Terrible people. Even with the offer to help their horses and Donkey during the flooding they…read moreturned it down and said to leave them. It's one thing to leave your animals out of necessity and another to deny help. They have had many reviews removed in regard to the flooding.

In a word...exceptional!…read more I attended a weekend long wedding celebration with James & Molly here 8/5 to 8/9 of 2021. Us and about 50 family & friends. It was my first experience for a destination wedding in an outside venue with guest accommodations on-site. If that is what you have in mind, look no further...this is THE place. They have weddings in a field of Sunflowers! You get a horse drawn carriage to deliver the betrothed couple to a field of wild flowers to begin the ceremony. All your guests, walk a short distance to a massive tent for the reception. You dance, you sing, you dance some more, you celebrate the joy with family & friends, all the people you care about are in one spot, not for just a wedding ceremony but for the entire weekend! You can experience all this in the natural beauty of a Western North Carolina valley right on the Swannona River. The Cherokee call it 'beautiful river' and it is that. They assist in coordinating everything. Yes, everything from flowers to photos, food, DJ and live music. Ben Pham, Andy Pond and other locals from Gypsy Grass were fantastic! Though it feels like you're in a remote farm/ranch type environment, you are just minutes away from East Asheville and easy access off I-40. We knew it was a farm when we heard the braying mule, the clucking chickens & crowing roosters all doing doing what they do while the horses roam in their pens. Ms Jeanne Sommer and her team provide all the resources for planning an event you will never forget. It was a wedding ceremony that finished with a flare of natural beauty, Ms Sommer...que the rainbow! What else could you ask for on such a special day?

Where do we start. Our venue for our Friday, Saturday and Sunday events cancelled on us six weeks…read moreout, our bartenders sent our cake crashing to the ground and our florist really didn't get it right. However, Morgan and company helped us manage all of it with grace and made the process as easy as possible on us. We felt incredibly grateful to have them be part of our day! They made the process much less stressful and the day of we could relax and know things were being taken care of. Exactly what we needed!! From literally chasing down our florist, her team having to come in hot with day of decor where the vendor messed up, to having to move our outdoor reception indoors due to unexpectedly cold weather, they never missed a beat. Looking back, it was a wonderful weekend with family and friends, and we could not recommend them more.

Morgan is wonderful! She was able to work with my budget & on a short notice too. She cared about…read morethe details & that meant a lot to me on our crazy day. She even defended me & my lack of knowledge of the industry to strangers, when others were being somewhat cruel. I truly respect her backbone & drive! Helpful & kind. I would highly recommend her & the Golden Forest Events staff for your events!

If you're coming for modern technology and conveniences, this place is not for you. If you hate…read morenature, this is not the place for you. If you hate God or Christians, it's also not the place for you. However, if you like nature, the mountains, picturesque scenes and are looking for peace and quiet then this is your venture. I came here for a lawyer's meditation retreat and the view from my window was amazing. It overlooked the lake and I felt like I was in the movie "Dirty Dancing." I had a private room and the layout was interesting with the sink and mirror outside the bathroom (no TV either) but the closet was huge as was the bed. I'd love to come back with a significant other or to do writing since this feels like a perfect writer's refuge. I also make it through Lookout Trail, which is a challenging route so if you're a smoker, not in the best health, have issues with heights or aren't used to climbing you may want to pick an easier route. However there are trails for all skill levels so there should be something for everyone. I had a bunch of childhood flashbacks to camping trips so you may also like it here if you like camping. The staff I met was great and happy to help with any issues. I've recommended this place to family and considering my family are Christians from NC and my nephew recently graduated from a Christian school there, I'm surprised they'd not heard of this place.

Quiet, beautiful location with nearby hotel and Lake Susan. Perfect for small conferences.read more

