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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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July 21, 2010

Just Like Home at Residence Inn Biltmore, Asheville, NC

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Asheville was the last stop on our 2010 Summer road trip and by this time we had pretty much spent our “extravagant restaurant experiences” budget. We could have stressed out a little wondering where all the inexpensive places to eat were in this new town we’ve never visited before. But because we were staying at the Residence Inn Biltmore we didn’t have to. This is because we had the full kitchen we had come to love in the Residence Inn brand, and our two bedroom suite provided us with all the comforts of home. After 12 days of travel we really wanted nothing more.

We intended to make use of all the hotel had to offer, from the hearty breakfast buffet included in our stay, to the relaxing pool in the afternoons, to secluding ourselves into our private spaces (my husband and I in one room, my little ones on the sofa bed in the living room, and my 12-year-old in the other bedroom), cozied up in our comfy beds, and watched our favorite shows. Granted the little ones crashed on our bed to watch t.v., which made it even more comfortable.

The hotel was quiet, our suite was clean and serene, with the view of pine trees surrounding us outside our windows. There was a fire place in the living room, which I imagined is especially nice on chilly Asheville nights. We cooked dinner and popped corn, and sat around the dining room table just as we would at home.

The Residence Inn Biltmore is located a very short distance from the center of downtown and from a lot of the major attractions, such as the The Health Adventure and Biltmore Estates which we really enjoyed.*

Everyone was lovely, which is something I have grown to appreciate about Residence Inn every time we have stayed in one. From the General Manager to the Front Desk staff (even when we arrived at midnight), to the gentleman in charge of bringing out the breakfast plates.

And like all the Residence Inns before it, Wifi was included and in this location so was the parking, which is on an outdoor lot.

Of all the Residence Inns we stayed at, my husband and I definitely had our favorites, and this location was one of them. And at this Residence Inn, just like in the others, our family was able to experience the Nickelodeon Your Stay promotion going on in almost 2,000 participating Marriott hotel brands. With the promotion, which runs through Dec. 6,  kids staying at the locations offering this program will receive a free bracelet with an online code to an exclusive SpongeBob SquarePants branded game on Nick.com; a book full of activities such as mazes and brain teasers; and Nickelodeon activity placemats during meal times.

In addition, parents can upgrade their experience by booking a Nickelodeon Your Stay package.  At Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and SpringHill Suites hotels, the items ($10 if purchased at the front desk) will include a SpongeBob SquarePants activity bag, a brightly colored splash ball, Nickelodeon sun glasses and a 3-D “build-your-own SpongeBob” craft. (Note: At Marriott and JW Marriott hotels, the Nickelodeon Your Stay promotion costs $20 if purchased at the front desk, and also includes a SpongeBob pillowcase and a travel-themed SpongeBob storybook at turndown.)

The kids got a kick out of their Sponge Bob treats and we really enjoyed being a part of the Residence Inn by Marriott family during our road trip.

Thank you to the Management and Staff at Residence Inn Biltmore in Asheville, NC for their service and hospitality.

Residence Inn Biltmore
701 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28803
Phone: (828) 281-3361
Fax: (828) 236-0310

Photos provided courtesy of the Residence Inn Biltmore.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. Complimentary accommodations and access to attractions were provided courtesy of Residence Inn Biltmore and the Asheville Visitor Center. The views and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. For more information please refer to the disclosure page.


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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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3 Comments
  • Falling in love with Asheville, NC | NYCity Mama
    August 3, 2010

    […] our amazing 2010 Road Trip Adventure, my husband and I had decided that our last stop would be Asheville, NC. I had never been. Almost went last year for a conference, but had to cancel last minute. My […]

    Reply
  • Falling in love with Asheville, NC | NYCity Mama
    August 3, 2010

    […] our amazing 2010 Road Trip Adventure, my husband and I had decided that our last stop would be Asheville, NC. I had never been. Almost went last year for a conference, but had to cancel last minute. My […]

    Reply
  • NY City Mama blogs about her visit to Asheville | NC Mountain Realty Group
    October 5, 2010

    […] We love when visitors to Asheville fall in love with our city and we love when they go on to write about our fine location and its local businesses. New York City local and recent Asheville guest, Carol Cain of blog site NYCityMama.com did just this. NY City Mama and her family had a chance to visit Asheville back at the end of July and delighted us all in her blog. To read her blog, click here. […]

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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