OT - Need suggestion for place for family to spend Christmas -NC or Va mts.

[Beth Y]

At my Dad's 80th birthday this weekend, our family discussed the possibility of not spending Christmas at someone's house, but instead spending it at a hotel, resort, etc. YOu are a well traveled bunch, so I thought I would seek suggestions from ya'll.

We live in Virginia and North Carolina, so it should be in/near those states. We would like an area that offers plenty of and a variety of stuff to do for all ages (the families are from age 2-80), but where the lodge, hotel, etc. would be a great place just to sit around. We have thought of the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, but it is quite pricey and would like to look at other options.

What do you think?

[kwormann]

When I lived in NC, we rented a house in the mountains and spent a 3 day weekend there. It was wonderful! We cooked our own meals and went into Boone for an apple festival (it was in the fall). It was one of the most relaxing times Ive had! Id try that. You can cook some and go out some and hike, ski, whatever you like to do http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Sometimes I get so homesick for NC!

Oh yea, and the orice is decent too!
YOu could try to find one around Asheville, tour Biltmore (so pretty at Christmas) and eat at the Grove Park Inn (great food, SPECTACLUAR view!)

[This message has been edited by kwormann (edited 05-28-2001).]

[slknight]

My first thought was the Homestead, in Hot Springs, VA, but it is VERY pricey.

As an alternative, we have stayed in the next town over (Warm Springs) at a wonderful inn called "Three Hills." Their website is: http://www.3hills.com/
The first time we stayed in the Birch suite, although I don't remember where we stayed the second time. It is absolutely beautiful at Christmas - very nicely decorated.

The nice thing is that you can go to the Homestead without actually staying there. You can still walk around, eat, hang out, hike, use the spa, etc. I think you can even ski or golf without staying there as well, although there's no telling what the weather will be like then.

Hope this helps!
-Susan

[growlingbelly]

Call Surf or Sound Realty/check out their web site. Awesome beach cottages to rent right on the ocean in Avon, Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks. My grandpa has a cottage there where we visit every summer, but it could be fun and beautiful to go at other times of year (not swimming weather, but very gorgeous).

[GayeC]

I can't recommend a specific inn or lodge but the Boone/Blowing Rock area of NC is very nice and has activities for all ages. There are lots of rental houses in the area, which might be a good option for your extended family. If you go there, be sure to eat at The Mellow Mushroom in Boone -- fabulous pizza.

[Beth Y]

Thanks, actually, although this sounds strange coming from a cook, but we were trying to find somewhere that provided meals, so that we didn't have to spend all the holiday cooking and cleaning up (some in our family are better at helping than others and it is always a source of family stress we were hoping to avoid on this trip). Also, we want to go to the mountains, as we have a beach place already and have done that before, but there are limited things to do there if it is really cold.

Slknight, we thought of Homestead too, it WOULD be great, but the word is that they are pretty booked with standing reservations for Christmas every year. Plus, it is pricey. I will check into the
Three Hills, thanks. Is Warm Springs a nice town to hang out in? Any good restaurants?

GayleC, yes, we go to Boone every year to get our tree and ALWAYS eat at the Mellow Mushroom!

[This message has been edited by Beth Y (edited 05-29-2001).]