There are so many great hotels in downtown Asheville that offer the perfect place for your next vacation. Whether you are into rooftop dining with exceptional views, being in the heart of the city or looking for something a bit off the beaten path, the perfect property is waiting for you.
If this is your first visit to Asheville or if you want to stay close to the action, downtown Asheville is an excellent option.
You’ll find everything from local boutique hotels to larger brands that offer all of the conveniences (and points!) that you love. Many of the properties are filled with local art and are housed in buildings with architectural significance.
In this article we share about our favorite hotels in downtown Asheville and what makes each so special.
If you are looking for less of a city feel and want to stay more in the mountains, don’t miss our article on the best mountain resorts in North Carolina. It’s full of relaxing stays that are all either in Asheville or within two hours driving distance.
Map of Hotels in Downtown Asheville
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Why Stay In Downtown Asheville
We thought it would be good to share a little bit about why we think downtown is a great place to stay when visiting Asheville. And really it comes down to the walkability, the amazing restaurants around every corner and the views from up above.
While it’s not so large that it becomes overwhelming, it has a big city feel and there are happy discoveries waiting around every corner. Plus, there are awesome breakfast restaurants in downtown Asheville and a ton of delicious lunch spots, too.
There are so many great restaurants and coffee shops, lots of local shops to browse, and the perfect downtown city vibe.
If this isn’t what you are looking for, consider renting a cabin nearby. We’d recommend looking in the Black Mountain area or north of Asheville toward Mars Hill and Marshall. You’d be about 25 minutes away from town and it’s a pretty easy drive. This is perfect for nature lovers!
Our Top Picks For Hotels In Downtown Asheville
1. The Restoration
We can’t get enough of the newest hotel in downtown Asheville: The Restoration. It is absolutely stunning. And the location is perfect– it’s just next door to the only food hall in Asheville.
This architectural gem is located on Patton Avenue in the middle of downtown Asheville across from Pritchard Park, known for Asheville’s famous drum circle. There is so much shopping and dining in the area and you are right in the middle of it at The Restoration.
While home to just 60 guest rooms, it boasts no shortage of dining and entertainment options. The Restoration has a rooftop bar with amazing views (The Observatory), a coffee shop, a speakeasy-style basement bar and a farm-to-table restaurant The Exchange.
They have an equally great location in Charleston under the same name.
2. The Foundry Hotel
The Foundry is a wildly cool property in The Block neighborhood of downtown Asheville. It’s totally unexpected because it’s a bit tucked away on the east side of town behind Biltmore Ave. But don’t let that fool you, you are just a hop, skip and a jump away from the action of downtown Asheville.
As a boutique hotel in Asheville, The Foundry emanates a luxury feel. It’s housed in a historic steel factory and has brick walls and huge factory windows throughout. The rooms and suites themselves are thoughtfully appointed and offer a sanctuary of comfort, complete with locally sourced furnishings and curated artwork.
What we love most about the Foundry is the green space hidden away from the street. It’s an oasis!
If you are looking for an evening cocktail, you can head to Workshop Lounge. And if you want to try out a local coffee roaster, PennyCup Coffee Co is located just around the corner.
Located just one block east of Biltmore Ave and one block south of Pack Square, The Foundry Hotel is in the perfect location. It is really close to local favorites like Curate, Chestnut, Rhubarb and Limones.
As a member of the Curio Collection by Hilton you can earn Hilton Honors points with a stay at The Foundry.
The Foundry Hotel
51 South Market Street | Downtown
Near the trolley route Trolley Tickets | Trolley Guide
3. Kimpton Hotel Arras
The Kimpton Hotel Arras is located in city center and boasts 127 beautiful rooms. The views are also incredible, with large windows overlooking either the city or the mountains.
The location truly couldn’t be better. Located on Patton Avenue at Biltmore Avenue (just across the street from Patton Square), it’s hard to be in a more central location in Downtown Asheville. You will be within walking distance to everything, including one of my favorite downtown Asheville streets: Lexington Ave.
Arras’s on-site restaurant Bargello is a great option for dining. It’s a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and they have a great brunch with incredible donut holes!
Even though it’s a boutique hotel, there is no shortage of amenities. Hotel Arras offers spa services through Asheville’s Urban Exhale Massage Spa. These are available in the hotel’s dedicated massage room or from the comfort of your own room.
You can also enjoy their state-of-the-art fitness center with all the essential equipment including Peloton bikes. There are also bikes available from the hotel for exploring the city.
And if you are traveling with a four-legged friend, you’ll be happy to hear that pets stay free at the Kimpton Hotel in Asheville. Kimpton also offers extras for your pet and complimentary access to Wag! Premium services if you’re in need of a dog walker.
Kimpton is a member of the IHG hotel group so you can use or earn rewards.
4. Windsor Boutique Hotel
Windsor Boutique is a wonderful option in the middle of it all. It’s just down the way from Rowan Coffee (so good!!) and across from Strada Italian. The Windsor has 14 luxury suites– all with a washer/dryer and fully equipped kitchen.
Windsor Boutique is conveniently located on Broadway Street in the heart of downtown Asheville. You can easily explore all the shopping, dining and sights that downtown Asheville has to offer on foot.
With only 14 suites available to book, Windsor Boutique Hotel embodies the true meaning of boutique. Each suite includes separate bedrooms and living room areas complete with a kitchenette.
Each room is uniquely appointed with different furnishings and varying layouts, so you can pick the right fit for you when booking. Depending on the setup, the suites at Windsor can accommodate four to six people.
