Reviewing The Inn at Biltmore: Is It Worth It?

Is staying at The Inn at Biltmore worth the money? Well, that depends on your perspective. Do you care more about the budget or about the experience?

Let’s look at both.

I’ve stayed at The Inn and experienced its amenities firsthand, like the delicious flight of ice cream sandwiches I had in the Library Lounge and the incredible sunset views I appreciated from its back patio.

But were those worth the cost of the stay? I’m an annual passholder, after all. Don’t I get access to those things anyway?

Let’s look at the rooms, the amenities, and what to expect during your stay at The Inn. Then, we’ll talk about costs and whether a stay is worth it if you’re on a budget.

Overall Review of The Inn at Biltmore

The Inn at Biltmore deserves its 4 star designation, from its beautifully designed rooms and thoughtful amenities to its unique location and luxurious atmosphere. You feel like a special guest from the moment you arrive.

The price point, amenities, and rooms are all typical of other area 4 star properties, but The Inn has one thing the others don’t, and will never have.

The Inn has the Biltmore Estate.

Being on the estate, you get so much more privacy and quiet. You’re not in downtown, hidden by walls that do their best to block out the city sounds. The Inn sits on a hill in the middle of a forest, facing west for gorgeous mountain views and sunsets.

You can’t beat the location. It’s an enviable level of seclusion while still being just a 10 minute drive from downtown. And don’t forget everything there is to see on the estate itself, like Biltmore House and its gardens, the equestrian center, and special exhibits in Deerpark.

Even with the seclusion, you don’t lack for dining or shopping options. There are no less than 4 restaurants, 2 eateries, and a winery just down the hill. Walk down for dinner and drinks, or take the complimentary shuttle.

Don’t want to leave The Inn to eat? No problem. Enjoy snacks and drinks in the Library, full meals in the Dining Room, or either poolside or in your room.

Whether you’re a luxury traveler or just looking to splurge for a special occasion, The Inn at Biltmore will deliver.

First Impressions: What to Expect

The Inn at Biltmore strives to treat you just as a house guest to the Biltmore Estate would have been treated by the Vanderbilts, with thoughtful touches and high-end amenities appropriate for a 4 star hotel.

The Inn sits on a hill above Antler Hill Village, close enough that the shopping, dining, and winery are within easy reach but the crowds can’t be seen or heard. The sunset views from the Inn’s back patio are some of the best on the estate.

When you arrive, expect valet service to offer to help with your luggage and to park your car.

You can self-park if you choose, in the same parking lot that the valet service parks in, just further back. But you’ll have to walk up a few flights of stairs to return to the entrance to check in.

Same thing with your bags. Staff can load your luggage onto a trolley and take it up to your room for you, or you’re welcome to do it yourself.

Dress is resort casual until the evenings when more elegant attire is encouraged. I don’t know if they’d actually deny you entry to the dining room based on your attire, but then again, I’ve never seen anyone try.

Dressing up for dinner is part of the allure of the atmosphere at The Inn. They’re going for refined elegance, and yes, children are included in the dress code.

Good to Know: I stressed about dress codes the first time I stayed somewhere with one, but I shouldn’t have. I should say that I don’t like dress codes, mostly because they force you to pack more clothes and they’re a bit snooty, in my opinion, but I agree that they can elevate the atmosphere of an event when done correctly. I wrote about it here.

The Rooms

The Inn has a few different room types to choose from, whether you just want a comfortable bed and luxurious bathroom or you need a suite with space and views. Most rooms are king sized beds only, but you can book a double room with two beds if you need an adjoining room for the kids.

Not every room has a great view, but some have phenomenal views. We booked a cheap, standard room and had a view of the front entry. Not exciting. But the back patio views were enough for us.

If the view from your room is important, call them when you book to confirm your room will have the view you expect.

Good to Know: If budget is a concern but you still want that view, don’t worry about the room. The back terrace of The Inn has some of the best sunset viewing on the estate and many Adirondack chairs to keep you comfortable while you soak it all in.

Even the bathrooms in the least expensive rooms are wonderful. Beautiful dual vanities, large showers, amazing soaking tubs, and a separate throne room are all standard features.

There is a clear step-up in the luxury factor when compared to the Village Hotel just down the hill.

It’s the little, thoughtful touches that underscore how much they’ve paid attention to guests’ needs, like the granite door threshold that ensures no light or sound from the hallway makes it through underneath the door.

As a person who has to cover the light from the microwave clock just to sleep in ordinary hotel rooms, I really appreciated that feature.

Amenities

The Inn at Biltmore is a 4 star property focusing on elegance and refined tastes. It has everything you’d expect, like an outdoor pool, a fitness room, and The Spa at Biltmore, but its concierge services are really where it shines.

The little touches like evening turndown service, custom bathrobe and slippers for each guest, and a Nespresso machine in every room are nice, but they can go further if requested.

Get a custom floral arrangement for your room, or order a charcuterie board or plate of sweets for a picnic out on the estate.

