Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or simply craving a weekend away, Asheville River Cabins offers a romantic retreat where nature and luxury meet. Set along the French Broad River near downtown Asheville, North Carolina, these cozy cabins feature private hot tubs, fire pits and mountain views. With a new ring on my finger, my partner and I headed to the mountains for a romantic escape to celebrate.
Highlights:
- Private, luxurious cabins with modern amenities: Choose from riverfront cabins with private hot tubs, garden-view and Looking Glass cabins, or a stylish Airstream.
- Secluded, yet close to attractions: The Biltmore Estate, Zen Tubing and Asheville Salt Cave & Spa are all nearby.
- Thoughtful community amenities: Gather around the community fire pit or relax in the Looking Glass Sauna overlooking the river.
Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.
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As our Uber wound down the tree-lined path toward our private cabin, we were already smiling. Although the drive from downtown Asheville takes less than 20 minutes, Asheville River Cabins feels worlds away from the city’s hustle and bustle. After a few exciting nights downtown, our cabin was a welcome escape.
Pros:
- Spacious cabins with modern amenities, including either a kitchenette or a full kitchen
- Private amenities include: hot tubs, fire pits, charcoal barbecues and patio furniture
- River views from many of the cabins
- Community fire pit for guests who wish to mingle with others
- Looking Glass barrel sauna with river views
- Dog-friendly
Cons:
- No on-site restaurant, but several places nearby to buy groceries or dine out
- Downtown Asheville is a 20-minute drive away, which can be costly for taxi/Uber rides if you don’t have your own vehicle
SheBuysTravel Tip: They offer contactless self-check-in, with your cabin number and door code texted to you at your designated check-in time.
Premium Riverview Cabin Interior
We wanted a cabin with a private hot tub and river views, so our Premium Riverview Cabin was the perfect choice. Spacious, modern and cozy, it had everything we needed for a comfortable stay—and a bed so comfortable we didn’t want to leave.
- Full kitchen with fridge, stove, microwave, kettle and coffee maker
- Private deck with table, chairs and a hot tub
- Charcoal barbecue with coals and lighter
- Private fire pit with complimentary firewood and kindling
Looking Glass Sauna
Guests staying in the Gardenview and Looking Glass Cabins have complimentary 24/7 access to the on-site Looking Glass Sauna, which overlooks the river.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring your own robe and a pair of flip-flops to stay cozy when going between your cabin, the river and the sauna.
Asheville River Cabins Outdoor Event Space
Tucked along the French Broad River, Asheville River Cabins also offers a scenic setting for weddings. Couples can exchange vows beneath a garden arbor overlooking the river, followed by a customizable indoor or outdoor reception. The property can accommodate weddings of up to 150 guests, with on-site lodging for up to 100.
Nearby Activities—Seclusion Meets Adventure
While you’ll feel worlds away at Asheville River Cabins, you’re only fifteen minutes from a multitude of activities. Uber and Lyft are both reliable if you don’t have your own vehicle, but I would suggest renting a car if you want the freedom to come and go as you please. There were times we had to wait 15-20 minutes for a ride, especially late at night after dinner.
Biltmore Estate
You’d be remiss to visit Asheville without exploring the Biltmore Estate. After touring the mansion, wander the gardens, explore the extensive grounds and finish with a wine tasting at Antler Hill Village.
You will need to drive from the estate to the winery. If you don’t have your own vehicle, be sure to check the shuttle schedule upon arrival, as it only runs once per hour. We nearly missed our red wine and chocolate tasting—more on that in a minute—as we didn’t know the shuttle schedule in advance. We had to run to catch it, waving at the driver to wait for us!
SheBuysTravel Tip: Advance ticket purchase is required to visit the Biltmore Estate, so don’t count on buying tickets at the gate. Check availability and purchase yours online before your preferred visit date, as not all activities are available every day.
Red Wine and Chocolate Tasting
After our audio tour of the stunning Biltmore Estate, we hopped on the shuttle to Antler Hill Village Winery for a red wine and chocolate tasting. As a red wine drinker and with Kile being a chocolate lover, it was the perfect couples’ activity—and one we both thoroughly enjoyed. It was especially fun to see how each chocolate pairing changed the flavor of the wine, bringing out different notes with every sip.
After sampling the red wines, we wandered over to the tasting room to try the whites and rosés, too. We found several favourites, making it easy to choose a few bottles to bring back to our cabin.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Pick up a favourite bottle (or two) to enjoy back at your cabin. Soaking in the hot tub beneath a star-filled sky with a glass of wine in hand is the perfect way to end the day. Keep an eye out for fireflies at dusk.
Zen Tubing Down the River
Tubing down the French Broad River is a wonderfully easy way to spend a sunny afternoon. The gentle current carries you downstream as you take in the scenery. On our Zen Tubing adventure, we found ourselves slowing down and reconnecting as we floated along.
As we were drifting downstream, listening to music and sipping canned cocktails, we found ourselves relaxing and enjoying each other’s company in a way that only time spent surrounded by nature can inspire.
- Bring your own alcohol to enjoy (no glass)
- Cooler carrier tube available to rent
- Dry bags also available to rent to keep your phone safe
- Bare feet are not allowed—water shoes or old runners are recommended
SheBuysTravel Tip: There are no changing rooms at Zen Tubing, so change into your swimwear before you arrive for your float.
Couple’s Massage in a Salt Cave
Few things are more romantic than a couples’ massage, but enjoying one inside a Himalayan salt cave takes the experience to another level. A first for both of us, we settled onto a warm bed surrounded by walls of glowing pink salt and quickly melted into the experience.
The treatment at Asheville Salt Cave & Spa combines traditional massage with salt therapy, also known as halotherapy. For us, it was the perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy some quiet time together. And we can attest to just how relaxing it was—Kile actually fell asleep during his massage!
SheBuysTravelTip: Plan to stay after your treatment to enjoy a cup of tea while warming your feet on a Himalayan salt foot dome. Placing your freshly massaged bare feet on the warm dome gives you the cozy warmth of a foot spa without the need for water.
Where to Eat Nearby
There’s no on-site restaurant, but plenty of dining options are within a short drive. We enjoyed cooking some meals at our cabin and dining out for others.
- Groceries: Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Ingles Markets and Harris Teeter
- Casual dining: Liberty House Coffee & Cafe, Crave Dessert Bar and Fork Lore
- Upscale dining: Posana, Cúrate Bar & Tapas and Bargello
SheBuysTravel Tip: Pick up groceries before arriving so you can enjoy a few meals at the cabin. We loved cooking dinner on the charcoal barbecue, which brought back memories of family camping trips.
FAQs
Yes, the cabins are dog-friendly. They allow two pets up to 50 lbs. They charge an additional $50 pet fee per night.
It is approximately 12 miles to downtown Asheville, making it a 20-minute drive.
They have a s’mores add-on, providing everything you need to make these tasty treats at your cabin. On-site massages can also be arranged.
Read More on SheBuysTravel:
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- 12 Places to Celebrate Christmas in Western North Carolina
- Discover the Healing Power of a Smoky Mountains Nature Retreat
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