Are you military? Then Sleepy Hollow doesn't want your business…read more We were looking at Sleepy Hollow Inn and Event Center yesterday as a potential wedding venue. We are a military couple and already married (eloped), but want to have a "real deal" wedding for our friends and family. We were drawn to SH because of their cheap, "all inclusive" packages. They have upfront pricing and a strong web presence. We went up to Swannanoa to meet with Danrae, the owner and coordinator, and tour the site. We arrived before her and poked around to get a feel for the site. Unfortunately, the highway noise was unbelievably loud throughout the small property. My wife wanted to veto the venue altogether, but I said that we should wait for Danrae and give it a fair shot. When she showed up, we asked her what others had done about the noise. She claimed that no one had ever mentioned it (but it's so loud!) and that the officiant would have a mic. She gave us a tour of the rooms and property, and everything is pretty, but smaller than the online photos would have you believe. It is truly, truly compact. When she sat us down to discuss the packets, the meeting took a turn for the worst. We told her that we were looking for October 2016, but that we couldn't set a date for at least another month. We weren't asking her to hold a date for us or anything -- just saying that we couldn't put a deposit down yesterday. We promised to get back to her in a couple of weeks. She told us that she "hesitated" to book us for a desirable October weekend *at all* because we were military and "who knows" what the military would do. That's right: She didn't want to book us because of the military. Despite how friendly their site looks towards military and how much they seem to support it, she would prefer someone with more stability to book her venue. She said that she could book the October weekends "ten times over" to people who wouldn't get deployed or pulled on a mission, and that she would be taking a big chance on us. This is no way to honor a veteran's service -- by "hesitating" to let them spend their money on your business. When I pointed out that my wife was *serving our country*, Danrae said that she didn't mean to offend me. Well, of course she offended me. And it should offend you, too.

My cousin rented out the entire venue for his wedding…read more The Sleepy Hollow Inn was very cozy and warm. I loved being able to spend time with my whole extended family in the same place. It was very intimate (versus staying at a hotel where there are other people outside of the bride and groom's friends and family). The house was filled with antique-style furnishings. It felt very cabin-like. I love that the area was secluded far away from polluted and noisy cities. The surrounding nature was nothing short of breathtaking. There were a few creeks nearby. I went for a run in the morning with some family members and it was just wonderful! The location is great for a getaway. There is a large, green lawn outside separating the house from a pond nearby. The pond is filled with fish and has a fountain spouting from the center. In front of the pond is a pretty, white gazebo where the bride and groom were married. I loved the reception area (which was a separate building where guests could eat dinner and dance after the wedding ceremony). It had a cabin-like atmosphere as well and was very spacious. At the rehearsal dinner, there was a big dinner laid out for us in the dining room. I am not sure if Sleepy Hollow Inn catered the dinner. The dinner consisted of heavy southern foods: Beans, hush puppies, sliced tomatoes, potato salad, dinner rolls, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken. Appetizers: Cheesy spinach dip with crackers, deviled eggs. Beverages: Iced (sweet) tea, wine, beer. The food was delicious but not the healthiest choices. I felt uncomfortably sluggish afterwards, but I enjoyed myself while eating the food. The place has a continental breakfast. The continental breakfast on the first morning (which was on a Saturday) was very mediocre. Breakfast choices included cereals, milk, juice, fruit and different kinds of bagels (along with cream cheese, butter and jam). The breakfast choices on the second morning (Sunday) were far better. I like hot foods in the morning. They served sausages, eggs, potatoes and pancakes. There was also fruits and juice. As for the dinner on the night of the wedding ceremony, the appetizers were buffalo chicken wings, meatballs (so delicious), and spinach-and-cheese stuffed mushroom caps. Dinner consisted of macaroni and cheese, salad with dressing (some kind of vinaigrette), chicken with creamy sause, pork chops, mashed potatoes. I enjoyed the appetizers more than the dinner itself. Beverages: three selections of beer, three selections of wine, sweet tea. The staff was very kind and seemed eager to accommodate (though not easily reachable in the off hours). I had several complaints: In my room (the Hydrangea room), the bed stunk so bad. I thought the sheets were not washed, but I took off the sheets and I realized the source of the stench was the mattress. It smelled as though it were soaked with old sweat or as if a dead body was sewn into the mattress. It was absolutely terrible! I slept there the first night (it was too late and I was not sure who I was supposed to talk to about that problem, as the staff had seemed to retire for the night). My sister and I slept in my parent's room the second night. The plumbing could use some work (especially the bathroom beside the Hydrangea room). It was really hard to flush things down the toilet. The bathrooms did not feel as clean as a hotel.

