucked into the mountain, the 43,000‑square‑foot Grove Park Spa offers a subterranean retreat with mineral pools that soothe tired muscles, waterfall whirlpools, eucalyptus‑scented steam rooms, cedar saunas, 18 treatment rooms, quiet meditation nooks, and a relaxation lounge where fireplaces flicker beneath sweeping views-and it’s regularly ranked among North America’s best resort spas, in conjunction with the sports complex covers 50,000 square feet, about the size of a packed football field.It appears, Feet-about the span from your heel to the tip of your big toe, simultaneously the facility features an indoor pool, a fitness center, tennis and racquetball courts, plus fitness classes, personal training, and wellness programs-like morning yoga by the water.The Grove Park Inn serves up a variety of dining experiences, from casual bites to fine cuisine, what’s more at Sunset Terrace, you can linger over a perfectly grilled steak or fresh seafood while the mountains turn gold in the evening light, more or less Blue Ridge Restaurant serves fresh, farm-to-table dishes in a welcoming buffet dining room, famous for its hearty breakfasts and indulgent Sunday brunches, meanwhile edison, Craft Ales + Kitchen is a laid-back, modern spot where you can sip crisp regional craft brews and dig into hearty Southern-style pub favorites.Presidents Lounge and the Great Hall Bar offer fireside cocktails and light bites, all beneath the soaring arches of the majestic Great Hall, subsequently spa Café serves fresh, wholesome meals and crisp, refreshing drinks, all prepared with spa guests in mind.As it turns out, Room service’s on call around the clock, ready to bring anything from a hot midnight snack to a full breakfast spread right to your door, in conjunction with six, somewhat The Grove Park Golf Course, a historic 18-hole, par-70 layout crafted by legendary designer Donald Ross in 1926, offers tree-lined fairways, rolling greens, and sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a clubhouse, pro shop, and professional lessons ready for players seven days a week, likewise the Inn boasts more than 86,000 square feet of event space, from grand ballrooms and polished boardrooms to breezy outdoor terraces and historic spots like the Heritage Ballroom, making it a go-to choice for corporate retreats, medical or educational conferences, and elegant weddings or gala evenings.Since 1992, the National Gingerbread House Competition has drawn hundreds of amateur and professional bakers to showcase intricate creations in the Grand Lobby, where the scent of cinnamon lingers through the holiday season; during the 2024 closure after Hurricane Helene, the inn rallied behind local businesses with its “Gingerbread Trail of Giving” and continues to partner with Asheville’s tourism and preservation groups, not only that legends and Lore - The Pink Lady: Locals still tell of a young woman who, in the 1920s, plunged from the fifth floor of the inn, her pink dress billowing like a final breath before she vanished.They say it’s a glowing pink apparition, often drifting near Room 545 like a faint blush in the dim hallway light, in addition guests and staff say they’ve felt sudden cold drafts, seen lights blink in and out, and even sensed a faint brush against their arm. People glimpse her as a friendly spirit, quick to laugh and full of mischief, especially when she’s darting after giggling children, then ten.You’ll find The Omni Grove Park Inn at 290 Macon Avenue in Asheville, NC, just 17 miles from Asheville Regional Airport, with shuttles, ride-shares, and both valet and self-parking ready for guests, as well as step outside and you’re minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the grand Biltmore Estate, downtown’s art galleries and craft breweries, and the lush Botanical Gardens.More than a luxury resort, it’s a century-vintage landmark tucked into the misty folds of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in turn blending timeworn-world charm and solid architectural character with today’s comforts, it draws visitors year-round-whether they’re curling up by a crackling fire, savoring its elegance, or soaking in its cultural treasures, occasionally Steeped in legends and ghost stories, yet offering champagne at the spa and plates of perfectly seared catfish, it stands as a proud symbol of Southern warmth and American tradition.
