COVID-19 update

March 26, 2020

Dear Friends of The Lion and the Rose,

We would like to take this opportunity to extend thanks and gratitude to each and every one of you for your support through the good times and the bad. We are all on a bumpy, rocky road right now and facing challenges we never imagined. We are deeply touched by those who have checked on us to see how we are managing through these difficult and crazy times. And we also appreciate those who have rescheduled or postponed their stay until the time is right to travel again. We are hoping to be able to reopen May 1st and welcome you to your home away from home.

Please know that Steve and I are very grateful for the wonderful past year and a half. We are not only deeply in love with each other but also with this beautiful pink lady known as The Lion and the Rose. We are lucky to not only have found our soul mates but also our true calling in life.

As many of you already know, our wedding night was our first stay at a B&B. That day was unforgettable in so many ways. A seed was planted that day, one that would grow in the back of our minds about owning a bed and breakfast some day. This wedding photo of us on the front porch of that B&B served as inn-spiration to make that dream come true. Seventeen years later, our dream became reality.

The day we became innkeepers was truly a dream come true. We cannot tell you how fulfilling it is to see your smiling faces every day. It is our pleasure to help make your stay memorable and meaningful. We love our jobs and love our lives! It warms our hearts knowing that we invite you in as strangers but you leave as friends. There is no better feeling than that!

We just want you all to know that our home is just not the same without you. It is eerily quiet and empty without the sound of your laughter. We miss listening to your stories of your fun days in Asheville or other travel adventures. We look forward to the day that this place we call home feels like that once again. Together with our friends, family, neighbors and community, we will be strong and weather this storm. Once the dark clouds have lifted, the sun will shine and we will be here waiting to offer you warm hospitality and cold beer. Until then, we reflect fondly on memories of the good times. Please stay safe and healthy and we cannot wait till we meet again

Karen & Steve (and the inn pups, Oreo & Ozzy)

Snowman in a hat and scarf stands in front of a snow-covered house with lit windows.

Top 10 Winter Activities in Asheville

By odysys_admin • December 15, 2025
Biltmore Estate There is never a bad time to visit the iconic Biltmore Estate but winter brings a yuletide oasis. Now through January 4, 2026, you can experience the beauty of thousands of lights, over 100 Christmas trees, fragrant wreaths, and sparkling garland. The winter season of January through March also brings lower prices and less crowds. Explore Beer City USA The local craft brewing scene has exploded and Asheville has been voted Beer City USA four years in a row, Asheville takes extreme pride in being home to over 20 local craft brewers. Whether you take a Brews cruise or a DIY tour on the Asheville Ale Trail, a brewery hopping exploration is the perfect way to keep warm and enjoy a cold, winter weekend. Foodie Experiences Find out why Asheville ranks first in the South Atlantic region in the RewardExpert’s Best American Foodie Towns . With hundreds of restaurants and farm fresh eateries, you will not be disappointed by the choices of restaurants. Take a guided eating tour with a professional foodie to sample and taste some of Asheville’s best restaurants. Asheville Restaurant Weeks (January 20-26, 2026 and February 17-23, 2026) Try some new restaurants or revisit favorites. Get the lowest prices of the year, with a prix fix menu at $15-$35/person. With dozens of choices, there’s something for all appetites! Asheville has been touted by many as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in America. Hiking Less crowds means quieter hikes. It is a great time to hit the trails! Discover peace and solitude with expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a cool, clear day. Dupont State Forest offers several hikes from easy to difficult. It is famous for being one of “The Hunger Games” film locations. Chimney Rock offers breathtaking views of the gorge after climbing up the chimney. Pisgah National Forest offers the opportunity of seeing a frozen waterfall at Daniel Ridge Falls. Sharpen your photography skills Choose a half-day or full-day photo tours with our friends, Chris & Bonnie at Asheville Photo Tours. Explore some of the most photogenic but lesser-known locations in the Blue Ridge and Asheville areas. Take an art class Tap into your creative side with some of the talented, local artists. Day and weekend workshops include oil painting, acrylics, watercolor, inks, bookbinding, and pottery. Live music Asheville has been called “One of America’s Greatest Music Cities”. There is a vibrant music scene with live music of all genres from bluegrass to rock. Experience some of the very best in live music and find out why The Orange Peel has been called the country’s premiere Live Music Hall and Concert Venue. The Orange Peel offers state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment rarely found in a club of its size. Other fun venues include The Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall. Pamper yourself There is nothing quite like a luxurious foot soak in a hand-hammered copper bowl. Enjoy a fragrant, rejuvenating, and moisturizing sole to soul experience at Wake Foot Sanctuary. A signature massage can be added on for an extra splurge. Indulge in a romantic getaway Snuggle up with your loved one next to one of our cozy fireplaces with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine at The Lion and the Rose
Road beneath an arched stone bridge covered in vines and surrounded by trees.

Haunted Asheville

By odysys_admin • October 30, 2025
We are lucky to have great friends that grew up in Asheville. They have told us about some interesting local hauntings and strange experiences. With Halloween around the corner, we thought this was the right time to share some of these ghost stories and legends of paranormal activity.
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