Asheville, North Carolina has experienced a cultural boom over the past few decades. Take, for example, the city’s new offerings in art and food and drink. Or, consider its increasingly appealing status as a travel destination. With it all has come many new Asheville NC hotel options, from petite boutique hotels to luxury experiences.
Zelda Dearest is one of the newest to join the ranks, elevating Asheville travel with an artful new property that pays homage to one Zelda Fitzgerald. Perched on the hill of Downtown Asheville’s iconic Biltmore Avenue, the new hotel offers 20 different boutique guest rooms and suites. Additionally, there’s a patio, onsite bar, and amenities that include walking distance to downtown Asheville and daily breakfast.
The hotel’s designers chose Zelda Fitzgerald as a muse based on “her curiosity, creativity, and independent spirit” and “her love for travel and hotels… Asheville held a special place in Zelda’s heart.”
Wife to F. Scott (the famed American writer behind The Great Gatsby), Zelda, also an acclaimed novelist in her own right, spent time living in the mountains of NC in the 1940s. Zelda ended up spending what would be the last years of her life in Asheville, until her untimely and tragic death in a fire at Highland Hospital.
Keys to Success for a New Asheville NC Hotel
Located in South Slope, the hotel quickly garnered national attention. In spring 2024, it was one of five selected nationally as a finalist in the annual Hospitality Design Magazine awards. The hotel was created across three restored turn-of-the-century mansions. Each of the homes have exterior protective historical easements on them; while the interiors can be renovated, their exteriors must remain true to their original designs.
Nashville-based design firm Anderson Design Studio mixed soft, feminine pink tones with bold, worldly accents. The result is a hotel that can offer both thoughtful amenities and functional design. No two rooms are the same, but they all offer similar amenities and a design-focused aesthetic. Lodging options include junior suites, executive suites, and king rooms.
Once you check in, enjoy a glass of wine at the parlor bar, Wine & Roses. The cocktail-driven spot is helmed by local chef Jacob Sessoms. Sessoms drew on Zelda’s writings to breathe life and character into the concept. Then, head out on foot or by bike into Asheville for easy access to some of the state’s best restaurants, shops, and cultural offerings.
Hungry? You won’t be for long in this city. We recommend Red Ginger, Posana, and Ben’s Tune Up for a nearby bite. For brewery lovers, there’s several Asheville staples proximal to the hotel, including Hi-Wire, Burial, and Archetype. Art-lovers can enjoy a stop by Tracey Morgan Gallery, with contemporary photography, paintings, and sculptural works.
