Ashville 5 Stars Hotels

"For over a decade, staying at Salamander Middleburg was on my bucket list. As a young professional, I always heard raving reviews but felt priced out. So when a friend and I finally secured a Presidents Day weekend stay around $600 per night, we were excited for a true luxury experience. Unfortunately, the value simply was not there. One of the biggest surprises was how little is actually included for guests. Spa treatments cost $195–$365, and even then you only get two hours of access to amenities afterward — with no guest discounts or privileges. Most other activities on property are similarly expensive, leaving very little to do unless you spend hundreds more. We ended up leaving the resort to go to a nearby spa, where we enjoyed full services and lunch for under $120. The arrival experience was even more disappointing. We drove in during the rain to no greeting, no valet, no help with luggage, and no clear signage for check-in. At the desk, we waited without acknowledgment while the lone staff member worked on other tasks. When we were finally assisted, our room wasn’t ready, resulting in a one-hour wait with no apology or offer of refreshments. The room itself was comfortable but unremarkable. To their credit, customer service later apologized and offered breakfast, wine and late check out. Still, for $600+ per night, the service and overall experience did not match the luxury reputation."