Design rules at four new Asheville hotels
More than just places to rest your head, today’s hotels aim to create experiences that leave deep impressions, lasting well after the visit is over. Trends in hotel design are impacting the way we check in, dine, sleep, and spend leisure time. Crafting spaces that feel like magical sanctuaries, hotels are now more immersive and imaginative. Worlds away from cookie-cutter chain experiences, these four new properties in Asheville, North Carolina, will definitely earn a place on your “must-stay” list.
Four Stylish Asheville Hotels
Flat Iron Hotel
Originally a 1926 office building in the heart of downtown, the Flat Iron Hotel has brought its Art Deco past lovingly into the future in a stunning example of adaptive reuse. Completely restored, the iconic building features 71 rooms, the original marble staircase and terrazzo floors, and a dazzling Deco-inspired chandelier. Interior architecture and design firm Mey & Co., along with Rowhouse Architects, flooded the building with natural light and chose a charming wallpaper that depicts vignettes of Asheville’s historic landmarks to decorate the lobby.
Modern touches include Iron Works, an airy coworking space, and the underground Red Ribbon Society speakeasy bar, only accessible with a special key from the concierge. For those who love history, the former businesses that occupied the offices are honored with plaques in the hallways. Luminosa, the excellent on-site restaurant, combines Appalachian influences with Italian cuisine. The restaurant features wood-fired cooking, using fresh produce from local farmer Evan Chender of The Culinary Gardener. In the morning, the space turns into an espresso bar/cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.
20 Battery Park Ave., www.ashevilleflatiron.com
Zelda Dearest
The couple that kicked off the Jazz Age, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, burned brightly from New York City to the South of France on the Roaring Twenties party circuit. When the party was sadly over, Scott took Zelda to Asheville, the quaint, quiet mountain town where he tried to continue his writing, and she struggled with her mental health. Now, the Fitzgerald estate has approved a boutique hotel experience called Zelda Dearest, comprising three renovated 1890s homes inspired by her artistic soul. (Zelda was truly the creative muse for Scott’s phenomenal literary accomplishments.)
Slated for the wrecking ball, the homes were restored and reimagined by Hatteras Sky and are now managed under the Lark Hotel brand. Walkable to downtown, the intimate 20-room property features enchanting decor in every room, with a 1920s flair that earned it a nod as a finalist in Hospitality Design magazine’s HD Awards this year. Take a seat at the parlor bar Wine & Roses to enjoy crafted cocktails or a glass of Champagne and see if you don’t feel the spirit of Zelda herself.
150 South Lexington Ave., zeldadearest.com
Blind Tiger
Situated in the Chestnut Hill residential neighborhood within walking distance of downtown, Blind Tiger is another historic (1889) residence restored and renovated by the Lark Hotel group. Surrounded by lush gardens and a koi pond, this 14-room guest house provides an extraordinary design-forward experience. Interior design firm Elder & Ash sourced vintage, antique, and handmade items to reflect Asheville’s freewheeling spirit and combined them with a creative, unpretentious vibe.
Social spaces abound, including a bar area, a sun porch, an open living room with a fireplace, and a stocked snack pantry. Complimentary grab-and-go breakfast, cold brew, and cocktail fixings are available day or night. Rooms and suites have a one-of-a-kind, highly curated look. Each piece of furniture the team collected over ten years stands as a testament to Blind Tiger’s eclectic style mix. The historic main house offers an airy artist’s loft, and there’s a standalone two-room cabin out back. Each room provides a thoughtful list of experiences from a well-connected local host.
173 E. Chestnut St., larkhotels.com/hotels/blind-tiger-asheville
Autocamp Asheville
Located on 16 acres along the French Broad River, Autocamp Asheville is the first of its kind in the region, after successful locations in Yosemite and Joshua Tree, California, Zion, Utah, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, among others. Aimed at honoring nature in the twenty-first century, Autocamp blends outdoor experiences with the style of a boutique hotel. Modern 31-foot-long Airstream trailers, replete with high-end amenities and luxury linens, offer glamping at its finest.
Sleep under the stars in 55 iconic trailers, two cabins, four Basecamp suites, or six smaller Bambi suites on the property, which incorporates a mid-century modern aesthetic. Partners BCA Architecture and Shelter Collective have also included an all-season plunge pool, a spa, and a lounge/clubhouse. Campers can feast at The Kitchen restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the general store offers s’mores fixings, freshly prepared food, snacks, local beer, and wine. Additionally, Autocamp’s philanthropic efforts support local nature preservation organizations.
Autocamp opens spring 2025.
125 Amberglow Rd., autocamp.com/location/asheville
Look for these design-forward initiatives to make your vacation more memorable:
- Hyper-local decor, where the property utilizes the unique character of the location in the hotel design
- Multi-purpose communal spaces that eliminate traditional hotel lobbies
- Bespoke installations and designs that feature living greenery
- Eco-friendly, sustainable, and non-toxic materials that create healthier spaces
- Natural elements and fibers that produce a more tactile environment
- Architectural details that are Instagram-worthy
