FEBRUARY 20, 2007 ---------
No doubt about it, the Inn at the Biltmore Estates was a tough act to follow. Maybe you could say it was an impossible act to follow for little Asheville, North Carolina. We wanted to stay at the Inn at the Biltmore Estates one more night, but it was expensive and we thought we should leave the Estate and see the town of Asheville. So I called a B&B listed in our Select Registry book, The Albemarle Inn, to see if there was a room available for the night of February 20, 2007.
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We were in luck - the Blue Ridge Room could be ours and even the rate was 30% off at $165.00 per night, so I was thrilled. This B&B looked gorgeous from the picture in 
the book - another antebellum mansion, it appeared. It was still a gray and chilly day - even sprinkling when we arrived at the Albemarle Inn. I have to say I was disappointed in the neighborhood and the size of the Inn property. It was much smaller than I expected and the houses on all sides were small and looked rundown with junky yards. Even the front of the Inn, although quite beautiful in architecture, seemed in need of some sprucing up. But it was winter and it was raining, so I had to take that into consideration.
the book - another antebellum mansion, it appeared. It was still a gray and chilly day - even sprinkling when we arrived at the Albemarle Inn. I have to say I was disappointed in the neighborhood and the size of the Inn property. It was much smaller than I expected and the houses on all sides were small and looked rundown with junky yards. Even the front of the Inn, although quite beautiful in architecture, seemed in need of some sprucing up. But it was winter and it was raining, so I had to take that into consideration.---------
Our hostess was welcoming and escorted us to our room in a corner on the 2nd floor. Needless to say, it was VERY blue! And it looked like it had seen better days.
Nothing looked crisp or bright, but rather used and worn, I thought. I was beginning to get bummed, but Bob reminded me again that we had just come from a five star inn on an estate and the B&B was just fine.
Nothing looked crisp or bright, but rather used and worn, I thought. I was beginning to get bummed, but Bob reminded me again that we had just come from a five star inn on an estate and the B&B was just fine.We went to the parlor with the other guests for wine, tea and canapes and a bit of conversation. There were six other couples, a mixed lot: two woman from Riverside, California traveling together, an older couple headed to Florida from Vermont, a very young couple who were just married, a young married couple vacationing away from their three young daughters, and two women from India who claimed to be German and English as they lived in Munich and London. These women were critical of the US government and commented that they were surprised to find Americans so friendly when their government wasn't. Well, enough of that. No politics or religion, right?
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The innkeeper informed us that breakfast was usually served promptly at 8:30 AM, but because there were so many of us, they would extend it to 9:00 AM. How 
generous! I was a bit put-off. It's not much of a vacation if you have to get up at 7:30 AM in order not to miss a breakfast that you've already paid for. I much prefer the B&B's that serve breakfast until 10:00 or 11:00 AM, giving you time to sleep in, if you want.
generous! I was a bit put-off. It's not much of a vacation if you have to get up at 7:30 AM in order not to miss a breakfast that you've already paid for. I much prefer the B&B's that serve breakfast until 10:00 or 11:00 AM, giving you time to sleep in, if you want.---------
Breakfast was nice, though: poached pears with cherries and mascarpone cheese, an egg souffle and strawberry bread. And the innkeeper's husband was a character. But all in all, we would likely not stay at the Albemarle Inn again. Maybe I just don't care 
for the Victorian decor. When I saw the outside of this structure, I expected a southern mansion inside. But instead it was dark wood, dark furniture, and dark accessories. I needed to see yellows, light blues, and creamy layers of beaded crown moldings! It was not to be at the Albemarle Inn in Asheville, NC.
for the Victorian decor. When I saw the outside of this structure, I expected a southern mansion inside. But instead it was dark wood, dark furniture, and dark accessories. I needed to see yellows, light blues, and creamy layers of beaded crown moldings! It was not to be at the Albemarle Inn in Asheville, NC. 
