Once upon a time, there lived a little girl who wanted to be a princess.
She just knew a castled kingdom lay somewhere in her future, if only she could
find her way there. And lo, though many years passed, she indeed found her regal
domain in the realm of Asheville, North Carolina, where the Biltmore Estate
succeeds in treating guests royally.
Royal Romance
The scene
was ordered straight out of a fairy tale. As my husband and I drove up to the
Inn on Biltmore Estate, a wedding had just taken place inside. The bride,
swathed in white, joined her groom for photographs outside. They and other
members of the wedding party stood against a stunning backdrop of the inn, a
modern-day palace rising from a hill.
From the moment of our arrival at the
majestic inn for a romantic getaway, I knew the castle-filled dreams of my
childhood would come true.
"Welcome," said the smiling young woman at the front desk. And welcomed we
felt as we took in the elegant yet comfortable lobby and the sound of a grand
piano.
"They're about to serve afternoon tea in the library," said the
still-smiling woman. "You must try it." This proved to be a perfect start for
faux royalty.
As we decimated the last of the éclairs, Sarah Thomas, who works with
Biltmore Estate, told us about romantic places to visit in the area, including
the lagoon, a perfect spot for a picnic on a pretty day. She also told us we had
chosen a good month for our visit. "It's almost as if you have the estate all to
yourself," she said. Also, being pseudo-royalty on a budget, we were delighted
to find that the room rates were much less as well.
A late dinner in The Dining Room proved to be the crowning moment. Both food
and service reign in this princely restaurant, where estate-raised beef and
tempting desserts make a sumptuous meal fit for a king (and queen).