Everything you need for a comfortable stay is in the room from laundry to kitchen to prime location in the city.
Spa services are available from C&Co Skincare and Spa located in the same building and can be given at their spa or in the room.
5. AC Hotel by Marriott
The AC Hotel is an ideal choice for travelers seeking a chic and urban retreat in downtown Asheville. It combines contemporary design with a touch of European elegance, offering a sophisticated and cosmopolitan experience in downtown Asheville.
The hotel’s sleek and modern aesthetic extends from the lobby to the stylishly appointed guest rooms, where comfort meets minimalist sophistication. You’ll find a fitness center on-site, and pets are allowed for an additional fee.
Guests can unwind on the rooftop bar and restaurant Capella on 9, enjoying a panoramic view of the city and indulging in tapas and handcrafted cocktails. They serve daily breakfast at Capella on 9 and have live music often.
One thing that always stands out to us about the AC Hotel is its big city, sophisticated feel. It has less of an Asheville feel, though that’s not a bad thing! It’s very nice and worth a stay.
The AC Hotel is a member of the Marriott hotel group so you can use or earn rewards during your stay.
6. Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville
The Cambria Hotel Asheville is a contemporary and stylish hotel located city center in downtown Asheville. It’s truly close to everything– an awesome food hall, the restaurants + shops at the Grove Arcade, Woolworth Walk, Chai Pani, the famous Flat Iron sculpture and more. It’s an excellent home base for your Asheville trip.
While you can easily explore from Cambria, you may also want to plan some time to just stay put. The rooms are clean and modern and there are breathtaking panoramic views of the skyline and mountains from the rooftop terrace. Definitely plan to dine at the rooftop restaurant Hemingway’s Cuba to take advantage of this exceptional space.
Hemingway’s Cuba showcases a fusion of Caribbean and American flavors, offering a unique dining experience. They also have a great weekend brunch.
7. Haywood Park Hotel
The Haywood Park Hotel is a four-star gem located in the heart of Asheville’s downtown core. It’s just next to the Cambria Hotel detailed above.
Haywood Park Hotel is anchored by Isa’s French Bistro, which is a great French restaurant and the perfect spot for lunch in downtown Asheville. There are a few seats on the sidewalk and it truly has a romantic feel. We recently saw a couple get engaged at one of the tables!
The Haywood Park Hotel is situated in the historic Bon Marche department store building. It has a fun retro feel with huge bright rooms. But, be warned, they aren’t the most up-to-date rooms. Some have a European style and others have a midcentury modern aesthetic. But it’s a cool spot and definitely in a great location.
8. Renaissance Hotel
Though The Renaissance Hotel isn’t in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Asheville, it’s just a few minutes away. It’s a very easy walk from the hotel to the main downtown area. You can also plan to book tickets for the trolley because it picks up and drops off right at the entrance. This is a great option to easily see several different Asheville neighborhoods.
As far as amenities go, they have a year-round indoor junior Olympic pool and whirlpool, a small fitness center and an on-site restaurant. Pets are allowed for an additional fee.
The Renaissance Hotel is a member of the Marriott hotel group so you can use or earn rewards during your stay.
9. Aloft Asheville Downtown
The Aloft Hotel in downtown Asheville is another really solid option when visiting. It’s in a great location, and has a parking garage, an on-site restaurant and the rooftop W XYZ bar. They also have an outdoor pool (open mid-May to October) and a 24/7 gym. Oh, and pets stay free! It also has a really laidback, casual feel and is perfect if traveling to Asheville with kids.
We recommend staying at Aloft when you are in town for a show at the Orange Peel. It’s also really close to Wicked Weed Brewing Pub (the perfect brewery to spend an afternoon), Mamacita’s for a quick burrito and Cúrate for a fun Tapas dinner.
Aloft is a member of the Marriott hotel group so you can use or earn rewards during your stay.
10. Elevation Lofts
Elevation Lofts in downtown Asheville has 6 units on the third floor with historic architectural details. The lofts range in size from two to four bedrooms making them perfect for families and groups traveling together.
The units were all custom designed and renovated in 2021. They have hardwood floors, soaring ceilings and huge windows. Each unit has all amenities you have at home from kitchen to washing and dryer and even dog bowls.
Located on Broadway Street in the heart of Asheville, you’re just steps away from world-class dining and entertainment.
Hotels Near Downtown Asheville
The bigger shopping and dining districts in Asheville are all pretty close to one another, so even if you aren’t staying downtown you probably won’t be too far away.
Biltmore Village
If you are looking to stay near downtown Asheville, check out Biltmore Village. Not only are there a ton of hotels in the area, but there are several restaurants and shops. Biltmore Village is just a few miles south of downtown and, as the name hints, is located at the entrance to The Biltmore Estate.
What’s great about staying in or near Biltmore Village is that the hop-on/hop-off trolley picks up at Biltmore Village and the DoubleTree near Biltmore Village.
DoubleTree Biltmore Village
115 Hendersonville Road | Biltmore Village
On the trolley route Trolley Tickets | Trolley Guide
North Asheville
Another great spot to stay close to downtown is in North Asheville. We especially love the Chestnut Street / Charlotte Street area. Both OWL Bakery and Liberty Cafe are nearby and equally exceptional.
Ready to plan your trip to Asheville? Check out our itinerary for the perfect weekend in Asheville. We also have a list of can’t-miss sights and bites if it’s your first trip to Asheville.
