by Rachel L. Miller

The back of the Inn (on the left) and the Sammons Wing. The blue peak in the center belongs to the resort's world-class spa. Photo: courtesy of Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

That said, driving to Asheville's historic Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, located at the top of a winding, narrow road, felt like an awesome discovery. When my Subaru finally pulled onto the resort's driveway and I was greeted by a pleasant man wearing a tall top hat, my first instinct was to brandish a flag and claim the Grove Park as my own. But part of me thought the kind (and rather cute) valets clamoring about might consider such behavior a bit odd, so I just gave them a slight nod of appreciation and headed inside.

The lobby is usually the busiest place in most hotels and Grove Park is no exception. I arrived just before the 4 p.m. check-in time, so dozens of resort guests were milling about, grabbing a pre-dinner drink at the bar, relaxing in leather-padded chairs and couches or examining the fine stone craftsmanship of the walls and fireplace. Others were meandering out to the terrace to take in the panoramic view -- the Asheville skyline to the left and layers upon layers of mountains to the right.

The view from a room on the fifth floor of the Sammons Wing. Simply gorgeous. Photo: Rachel L. Miller

As appealing as the view was, I needed to start making my way to my room -- hours spent in the car warranted a quick nap and a refreshing shower. The friendly hotel staff was quick to explain that the Grove Park is divided into three sections: there's the original historic inn located above the lobby area with its signature orange tiled roof. Then there's the Vanderbilt Wing (named after the illustrious family who lived in nearby Biltmore Estate) and the Sammons Wing, where I stayed.

My first lesson in the unique floor structure at Grove Park was that all the floors in the Sammons Wing are below the lobby level. Once I walked from the lobby to the appropriate elevator, I would press the down button. The simple act managed to throw my mind for a loop until I saw the resort from a distance and realized that the Sammons Wing is built into a sloping hill, therefore allowing most of the building's eight stories to rest comfortably below the lobby level. (CONTINUE...)