Published by Carl. Last Updated on August 9, 2024.
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Engadine Inn and Cabins near Asheville is a cozy bed and breakfast that we have completely fallen in love with for many reasons! We think this is the perfect place to stay when traveling through North Carolina, especially if you’re driving on I-40.
Thanks to an interesting background of famous viticulture, gracious hosts, and one of the best breakfasts we’ll ever eat, this Asheville bed and breakfast has made our list of our favorite places to stay in North Carolina.
The historic home and its surrounding cabins sit on a beautiful 12-acre property, surrounded by mountains and offering gorgeous views all around.
Since we were lucky enough to spend some time at Engadine Inn & Cabins, we wanted to share a bit about this place and why we think it’d be perfect for you, whether you’re traveling with a loved one or with your family!
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Things We Love About Engadine Inn and Cabins
Without further ado, here are some things we love about the awesome Engadine Inn and Cabins near Asheville!
A Convenient Location
Address: 2630 Smokey Park Hwy, Candler, NC
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Engadine Inn and Cabins have long been a convenient stop for folks traveling between Asheville and nearby Waynesville (and Maggie Valley).
It’s one of the best hotels in Asheville NC near I-40 (less than a mile off Exit 37) and about 15 minutes from the urban center of Asheville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The nearest airport is the Asheville Regional Airport, in case you’re flying into the area.
If you’re not feeling a drive into Asheville and want to stick to Candler, you have options. The inn is just a few miles from good eats like Doc Brown’s Barbecue, which we thoroughly enjoyed.
It’s also near the Blue Ridge Parkway, featuring stunning scenes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Because of its convenient location, Engadine holds the top spot of all the cabins in Candler NC
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Interesting History
Engadine is on the National Register of Historic Places, guaranteeing a rich history that you can read about while staying there. I don’t want to spoil it all for you, because it’s filled with interesting events, but here are a few quick and interesting facts about Engadine Inn and Cabins:
- Long story short, the home was built by the Hoyt family in 1895.
- The family used the property to grow grapes that produced some of the finest wine in this part of the United States.
- The Hoyts shipped their product as far as New England and elsewhere in the US. It also made appearances at Biltmore, since the Vanderbilts were fond of the Hoyts’ wine.
- Since our state loves to be first at everything, North Carolina took the lead on Prohibition with its statewide form in 1909. This put an end to the very successful operation at Engadine.
- The Hoyts left the property not long after the start of NC Prohibition, and the place changed hands a few times over the years.
- Its time as an inn began in the 1980s, but it operated under a different name.
- When the current owners, Tom Watson and Rick Bell, purchased the property in 2014, they immediately rechristened it “Engadine Inn and Cabins,” and restored it to its old-world elegance.
- There’s even a single original grapevine on the property that they’ve kept as a tribute to the original owners and hope to someday recreate a vineyard in the Hoyts’ honor.
- The excellent shape and character of each room are a testament to Tom and Rick’s hard work and dream.
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A Beautiful Property
John Keais Hoyt named this beautiful home “Engadine” because it reminded him of Engadine in Switzerland. And since he’s the man who built this mansion, who can argue with him? Although we can’t report on the Swiss version, I can attest to the beauty of this property.
As you drive up toward the house, you’ll see why. The Queen Anne-style Victorian home feels secluded enough, thanks to the variety of trees that stand in front of it.
If you’re lucky enough to stay in one of their mountain cabins, you’ll be treated to spectacular mountain views.
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Wonderful Hosts
We already mentioned Tom Watson and Rick Bill, who deserve an even bigger spotlight. These two have spent the past few years restoring Engadine Inn and Cabins to its former glory.
Even though the two keep busy prepping meals and maintaining a busy inn, both Tom and Rick are a pleasure to speak with, even if you bring along a toddler!
In case you have nothing planned, they’ll help you find great things to do in Asheville and day trips nearby, such as visiting the North Carolina Arboretum and downtown Asheville.
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The Porch
Before entering the house, you’ll find the wrap-around porch enticing for an afternoon spent relaxing and taking in your surroundings. I’ve always wanted one of these and took some notes on how to design one for our own house.
