The Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville

As life, temporarily quelled in the wake of Hurricane Helene, returns to western North Carolina, one mountainside retreat offers visitors the stay of a lifetime. The Grand Bohemian Lodge in Asheville – a colorful and stately Kessler Collection accommodation, is a place where local and international art is celebrated, regional flavors are revered, and the thirst for adventure is quenched. The Lodge, which sits on the site of a former gas station depot, is a place where rejuvenating self-care and deep relaxation collide – with restorative spa treatments available and welcoming glasses of champagne upon arrival. 

Fully restored from storm damage, the Grand Bohemian Lodge, managed by Marriott Bonvoy, boasts 104-rooms between the main and manor-house buildings, a selection of luxury amenities, and concierge services that make trading home for the Blue Ridge mountains effortless. To top it off, the Tudor-style stunner is just steps away from the famous Biltmore Estate – the birthplace of America’s first forestry school, and the largest privately-owned home in the United States. 

The Lodge is one of Asheville’s most decorated hotels; it was voted the city’s best hotel by U.S. News and World Report in 2022, and placed in the Top 25 Hotels in the South by Condé Nast Traveler in 2023. Today, in its fully-renovated glory, the team behind one of Biltmore Village’s most distinctive gems invites fresh faces and familiar souls to the property. Whether guests seek the venue for vacation, a private event, or a weekend excursion, the Lodge is primed for a new era of excellence.

All in the Details

From the moment visitors arrive at the Lodge, the half-lumbered facade, multi-gabled roofs, brick accents, and soft lighting capture the eye. The entrance, while mesmerizing, is also castle-like. Dark wood, leather furniture, ornate, hand-carved Balinese doors, imported pillars, and taxidermy–complete with antler sconces and chandeliers–steal the show in the lobby. The active fireplace is the perfect gathering spot for social hour or  cozying up with a hot cup of tea from the Red Stag Grill – the hotel’s award-winning steakhouse led by executive chef James Lumley.

Upon entering the hotel, guests can wander to the rotating art gallery of nearly 80 artists tucked stealthily beside the reception desk. Here, guests will also discover the expressionistic and colorist paintings of Kessler Collection Signature Artist, Jean Claude Roy, whose unique paintings are a staple throughout many other Kessler hotels. 

Custom-made bath and skincare products from the hotel’s collection are stocked in each room. With free Wi-Fi, access to the hotel’s wellness center, signature facial and massage treatments, and high-end accommodations like luxury lines, soaking tubs, and rain-style showers, the Lodge is truly extravagant.

Fuel for the Forager

The hotel also offers guests and patrons the chance to forage for a portion of their meal at Red Stag Grill–which serves game-driven, farm-to-table dishes such as elk carpaccio and trout à la provençal. This unique experience is both educational and exhilarating and gives those who participate in the excursion a first-hand account of the ways the land has changed since Helene barreled down on the region.

In partnership with Earthhaven Ecovillage, this expedition, led by a professional forager, takes participants about 45-minutes from the Lodge and into the heart of Black Mountain. Participants will tour, taste, and explore a couple hundred kilometers of regional flora, sourcing native greens like Sochan– a staple of the Cherokee Nation– and picking chickweed, wild violets, and garlic, while growing a deeper appreciation for the region’s natural resources.

Stay Awhile

As the sun rises again on western North Carolina and the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains awaken with flowering Dogwoods, the Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville awaits you. A worthy excursion off the beaten path, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the world-class luxury and one-of-a-kind experiences.