Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel — Hotel in Boone

I can’t say enough about Graystone Lodge & it’s people. Ben, the general manager, is doing something incredible here! Brittany, the guest services supervisor goes above and beyond to make guest experiences wonderful! So much love is going into this hotel’s daily operation.

Let’s start at the beginning. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with warmth. You get this feeling that the staff truly like where they work. They greet guests with smiles and ask everyone to reach out if they need anything else. As a Google Guide I watch and write about what I see in my shopping and exploring. I have seen many employees and much service but this boutique hotel is putting a five star effort into it’s operation.

The hotel furniture and decor is nicely appointed. The guest rooms are comfortable! Clean!

We always complain about dark hotel suites, but not here at Graystone Lodge, they have a nightlight built into the bathroom. No tripping in the dark, Thank you! They also offer the wonderful Beekman 1802 shampoo & body care. (They gifted me much to try when I get home). Stop by the gift shop & pick up some Local coffee by Hatchet, Stick Boy granola, and Venture chocolate from downtown Boone. There is so much more. They have gift bags down below the merchandise. Just ask! Guest services will help.

Hatchet coffee is also served in the lobby. That’s fantastic! Way to support local!

Let’s talk breakfast! The breakfast is not like what most hotels serve. Other hotels need to look at this place as a model for how it’s done. The dining area is immaculate. They offer a full breakfast! Eggs, Daniel Boone Inn ham-bacon & local Stick Boy bagels. Delicious!

When I tasted the biscuit and gravy, I said to my husband, is this homemade? Come to find out, Brian, the breakfast attendant (coordinator) makes the biscuits here at the Graystone Lodge from family recipes from both his grandmothers from Charleston and eastern Tennessee. Have you ever stayed at a hotel that can say that? Wow!

Although we didn’t use the pool, it’s lovely! Clean, nice size, Conveniently located by guest services if you need anything.

Big shout out to housekeeping, Juanita & the other ladies that were so nice when we needed more soap and water. Service with a smile!

My husband really likes the location of this lodge. Convenient to skiing, shopping and not too far from downtown Boone and Blowing Rock.

Although we didn’t have a chance to do it, they offer s’mores kits at the guest service for their fire pit! There is a charge for it, but that could be so much fun with kids!

And check this out! For electric vehicles, there are four (4) charging stations! That’s Incredible!

Graystone Lodge is a must! We...

A great place to stay while exploring everything in and around Boone, NC.

We came to Boone without reservations because the cancellation policy did not allow refunds. So, in the hotel lobby, while comparing online reservations with in person reservations, my husband made online reservations saving a total of $50 for a three night stay. Best to do your homework before traveling.

The hotel is well worth even spending the extra $50, however. The lobby/registration area, lounge and breakfast area are large and very open. Lots of room to be alone or with a larger group. The pool is accessible from the lounge area. Although we didn't use it, it looked clean and well-kept, and never busy (we visited Monday-Thursday).

Free breakfast is served daily from 6:30 until 9, and it is THE BEST free hotel breakfast I have experienced in all of my travels. There is a great selection of hot foods (eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, seasoned potatoes, egg casserole/quiche, waffles). Fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, bagels, breads, oatmeal, cold cereals, granola...and all the toppings and condiments you could ask for. Lots of drink options, too. And, the nice thing is that everything is spread out enough that you don't feel like your in someone else's way. Hidden on the counter is a food grater with a sign on only one side suggesting a tip to let the staff know how much you appreciate their efforts. Don't forget to let Jaz, Patrick and Janet know how great they are.

There are four floors with rooms facing the street or the woods. We opted for the top and the woods. It was nice to wake up to trees outside our window.

The room was large with super comfortable bed and plenty of pillows and blankets. It also included fridge, microwave, coffee maker, blow dryer, iron/ironing board and desk. The bathroom does not have a ceiling vent so hot showers did fog the mirror. The shower head was awesome with several different settings and excellent water pressure and temperature. The one negative about the shower was the difficulty of turning it on without getting hit with a stream of initially cold water. Only one glass panel moves; the one away from the faucet and shower head. Our solution was to turn the sprayer to the midline intense setting and aim it to the side wall until the water warmed up.

There is a really nice sitting area outside but we didn't use it, either being too exhausted from hiking or too cold as the evening temps really dropped from the heat of day.

I would happily return to Graystone during my next...

Our family journeyed to Boone, NC to show our support for Dinner in the Gap, an event benefiting F.A.R.M Cafe Boone's Pay What You Can Cafe. During our trip planning, we explored various hotel options and ultimately settled on Graystone due to our furry companion, Oakley. We couldn't be happier with our choice.

Upon arrival at the hotel, there was a short wait as there was only one hotel clerk available. Fortunately, another clerk joined in to expedite the check-in process. It was reassuring to see other guests arriving with their dogs, especially since it was our first time bringing our dog to a hotel. The clerk at the desk was friendly and knowledgeable, although there was a slight hiccup with the system not showing that I had a dog in my profile. Thankfully, my husband's arrival with our dog clarified the situation.

There appeared to be some confusion with the system, as the guest next to me encountered payment issues. Despite this, we received our key. It's worth noting that the check-in process differed from what the app implied, suggesting a smoother key retrieval process than what actually transpired.

Upon reaching our designated floor (floor 2), the unmistakable scent of urine indicated it was the designated "dog floor." However, to my surprise, our room didn't carry the same odor; it was clean, spotless, and beautifully presented, exceeding my expectations.

The beds were comfortable, providing a restful night's sleep. Feedback from my husband and son highlighted the outdated TV and malfunctioning remotes, which was a minor inconvenience. On a positive note, the hotel's charging station was a convenient amenity, especially for electric vehicle owners like us (be sure to have your Tesla adapter).

Although I didn't partake in the breakfast, my husband wasn't particularly impressed. However, my son and I enjoyed the pool, with my son especially excited by the experience. A suggestion for improvement would be to have signage indicating towel availability at the front desk, although obtaining them was hassle-free.

In conclusion, Graystone is a reliable choice for pet-friendly travelers, offering the added benefits of a charging station and a...