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Homey Interior
Inside, you have four spacious guestrooms and one suite to choose from on the upper floors. The first floor is where you’ll find the formal dining room and cozy living room on opposite sides. There’s also a second-floor common area, where you’ll find drinks and snacks.
The rooms come fully equipped with fireplaces, private bathrooms, ironing boards, and other amenities. There is free private parking for overnight guests.
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The Cabins
And if the house is packed or you’re seeking more seclusion, go for one of the Engadine cabins. In addition to beautiful mountain views, they’re pet-friendly and family-friendly, which was especially great for us.
Understandably, the Inn is for adults only, but five out of six of the cabins welcome kids. The luxury Cherokee Cabin is for two adults, which sets it apart from the others. The cabins are equipped with full kitchens, air conditioning units, and porches.
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Event Venue
Outdoor fun doesn’t stop with the cabins. Not only is Engadine Inn and Cabins one of the best places to stay near Asheville, but the property also features two open-air event venues.
The two venues, “Honey Hill” and “Vineyard Overlook,” are the perfect destinations for all kinds of special occasions. Popular events include weddings, family reunions, and other significant life moments.
Engadine Inn Weddings host up to 100 guests and 150 for a reception can be accommodated. Try to time your event to coincide with the sunset for a sunset ceremony, and you can thank me later.
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Breakfast (The Main Event)
While the breakfast at Engadine Inn is worthy of the first spot, we saved talking about it for last. I mean, isn’t that what you do with the best things in life?
This two-course, gourmet meal will set you up for the entire day. If you’re staying for two or more nights, you’ll find alternating sweet and savory menus, which I think is a nice touch.
We still fondly remember our meal and hope you’ll get to experience it, too. It’s so popular that they even share a recipe or two on Engadine’s website.
The first course consisted of lightly baked pears with a house-made caramel sauce and crunchy toasted nuts. And no pressure on Rick, but I hope he treats you to Gretchen’s Bacon and waffles for the second course.
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Please be available for breakfast at 9:00 am, but if you can’t make it, there’s a “breakfast-to-go” option ($10 per person per day). Folks staying in the cabins can join breakfast, but for an extra charge ($18 per person per day).
There’s also a “continental breakfast” option where a variety of bites will be delivered to your cabin the prior afternoon.
Since a lot of care and time goes into preparing the American-style breakfast, please be thoughtful of the chef and give at least 24 hours/ notice to the Engadine Bed and Breakfast Candler NC
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Our Engadine Inn and Cabins Memories
During our stay at Engadine Inn and Cabins, we stayed in the “Looking Glass Cabin,” which is named for the famed peak in Pisgah National Forest. We enjoyed the view from the porch and inside, a cozy atmosphere for our little one before and after days out exploring surrounding spots in Western North Carolina.
The queen bed in our bedroom was just right for me and Christina and there was enough room to fit our pack n’ play for the kiddo. Also in the bedroom, we found plenty of closet space to store our clothes.
The living room/dining room was where we spent most of our mornings and evenings before turning in. Here, a comfy sleeper sofa and recliner are both up for grabs, as well as a table and chairs in the eating area.
When we put the little one down early in the evening, we maximized our time outside on the covered porch, which is my favorite part of the cabin.
I look forward to coming back and staying in more of their cabins to get the full experience!
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Looking Forward to a Return Visit
When we left Engadine Inn and Cabins, I knew this was a place that I wanted to visit again. That desire to return is the last thing we love about this place. We truly do regard this as the best bed and breakfast in Asheville. Rick and Tom have cultivated a warm and welcoming environment that any visitor would enjoy.
We chose the cabins because we brought our little one, but I think we’ll be back sans kid to enjoy the rest of the place. Sorry kiddo, but that Engadine Suite is screaming our names!
While we plan our return trip to Engadine, we’d love to know where you’ll be staying here. Are you an inn person or would you go for one of the cabins?
If you’ve stayed at Engadine Inn and Cabins in Candler before, we’d love to know your thoughts.
Feel free to share with us in the comments section or by email. Don’t forget to share your Engadine, Asheville, and NC adventures in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group!
More Things to Do in Asheville (and Nearby)
Beyond the amazing Engadine Inn and Cabins, we’ve created quite a few Asheville NC travel guides to help you get around this mountain town.
