First look: Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville reopens

Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville supplied TPG with a complimentary one-night keep in order that we may get an inside take a look at the lodge and its facilities. The opinions expressed under are completely these of the writer and weren’t topic to overview by the lodge or any exterior entity.

Whether or not you are planning a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, to spend some Marriott factors or to be a part of town’s post-Hurricane Helene restoration story, Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville offers you the chance to do each whereas celebrating an iconic lodge, recent off a fantastic renovation.

A landmark within the metropolis’s Biltmore Village because it opened in 2008, the lodge — and far of Biltmore Village — has been closed because the catastrophic flooding introduced by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Now, after greater than seven months of cleanup, restoration and renovation totaling practically $20 million, The Kessler Assortment has reopened this property — previously the Grand Bohemian Resort — underneath a brand new identify, inclusive of each the founder’s ancestry and the historical past of the close by Biltmore Property.

Via the renovations, Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville has held onto its yesteryear styling and opulence whereas freshening public areas just like the foyer, Crimson Stag Grill, Grand Bohemian Gallery and the visitor rooms.

As a North Carolinian and journey author with an unabashed affinity for the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, I mourned the short-term closure of the property, so when an invite got here to attend the early-Might grand reopening, I made my technique to Asheville. Here is what I discovered.

Associated: Greatest Marriott motels on this planet

First impressions

It was clear upon arrival that Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville, one of many seven inaugural Marriott Autograph Assortment properties, had made a full and (practically) full restoration. In truth, the restoration work was impeccable and my preliminary response was to marvel what adjustments the restoration and refresh had introduced.

The design right here has at all times leaned closely right into a luxurious searching lodge vibe, with intricate wooden paneling, taxidermy searching trophies on the wall, heirloom and vintage firearms, and a mixture of classical and up to date artwork — however with a yesteryear really feel. Now, new seating organized across the foyer’s outsized central hearth creates cozy spots for dialog, and a streamlined entrance desk offers the room a greater move. The ground-to-coffered-ceiling wooden paneling, 18th-century columns, and a handful of Bavarian and Austrian antiques really feel extra like focal factors.

Behind the foyer, Grand Bohemian Gallery acquired a refresh, together with a small growth of the gallery’s footprint and the addition of show instances for the jewellery; because of these instances, the gallery is now open 24 hours. As is true throughout The Kessler Assortment’s Grand Bohemian Galleries, the works right here deal with native and regional artists and jewelers, and the lodge’s artwork curator plans to characteristic extra artists and jewelers with occasions, trunk exhibits and extra all year long.

It was clear to me that no element went unnoticed on the lodge, and the searching lodge/outside theme carried by means of every house. Assume: chandeliers and lighting fixtures comprised of antlers, door handles that appear to be bark, a colour story filled with vivid forest tones, and different touches that tie the lodge to Asheville’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Even minor notions just like the room “keys” — discs of logo-embossed wooden that served as digital keys — drew me deeper into the sense of place, and visitor rooms have been no exception.

The rooms

Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville has 104 visitor rooms and suites in the primary lodge and the Manor Home annex (as of writing this text, restoration work is ongoing however nearing completion on the Manor Home, taking 20 rooms out of the present stock).

My room, a well-lit nook junior suite with home windows aplenty, was spacious and effectively appointed, with dramatic velvet curtains separating the bed room from the adjoining salon, which supplied seating, a piece desk and an extra tv, all set underneath an intricate stag horn chandelier. I additionally took be aware of a small moist bar space, a hidden minifridge and microwave, and a espresso station.

Within the bed room, stag horn wall sconces framed the very comfy king-size mattress, which sat underneath one other chandelier, and in opposition to a inexperienced leather-based headboard and lighter inexperienced accent wall. A tv sat atop a dresser. There was a sq. window that opened into the moodily lit toilet.

The lavatory had each a soaking tub and a separate bathe. Refillable cleaning soap, shampoo, conditioner and physique wash — made solely for Kessler’s Grand Bohemian properties — smelled pleasant and mitigated the lodge’s reliance on single-use plastics.

I discovered loads of shops and USB ports for charging my electronics, and storage was ample because of the nightstands and dresser within the bed room, the closet and drawers all through the house.

These with an attentive eye for element could discover some furnishings — the desk, a bench or an ottoman — have not but been up to date. Normal Supervisor Matthew Lehman says that is by design and Grand Bohemian will substitute these items throughout the property as soon as the Manor Home restoration is full.

Eating

Crimson Stag Grill, the lodge’s restaurant, underwent probably the most exceptional transformation. This house had at all times leaned arduous into the searching lodge theme, feeling very “outdated boys membership” at occasions, however as with the foyer, the refresh has modernized the feel and appear of the house. The coffered ceilings, herringbone ground and darkish shiplap partitions are nonetheless there, however the open desk spacing, assortment of intimate tables for 2 and sheer drapes that glow within the night gentle, revealing hidden pictures of stags, boars and butterflies, soften the house. Outsized work body the semi-open kitchen, giving diners a peek behind the scenes.

