A Perfect Weekend Getaway: How Long Should You Spend at the Biltmore?

Years ago (basically another lifetime ago), I had the opportunity to work for three hospitality companies that forever changed how I review hotels: The Walt Disney World Company, Amelia Island Plantation, and the Ritz-Carlton. These experiences taught me what true hospitality and luxury service look like—and, to be frank, they ruined me.

Ever since then, I’ve become a self-proclaimed hotel snob. So, when it came to a surprise trip for my birthday, my husband pulled out all the stops and completely spoiled me with a trip to the Biltmore. And wow, this estate is unreal.

If you’re not familiar, the Biltmore is an 8,000-acre private estate owned by the Vanderbilt family, now a luxury resort offering numerous activities, dining options, and views that are simply unbelievable. Whether you’re planning how long you should spend at the Biltmore or dreaming up a perfect weekend at the Biltmore, I’m here to share my experience and help you plan an unforgettable visit!

A Perfect Weekend Exploring the Biltmore Grounds

The grounds of the Biltmore are nothing short of spectacular. From the rolling hills to the perfectly manicured gardens and the impressive hotels, everything is immaculately maintained. Not a blade of grass is out of place, and there’s no trash in sight—it’s one of the most magnificent parts of the entire estate.

With breathtaking mountain views in every direction, it’s truly a sight to behold. The wild thing is, I didn’t see a single person on “trash duty” or tending to the lawns. We visited in early August, toured the gardens, hiked around a gorgeous pond, and explored the sunflower fields. We were content with spending one day exploring the grounds and taking in all the sights, but with so many activities offered, like archery, horseback riding, and biking, you might want to spend more time enjoying a perfect weekend at the Biltmore. Whether you’re planning how long you should spend at the Biltmore or mapping out the perfect weekend, there’s so much to see and do!

Discovering Activities for a Perfect Weekend at the Biltmore

The Biltmore is a full-on resort that offers a wide range of activities and countless opportunities to relax and unwind. If you’re planning a perfect weekend at the Biltmore, you’ll find everything from archery to off-road experiences and horseback riding for those seeking adventure. However, I think know you can have an amazing weekend at the Biltmore without spending on these extra activities. There’s so much to enjoy without additional costs—except for touring the Biltmore Mansion, which is an absolute must in my opinion!


Here are some of my favorite activities from our visit:

• Touring the Biltmore Mansion: We took a self-guided tour, and it was perfect! Tip: Go early to avoid the heat and crowds since there’s no AC in the mansion. But whatever you do, don’t skip this tour!
• Hiking through the gardens and around the scenic pond: The views were stunning, the trail was easy to walk, and it wasn’t crowded. The scenery was simply unreal. Bonus Tip: if you are staying at the Inn, they will give you free water- Ask for a couple of bottles before you go. 
• Visiting the Winery: I’m not a huge wine drinker, but doing a free tasting was a fun experience, and it was more than enough wine for me. I highly recommend it. Don’t worry if there’s a line; it moves quickly.
• Relaxing on the patio outside the Inn: We grabbed a drink from the resort bar and enjoyed the evening on the patio, soaking in the scenery. It was the perfect way to unwind.
• Walking through the “farm”: The barns are beautiful, and they offer different demonstrations such as blacksmithing (is that the right word?) and someone making brooms, yes brooms.
  
  If you’re lucky, you might even get to pet a goat! I loved strolling through this part of the resort.
• Exploring the sunflower fields: The fields are unbelievable, stretching on for what seems like a mile. While sunflowers aren’t my favorite flower, you can’t help but be amazed by the vast number of them. It’s truly breathtaking.

A weekend at the  Biltmore is the perfect amount of time to explore the grounds, see the historical sights, and go out for an adventure.

A Dinning Guide to a Perfect Weekend at the Biltmore

I love to eat—it’s one of the first things I think about when visiting a new place. Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations for resort food, but our perfect weekend at the Biltmore was filled with amazing culinary experiences that completely surprised me. Over the weekend, we dined at the Inn, The Stable Café, Cedric’s Tavern, The Kitchen Café, and The Creamery.

I could write an entire blog post just about the food—and maybe I will—but let’s summarize it for now: The Dining Room at the Inn was expensive, but it was such an incredible experience. The service was top-notch, the food was amazing, and I love any excuse to get dressed up! Don’t skip out on this experience, it truly makes it a remarkable getaway. 

After touring the Biltmore, we had lunch at The Stable Café. The atmosphere was perfect, and I highly recommend securing a reservation. Being able to sit and enjoy a meal (and a drink) after touring the Biltmore was perfect, plus it gave us the energy to go on a hike.

Now, let’s talk about Cedric’s Tavern. On day two, we wanted a casual meal, and this pub restaurant exceeded our expectations. I had the best-fried fish ever—better than in England! The chips were just okay, but the fish was unbelievable.

We grabbed a quick bagel at The Kitchen Café. I’d skip the breakfast sandwich here, but the bagels and lunches are worth it and reasonably priced.

As for The Creamery, one of the bus drivers was raving about the ice cream here, and we heard others raving too. I don’t know if it’s because I’m an ice cream snob or if I ordered the wrong thing (soft-serve vanilla with cookie dough), but it was lackluster. I’d skip it next time. However, if you try it, let me know your thoughts, because people were raving about it! Whether you’re planning how long to spend at the Biltmore or crafting a perfect weekend itinerary, you won’t want to miss these dining experiences.

A Perfect Weekend at the Biltmore: Room Review and What to Expect

I have so much more to share about our perfect weekend at the Biltmore, but I’ll wrap it up with a review of our room. As a self-proclaimed hotel snob, having worked at some of the best and traveled extensively, I must say this room was stunning. The Biltmore offers multiple lodging options. We stayed in the renovated section of the Inn. WOW—it didn’t disappoint. The room was absolutely gorgeous.

I’m a bit obsessed with the decor, from the wallpaper and drapes to that beautiful pinstripe chair. The closet handles and the restroom were also impressive. I enjoyed watching the Olympics and having early nights in this lovely room.

However, I have to admit there were a couple of surprises. The beds were unfortunately quite uncomfortable; both Ryan and I found them surprisingly hard, which was unexpected given the room’s overall luxury. Additionally, the conditioner provided was more for fragrance than for detangling—smelled nice but didn’t work well.

Despite these minor issues, I would 1001% stay here again. The service, views, food, and activities made our weekend at the Biltmore feel like a true escape to luxury. It was worth every bit of the splurge, and I genuinely hope we get to return someday.