The Embers Boutique Hotel in Blowing Rock

All my life I’ve been surrounded by music. My grandparents’ home was full of all kinds of interesting musical instruments and exotic wooden music boxes, some over three feet tall, that they picked up on travels to far away lands. My grandma played the organ and both my mom and her sister were trained in classical piano, as was I in younger years.

In high school, I was always throwing backyard pool parties. My brother would sing and strum guitar with his buddies around the lava rock fire pit – think red solo cups, cannonballs and warm California summer nights. He can still riff on guitar and often makes up lyrics that have me in stitches they’re so dang funny.

A few months back, I even traveled to a pub in Kilkenny, Ireland just to see my niece play fiddle for an Irish Band called The Fenians – a band on tour from the states playing Irish music in the mother land (with a little ACDC mixed in).

My niece started playing classical violin at the ripe old age of 4. Much of her training playing Irish music comes from spending summers at the Walker Family Band Camp in the charming town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. There were a few years her grandma (my mom) even attended and they’d take classes at camp together.

This was how I was first introduced to the quaint, charming town of Blowing Rock. It was about 10 years ago over a 4th of July weekend. My sisters, mom and brother announced they were attending camp that year with my niece and FOMO set in. I found myself astonishing my co-workers when I made the announcement, “I’m going to fiddle camp.” I still remember their faces - first a look of confusion then head shakes and laughter.

It was an experience like no other – family band camp. My mom, niece and brother took classes in the afternoons while my sisters and I strolled through campus with glasses of wine waving at them locked in the classrooms as we freely roamed the hallways giggling like schoolgirls ditching class. Every night there were jam sessions complete with fiddles, banjos and actual cloggers. It was an experience I would not soon forget nor was the cute town of Blowing Rock.

So, a few weeks ago when I was given the opportunity to visit a brand-new boutique hotel called The Embers Hotel in Blowing Rock, I called my sister in Greensboro to tell her to meet me and we both jumped at the opportunity.

LOCATION

Blowing Rock, North Carolina is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. The area derives its name from the blue haze that blankets the local mountains, an actual physical phenomenon rather than an illusion. In fact, it’s the trees that put the blue in “Blue Ridge.”

You see, the landscape appears blue because of a chemical called isoprene that’s released by the surrounding trees that scatters blue light from the sun, creating the dramatic, mystical cerulean haze.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Tips for Visiting

Below are some important things to know before visiting The Embers Hotel that will help you make the most of your trip so you can focus on simply relaxing and making memories.

The Embers Hotel is located at 124 Morningside Drive, Blowing Rock, NC.
The front desk can be reached at (828) 372-8000.
Book 21 days in advance and save.
The hotel is on Eastern Standard Time.
There is 24-hour check-in with someone at the front desk ready to help at all hours of the day.
Check in is at 3 pm; check out is at 11 am.

Parking is free and easy to navigate.
Service animals are welcome, but they have a no pet policy.
Smoking, including e-cigs and cigars, is not allowed anywhere on the property. This includes balconies.
All rooms have mini-fridges and coffee makers.
The onsite restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, but not lunch.

Dress in layers – weather changes quickly in Blowing Rock.
Check road conditions before heading out for a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are often closures due to weather especially in winter and during rain.
Book tickets for Grandfather Mountain and The Blowing Rock in advance especially in peak seasons.
Downtown parking has a 3-hour limit and they do freely handout tickets. The hotel is located within walking distance to most of where you will want to be so there’s often no need to have to find parking.

Climate and Weather

Blowing Rock sits at an elevation slightly higher than 3,500 feet. It’s known for its humid continental climate with four distinct seasons.

This incredible mountain getaway is typically known for cool yet humid summers, cold winters and moderate rainfall.

Spring and fall are great times to visit as they tend to be cool and pleasant. Visiting during the fall is magical as the leaves turn to vibrant shades of crimson red and golden honey. The color change typically peaks the third week of October, but can range from mid-October to early November. Spring and fall also receive moderate rainfall with occasional thunderstorms. Bring a rain jacket.

Summers tend to be warm, humid and wet. Fortunately, daytime temperatures rarely rise above 80°F unlike some of the neighboring areas. It’s a really fun time to visit with all kinds of incredible outdoor activities including incredible trails for hiking with shade.

Winters tend to be cold, with daytime highs typically in the 20s and often even lower. Regardless, it’s a beautiful time to visit as the landscape is often covered in snow creating a stunning winter wonderland. It’s also a fun, festive time with holiday decorations, the annual Blowing Rock Winterfest and many winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, sledding and snow shoeing.

