Two friends need accomodations...

My friend and I will be visiting Asheville in early May and would like to stay in a two-bedroom suite, cabin, rental, etc. I%26#39;ve checked out cyberrentals and vrbo but there are so many. Any recommendations? What towns are nearby that would be make it easy to get to Asheville, and the various sights? Many thanks.

Two friends need accomodations...

are you looking to be IN Asheville or somewhere outside of town? There are a number of hotels in the area as well as B%26amp;B%26#39;s. May help to narrow this down w/ cost and if you want to be downtown ...

Two friends need accomodations...

I cannot tell you who to book through, but I can say to STAY AWAY from Blue Ridge Vacation Cabins. Had a horrible experience with them in October. Found them through VRBO.

We%26#39;re also visiting this spring and would be grateful for any suggestions for budget accommodations in the towns near Asheville. Ideally, we%26#39;d like to be within ~20 min drive of downtown Asheville. Would also like to get a feel for the small towns in the vicinity, and would be curious to know which tend to be more snooty, white vs. blue-collar, older/younger, etc...

Thanks!

Chris

We%26#39;re also visiting this spring and would be grateful for any suggestions for budget accommodations in the towns near Asheville. Ideally, we%26#39;d like to be within ~20 min drive of downtown Asheville. Would also like to get a feel for the small towns in the vicinity, and would be curious to know which tend to be more snooty, white vs. blue-collar, older/younger, etc...

Thanks!

Chris

There are many budget type hotels around Asheville/Hendersonville/Weaverville if you do a search on a travel engine.

Keep in mind that apart from Asheville many small towns in this area are considered ideal retirement communities. There is also a large arts community throughout the area.

Black Mtn has the reputation of being very retreat and religious friendly

Hendersonville and Brevard have large senior populations

Hot Springs has more of a working class and outdoorsy reputation

Spruce Pine, Burnsville and Bakersville have a mix of blue collar and very, very wealthy retirees.

Weaverville is primarily families

Marshall is blue collar and some outdoorsy and artsy

Hey Chris and Liz VT! I read you on the Negril forum all the time, where I post very sporadically. I am also going through Asheville (early June) and staying a couple of nights. I am probably going to book a studio apt I found through vrbo.com within walking distance of downtown Asheville, since that is what I was after. However, I came across this offering in Old Fort, and I am tempted by it too. If I weren%26#39;t so in love with the idea of just walking to shops and restaurants, I%26#39;d book this. I have not actually visited here yet, but the description says Old Fort is 20 miles (east?) of Asheville. The little town also has a bluegrass music establishment ';Mountain Music'; a short distance away from the apt. So, here%26#39;s the address: www.vrbo.com (listing # 44196)

Rate info:

$75/night, $25 cleaning fee for less than two nights.

$299/week; $599/mo.

MIDWEEK SPECIAL $65/NT. (reg. $75/nt.)

10% additional charge during Holidays (Thanksgiving, Xmas, New Year)

$10 PP/nt. additional for more than 2 guests.

11.75% N. C. tax additional

24 hr. cancellation notice required.

$25 and up non-refundable booking fee.

As much as one could tell from pictures, it looks really charming. Good luck!

Perhaps local experts can comment upon this.

--Planet J

Old Fort used to be the last ';white'; town before heading into the Cherokee nation. It is a very small town now that is trying to revive its historic past and also bring in more artists. There is little to do there and I suspect most go ';over the mountain'; to Black Mountain for dinner out or maybe on to Asheville.

Thanks for the info! Would welcome any other comments about the surrounding towns (size, stuff to do %26amp; see, worthy restaurants of any stripe).

Glad to provide travel info for our little state, or a few Caribbean destinations if/when anyone needs. :)

Thanks again!

Chris

for liz and chris and docgirl...some other helpful sites for you are:

exploreasheville.com -

mountainxpress.com - local entertainment

chowhound.com - regional restaurant recommendations