Location: Asheville, Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, USA (25 mins to Asheville/Biltmore,Historic Downtown Old Fort,NC)
Accommodations: One bedroom Studio Apartment, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-3)
HERE IS WHAT SOME OF OUR GUESTS HAD TO SAY ABOUT OUR APARTMENT RECENTLY:
--"Much better than motels" say Dennis & Carol from Michigan, April '09
--"What a great find!" says Caroline from Missoula, Montana, June '09
--"This has been a great place for us -- had everything we could need" say Pat & John, June '09
--"Old Fort is a quaint little town -- we met a lot of nice local people" say Sydney & Steve from Deland Florida, June '09
--"a lovely relaxing stay -- everyone is so friendly here" say Jenny and Bern from U.K. July, '09
--"We enjoyed your apt. immensely -- it was a wonderful place to call home -- and spread out compared to a hotel room" says Dorothy and family from Coral Springs, Florida, August '09
WHY STAY IN BOB'S APT. IN A HISTORIC BUILDING:
We offer an AFFORDABLE, clean, comfortable, completely remodeled and professionally decorated, one bedroom studio apt. that is close to all the Asheville area has to offer.
The apt. is much larger, more interesting and REASONABLY PRICED than any motel room.
WHERE ARE WE:
Just seconds off I-40 at Exit 73 in historic downtown Old Fort, 8 miles east of Black Mountain, 20 miles east of Asheville and the Biltmore Estate.
WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THIS STUDIO APARTMENT:
The apt. is located on the second floor, consists of 2 levels and is in a 125-year-old brick building that is in the process of being placed on the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS. The front of the building is all original--one of the few we've seen that still has the old woodwork and old wavy glass.
The interior has been completely modernized and redecorated. We have salvaged the original beaded board from the ceilings & used it to decorate. A portion of the original heart pine flooring has also been restored. Although the apartment is downtown amid all the bustle (such as it is in a town with only 900 residents), the entrance is in the rear and the 13-inch thick brick walls make it quiet as can be.
APARTMENT FEATURES & DESCRIPTION:
This is a truly unique 2 LEVEL apt. with a lot of CHARM! The vestibule at the rear of the building is through a French door at the top of a covered arbor style staircase. You then go through another half French door into the apartment foyer which has a desk/computer area, 3'X 8' window, plant shelves and original heart pine floor. At the top of another 4 steps is the LR/DR area.
The apt. is professionally decorated & features a 4 POSTER, iron, queen size bed with a top of the line Kingsdown brand mattress which has been built into a cozy mirrored sleeping alcove. The bedroom has a ceiling fan and small skylight.
IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT OLD FORT:
Old Fort still has that safe, old fashioned SMALL TOWN feeling. There is a nice train memorabilia museum inside the recently reopened Old Fort depot along with the McDowell County Tourist Office. Some of the town's Victorian architecture is in tact and there are several lovingly restored turn of the century homes to see. There are two charming little museums; the Mountain Gateway Museum (a State run facility which emphasizes the heritage of the area)is located on the creek that runs through town in a quiet small park with restored old log cabins, and the newly re-opened Old Fort Railroad Museum located in the refurbished original 100+ year old train depot ($1.3 million was spent on the project!)
"Sheehan's Auction" across the street is held 2 Saturday nights per month and is well known to dealers and ANTIQUERS alike.
The "Mountain Music" has become quite famous and has received a lot of national publicity and it's FREE. It draws over a hundred music lovers every Friday night. Bluegrass and traditional mountain music are featured. You can even join the CLOGGERS who come up out of the audience to dance in front of the stage. It is run by local volunteers who sell home made desserts and coffee to cover expenses and is FREE. Of course, donations are much appreciated.
A creekside State Park is 2.3 miles west. Andrew's Geyser (built in 1885 to celebrate the completion of the RR over the mountains) and park is located three miles out of town on the original mountain road that was replaced by I-40. You can follow the gravel route over the mountain to Ridgecrest and see the old, still operating, trains circling through the mountains.
The route is complete with one lane roads under the RR trestles -- honk before going through! The 9 tunnels and final linkup with Asheville were completed in 1878. We are all looking forward to the eventual return of passenger service to western North Carolina which is in the planning stages by the State.
