Asheville News

Grand Bohemian arrives in Asheville, puts Biltmore and Grove Park on notice that there’s a new luxury player in town

Jason Sandford April 6, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

I stopped by Biltmore Village for the grand opening of the Grand Bohemian Hotel last week. I think half of Asheville turned out to get a glimpse at Asheville’s newest luxury hotel and spa. And I must say it was impressive. The Grand Bohemian had more antlers mounted on the wall than Ted Nugent. That’s saying something.

Seriously, though, the new hotel was something. A fine art gallery. A top-notch spa. A great ballroom. A pretty slick bar, and a restaurant that serves more dead wild animal than, well, Ted Nugent.

The Grand Bohemian will pose some serious competition to the folks running the Grove Park Inn and the Inn on Biltmore Estate. I’ve never been to the Inn on Biltmore Estate, so I can’t compare. But I have been to the Grove Park Inn, and the Grand Bohemian makes the Grove Park look a little old-fashioned, even dowdy.

The Biltmore and Grove Park folks better stay on top of their game, because the Grand Bohemian has arrived.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

More the Merrrier! April 7, 2009

Maybe GPI needs for Grand Bohemian to be very successful to qualify the market for the future Ellington? I don’t think you will find anyone at the resort being anything but welcoming. Asheville needs as much energy as we all can get. While GPI, IOBE and GBA might compete in some small ways, all three have very unique markets.
Also, two of GBA’s top executives are former long term GPI’ers who are still part of the extended family.
Outsiders may try to plant animosity but it’s not really there.

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Murphy April 6, 2009

It is high time too Jason … I think GPI has been resting on its laurels for some time and with the future opening of Hotel Indigo, it will be interesting to see if Ashevegas can keep these high dollar Inns in business.

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Dean April 6, 2009

Maybe the folks that like dead animals on the wall will patronize the hotel.

It seems a little passe, but hey, whatever blows up your skirt.

I’d expect to see antlers and such west of the Mississippi, but here? Only in hunters cabins.

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