The outdoor pool is heated, of course, and there’s a hot tub as well. In true proper fashion, they ask you not walk around in your bathing suit, so bring a cover up to walk from your room to the pool and back.

If you’re keeping to your exercise routine while on vacation, get out on the estate! A path leads from Antler Hill Village to the Lagoon and is great for biking, walking, or running. But the fitness room is also available at The Inn and includes Peloton bikes, for your convenience.

The Spa is available only to Biltmore lodging guests and Biltmore annual passholders, and its services are modeled around a level of hospitality that Edith Vanderbilt herself would have expected.

Enjoy a massage, a facial, or a mani/pedi without having to leave The Inn! The convenience is next level.

Whatever you can think of, the concierge will do their best to deliver. Stop by the concierge desk (or call) any time. They’re available 24 hours.

Dining at The Inn

A 4 star property deserves 4 star dining, and The Dining Room restaurant delivers that for The Inn. Resort elegant attire is expected, and you’ll be served with fine china and crystal glasses.

Menus feature regional seasonal cuisine, serving rabbit, boar, and other more traditional meats alongside veggies that are either grown directly on the estate or sourced from local farms. There’s always a fish option as well.

The Library Lounge is also on-site and open most of the day and well into the evening for casual meetings with friends over a cocktail or light bites.

I can confidently recommend the flight of ice cream sandwiches for a tasty after dinner dessert. (And no, you don’t have to be a guest of The Inn to enjoy the restaurants here, either.)

Room service is also an option for those that would rather stay in their room and enjoy a private dinner.

Is Staying at The Inn at Biltmore Worth It?

There are two ways to answer this question: from a budget perspective and from an experience perspective. In general, yes, I think it’s worth staying on the Biltmore Estate, if only once or for special occasions.

From a Budget Standpoint

When considering a budget, it’s probably only worth staying at The Inn at Biltmore once for the experience or for special occasion splurges. You don’t want to miss it completely, but it’s probably not in the budget every time you come to Asheville.

There are far less expensive hotel options that are still comfortable and literally right outside the estate gates.

Occasional splurges and special occasions can be a real treat, but if you’re an annual passholder that visits often, you get no extra benefit from staying on the estate.

Even if you’re not a Biltmore annual passholder, the extra time on the estate in the morning and evening isn’t worth the higher cost of lodging. You can see the entirety of the estate within regular hours.

From the Experience Standpoint

If budget is less of a concern, staying at The Inn at Biltmore is worth it if you’re looking for privacy, quiet, and a rural-like setting but still want to be just minutes from downtown.

Other 4 star hotels in Asheville can deliver similar amenities at a similar price point, but they usually lack the seclusion you get on the Biltmore Estate. Choose The Inn for the peace and quiet.

Staying at The Inn on a Budget: Is it possible?

The Inn is never cheap, just less expensive than normal. It’s a 4 star property. You shouldn’t expect it to be cheap. That’s not the point.

But, that being said, there are ways to make your stay more budget-friendly than outright splurge. Here’s a few options for scaling back the cost without losing the atmosphere.

Stay in January

January may not be the most picturesque time to visit, but the sunsets are just as spectacular over the bare winter forest as they would be over a green summer forest.

It’s also when you’ll find the lowest rates of the year.

Better yet, as a Biltmore Annual Passholder you’ll get access to the absolute cheapest rates ever offered during Passholder Appreciation every year in January through March.

Save on the cost of the room and enjoy all the indoor things with the savings, like a spa treatment or an ice cream flight from The Library Lounge.

Choose a Different Room Type

While a butler suite is tempting, you’ll get access to all the same amenities at The Inn if you stay in their simplest (and least expensive) rooms instead.

You’ll still get a comfortable bed, seating area, work desk, and a heck of a bathroom in those rooms.

Saving on the cost of the room is best for those that will spend more of their time out exploring than lounging. If you’re really only there to shower and sleep then there’s no need to spend more for a larger room you’ll barely use.

Eat Your Meals Elsewhere

The Dining Room at The Inn has a wonderful, upscale menu with unique dishes, but maybe that’s not your style. If you’re not into formal dining, sipping out of crystal glasses and tasting rabbit roulade, then the Dining Room may not be for you. And that’s ok!

It’s ok to have simpler tastes. Admitting as much will save you both money and an unsatisfactory dining experience when you can’t find a cheeseburger or fries on the menu.

The average entrée at The Dining Room costs around $60. That doesn’t include appetizers, drinks, or desserts. You’ll easily save $40+ per person every time you eat somewhere else.

Even if you like the idea of the food but you don’t want the rigid formal dining experience, there are other, more casual dining options on the estate, several in Antler Hill Village just a short walk from The Inn.

Don’t count out downtown Asheville, either. Asheville has a great diversity of restaurants and cuisines, or there’s always plenty of fast food options if you’re craving something quick and easy.

FAQs about Staying on the Biltmore Estate

Safe travels, adventurer!

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