Zelda Dearest — Hotel in Asheville

If this was priced reasonably and not marketed as “luxury” I’d say it was just below “fine.” ||Unfortunately, there were many issues with our stay. In isolation, the problems could be considered minor. Taken as a whole, we had a pretty poor experience. ||The absolute worst part, that I want to highlight before detailing the actual stay, is that when I responded to Zelda Dearest’s text asking me about my stay, I gave honest feedback. ||I received a very timely response asking me to email the manager (Jake), stating they wanted to rectify the situation. I emailed twice and have yet to hear back. This is clearly a business that cares more about a curated instagrammable appearance of luxury rather than any of the customer service or attention to detail that would be required to actually be luxury. ||I went ahead and attached the screenshots below, but the main concerns we had were as follows:|-There are no on-site staff overnight and we weren’t made aware of this until check in. Of course we had issues after hours, but the idea of having to call a sister property and then wait for someone to be available to come over seemed a little ridiculous and more befitting for an actual emergent situation. |-We intentionally booked a room with a soaking tub and it was not the size/depth of a single picture on their website, Instagram, or the listing on Hilton. Very misleading. |-And, even worse the tub and the shelf across it were not clean! Pics attached. This is the most offensive of the problems we experienced. Unacceptable. I cleaned it myself. |-My husband wanted to watch whatever game was on that night, after the staff had left. TV had sound and no picture; luckily he’s handy and fixed it. |-The bar was not in operation due to not having a bartender employed; we were told one was starting the next week. We weren’t told any of this in advance. |-No mention of the stairs from parking lot to building and no elevator in building situation. Plus no staff to assist with luggage. We were fine enough because we stayed a long weekend, but if I had an actual suitcase for a longer stay, or even bad weather, it would have been a cruddy experience. Not supremely problematic on its own, but definitely not what I would describe as a luxury experience. Zelda could do way better to point out this for both luxury and convenience purposes as well as for guests with actual mobility and accessibility needs. |-At check out, the staff couldn’t have seemed more disinterested and aloof. I asked where a to-go cup was, so I could take a coffee from their modest breakfast spread, and she said something to the effect of “oh that’s the problem of the morning. No solution was offered; she didn’t even pretend to be working on it. |-Check in and check out was not a clear process. I received text asking what time we planned to arrive but no info about the details. Since it isn’t a typical property, and we booked via Hilton, so it’s even more so atypical compared to their properties, some information in advance would have been nice. ||Again, any one of these may have been fixable on its own. Except the dirty and inaccurately advertised soaking tub. Taken all together, and coupled with the staff IDGAF attitude and lack presence to even deal with after hours concerns (when we realized the tub was dirty and not as advertised and when the tv didn’t work) really made this a bad experience. It’s a shame because it has a lot of potential. They either need to step it up, or stop advertising as luxury and drop their...

I could not be happier with my stay at Zelda Dearest. The property is beautiful and in a great location. It is very nice to stay somewhere that isn’t the standard ‘high rise cookie cutter’ hotel. They did a fantastic job of being ‘Zelda Fitzgerald inspired,’ and not ‘Zelda Fitzgerald themed.’ Classy, whimsical charm, not tacky or campy whatsoever. However, if you order any food delivery, be prepared to meet them out front because the layout can be confusing at first, as it is spread between 5 restored large homes.

I stayed in a Magnolia King room. It is one of the few rooms I have stayed in that felt like an actual bedroom with an en suite bath. Everything was spotlessly clean and well appointed. The room was spacious with comfortable furniture, tasteful decor, and nice views. The bed was wildly comfortable with quality linens and pillows. I had to stop my husband’s attempt to sneak out with the stretchy throw blanket; he’s already ordered his own.

The bathroom…What a treat! It was almost the same size as the bedroom itself, beautifully styled, and luxurious. Soft fluffy towels, nice toiletries, and actual decent toilet paper (I know that’s an odd comment, but I’m always surprised at 4 star hotels who provide industrial one-ply paper). Nice long vanity, well lit with double sinks. The soaking tub was deep and just long enough. It is not for two people though. The shower stall was an excellent size for one or two people, again spotless. The only suggestion I would have is adding a secondary, hand held shower head. I would be glad to have that bathroom at home.

We did not visit the bar, but the service we had at check in and out was lovely. Not a giant desk, worked by bored folks in uniforms that churn you through. It is personal service with a small tour of the grounds.

My only caveat to 100% recommending the hotel to everyone is that it could be a challenge to people with mobility issues. There are a lot of stairs all over the property. There are, of course, ramps, but it is on a hill so there is always incline or decline when walking. I am in heart failure and I occasionally had to stop and rest. However, it is a small inconvenience for such a unique and lovely place to stay.

If you have the option and opportunity to stay here, do it. You will be...

Embarking on a staycation at Zelda Dearest was an enchanting journey through history, seamlessly blending old-world charm with modern luxury. This historic restoration hotel invites locals and visitors alike into a world of unparalleled elegance, where every detail tells a story of its rich past.

From the moment we stepped through the doors of Zelda Dearest, the meticulous attention to detail in the restoration captivated us. The preservation of the hotel's unique character and architecture with impeccable finishes created an atmosphere that felt both nostalgic and indulgent. Intricate woodwork and ornate fixtures adorned the space, contributing to the overall charm and sophistication.

The staff at Zelda Dearest are the true gems of this establishment. Their warmth and genuine hospitality made us feel like honored guests in our own hometown. The level of personal attention and care from the entire team added a special touch to our stay, making it truly memorable.

During our delightful staycation, we had the pleasure of dining at Ukiah, conveniently located next to Zelda Dearest. The short stroll to this delightful restaurant resulted in a culinary experience beyond our expectations. The proximity of Ukiah allowed us to savor an amazing meal without venturing far from the comfort of our charming accommodations.

Our room at Zelda Dearest served as a sanctuary of tranquility, a perfect blend of comfort and elegance. Tasteful furnishings complemented the historic setting, and modern amenities seamlessly integrated with the timeless ambiance, creating an inviting retreat that felt both luxurious and cozy.

Zelda Dearest provided a truly enchanting hometown staycation experience, combining historic restoration, impeccable finishes, and a personable staff to create a retreat like no other. I wholeheartedly recommend Zelda Dearest to fellow Ashevillians and those seeking a unique and exceptional escape in our...