TRAINWATCHER'S PARADISE:
Old Fort is still a staging point for trains going over the mountains and through the nine tunnels on their way east and west. You can watch extra locomotives being added or taken off for the arduous trek over the mountains. Stand in the depot and watch the trains up close to your heart's delight. Some people even hike along the tracks up to the tunnels just to watch the trains come through (better know where they are or get a guide though). To ride an old train you will have to go over to Dillsboro (about an hour away).
SORRY, WE DO NOT PERMIT SMOKING OR PETS.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking: park behind building
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Crib: available upon request
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Efficiency type fridge, 2 burner stove, sink, microwave and toaster overn provided.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Small gas grille is shared with other apt.
- Balcony
- Communications
- Broadband Internet
- Other Amenities
- Efficiency-style Two Burner Stove/Sink/Refrigerator Unit, ceiling fans, high speed internet connection, Toaster Oven, Dishes, No Pets
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Cheshire Health & Fitness Center 10 mins. away @$12/day in Black Mountain.Trainwatching and free Old Fort bluegrass music at "Mountain Music" facility 3 doors down the street every Friday night
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$85/night, $25 cleaning fee for less than two nights.
$229/week; $699/mo.
10% addtl.during Holidays (Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Xmas, New Year)
$10 PP/nt. additional for more than 2 guests.
11.75% N. C. tax additional
30 day cancellation notice required.
$25 and up non-refundable booking fee.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- Historic building in absolute center of town - Asheville, NC - North Carolina Apartment in Old Fort - in the Smoky Mountains
- Living/dining area at the top of the foyer stairs - Asheville, NC - North Carolina Apartment in Old Fort - in the Smoky Mountains
- Covered arbor entrance at the rear of the building - Asheville, NC - North Carolina Apartment in Old Fort - in the Smoky Mountains
- Separate bedroom with queen size 4 POSTER iron bed
- Foyer stairs lead to living room/kitchenette area
Guest Comments (14)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #44196
There have been 39657 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2004.
This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - October 10, 2009
Positive Rating
What a perfect place!! Just the right size and great location -- and of course the price was right. We are moving back to Black Mountain after being gone for 15 months to New York. I will recommend this place for any family/friends that visit. Thank you.
Positive Rating
Bob & Suzanne -- What a wonderful month we have spent up here. Your apt. is everything we wanted and more. The opportunity to see the color changes has been awesome -- staying for a month we saw all the colors! Old Fort is in a perfect location between Asheville and Marion -- both are crossroads to wonderful sights. We loved the trains! Charles and Joel next door clued us in on shortcuts and fishing spots. Very helpful and nice "neighbors". On the coldest nights (30 degrees) we were toasty warm. The bed is great and endless hot water! The washer/dryer made such a difference, as did the internet hookup. Thanks to you for all the help before and during our visit. We will be in touch about returning -- hopefully in the Spring.
Positive Rating
What a wonderful place to spend a long weekend! We came here to attend the wedding of two dear friends. The weather and fall trees of red and orange were lovely; unexpectedly so, in fact. Thank you for accomodating us and the wonders that are Old Fort!
Positive Rating
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, Thank you for sharing this apt. with otheres. I had a wonderful week of relaxing, reading, working and enjoying time with my Creator in the mountains. This was the perfect place to stay while my daughter was at camp.
Positive Rating
Bob & Suzanne -- We had a wonderful time staying at your apt. It is a perfect getaway. Jim and I went to Biltmore which of course is fabulous, the Smoky Mt. train ride, we climbed Chimney Rock, shopped in Black Mt., drove the Blue Ridge Parkway, we shopped everywhere we could shop in Asheville! Thanks so much for a wonderful stay.
Positive Rating
Thank you for a wonderful stay in the quaint town of Old Fort. Enjoyed a day at Black Mountain, horseback riding at Cross Creek Stables in Lake Lure, and a surprising time at the Biltmore Estate (walk the grounds and sample wines). Spent the day at the Blue Ridge BBQ and Music Show (check out Blue Mother Tupelo from Nashville). The "Mountain Music" was a treat on Friday night.
Positive Rating
Kim & Adam ,
Positive Rating
Chris Murray , Valley Stream, NY
Positive Rating
Hans & Lynn , Haubstadt, In.
Positive Rating
, Wake Forest, NC