In this rustic region, there's a wide gap between the several genteel and luxurious resorts on the one hand, and motels and campgrounds on the other. You won't find Four Seasons in the region, and you also won't find many midrange hotels outside of the region's larger cities. Bed and breakfasts, however, are becoming pretty popular, and they fit in quite nicely to the region's laid-back surroundings.
Resorts in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Some of the resorts in the southern Appalachian Mountains are of a caliber rarely seen in the U.S. Three in particular stand out as some of the best resorts in the East. No kidding!
The Greenbrier, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, has hosted foreign Heads of State, America's wealthiest citizens, and every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. The grounds look like the White House, just set in the middle of hilly forestry. The spa is not to be missed, the service is white-glove and top-notch, and the dining room's Continental-American cuisine is the finest such example around.
The city of Asheville, North Carolina has been called the Paris of the South, and not for nothing. Among other things, there are a few truly excellent hotels, great places to use as launching pads for exploring the mountains, with luxury to return to. The Inn on Biltmore Estates stands out, being the largest private estate in the country and a shining light of domestic architecture.
In eastern Tennessee, just a few miles from the Great Smoky Mountains Park, is Blackberry Farms, with 44 rooms, suites, and cottages from which to choose. The accommodations are out of this world, with fireplaces in the living rooms, and whirlpool baths in the bathrooms. The food is also something really special, and one unique service the staff provides you with is the preparation of picnic provisions for your forays into nature.
Hotels and Motels in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
You'll find midrange accommodations in the larger cities in the region, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Asheville, and Knoxville. These are usually in the downtown areas or along the highways, just like the motels. Thus, in Knoxville you'll find some hotels downtown along the river, but the bulk of them are on I-75 and I-40; in Roanoke the hotels are either along I-81 or I-581.
In Asheville there are some great hotels downtown, close to the main attractions, and also farther out close to Biltmore Estate. Those at Biltmore are the higher end ones, with luxury establishments mirroring the zenith of luxury that is the Estate. Motels are located on Tunnel Road, east of the city, and off the exits from I-40 and I-26.
The same thing goes for Charlottesville. You'll find good-quality hotels in the downtown area, on Main Street for one; others are located conveniently close to the University of Virginia. For a more “country” atmosphere, still others are located in proximity to Monticello. There are also motels off the exits from I-64 and U.S. Highway 29.
There are plenty of motels all around the hiking areas, where you can drop off your stuff before a foray and collapse at afterwards. All along I-81, it isn't a problem to pull off the highway at most exits and find yourself an inexpensive place to crash at for the night.
Bed and Breakfasts and Inns in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
There are some great bed and breakfasts in the region, from the Shenandoah to the Smokies. The houses are often Southern favorites, like Federals and Colonials, and they're often filled with antiques. Breakfasts are of both the sweet and the savory varieties: On the one hand are waffles and pancakes, on the other hash browns and sausages.
There are dozens of bed and breakfasts in the region, often in the towns lining the Blue Ridge Parkway. They range from the ultra-luxurious to those where they pretty much leave you to your devices. Some may have just two suites, others 10; some come with jetted tubs; some are located within the city, while others are situated in the forest.
Campgrounds in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
There are numerous campgrounds - spaces for tents and hookups for RVs - in Harpers Ferry, the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and all the others of the region's parks. National Forests often provide spaces for camping, but without the hookups.
Hotels, Motels and Resorts in Roanoke, Asheville, Smoky, Blue Ridge, Shenandoah and Southern Appalachian Mountains
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