The most important change in Crimson Stag Grill is the alternative of a protracted banquette with cubicles that make a extra pure seating configuration and lend the house a extra trendy really feel.

Behind the eating room, the Black Forest Wine Room, dominated by a backlit agate slab, provides extra seating and may be closed for personal dinners and occasions.

The meals at Crimson Stag Grill, notable because the lodge’s opening, was very good. The breakfast, lunch and dinner menus emphasize the wealthy native meals scene with farmed and foraged produce and a shocking array of aged steaks and unique meats akin to elk and bison.

Elk carpaccio and Bison tartare, menu mainstays, have been pretty much as good as ever, and the collection of steaks and chops was spectacular. I additionally discovered monumental salads, a collection of recent seafood and farm-raised trout, and an expansive wine, cocktail and mocktail listing on provide. Lunch featured salads, a home burger and lighter choices; breakfast had Southern favorites (shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy), surprises (a scrumptious breakfast salad and an ice-cream-free breakfast banana cut up) and staples (omelets, pancakes and the like).

Facilities

• In the primary lodge, The Spa at Grand Bohemian gives facials and massages in a comfy house.
• The on-site health middle provides a well-appointed house for a lodge exercise.

Location and logistics

Asheville’s an easy-to-navigate city, and most of its visitor-friendly neighborhoods are a brief drive from each other. Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville sits on the fringe of Biltmore Village, 100 yards or so from the doorway to Biltmore Property and a seven-minute trip from Downtown. Biltmore Village, established within the late 1800s as a depot and settlement for the property’s army-sized development crew, was hit arduous by Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters and is present process a revival of its personal; as of this writing, most of the boutiques and eating places listed here are closed whereas they rebuild. That is not the case in Downtown or the South Slope, adjoining to Biltmore Village, although you can see restricted openings within the River Arts District as this assortment of warehouses-turned-studios and galleries rebuilds following Helene’s flooding.

The closest airport to the property is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), about 15 miles or a 30-minute drive away.

Asheville itself sits in western North Carolina, one hour west of Cherokee and the Oconaluftee entrance to Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic route by means of the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, skirts town and is minutes from the lodge.

What it prices to remain at Grand Bohemian Lodge and tips on how to ebook

Since it is a Marriott lodge, you possibly can earn or redeem factors in your keep. In case you’re reserving with factors, count on to spend between 65,500 and 95,500 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.

Commonplace money room charges vary from $460 to $589, with bigger suites and studios within the $567 to $616 vary.

There’s a $36 nightly valet charge, and in case you’re touring with pets, put together your self for the $150 nonrefundable pet charge ($50 for an extra pet, with a most of two pets per room).

And from now by means of Sept. 7, the lodge is providing a Grand Reopening price that features a 20% financial savings and breakfast for 2 each day. Different packages out there embrace each day breakfast and a $100 lodge credit score when reserving three nights (good by means of September 2025) and reductions on stays of 5 or extra nights.

When reserving the Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville, you will wish to use one of many bank cards that earn probably the most factors for Marriott stays, or one that gives automated Marriott Bonvoy elite standing for value-added advantages. These embrace:

• Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Platinum Elite standing and 25 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Gold Elite standing and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Gold Elite standing and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Specific® Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Gold Elite standing and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card: Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Silver Elite standing and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.
• Marriott Bonvoy Daring Credit score Card: Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at motels collaborating within the Marriott Bonvoy program, automated Silver Elite standing and 15 elite evening credit per 12 months towards a better tier.

The knowledge for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Accessibility

Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville provides 4 accessible room varieties: a Major Constructing room with king mattress, a Major Constructing room with two queen beds, an Exec Studio Major Constructing room and a Separate Manor Constructing room.

These rooms provide mobility accessible options like toilet seize bars, bathtub seize bars, roll-in showers and 32-inch-wide doorways. Accessible rooms additionally characteristic visible alarms and notification units for each the door and the in-room phone.

There’s an accessible route from the general public entrance to the accessible visitor rooms. As at all times, for questions on accessibility, we advocate contacting the lodge earlier than reserving to make sure it will probably meet your wants.

Backside line

After my one-night keep at Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville, I am impressed and desperate to return for one more keep or not less than one other meal at Crimson Stag Grill.

In case your superb Asheville getaway places each restaurant and brewery your coronary heart wishes solely a block or two from the lodge entrance, this won’t be the spot for you. But when a fast drive downtown sounds OK, Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville makes for a great spot. Downtown (and different food- and art-filled neighborhoods) is just 2 miles away and the Biltmore Property could not be nearer. Different regional icons (the Arboretum, Blue Ridge Parkway, Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park and waterfalls discovered an hour south of town) are inside a fast drive’s attain, too.

In case you’re seeking polished luxurious, high-concept design and an outstanding in-house restaurant, Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville is the lodge for you.

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