My dad and I stayed at The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove during a week-long Samaritan's…read morePurse trip. When we arrived to sign in, we weren't expecting to stay at the Shepherd's Inn, but it turned out to be an amazing experience and we felt extremely blessed to be there. The Inn was simple, yet had everything we needed - clean, comfy beds, spotless bathrooms, and amazing views from the walk-out porch. The Training Center provided our meals, and they were incredible - home-cooked style, healthy, flavorful, and generous in size. The Chatlos Memorial Chapel was breathtaking and offered a peaceful place to reflect. The grounds at The Cove were immaculate. Everything was in pristine condition, beautifully maintained, and the views of the nearby mountains and forests were beyond words. As a bonus, we even got to see several black bears and cubs - easily one of the highlights! Thank you to everyone at The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove! Whenever I listen to the Billy Graham channel on SiriusXM and they talk about The Cove, I can happily say I've been there and can picture it all so much better now.

This place was so beautiful and peaceful! My husband and I came for a retreat to disconnect and…read morehave some quiet time with God. I am so glad we did! The staff and volunteers are so friendly, welcoming, and full of information about the ministry and property. The food is amazing (shout out to the chef!) and the wait staff are always friendly and attentive to your needs. There were also many trails you could walk/hike to commune with nature. I highly recommend if you're looking for a quiet get away with opportunities to get in nature.

I've been coming to YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly since 1983, and it never fails to inspire. Founded in…read more1906, this historic site has weathered many storms -- including the devastating September 2024 floods and landslides. The restoration and improvements already made are amazing, and while work remains, the dedication to preserving this legacy shines through. We stayed in Lotz Lodge, a beautiful modern facility set among the historic grounds -- the perfect balance of comfort and tradition, ideal for family reunions or gatherings of 12 or more. The lodges have everything you need, plus easy access to the incredible amenities on site and nearby attractions: the charming cafes and shops of Black Mountain, Asheville's vibrant scene and the Biltmore Estate, local apple orchards, and even tubing down the French Broad River. YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly is more than a retreat center -- it's a place of history, resilience, and community that continues to change lives, mine included.

Disclaimer: Blankets are not washed often. I was told by management they do not have the capacity…read moreto wash blankets every time a guest vacates a room. Location is great and very pretty. Depending on what time of year, you might get to see bear cubs and their mommy. We saw turkeys cross the street. Lots of activities to do. The rooms do not have irons and ironing boards. Aside from the hygiene issue with the blankets, we enjoyed our stay.

Shari and I stayed at Tru by Hilton in Asheville NC the night before we went to the Biltmore…read moreEstates. Tony and I stayed here before and rhe hotel was extremely nice. The beds were very comfortable and I loved the bathroom! The water pressure was amazing! The staff was nice and the breakfast was standard! Definitely would stay again!

I enjoyed my one night stay at this property. It was WILDLY cheaper than anything else in/closer to…read moreAsheville so I snagged it. I used online check-in to get my digital key and to choose my room. Love that feature on the Hilton app! I arrived just as a downpour started. The Tru rooms are fairly barebones. It kinda feels like a dorm room but it's comfortable and all I need for most of my travel. As soon as I got in the room, the AC unit kicked on and it was LOUD with a pulsing vibration. Before reporting it as a problem I checked out the window by the wall, I lifted up the small flap/door and the noise stopped. Perfect. Problem solved. I really like that these properties have black-out shades. I almost always sleep like the dead. I mostly did here except there is a built in night light and it was really bright. Room is very clean and comfortable. Breakfast is good. Pretty basic with one or two hot items and a pancake machine. You can spread out anywhere in the lobby. My main tip for this property: even numbered rooms face out towards the parking lot and the mountains. I love the views as I washed the rainstorm come and go. I'd stay here again.

I have worked with Honeysuckle and Hive for a couple of huge life occasions! My most memorable…read morethough, of course, was my wedding. My husband and I, having a DIY style event, did not have the time or energy to even think about the day of planning. Robin stepped up to the occasion and made my day run smoothy and worry free! These two ladies are a dream when it comes to being thoughtful and thorough while understanding how important this day is to you. Making every moment as wonderful as you had always dreamed.

Wonderful business that did an excellent job with my event. I know they are newer but I would never…read morehave guessed it. The party was top notch from beginning to end. Highly recommend Kenzie for all your events!

This is a hidden gem in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Always something going on that is both…read morefun and enlightening. Have an idea for a conference or workshop? Pitch it to Rev Rob and they will make it happen.

These people sure know what the word autism means and I'm happy they were able to treat me like…read morePrince Charming there. Rob Morris and the rest of the staff are a big inspiration to me. My favorite things I used to do there was cook in the kitchen and go for a dip in the pool (the latter I did in the summer when it was nice and sunny outside); I also forgot walking up the mountain with Anne McGuire.