Reviews for The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant in Chimney Rock, NC
I wanted to take the opportunity to discuss our experience at the Esmeralda for our dinner reception following our wedding on... 10/20/22. To start, I want to say that some aspects were absolutely amazing; the food was fantastic and the staff was pleasantand attentive. However, there were also some details that were extremely disappointing. When we arrived we were ushered upstairsas expected and everyone was able to get drinks, but there was no information or direction on what to expect. We stood arounduncertainly with no idea how long we had before proceeding to dinner. Once we finally were herded into the banquet room, we werediscouraged to find four separate tables instead of a long table. This completely separated our party and made it very difficultto talk to our guests. When the food finally came out, only one table was served at a time. At first, this was fine. As thebride, I had intended to get up and walk around the tables as people were eating so I could interact and intermingle with ourguests. However, not only were the groom and I served LAST, it took 45 min to get our food after the first table. If I had knownwe weren't getting our food for 45 min, I would have walked around while we were waiting. Once we were finished eating dessert,I got up to use the restroom. When I returned, my cheesecake was gone and the staff was clearing away the tables, and a staffmember came up and told us we had to leave. I had to rush around trying to say goodbye to our guests because I had noopportunity to do so earlier. We were pushed out of the restaurant 15 min after we finished eating. For our review we wouldgive the food and staff 5 stars. However, the event was very poorly managed and for the amount of money we spent at therestaurant (about $3000 for 20 guests), we expected more. The organization and orchestration was terrible and extremelydisappointing. We gave the restaurant management an opportunity to respond to our concerns but they blew us off, givi Read more
OMG! We feel like we discovered a treasure! But it?s been here since 1891! Looking for a place for breakfast on the way from... Lake Lure to Black Mountain. Esmeralda?s Inn is amazing!!! This was so much more than breakfast - it was an experience!! Read more
The Esmeralda Inn is a wonderful place to come and relax and be pampered! My wife and I had a wonderful experience here and will... definitely be back with our kids another time. Each dinner experience was great, and the gourmet breakfast every morning wasunique and amazing, especially considering that it?s included! The staff is all very attentive, and there were no detailsmissed. They are knowledgeable and considerate, asking us about our day each time we passed the front desk or saw someone in thehall. It is very intimate and cozy. The rooms are comfortable but not extravagant, just what we expected. The s?mores by woodburning fire and quiet relaxation on the wrap-around porch were absolutely perfect. We also definitely enjoyed our picnic lunchat the cabin park on the picturesque river. Highly recommended! Thank you! Read more
Beautiful location, great staff, room was adorable. Pool table, pool, hot tub. Great location. Fantastic stay. Everything was... perfect. Couldn't have wanted for more. Spent a night and wish it had been a week. Highly recommend stay for your next get away or adventure. Read more
So I called this place at 900pm they had me in a room by the time My wife and I arrived. Immediately felt at home when we walked... in. The wood staircase and a fire going were amazing to experience. Took me back to a time I never got to experience just for amoment. The rooms are a bit drab, the tv was blurry and the view from room 7 is a fire exit! Was told all the rooms have greatviews. we only stayed from 10 that night to 11 the next morning. (Was hoping for a slight discount ????) either way, I?m notcomplaining. I wanted to take my wife on an impromptu spa vacation day and the people at the inn made it all possible. we didnot get to experience the hot tub or dinner but breakfast was great. Oh, and the two-hour couples massage was wow. My onlycomplaint is looking up at a metal-air vent while trying to relax. Just a suggestion!!Thank you and we will be back Read more
Some aspects were amazing and others very disappointing but in a nutshell not quite what you?d expect for the cost and would... stay elsewhere next time. My daughter and I stayed for two weekend nights. We had massages, and dinner one night. The hottub jets and filters were broken both nights, the Speakeasy Bar closed both nights as well. The massages were incredible.Breakfast was very good as well both days although you have only one option. The only vegetarian option for dinner was notgreat - tortellini which is pretty easily made at home- again nothing special for the price. We wanted so badly to love it andtried to be good sports as the owner acknowledges below - but I?d never return or recommend it for the cost and night #2 wasthe turning point. My daughter did talk to the owner after dinner on the last night when We were offered $5 off gift card inthe gift shop IF we spent more money. As a customer service person herself, my daughter felt this was the point somethingneeded to be said and did so directly to the owner. A few of the staff were absolutely wonderful and I would have given it thehighest marks with some effort to acknowledge the issues for a weekend this expensive - well over $900. We stayed at ahistoric B&B our last night of the trip in downtown Asheville- less expensive and unbelievably better management and effort formaking things special -noticeable touches lacking at the Esmeralda which compelled me to write this - but thankfully our tripended on a great note and this in no way ruined it. We appreciate everything. Good memories and we can laugh about the badones. Read more
Awesome views from our cabin. The staff was friendly and attentive. The restaurant had terrific food and wasn't terribly priced.... The cabin had some design quirks such as no shower door, only one shower head in a shower of its size, as well as not havinghave a tankless water heater so you only get about 20 minutes of hot water. Some of the fixtures were loose in the bathroom androom proper. But overall an enjoyable experience and would definitely stay again. Read more
Be absolutely sure you can make your travel dates. There is no rescheduling or refunds within a 10 day window. I guess they have... never experienced life. $1400 donation to The Esmeralda due to unforeseen circumstances. Will not book again. Read more