BY SKEETER
While in Asheville on our complimentary (thanks to Del Holston of Explore Asheville) weekend visit, we stayed at North Lodge Bed & Breakfast on Oakland road. Upon our arrival and this view, we knew we were in for a treat! Check out a bit of the history of this charming home by clicking HERE.
North Lodge is located in a perfect spot for Asheville tourist. Biltmore House & Gardens are a few minutes away departing in one direction. Historic downtown Asheville is in another direction and the Artsy River District is near by in yet another direction!
Upon entering North Lodge, one feels as though they have stepped into a different era with the cozy sitting room and its furnishings.
We enjoyed wonderful gourmet Breakfast each morning sharply at 9:00 while sitting at this dining room table with total strangers on the first day. After breakfast, we felt as though we had made new friends from all around the country with interesting conversations! This is one of many treats while staying at B&B's verses Hotels.
What once appeared to be a front porch, has been transformed into a nice sitting area filled with enough information to assist guests during their stay to Asheville.
At the other end of the "Porch" is a small table near a kitchenette where guest may utilize an ice machine, fridge, microwave or computer complete with desk. Free Wi-Fi can also be enjoyed in each room. Guests may sit at this table to play a game of cards or enjoy a freshly baked cookie and brewed cup of coffee, tea or soda.
No two rooms are alike in a B&B. Here you see our King sized Bed in the "Tiffany" Room which had several Stain Glass items. Not sure the Real Tiffany but beautiful just the same.
The Tiffany Room is a suite so we had a sitting area for relaxing and enjoying a little TV for weather reports before heading off to bed each evening. Click HERE to see the other beautiful rooms at North Lodge.
The Grounds at North Lodge are stunning. Ivy and Azalea were putting on a show last weekend!
North Lodge has plenty of parking for guests and just beyond the parking area, one finds beautiful gardens.
Of course with it being Spring, Tulips greeted us as we entered the gardens.
This view of the Gazebo was really calling out for us to come explore the gardens. I enjoyed the Green fence between properties.
Bluebells along with other fun plants.
The Gazebo has a ceiling fan for those warmer days of summer but not needed during this perfect Spring Day.
Standing in front of the Gazebo looking towards an Arbor.
Standing at the Arbor looking towards the Gazebo area. Plants were just beginning to wake up from a long winters nap. Fresh mulch throughout shall keep the gardens weed free.
Looking more towards the front of the gardens, one can barely detect the parking lot above. I like to think of this little garden as a sort of Secret Garden.
Heading out of this quant garden, one finds a beautiful water fountain and stone steps leading to a large stone patio. I failed to snap a photo of the Patio or what seem to be a Veggie/Herb Garden to the right of the wood fencing. This is not a large garden but one very well thought out garden which leads one to feel it is much larger. If anyone is thinking of staying at a Bed & Breakfast while in Asheville, NC, The Saint and I would highly recommend NORTH LODGE AT OAKLAND, In the Garden...
A Special thanks to the proprietors of North Lodge B&B and Explore Asheville for this wonderful visit!
Stay tuned for more of Asheville to include Christopher's mountain top, garden bloggers and Biltmore !
A Special thanks to the proprietors of North Lodge B&B and Explore Asheville for this wonderful visit!
Stay tuned for more of Asheville to include Christopher's mountain top, garden bloggers and Biltmore !
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
What a lovely B&B. The place is beautiful inside and out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing ~ FlowerLady
We did not want to leave Flowerlady!
DeleteI guess I missed how you lucked into this treat, Skeeter. We have never stayed at a B&B, though I've always thought it would be a nice alternative to hotels. This one you've visited looks like a perfect place to stay. It would be difficult to leave those gardens.
ReplyDeleteW2W, Last year at the Asheville Garden Bloggers Spring Fling, Explore Asheville's rep Del Holston was at the Meet and Greet evening. He offered a Blogging Contest. Blog on our visit to Asheville gardens while linking ExploreAsheville.com and you were entered to win the prize. Prize: 2 Nights Stay at this B&B and tickets to return to Biltmore House and Gardens. I won the contest and we returned just under a year later...
DeleteWhat a lovely garden stroll. One of these days I am gonna have one of those gazebos. Hopefully it will be screened. Around here the mosquitoes would carry you away certain times of the year.
ReplyDeleteLisa, our front woods are screaming out for a gazebo such as in this garden as well. Just as you mention, would have to be screened as we have those pesky mosquitoes as well. Although, during the drought years of past, they have not been as bad. With rain this year, the blood suckers will be horrible...
DeleteWhat a wonderful B&B. I've often thought how great it would be to own and operate a B&B. Hard work, but you could have the inside and outside just so quaint!! Looks like you had a wonderful stay!!
ReplyDeleteChristy, The Saint and I use to talk about bringing an old home back to life and me running a B&B but that dream never materialized. Yes, they are a lot of work as I have discovered by hosting 2 couples in our home during the Masters Golf Tourney in the year of 2012...
DeleteWhat a wonderful place to stay! Thanks so much to Del! And all your hard work blogging about the spring fling last year. And to think you and the Saint got to enjoy Asheville twice! I think after this post I'd love to stay in a B & B. We have one here in my town that I've visited often but never stayed in. Might need to change that. Ours lacks that marvelous garden and color me simple but I think B & B's need gardens! I love this one. It looks about perfect for me!
ReplyDeleteTina, This is our second B&B stay and we are hooked on them. Only thing is one must be willing to meet and chat with strangers with no issues as that is the normal at Breakfast. Some are casual come and go as you please for breakfast while some such as this one are gourmet cooked fresh and served at 9:00. Then you are sitting with strangers. But with the Saint and I, no problem as we enjoy visiting with people. By the Way, our stay in the B&B in Charleston, is where we met the British couple that we hosted for Masters last year! One never knows what friendships can occur in a B&B. They may cost a bit more then a chain hotel but usually much quitter with no children running around screaming. This B&B was fully booked and we never heard one sound while in our room!
DeleteWow, I had forgotten that you won this vacation. It was something to do with the fling wasn't it. The B&B looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes Carolyn, The prize was won by me from blogging about the Spring Fling last year! I never dreamed I would be the winner but I won. I had never been to Asheville until the Fling and now I have been twice in a years time! We hope to go back again some day as there is so much more to see and do other then just Biltmore...
DeleteWhat a beautiful trip!! Can't wait for it to be warm and sunny here!!
ReplyDeleteCherry, Stay tuned to the next posting of this trip and you will see that it was sunny and warm for one of our three days stay! Here in GA it has turned cool but thus far, our gardens seem to be OK with it...
DeleteOooooh. We love B&Bs. This place looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cozy and beautiful place to stay. Looks very warm and inviting. I love that pathway from the arbor to the gazebo. It begs you to slow down and enjoy the plantings.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing B and B and then to see that garden...wow!
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, do you rent yourself out for going along to the casino? You are one lucky gal. Congrats on winning that contest.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I missed this post....but the gravel path in the B&B's beautiful backyard is what I'm shooting for with OUR new path.... Here's hoping!
ReplyDelete