Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn

Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn was built by Richard Sharp-Smith, the supervising architect of the famous Biltmore Estate, in 1899. Today, the inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, and has been carefully restored to preserve beautiful architectural details. The inn sits on a beautifully landscaped lawn with manicured hedges, blossoming trees, colorful plants, and two small water gardens surrounded by stones and stocked with koi. To take in the view, guests can sit on green-cushioned iron chairs on the stone patio or relax on rocking chairs under a long, covered porch with ceiling fans and decorative rugs. The Arts and Crafts style home is done in pale-blue wood siding with white trim, with gray stonework on the front facade. Inside is a beautiful lounge area with wooden floors, cushioned parlor chairs, Tiffany-inspired lamps, and a chandelier. Breakfast is served in an opulent space with Victorian-style chairs and two-person round tables, each covered in a crocheted tablecloth and topped with darling Chinaware. Guests tend to be couples, as the setting is quiet, romantic, and personalized, and the husband-and-wife hosts are known for their unobtrusive hospitality. 

Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn is located in Montford, a quiet, pretty neighborhood with other inns and homes nearby. There are a restaurant and a couple of shops on the same street as the inn, but guests will have to walk or drive downtown for more options. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in downtown Asheville, which is within a six-minute drive or around a 25-minute walk. Biltmore Estate and Biltmore Village are within a 10-minute drive, and Asheville Regional Airport is around 20 to 30 minutes' drive. 

The eight rooms at the inn are beautiful and spacious with well-curated furnishings, including -- in some rooms -- claw-foot tubs, Art Deco bedroom sets, and glass chandeliers. Color schemes vary from plum to pale blue and gold, and all rooms have lovely wood floors and warm lighting. The Dogwood Room has a cozy study and a dreamy, turret ceiling with a night-sky motif, and hosted actress Sandra Bullock while she filmed "28 Days." The bathroom sink in the Azalea Room was hand-carved by author Thomas Wolfe's father. The Magnolia room has a kitchenette with a mini-fridge, sink, microwave, and dining area. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, and many have fireplaces. The charming bathrooms are clean and stocked with Aveda toiletries, but some bathrooms only have showers or tubs; The Ivy Garden room has a two-person hot tub beside the bed. Two of the rooms are pet-friendly. 

Guests love the three-course breakfast served at the inn -- it may have something to do with the owners' decades of previous experience owning and operating bakeries. The breakfast includes pastries like apple-raisin-walnut muffins or raspberry turnovers, followed by a fruit course, and culminating with a hot main course ranging from malted waffles with bananas foster to poached eggs and asparagus. Free beverages are available all day, including tea, coffee, and soda. In the early evenings, a wine social is presented including hors d’oeuvres and more pastries. Free parking and public Wi-Fi are available.