2 NC resorts named among best in the South, Southern Living says (one’s No. 1)
If you’re looking for a top-notch resort, look no further than Western North Carolina.
Southern Living recently named The Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville the No. 1 resort in the South, with another Asheville gem, The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, coming in close second.
The picturesque mountain retreats ranked high in the magazine’s 2026 South’s Best Awards, highlighting the region’s most popular restaurants, resorts, golf courses and more — as rated by readers. This year’s survey was conducted July 9 to Sept. 9, 2025 and included more than 17,000 respondents.
In its report on first-rate resorts, Southern Living pointed to refreshed guestrooms and “unmatched views of the Blue Ridge Mountains right outside your window” at The Inn on Biltmore Estate.
“However, between the inn’s spa, shopping, dining, and wine tasting at Antler Hill Village & Winery, and unlimited access to tour the 8,000-acre grounds and Biltmore House, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy,” editors wrote.
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa also earned high praise, with editors noting its 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa, annual gingerbread competition and sprawling sports complex outfitted with “an indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts and a fitness club.”
More Asheville accolades
Asheville is a top travel destination, and this recognition is just one of the latest for the beloved mountain town.
Earlier this year, TripAdvisor ranked it among the best foodie destinations in the U.S., The Charlotte Observer previously reported. It also landed at No. 6 on a list of the most underrated travel spots in the country by Wander, a luxury vacation rental company.
Travel + Leisure also rated the Blue Ridge Parkway —the 469-mile scenic route that cuts through Asheville and much of the Western North Carolina mountains — among the best road trips in the U.S.
What are the best resorts in the South?
Two North Carolina mountain resorts topped Southern Living’s list of the South’s best, joining eight other must-visit retreats in the Top 10, including:
- Jekyll Island Club Resort in Jekyll Island, Georgia
- Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee
- Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain in Walland, Tennessee
- The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky
- The Cloister at Sea Island in Sea Island, Georgia
- The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island in Kiawah Island, South Carolina
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island in Amelia Island Florida
Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 9:59 AM with the headline "2 NC resorts named among best in the South, Southern Living says (one’s No. 1)."