*Average temperatures and rainfall in Blowing Rock, NC by month.*

AMENITIES

The Embers Hotel offers a warm, cozy ambience in a luxurious yet relaxing atmosphere. It’s tastefully decorated in an elegant, rustic design with all of the modern amenities. Every detail is accounted for and you will be made to feel welcome from the moment you walk through the door.

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A welcome note will greet you in your room with cute branded coffee cups to take home full of quality candies. Bathrobes hang in the closet with slippers. You will find a clothes steamer in addition to an iron, quality botanical bath products with an aromatic fragrance, and shaving kits in addition to the usual suspect toiletries.

Everything The Embers does is centered around hospitality with a personal touch.

The boutique hotel is located just steps from downtown perched above the main street. It is close to everywhere you will want to be.

There are indoor and outdoor wood burning fireplaces constantly filling the air with the intoxicating scent of the great outdoors. There are areas to play games and visit, a bar serving hand-crafted cocktails, and an onsite fine dining restaurant that serves culinary art. There’s also a large, multi-level outdoor patio area for al fresco dining or sitting around the fire in oversized chairs. It’s the perfect spot to soak in the afternoon sun and breath in the fresh mountain air.

Hotel Amenities

Here are just a few of the hotel’s features and highlights.

Inviting lobby with comfortable seating.
A long wood table set against a wood burning fireplace perfect for playing games or sharing a drink with friends.
Shelves full of books to read, games to play, decks of cards, and puzzles.

A full bar with ample seating serving artisan handcrafted cocktails as well as local beers and wines.

Outdoor patio with a wood burning fireplace and oversized chairs for relaxing. On cool days and nights, they have gas heaters to keep you warm and blankets.
In the summer, you can order food and drinks from the outdoor walk up bar.

The Embers Restaurant

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Room and Suite Amenities

Below are just some of the room and private suite highlights:

Comfortable beds with plush linens, and extra blankets and pillows.
Bathrobes and slippers.
Iron and clothes steamer.
Suites offer additional amenities including fireplaces, wet bars, Adirondack swivel chairs, larger balconies with outdoor dining tables and more.

Private balconies.
Air conditioning and heater.
In-room safes for storing valuables.

Illy espresso and coffee maker with cups, pods, creamer and sugar.
Mini-fridge.
Complimentary bottled water.
Smart TV.

Small closets with ample storage space as well as hooks for jackets, cupboards, shelves and drawers.
High Speed Wi-Fi.
Plenty of outlets.

**BATHROOM AMENITIES**

Overhead Rain Shower.
Bathrobes and slippers.
Ample supply of plush towels.
No fog mirror.

Blow dryer.
Botanical bath products including shampoo and conditioner.
Additional toiletries including a vanity set and shaving kit.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES & HIGHLIGHTS

Walking distance to downtown,
Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations on site.
Ample front row parking.

Special Offers and Packages

The Embers Hotels offers various specials and packages to guests including the following:

Romance & Roses - Romance package includes champaign, chocolate-covered strawberries and a rose petal turndown.
Stay Cozy, Save Big - Winter specials.
Other Seasonal Specials.
Plan Ahead & Save - Special rates for booking 21 days in advance.

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

The Embers Hotel is nestled in the heart of downtown Blowing Rock, North Carolina providing the perfect home base for your trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.

There is an endless list of things to do nearby, especially outdoor activities, making it the perfect place to rekindle your connection with nature.

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

Located at Mile Marker 290, Blowing Rock is the only full-service town located on the Blue Ridge Parkway - one of the most scenic drives in the country. The Parkway spans 469 miles, all the way from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. This slow-paced, relaxing drive offers breathtaking views of the Appalachians, sweeping vistas and viewpoints, and stunning rugged mountain terrain. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing. Unfortunately, the road was closed during my visit, so photo credit goes to Ryan Herron. Be sure to check road conditions in advance as it’s often subject to temporary closures.

The Blowing Rock

The legend of Blowing Rock is one rooted in lore - a story of two star-crossed lovers, a Cherokee brave and a Chickasaw maiden, forbidden to be together. It is said that the brave leaped from the rock in grief into the wilderness below, but a gust of heavenward wind blew him back up into his lover’s outstretched arms as she stood atop the rock waiting for his return. Ever since then, a perpetual mysterious wind has blown up into the rock from beneath.